Portland High School - Tifoon Yearbook (Portland, IN)

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ACTIVITIES REVIEW weeks at which time a round table dis- cussion takes place and the free ex- change of opinions is encouraged. A department club is the Junior Clas- sical League, open to all second year Latin students who are interested in learning more about Roman manners and customs. Regular classroom reci- tation and study is enlivened by such a class club, hum-drum work is moti- vated, and otherwise commonplace as- signments are made to have a meaning and a purpose. The Girls' Athletic Association fills the need of play in the high school girl's life. One night each week the gymnasium is entirely for girls, and organized teams in various sports com- pete for the pure joy of play. Physical habits as well as mental habits are formed in school, and the gym provides a splendid training field in which to develop good habits of leisure. Music is a universal language, and students in Portland High School have an opportunity to express their feelings by taking part in the various activities of the music department-band, or- chestra, chorus, and music appreciation. Biggest Senior project has always been the publication of the Typhoon. Published continuously for seventeen years, the year book has since 1936 been under the sponsorship of Mrs. Steven- son. An Editor and a Business Man- ager are selected by the faculty. They, together with the sponsor, select the other members of the Staff, choosing them from the slips which all Seniors are asked to turn in stating their prefer- ence for work which they feel qualified to do. Training in gathering and or- ganizing school news, in written com- position, in salesmanship, in shouldering responsibility, and in planning and carrying through to a successful con- clusion a complete project are the chief results which students who work on the Staff may expect. Besides the dividends of personal pleasure and profit which extra-curricu- lar activities pay, participation in one of these fields gives one a sense of be- longing, of contributing his share to that vague something called school spirit, and of being part of the color and glamour that is in the final analysis, a very definite part of one's high school experience. Hi-Y Initiation Junior officers G. R. Sponsors and Fri end

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ACTIVITIES REVIEW Busy Year for Clubs Boys and girls do not learn from books alone. Practical lessons in how to conduct business-like meetings, how to plan a working program, how to launch a drive for funds, and above all how to get along with one another are painless by-products of extra- curricular activities. Old tried-and-true organizations flourished side by side with new upstart clubs this year, and a full activity calendar was the result. Probably the most active of all clubs is the Girl Reserves, membership in which is open to all high school girls. The cabinet, made up of the officers, sponsors, and the chairmen of the seven standing committees plan in advance the program for the year, and each month brings forth its quota of business meetings, inspirational programs, in- formal get-togethers, and social service projects. Most of the work is done through committees, every member of the club having an opportunity to vol- unteer for the particular kind of work in which she is interested. Besides the seven standing committees, there are QUEEN SQRAH and KING KEITH . . . reigned over the ball various special ones appointed as the need arises. Training is thus provided in effective leadership as well as in intelligent following. Cooperation - Deeds, not words - and Learn to do by doing have been the foundation stones on which the Vo-Ag Club has been building for the past nine years. Evidence of the sound- ness of this program is the fact that the department has doubled its enrollment during that time. Realizing that the success of any democratic community depends upon its members, recognition of the necessity of working together for the common good and accepting in- dividual responsibility the club has cooperated with many other organiza- tions with similar aims as well as carrying on various cooperative enter- prises of its own. Each individual is given personal responsibilities, and members of his own group urge him on to carry out his job and commend him for accomplishment. For two years, Pep Sessions instead of just happening have been carefully planned. The committee responsible for these programs is composed of both students and faculty members and is appointed by the principal at the open- ing of school in the fall. The value of planned programs cannot be doubted by anyone who has thoughtfully com- pared pep sessions as they were this year with those of several years ago. Perhaps from the success of this com- mittee will develop a system of having other types of assemblies in addition to pep sessions worked out by a student- faculty committee. Brother organization of the Girl Re- serves is the Hi-Y Club. Members are elected by balloting and humorous as well as serious initiation services are held. Meetings featuring talks by prom- inent local men are held. Often bas- ketball provides the entertainment after the meetings. Among the newer clubs, I. T. T., a discussion group, satisfies every girl's desire to talk over with her friends such problems as ettiquete, dating, dancing, clothes and the numerous other subjects of interest to all high school girls. Meetings are held every two

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SERVICE CLUBS Business and Social Meetings Featured Girl Reserves With a membership of approximately eighty-five, the Girl Reserves enjoyed an especially active year. Both the program committee and the social com- mittee chairmen had, with the advice of the president, mapped out tentative plans even before the opening of school last September. In keeping with the tradition estab- lished in former years, the Big Sister Christmas party was held in conjunc- tion with the B. P. W. Club, and week- ly devotional services marked the club's observance of Lent. The 60th Anniversary of the Girl Reserves was celebrated during April with a Mother and Daughter Banquet, a Vesper Service and a Birthday Party. Four timely questions on de- mocracy had been discussed by all clubsg the reports had been sent to New York, compiled and mimeographedg and a complete list was then sent to each club. These reports were read at the Birthday Party which all clubs held at the same hour on April 25. At that time, also, all Girl Reserves listened to a nation-wide broadcast and donated money to be sent to European Girl Re- serve Organizations. The local club sent the proceeds from their rummage sale. Among outstanding social events of the year were a Leap Year Touchdown dance at the close of the football season, and a semi-formal Valentine's dance. Faculty sponsors were Miss Tharp, Miss Jameson, and Miss McCarty. Mrs. John Arn and Mrs. Manford Chaney, mother sponsors, and Miss Alberta Brester, B. P. W. sponsor, also gave generously of their time and talents. Hi-Y Officers of Hi-Y were Paul Max Green, President, James McKinley, Vice-President, Paul Raymond Gagle, Secretary, Tunis Bond, Treasurer, and Jim Mayo, Sergeant-at-Arms. Because of the resignation of Mr. Cady, who had sponsored the club since 1939, a new faculty adviser had to be elected. Mr. Farris was willing to accept the responsibility for the rest of the school year. Most far-reaching, perhaps, of all activities conducted by the club, so far as the student body as a whole was concerned, was the installation in the east end of the downstairs corridor of a Coca-Cola dispensing machine. Many were the nickels that went into the slot. Second semester initiation was held the last meeting in February for eleven new members. Cheer Leading Committee During the second year of its exist- ence, the Cheer Leading Committee continued in an efficient way to carry out its two-fold purpose-that of choos- ing yell leaders and of planning pep ses- sions. From the several teams who tried out before the student body, they chose Gene Arn, Marianne Mills, and Joan Chaney as cheer leaders. These girls worked with the committee on all proj- ects. The group divided itself into smaller committees for special, more detailed work. The first four home basketball games were designated as Class Days, and students of each class wrote and presented skits before the assembly at pep sessions. Letters were sent to various school in neighboring counties for suggestions on how they were managing their pep meetings and for the exchange of yells and ideas. Paper pennants and automobile stickers were sold at tourneys. Always the goal before the com- mittee has been to encourage better sportsmanship among students and fans at all athletic events.