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Origin Of Our School Song.... Thou Dear Northeast

Ethel Mae Rush
Class of 1914

During the school's first year existence, Principal, C.B. Reynolds proposed that the school have its own song.  Professor, Frank E. Chaffee selected the simple, beautiful and popular air from Dr. A. W. Noll's tune of "Naples", the pupils were requested to submit original and suitable verses to fit this tune.  From these poems were chosen the verses written by Mrs. Ethel Mae Rush-Randall, whose father, Professor Elmer E. Rush, was then a member of the faculty.  Miss Ciella Hobbs, Class of 1925 transposed the music to conform to the wording.  Bemis Lester, Class of 1924 designed the copy of the music as we use it today.  Ethel May Rush-Randall, was born in Kansas City, MO, May 24, 1896. She was graduated from Garfield School in June of 1909.  She was graduated from Northeast High School, June, 1914.  She made 32 "E's" and 4 "G's" in solids and 8 "E's" in non-solids, totaling forty points.  She helped to organize the "Alpha Literary Society", and was it's president during the first year. She helped to organize the German Club , and became it's president.  She was one of the editors of the "Nor'easter".  She won a gold medal for poem in the "Lit" contest.  She was secretary of the Senior Class and gave the oration at commencement.  She was graduated at Junior College with the highest honors in 1916, and was elected a Phi Beta Kappa at Kansas University.  Ethel Mae Rush-Randall wrote our school song.

(Source of Information - Purple & White, Fall 2004)