Oakland High School - Oak Yearbook (Oakland, MD)

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ye OAK ie 1930 MR. FRANKLIN E. RATHBUN, Superintendent Public Schools of Garrett County

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THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOOD CITIZENSHIP “From among these brown handed children Shall grow mighty rulers of state. The pen of author and statesman— The noble and wise of the lands— The sword and the chisel and palette Shall be held by these sturdy brown hands.” This subject of good citizenship is widely discussed today owing to its vital necessity, due largely to the following: First, That stability and success of good government depend inherently upon good citizenship. Government under our democratic system is car- ried on by officials who are first of all citizens. Therefore, good govern- ment itself must have its beginning and ending in good citizenship and in citizens themselves carrying out its requirements. Second, That with life itself demanding changes, good citizenship calls for changes in its sacrifices. Higher standards of living, use of labor- and time-saving devices, advancements in all the sciences, make mandatory constant changes in ideals for citizenship. The student will be on the alert to discover these necessary adjustments and the successful man or woman will make their application. Third, That with population practically doubling in this country within the brief breath of one generation, competition will be more present to combat. And that type of competition that strives to excell in the quali- ties of good citizenship will solicit the most sympathy, help and cordiality. Fourth, That government, recognizing the importance and magnitude of the program touched upon above, maintains an ever growing and chang- ing system of public schools through which agency it strives primarily to make good citizens. These schools are conducted at great financial cost, exacting sacrifices of thought and energy, those making them feeling con- fident that the results shall amply justify these contributions. Shall they? The answer rests individually with each graduate of the Oakland High School. Fifth, That graduates may come and graduates may go, but CITIZEN- SHIP shall live on forever. F. E. RATHBUN, County Superintendent of Schools.

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SUPERINTENDENT F. E. RATHBUN. been for the past twenty years one of the outstanding men of Gar- rett County. Mr. Rathbun was born at Wheeling, W. Va., but came to Garrett County as a young boy. He attended Briar Bend Semi- nary, a school conducted by Miss Elizabeth Swan. Among his school- mates are numbered Mr. Stuart Hamill and Mr. John Weber. After Mr. Rathbun finished this school he attended Western Maryland College from which he was graduated in 1905 with an A. B. degree. Later he pursued graduate courses at Johns Hopkins and Columbia Universities. While a student at Western Maryland College, Mr. Rathbun was presi- dent of his class for three years; business manager of the college paper one year, and editor-in-chief the following year; he was also the winner of several medals in oratory. oy FRANKLIN E. RATHBUN, Superintendent of Public Schools, has (Sy) After graduating from Western Maryland, Mr. Rathbun began his career as a teacher in the Oakland High School. Here he taught many of the boys and girls who are prominent citizens of Oakland today. At one time Mr. Rathbun served as city editor of the Fairmont West Virginian; at another time as associate editor of The (Oakland) Republican. In 1907 he was appointed Superintendent of Schools at Piedmont. This position he held until August 1, 1912, when he was appointed Superintendent of Public Schools of Garrett County. He has held this position since that time and was recently reappointed for another term of office, from August 1, 1930, to August 1, 1934. Throughout his career as Garrett County Superintendent, Mr. Rathbun has centered his efforts upon attaining the following aims: First, better trained teachers; second, better housing conditions; third, better and more effective materials of instruction. His efforts have not been in vain, for today Garrett County shows great strides in the forward march to the realization of these aims. However, Mr. Rathbun does not feel that his work is complete, but only just begun. He also believes that the greatest aid to advancement of education in Garrett County and the greatest pos- sibility for the youth of the county lies in the transportation of school children. Mr. Rathbun attributes his success in public life in Garrett County to the inspiration, encouragement and devotedness of his wife, Mrs. Marie Alma Rathbun. : Mr. Rathbun has always said his favorite sweetheart is his wife; his favorite son, Howard; his favorite county, Garrett; his favorite city, Oakland; his favorite recreation, a “hearty laugh”; his favorite duty, getting others out of “scrapes,” and his favorite aim, the education of the boys and girls of Garrett County for worthy citizenship. CLASS OF 1930. 10