Cranston High School - Cranstonian Yearbook (Cranston, RI)

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SSE 8 l955 ISSZ l955 l954

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CRANSTO NIA N LITERARY BOARD Fran! Row: Y. MacLaughlin, O. Prior, Miss Hayden, S, VV'ells, J. Fogel, B. johnson, E. Sammuelson Second Row: M. Law, R. Hanson, E. Schofield, G. Anderson, C. Brown, C. Osier, I. Hienold, M. East Third Row: H. Stanley, J. Nlfathey, E. Tillman, P. Mathewson, L. Bain, Reeves, C. Greenwood CRANSTONIAN BUSINESS BOARD Front Row: H. Rhodes. F, Thompson, R. McLeod, Mr. Hayes, F. Bliss, H. Mathews Second Row: D. Mulligan, E. Potter, D. Fales, R. Fallon, V. Ross, F. Holland Third Row: L. Merolla, E. Devon, F. Stamp, G. Larkin, C. Short, F. Holland

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Eg A fee 1952 fl Fan toniaq 5 eff, f WX Q., . 1732-Education-1932 HAS IT ever occurred to you that the training which we are receiving in school today is not unlike that afforded in the time of George Washington? It is true that the old held school houses taught little more than reading, writing, and arithmetic, but these humble institutions are not to be scorned, for it was in one of them, that our first President was taught the fundamentals of education. Under the tutelage of Hobby, the parish sex- ton, who was reputed to have been a convict before becoming a kind of indentured servant to teach the children on the Washington plantation, George Washington learned much of the knowledge which was later invaluable to him as President. Like his father, George planned to become a plantation owner, and was instructed accordingly when he was sent, at the age of twelve, to school at Bridges Creek. His educa- tion there was plain and practical, consisting of three R's, plus bookkeeping, and land surveying. George specialized in the latter, for it was most important in his day. Every boy was trained to become a planter, with a little knowledge of law and surveying for the purpose of settling land disputes. He also excelled in mathematics. Washington never attempted to study foreign languages, and was never unusually adept at expressing him- self in very polished English. Washington applied himself diligently to his studying, although he yearned to go to sea. ln all his lesson books, many of which have been preserved, neatness and efficiency are displayed, as well as an almost infallible accuracy. With the exception of a few sketches made in his copy books of nondescript birds and profiles of his classmates, all was business- like in his work. After his education at Bridges Creek and a short term at Wakeheld, Washington completed his education at an excellent academy in Fredericksburg, where he studied those subjects which would serve him best in a military career. This training he received in the disciplinary line as well as in the art of surveying, enabled him in later years to manage something far greater than the plantation. Despite the fact of his own success in life, VVashington never forgot that he had wanted to go to school. He, himself, never gave up the pursuit of knowledge, and realized that many children who strongly desired to secure an advanced education were prevented from doing so by financial difficulties. He was of the opinion that these children should be educated in order that they might become better citizens of the United States. In view of this characteristic of Washington, it is interesting to note that he took over the respon- sibility of educating his step-son and nephews. After the Revolution, Washington broadened his educational activities, founding the Alexandria Academy for poor children, to which he bequeathed one thousand pounds. The school still stands, and the fund itself has been absorbed by the public school system of Alexandria. Later Washington refused a reward of four thousand pounds for himself, but presented it to the Liberty Hall Academy, which today exists as the Washington and Lee University. In spite of universal appreciation, VVashington's interest in scholastic achievement has been largely overlooked. The Washington of military and political fame has largely overshadowed Washington the student.-V. M., '32 ...Bi