Judge — May 27, 1922 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Class Honors" - Judge Magazine, May 27, 1922 This satirical cartoon mocks students who excel at school spirit and cheerleading despite academic failure. The poem text reveals the joke: the Smith twins "flunk in Latin" and "failed in Greek for years," yet they lead school cheers and are honored for it. The illustration shows exuberant cheerleaders in dynamic poses with cherub-like figures, emphasizing the frivolous nature of their achievement. The satire criticizes an educational system that rewards social popularity and extracurricular enthusiasm over actual academic performance. This reflects 1920s concerns about American education priorities—the tension between academic rigor and student social life. The cartoon suggests schools were celebrating the wrong accomplishments.