Doral Pilling's High School Yearbook: The Coyote - Shelby High School 1924

A faded cover

This is another of the treasures we found while sorting through a box of Arta's papers:  her father Doral Pilling's high school yearbook.  

I will admit that I have never been that interested in yearbooks in general, but it was something different to be holding my grandfather's yearbook, conscious that it was over 100 years old.  Indeed, the cover was sufficiently faded to be close to unreadable.  I had to open it to know what I was really looking at.

"The Coyote" - a publication of the senior class of the Shelby High School in 1924.   A few things struck me.  First, his signature.  I remember my mom telling me that her father had beautiful handwriting.  I have to agree.   

A few other things were interesting, like the photos of the school, the principal, the board of trustees.... so much in the style of 1924!

Another interesting thing about the yearbook, is that it includes Doral, and Loran and Erva (they were all in the Shelby High School at the same time, and so all of them show up!

Here is the page with the seniors.

Here is the closeup of Doral

Along with that, here is his pet name.  :-)

Then, a bunch of photos that speak to sports!

In the JUNIORS, we find Erva and Loran.  Loran is on the back row, and Erva on the front.   I like it that she has signed the yearbook saying "your sister".

Erva and Loran were also in the Operetta class (again, he is on the back and she is on the front)

So interesting to read the class "history".

Also, their prophecy... the ideas of what might come to pass.

Also loved seeing them think about what it is that they would pass on to those coming behind.  There is some specificity here, as well as a reference to Doral's boxing abilities! [put in a link to other posts on boxing?]

I also was thinking about "advertising".   What businesses were around, and how did they promote themselves to this group of young adults?

FINALLY..... the "humour".   There is lots to be said here about the jokes of the time.

As a closing note, I found myself wondering about trade, economy and ADVERTISING.... what are the businesses who paid for advertising in this book (and why so many attorneys?... or is it because historically law firm were not able to 'advertise', so instead would just be acknoweldged for 'sponsoring' the yearbook?   will give that some thought)