Technical High School - Tech Tiger Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

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14 THE 1915 ORIOLE easily be remedied by putting on each side a lamp bracket, thereby immensely improving both the value and the appear- ance of our bulletins. This section would not be complete without a word about the need of a third floor passage. We learn from an indefinite source that one is at last planned and will be constructed as soon as possible. It is to be hoped that the city property committee has taken the matter in hand, and that next fall the much-needed third floor passage will be in use. n . The Kate Stanley Memorial Fund NQUESTIONABLY the greatest undertaking ever begun at the Technical High School is the Kate Stanley Memorial Fund. On the death of Miss Stanley, June 1st, 1912, some memorial to keep her memory ever in the hearts of Tech students was at once planned. A tablet or some object in a conspicuous place was the most natural thing to think of. But those who knew Miss Stanley best felt that such would never have been her desire. Before this time, there had existed in the school what was known as the ORIOLE Fund. It was a fund, started by Miss Stanley, into which, each year that the ORIOLE was a paying investment, the surplus money was togbe put, and, in case of debt, the fund was to pay the deficit. However, this was not Miss Stanley's whole purpose in originating the fund. It was expected that this would grow and in time serve the purpose that was foremost in Miss Stanley's mind-as a scholarship fund to help worthy students in the further pursuance of their studies. But the ORIOLE never made enough money to make this plan practical. Here was our opportunity to form a lasting memorial to Miss Stanley, one most suggestive of her noble spirit, and one that at the same time would carry out her dearest ambition. So the money from the QRIOLE Fund was legally turned over to the Kate Stanley Memorial Fund. The desire was to make the total sum equal to one thousand dollars before this June. For the purpose of raising money, the services of Miss Edith Wynne Mathison were secured for a reading. A large sum of money was hereby realized, and, swelled by subscriptions from the citizens of Springfield and friends of the school, the fund

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THE 1915 ORIOLE 13 of each week for some literary or musical program in the as- sembly hall. Before this year when twenty-minute study periods were allowed before school, the assembly was placed in this period, somewhat lengthened. This year, since this before- school period has been eliminated, a new plan of skipping one period in succession each Friday has been originated. This gives full time for any program that the committee may arrange. This lengthened period for exercises is greatly appreciated by the students and by the committee. The committee this year has been most active, and every program has been a success and well received. The programs have been varied. The delightful musicals, coming several times during the year, are very pleasing, while the literary part is well arranged and much enjoyed by all. For all this, the committee, and especially the general chairman, deserve great credit. The committee has been very successful in arranging special programs in observance of the holidays. A glance at the programs in a later section clearly shows the good work the students have done in entertaining throughout the past year. Little plays suggestive of holidays, interesting speeches, artistic musical programs, and business presented from the platform in a way no other school does, have made Tech unique. Local Criticism O ORIOLE would be complete without some mention of the need of local improvements. A bare, unsightly building Tech has long ceased to be. In most of the rooms hang pictures, the library is beautifully decorated with reproductions of art, and even the gymnasium walls are covered with banners and trophies. It is this that makes a building attractive. There is still space for more pictures or decorations of any sort and some means by which each class can leave such a gift to the school should be devised. A matter which needs attention is that of the bulletin boards on each side of the main door of the gymnasium. We are very fortunate in having such fine places to put posters and notices, but it is regrettable that the cases are so situated that the dim- ness of the light takes from their attractiveness. This could

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THE 1915 ORIOLE 15 has been increased at the present date to between eight hun- dred and seventy-five and nine hundred dollars. As yet our alumni have made no organized effort to help. A circular letter passed among them would be a commendable means of increasing the fund. Each graduate of Tech, it seems, would be willing to give a small sum for such a cause. Organization among the alumni is all that is needed to raise the desired amount. Never has the school attempted a greater or nobler work than the establishmentgof this fund. Interest in it must not die out, and let the students next year devise some means by which the fund can be increased until it serves its purpose-to assist worthy students in continuing their studies. An A ppreciatidn HE ORIOLE Board find themselves greatly indebted to many in the school, some for contributions, some for drawings, and a number for help in getting together and arranging material. If we could not use what you passed in, We are just as grateful to you for your efforts. You have helped make the book a success. VVe thank you.