From the Archive: Benzene Ring and Active Atoms

by Tiffani Righero, Research Assistant, Local History Archive

Back in December, we wrote about yearbooks and featured the 1948 Fort Collins High Lambkin (see the Ski Club here). This time, we’d like to look at a few other clubs from the same year of the Lambkin: the Chemistry Clubs.  Both clubs, Benzene Ring and Active Atoms, drew in quite a few members (including some who also participated in the ski club and still had their sweaters for club picture day). You’ll notice from the poems included on each club’s page; the girls were excited to get their own club after being “rejected” by the boys’ club.

The poems read as follows:

The Benzine Ring

Organized and active, we have Benzene Ring once more,

Who hold planned and interesting meetings that never are a bore.

Experiments and lectures to educate and explain,

Are presented to the members who never do complain.

These chemistry-loving lads are eager to learn

Little things like knowing that hydrogen will burn.

The Active Atoms

Forced to organize by the Senior boys, are these lovers of chemistry;

Rejected as officers in Benzene Rig, now work independently.

To the water-works and sugar factory these gals have taken trips,

They like chemistry and in this bunch you’ll find no drips.

So here’s a cheer for these senior girls, defending women’s rights,

Who got themselves a separate club, avoiding with boys any fights.