Easthampton High School - Echo Yearbook (Easthampton, MA)

Page 19 text:

science, and in the past two years, modern history and biology have been added to her work. We sincerely regret the fact that Miss Brennan is leaving us, and we wish to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to her for the years in which she has so faithfully served us. DOROTHY P. KRUMPHOLZ '37 ' THE LYCEUM BULLETIN A rather ambitious project was undertaken by the .lournalist Division of the Lyceum Club, namely, the transformation of the upstairs bulletin into a newspaper. At first, the attempts at journalism that were posted were crude, but some progress in tl1e later editions has been noticed. Nevertheless, much has yet to be done to make the newspaper a subject of more interest in the high school. Because of the lack of co-operation on the part of the student body as a whole, the editors, who to be sure were numerous, had to do all the work of finding news and writing stories themselves, and, as many could not always find sufficient time to devote to this, the editions that were put up were few and several weeks apart. Next year, however, it is hoped that the newspaper will become an integral part of school life and will be better sustained. This Hpsuedo newspaper , as the editors called it before the temporary name of Spasmodic Buzzer was attached to it, is really a valuable asset to the school. The benefit derived from the practice in writing clear, concise English is indeed great. The five divisions of the newspaper, literary, editorial, humor, news and sports, offer the student a wide choice of subjects and enable him to write about something in which he is interested. Une of the greatest advantages of such a school journal is the chance that it gives to high school pupils who are not interested in athletics to do some creative work and at the same time get as much satisfaction out of it as in sports. For the Easthampton High School the Spasmodic Buzzer is the best sub- stitute available for a printed and circulating newspaper, which, on account of the size and financial condition of the school, cannot be managed. Its purpose of keepng everyone informed on school activity and of bringing the classes into closer relationship with each other, especially tl1e Freshmen, who, because of the location of their building are more or less outcasts, will, we all hope, ultimately be attained. CHESTER Ewatrs '36 REVIVAL OF THE LYCEUM In the fall of 1932, an organization called tl1e Lyceum was orginated by many members of the Sophomore Class. Miss Grace White, then the Sophomore English teacher, was instrumental in its second origination. The past year, the club has been reorganized under Miss Alice Alvord, the English teacher of East- hampton High School, who did a splendid piece of work in making the club a purely educational one. The club with its journalistic, dramatic, debating, and seventeen

Page 18 text:

of the students going to Washington. To be a member of this favored group one must be a senior passing in 80 credits in January 1936. Heretofore some who were not full-fledged seniors, some, too, who were not even seniors in school spirit, have availed themselves of the privilege of visiting the Capitol. The new plan will eliminate such students. Another change for September 1935 is one concerning examinations. The old plan of holding two formal examinations each year, one in January, the other in June, will be discontinued in favor of monthly tests. This new plan, one can see, has many advantages, one being the rating of the effort and pro- gress of the student every month instead of every six months. This plan, too, takes less time from advance work as it eliminates long review periods over ground covered and eight days for writing the examinations. It is needless to say that students prefer knowing their standing at the end of each month rather than waiting six months to learn their fate. lWARY ANDERSON '36 WELCOME, FRESHMEN You are very fortunate to be a part of a school that is so splendidly and completely equipped, that has for its administrative head a principal of superior ability and a corps of teachers who have your happiness and welfare at heart. You and your teachers are aware of the importance of trying to discover one's special ability and interests. You are being given, therefore, opportunities for learning in commercial activities and academic subjects. Accordingly, you should feel a debt of gratitude to your town for its thoroughness in providing so well for your growth. You are living in a most critical period of our history. Nations are gradually changing their forms of government, leaders of countries are losing the support of their followers: nations of the world are making decisions that may affect the course of history for years to come. War debt revisions, armament reduction and financial solvency are problems that are giving food for much thought in your town, state, and nation. Your studies in Easthampton High will help you to understand not only your personal needs, but also these world affairs. GEORGE Gossafrfr '35 AN APPRECIATION The year 1935 marks the resignation from the high school faculty of one who was highly regarded by both students and teachers. Though not an alumna of Easthampton High School, Miss Grace Brennan was graduated from Holyoke High, is an alumna of Mt. Holyoke College and has attended two other fine schools, one, the Wharton School of Finance in Philadelphia, the other, the Colorado School of Mines in Colorado. Since Miss Brennan was elected to the faculty five years ago, she has taught mathematics with distinction, developing many excellent students in that ! sixteen

Page 20 text:

lilerary groups, offers its members four important activities, any one of which would be greatly beneficial to the person who entered that group. In the journal- istic group, one's work is mostly for the bulletin, and this prepares students for Echo Board works by working with the dramatic group, material is found for the Senior play and also for the one-act play, literary work in the Lyceum helps one's theme writing and English on the whole, debating work also is beneficial to anyone interested because of the confidence one will get in himself after having participated in a few debates. For some of the meetings, speakers were obtained who were very interesting and who were greatly appreciated by the members. The club has, on the whole, helped all of its members in some way. Miss Alvord's fine work, spirit, and generous advice have helped the club in a way which nothing else could. We sincerely hope that the Lyceum will continue in future years and will keep up the fine work accomplished this year. WARREN LUX '36 PRO MERITO A new constitution has been drawn up and was accepted at the last meeting of the Pro Merito societies in Springfield. Principal H. D. Thayer was elected president of the Board of Governors. Mr. Thayer has shown special interest in the scholarship activities of our school and this honor society. We are gratified, therefore, to note this recognition of his interest and ability. Here are important parts of thc Constitution of the Pro Merito Society. CONSTITUTION Object The object of this Society shall be the encouragement of superior scholastic achievement by recognition comparable to that now given for athletic achieve- ment. STUDENT MEMBERSHIP Members of this Society shall be selected by the headmaster of each school for that school from members of the Junior and Senior Classes. The first selection from a class shall be made at any time after the completion of the Junior year, and shall include all students of good character who have finished three-fourths of the work required for graduation, and who have an average gf at least 85 per cent. in all work recorded. A second selection shall be made at anyiconvenient time after the first semester of the Senior year, and shall include allstudents of good character who have finished seven-eighths of the work required for? graduation and have an average of at least 85 per cent. in all work recorded. i EMBLEM The emblem of the Society shall be a pin specially manufactured for the society by the D. L. Auld Co., Columbus, Ohio, and the use of such emblem shall be restricted to duly elected members of the Society. eighteen,