Hallowell High School - Venture Yearbook (Hallowell, ME)

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The VENTURE 17 enter more intimately into those af- fairs, which, while they are not a part of your school curriculum, are, nevertheless, most essential to the school as a social organization. Do not underestimate the importance of these affairs, and their share in your training for life. When asked to do outside work, remember, too, how much you owe your school, and work diligently for its interests. Sophomores : You are at the half-way mark. Two short years and you, too,will be finishing your high school career. Look back over your two years' work and consider whether you are satis- fied with the results. As Juniors, you will be intrusted with the con- of the school. duct of social affairs The annual reception and other im- portant social functions will be under your management. See to it that these events are conducted in such a manner that they will be an honor to the school and an inspiration to the student body. Juniors : At our graduation you will have risen to that much honored position, the seniority of the school. But as Seniors you will have increased re- sponsibilities. To you, the whole body of undergraduates will look for advice and leadership. You must never fail them, if you Wish to hold their respect. The success of the school year will depend largely upon the example which you set. Now, a last word to you under- graduates as a body. Always re- member that while you are in school, study is your work. Your lessons should come first. But do not neglect other things, go out for athletics, do your best to support the school paper and the other interests of the school. In doing this, you will be helping not simply the institution but yourself. The training gained will be of value in life work. When representing your school in other communities, conduct yourself always in a manner above reproach. On such occasions, the good name of the school is in your charge. Do all these things, and more, for Hallowell High, and when you grad- uate, you will be able to look back with pride over four years of accom- plishment, of pleasure, of true com- radeship. And your achievement will be an example that others will be proud to imitate. Albion Wright. THE PRIVATE SECRETARY The private secretary has an as- sured place in modern business. Her position is one of vast importance and many responsibilities. A secre- tary of a woman's educational and industrial union says, To the college graduate, with good training and ex- perience, there is no field which to- day promises more of a future than that of secretarial work in business. The occupation of secretary is not new, altho it has gained increasing importance in recent years. One may find numerous illustrations even in Biblical literature. The word secre- tary probably takes its origin from the Latin Secretarius, used in the middle ages to denote one closely as- sociated with the household of royal personages or nobles for whom he performs special duties of confiden- tial nature. At the present time, the Word secretary is used to designate four distinct fields: The government, the public, the company and the indi- vidual employee. In politics, the secretary is a dis- tinguished person, whose duty it is to administer the affairs of his par- ticular department.

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16 The VENTURE broadened still more. We feel that We can be rightly proud of the school spirit of our student body, and of the sportsmanship of our teams. In all this, the Student Council has materi- ally aided. But now the work of the historian is ended and that of the prophet must begin. Even though our class is small, we feel that the saying, Big things are done up in small packages, applies to us. But we shall soon see what the future holds in store for us, and trust that future will be even more illus- trious than the past has been. Louise M organ. ADDRESS TO UNDERGRADUATES We meet, it might be said, at part- ing, for we, the members of the graduating class of 1928, are about to step forth to win our way in the world, some of us in pursuit of fur- ther education and others to start at once upon our life work. But before we sever all personal relations with the school, I think it would be fitting for us to pass on to you undergraduates whatever of our experience might be of value to you. Scientific progress has, we know, been unbelievably rapid in the last century. The principal reason for this rapid development is that the present-day scientist has been able to profit by the achievements of those who lived and worked before him. He does not have to repeat every ex- periment that they made and thus waste years of labor to learn what others have already found out. By accepting the results of their re- search and heeding their advice, he is enabled to begin his work where they left off. It is the same in high school life. Four years in school are altogether too precious to squander on wasteful efforts to acquire ourselves what the experiences of others should have taught us. While you bear this thought of the value of proven experience in mind, we will direct our counsel first to those of you who are graduating from grammar school this June, who will be the freshmen of another school year. Doubtless, you will no- tice when you enter Hallowell High next fall that some of your class- mates have already spent one year in high school, yet are still fresh- men. These pupils do not need my advice now, they have wasted a year to learn what they could have known at the beginning of their course, had they been willing to believe the ex- perience of their predecessors and profit by it, as I trust you may do. The first year is, probably, the most important to the high school student. It is, in reality, the forma- tive year. The mental habits adopt- ed during this period will usually persist in the life of the student dur- ing the remainder of his high school career. So be careful to form habits of study early, and you will be amazed to see how much easier it will make your whole course. While you will not be called upon to do a great deal of outside work, do all that you are asked to do willingly and cheerfully. Freshmen : Ye have completed your first step toward, that exalted position which we, as Seniors, now occupy. You have, for the most part, worked hard, and if your efforts have, at times, seemed to go unrewarded, do not be discouraged, for you will surely reap the benefits of your zeal before you graduate. Enter upon next year determined to profit by your past errors, so that you will not make the same mistakes again. During the coming year, you will

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18 The VENTURE The secretary who is connected with great public institutions may fill many different kinds of positions. Religious societies or educational foundations furnish opportunities for a secretarial career, as Well as do commercial organizations. The secretary who is connected with a large company or corporation, is often called in England the com- pany secretary 5 but in this country he is called simply secretary. Such oflicers are chosen more for the re- sponsibilities of an executive posi- tion than for their ability to perform technical secretarial duties, which are usually attended to by clerks and stenographers. The secretary who is associated with a woman whose rank in society requires someone to look after her correspondence and social affairs is known as a social secretary, if she is placed in an office and trusted with confidential matters, she is known by the name of private secretary. Perhaps the best definition can be attained by studying the various du- ties and responsibilities of the office of secretary, the training demanded, and the special qualifications needed. When one speaks of a secretary, he thinks of a person of ability and judgment, trained to carry on the business in an office. Secretaries are, of course, familiar with the most modern ways of conducting office work. In some cases, they manage the office. They should be familiar with the principles of shorthand and typewriting. They carry on all cor- respondence, handle telephone calls, just to save their employer from drudgery and leave him free for more important matters. We ask, What are the qualifica- tions of the ideal secretary? With- out question, she must have a good education. Business men are seek- ing more and more college graduates for their secretaries. Besides the usual training, it would be helpful to the secretary to take a short course in psychology, which is, in reality, a course in the understanding of personality, for a secretary must be interested in people, and must under- stand the working of their minds. She should also have a keen sense of humor. Loyalty to one's employer is a very important matter, for employers are more anxious to hire honesty than efficiency, if they cannot have both. Upon the loyalty of the department rests the success of the business. Certain characteristics of the good secretary may not seem very impor- tant, but they are absolutely essen- tial to success. A neat appearance is necessary, also proper food and exer- cise, even sufficient sleep. The sec- retary must have patience, be quiet and orderly, know her employer's personality, faults and good points, and deal with them tactfully. She must know how to get on well with those around her and not impair the efficiency of the working day by un- necessary friction. In closing, I can think of no better summary than that given in a poem taken from The Evening Sun, en- titled The Efficient Secretary : Who can find an efficient secretary? For her price is far above rubies. The lheart of her employer doth safely trust er, For she shall do him good all the days of her life, Sweet is her voice on the phone. Her countenance is cheerful to visitors, her manners cordial. She tattleth not, private matters are safe in her keeping. To the Master of Assemblies she is eyes, ears, memory, encyclopedia, and infor- mation bureau. She keepeth. note of his engagements, tell- eth him where to go, come and what to take with him. The ofiice force rise up and call her blessed. Her employer, also, and he praiseth her. 'Many secretaries do well,' says he, 'But thou excelleth them all.' She receiveth a good salary, ' And a bonus at Christmasg -And her own words praise her.