Student magazine from Albert Lea High School now available in the Minnesota Digital Library

In 1912, students at Albert Lea High School began to produce a school literary magazine called the “Ah-La-Ha-Sa.” They published student compositions like poetry, short stories, editorials, and humor pieces, as well as general news about the school, its programs, its teachers, and its students. Student-drawn illustrations, cartoons, and photographs accompanied the text. The magazine also included advertisements from local Albert Lea businesses.

The students had the support of the superintendent for this venture. In the first issue, C. C. Baker explained the origins of the idea and praised the students for carefully considering the cost, labor, time, and responsibility of publishing the magazine. He believed the Ah-La-Ha-Sa’s main purpose was to boost the school, and he wrote:

“To accomplish this purpose it must (1) state the truth concerning school activities; (2) bring the reader in closer touch with the school life by informing him the better of its daily routine, (3) enthuse the student body to deeds worthy of mention in its columns, (4) encourage the literary activity of its contributors, and (5) prove its worth by its helpful and healthful attitude toward all school problems.”

While most issues reveal the lighthearted nature of high school life, the Ah-La-Ha-Sa also reflected some of the larger issues affecting the world at the time. Examples include special numbers from 1917 and 1918 which were dedicated to those serving in World War I, including the American number (April 1917), the Soldier number (November 1917), and the Service number (April 1918).  

The Minnesota Digital Library recently digitized 44 issues of the Ah-La-Ha-Sa created between 1912 and 1925 from the collection of the Freeborn County Historical Society. This new digital collection provides a great snapshot of life for young people in early 20th century Albert Lea.

Image credit: Cover of the Ah-La-Ha-Sa, Volume 6, Number 3, February 1918: https://collection.mndigital.org/catalog/fre:2269