Plainfield High School - Milestone Yearbook (Plainfield, NJ)

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THE ORACLE 1s VALEDICTORY ADDRESS TOSTHE “GEASS. BY EDGAR WELLS FREEMAN. Classmates—As we stand together at the close of these our commence- ment exercises, | know no words that can fully express my feelings. But there runs in my mind the story of an ancient Greek myth, that seems best suited to describe my thoughts. There was once a sculptor, poor and unrecognized and not far from starvation’s door. He was an artist, how- ever, and one day there came to his shop a wealthy lover of art, who ad- mired his work, and ordered to be executed a piece of sculpture which must be of exceptional merit, no matter what the cost. The poor workman, eager for an opportunity to display the talent which he was sure he pos- sesst, undertook the task. He procured a huge block of ivory white marble, quarried from the heart of Mt. Pentelicus, and unceasingly he made the blows of his hammer and chisel to resound thru the little village. Grad- ually, as the dim outline of a beautiful female figure shaped itself in the gleaming marble, the sculptor worked more and more eagerly, for he felt his whole heart and soul drawn toward the wonderful work he was pro- ducing. The vague outline became daily more definite, the figure more apparent, and the humble creator marveled at the superb glory that smiled before him. Soon the figure stood out complete, and as the beauty and loveliness of this perfect human form shone out in a divine radiance, the master-workman’s admiration and love for his splendid creation surpassed all bounds. He had watched his idol throughout its formation, until he had grown to love it as a human being; and now that it was finisht, it was to be his no longer. How could he part with it, his hope, his life, his all? The same conflict of emotions possesses us tonight. During the four years that we have been together, we have grown in stature, and, I trust, in grace and understanding; certainly in love for our Alma Mater. We have knit together ties of friendship with each other, with our fellow- students, with our teachers, that shall last as long as life. But tonight, the stern voice of destiny calls us apart. As we go, let us not fail to cherish the happy memories and friendships formed during these years of fellow- ship, and let each one of us put into his work, heart and soul and that fine spirit, that the sculptor devoted to his greatest achievement. And now, until we meet again, my class-mates, I bid you farewell.

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14 THE ORACLE months, this institution is always crowded with little sufferers, and many a life has been saved through the kind ministrations of the able corps of workers. In certain districts of large cities, day nurseries and kinder- gartens serve to brighten the little ones’ lives. Clubs and societies have been formed for older children, to create interest in things formerly foreign to them. Summer outings are given to as many as possible and play grounds aid in keeping the younger children from the streets. As exper- ience has been gained from these various methods, the tendency has been to make the institutional method but an intermediate step in the develop- ment of the child. Indigents and orphans are placed in institutions for only a short time, and as quickly as possible, they are established in re- spectable families. This method has been found more adventageous for making good citizens from this class of children. The indigent youth of our cities are more carefully watched than in former times. If allowed to develop alone, they often make dangerous criminals and obnoxious citi- zens. Juvenile courts are now organized with special jurisdiction over children criminally inclined. Each child is given sympathetic assistance and a fair chance to improve his life. Probation officers are appointed to keep watch over each one, to study his case, and to make due report to the court. How changed this is from the former brutal treatment when such children were thrust into prisons in company with hardened criminals! Now, industrial schools exist where the useful arts are taught. For the incorrigible youth, reformatories have been’ established where the same training that is furnished in the industrial schools is given. The trend of modern charity methods during the last generation has been toward organization and co-operation. Keeping this aim in view, charity workers are now usually trained for their labors by special courses in social science. Modern charity methods have become preventative rather than corrective. It has been possible to cover but a few of the means and organizations by which an effort is being made to meet the great need of modern times. As some one has said, “The problem is most difficult and the help inade- quate, and yet there can be no more effectual way to banish a gloomy pessimism than by studying the methods by which our country is caring for its dependents, trying to reform the criminally minded, and helping the ‘Under Dog.’ There is an awakening sense of responsibility among the more prosperous to the ‘Other Half,’ and to the old question of where rests this responsibility, the spirit embodied in modern charity would reply, ‘I am my brother’s keeper.’ ”’

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16 ELE. SR AGISE Award of Prizes, 1907 ENGLISH COMPOSITION. I. The George H. Babcock Prize, given by Mrs. George H. Babcock. First Prize, John DeLancey Ferguson. Second Prize, Grace Srager. Honorable Mention, Louise Townsend Nicholl. Eleanor Van Tuyl. II. A Prize offered by the Continental Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Prize, Five Dollars in Gold, Awarded to Lillian Reed Cronkite. Honorable Mention, Laura May Baker. III. The Daily Press Prize for the best essay written by a member of the Senior Class on a topic relating to municipal affairs. Prize, Ten Dollars in Gold. Awarded to William Hicks Osgood. Honorable Mention, Francis Rollin Williams. MATHEMATICS. The Dr. C. H. Stillman Prize, given by Mrs. J. K. Myers and Mr. William M. Stillman. First Prize, $15.00 in Gold, Carola Edna Hart. Second Prize, $10.00 in Gold, Leroy Clifton Whitall. Honorable Mention, Percy Le Barre Mygrant. TRANSLATION PRIZES. For the best translation of assigned passages, a first prize of three dollars and a second of two dollars, to be expended in books chosen by the receiver of the prizes. Modern Languages. Given by Mr. Ernest R. Ackerman. Senior French. First Prize, Frederick Martin Smith. Second Prize, Helen Johnson. Honorable Mention, Miriam Crittenden Carman. Gertrude Prince Abbott.