Adrian High School - Sickle Yearbook (Adrian, MI)

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All classes were more or less implicated, but it may rightly be inferred from the increase of this spirit during this last year that the lower classes took the leading part. We have nothing to say against the raising of class colors and emblems, in the right place at proper times, nor do we object to the manisfestations of class spirit under such circum- stances. But when these colors are fiaunted as is a red rag before a maddened bull, with a defiant persistency equaled only by the great industry exhibited in making new fiags to replace those destroyed in the frequent melees, such a spirit is out of place. Such displays are trebly childish and, in keep- ing with the lowest plane of high school intelligence, when flags are fiaunted from a church steeple, and from down town buildings. These actions are unworthy of notice. f9Elsf9iQidfs0Zl2 AST summer Adrian High School was the recipient of a very generous gift from the Agassiz Association. The donation comprised their collection of stuffed animals, Indian relics, bones, shells, botanical and mineralogical speci- mens and one of the finest entymological collections in the state. This fine exhibit now adorns the Senior Room of the High School. A large case with plate glass front has been placed at one end of the room, in which are the butterfiies, also the shells, mas- todon bones and some of the botanical specimens. The shrubs at the side of the room hold the greater part of the remainder, while stuffed birds swing and perch everywhere. This collection might form a neucleus to a much greater, if only the members of the High School would use the splen- did opportunity offered. Each thing must have some begin- ning, be it great or small, and does not this patiently acquired collection form a very acceptable start for an energetic and wide-awake Scientific Club, which may take a prominent place among the High School organizations? The Annual would be pleased to offer this as a sugges- tion, that, among those who are interested in such things C and who of us is notl an association be formed under capable direction, to go on with the work for which we already have so generous a start. Jhdfsaisaih Who misses or who wins the prize, Go lose or conquer as you can, But if you fail or if you rise Be each, pray God, a gentleman. E each, pray God, a gentleman. It is an easy word and a pleasant one, but do you all live up to it? Or are you showing it a little here and there, so little perhaps, that you hardly notice it until you make comparisons? A gentleman playing against a gentleman always plays to win. There is a tacit agreement between them that each shall play his best, and the best man shall win. If you are a member of a school team and go into training, don't break faith with your captain, your fellows and yourself by surreptitious in- dulgences. This does not mean that if you see some other fellow breaking the law on the sly you are obliged to tell of

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The Senior Sickle. Of the Adrian High School. .....lDubIi5heb bp the 021355 of '99.... ...Editorialsm gg USTOM, once established, is very tenacious. Sometimes, indeed, it may lead to pernicious results, but such, it 5 seems,can hardly be the case in regard to the publishing of annuals by graduating classes. An annual is read with interest by the alumni, by the many friends of the institution, and by the general public, as well as by the students of all classes. In this way the work of a school is brought to the notice of the public and an impres- sion, favorable or otherwise, is created by its publications. To the student the annual, while perhaps a source of much pleasure and enjoyment at the present time, ought to be valued greatly in after life, for without it many pleasant memories of High School days would be lost. Nearly all the larger schools of the state observe the cus- tom of publishing an annual of some sort. Adrian High School has but recently begun this practice, however 5 and, while previous to this production we have published but two annuals, we are pleased to note that the SICKLES of '97 and '98 were equaled by few, and excelled by no High School in the state. We, the editors of '99, have tried to present as good an annual as We were able, and one which would not only be of interest now, but would serve as an acceptable souvenir of Adrian High School for the year 1899. If we have succeeded in doing this, we feel that the time and labor spent have not been in vain. Of its merits you yourselves must judge. eiedeslealle ZITHIN the past school year a sentiment, heretofore entirely foreign to the walls of the old building, has arisen among the several classes of the high school. We have reference tO the clearly defined and somewhat ques- tionable class spirit which has been manifested throughout the school year, not by the legitimate and accustomed feeling of friendly rivalry, but by lawless depredations which at first committed entirely on class lines, quickly degenerated into pranks unworthy the term practical jokes, committed by members of all classes. We wish here to draw sharply the line between harmless jokes and the wanton destruction of property, which has ensued as a result of the earlier rivalry. We have been enter- tained by samples of both species of humor. The former were passed over with a tolerant smile by students, teachers and the public, while the latter gained, as they deserved, only severest condenmation from all.

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it, nor does it 1nean that you must call him to account, unless you are the captain. And if you are the captain, and you find a person breaking a law in spite of your own orders, and you consider it advisable to put him off the team, don't be afraid to do it. Gentlemen are not cowards, mentally or physically. If you are elected captain of a team, read over your rules, and note exactly who are allowed as contestants by those rules, not by the customs of some predecessor, not by what you think some rival will do, but by the rules themselves. Having done that, never let a thought enter your head of making use of any man not cleanly and clearly eligible. You will save yourself many a future worry if you start fairly by looking into the record of every candidate at the outset. It is your duty to know that every one of your players is straight and square. The boys of the school should attend the games and cheer their team, and in this way encourage them to put forth their best efforts to win. But they should also be courteous to their rivals and not cheer an error made by them. Moreover, if your rivals make a good play, you should cheer them and conceal any chagrin you may feel at the loss it may be to your side. And after a winning game, there is no reason why you should not do plenty of cheering, but there is plenty of reason why you should not make your enjoyment depend upon in- sulting those who have lost. Show that behind the fun there is the instinct and cultivation of a gentleman's son, and that the enthusiasm, although it may be a bore to those who fail to kindle to it, has nothing of the vicious element, and is thoroughly innocent of intentional offense to anyone. .NE subject relating to the High School is gradually becoming quite important. For many years the country people have been coming to the High School to obtain a better education than is offered in the rural districts. The advantages afforded by the High School are readily recognized. In the district school the opportunity for the pursuit of study is limited. There, only the rudimentary branches are taught. Little or no instruction is offered in literature or history. The language work is confined largely to the oral use, by pupils and teachers, of much abused English. For a right appreciation of literature and history one must live among men. Such conditions are even more necessary in acquiring a language. Therefore it is only natu- ral that the foreign pupils should appreciate the privileges granted them even more than their school-mates, who have been accustomed all their lives to skillful teachers and improved methods. In the city schools so much knowledge has bee11 presented, even though in an interesting manner, that the pupils' minds are actually surfeited, and their excel- lent opportunities are not fully appreciated, while all the new ideas are eagerly grasped and assimilated by those whose advantages have been limited. Over against the advantages rendered by the High School, and almost as important, is the benefit resulting to the High School from these same pupils. They have come inspired by the study of nature. They have climbed the hills, forded the streams, and wandered through the woods. They know how the grain grows, how the birds build their nests, where and when to find all kinds of Wild flowers. Another fact regard- ing the country pupils is not to be overlooked. They are