Wentworth Military Academy - Yearbook (Lexington, MO)

Page 22 text:

Calutbenic Theae exercises have been devnloppd after years of thousrht by the expert in charge of the gymnaaimn woifc at W«it Point, and they are used by the entire United States Anny. They are the most effective and omnplete set of alHsthenic drill ever developed. They reach every muscle of the body, g;ivinfr that muscuiar roundness, ereetness, and graceful- ness of carriafe which only saeh exereJses Mm jfive. An firficf-r of the United States Army, who has recently had two boys in Wentworth.said: One of the greatest ben- efits has been in the physical improvement. The military training and athletic exercises have straightened the bcgrs ' iNMska and givoit them a carriage that I didllQtlM.lMrJtoBI tio acquire ia one year. Workinlhe During bad weather, when it is impossible to have outdoor drill, much of the drill period is devoted to gymnasium wodb This ivilit is very intereiiting and highly l)eneficial for physical development. The gymnasium is open at all times and during recreation hoan many of the cadets find profitsililc pleasure in boxing, wrestling, and working on the v ariona gymnaaiam apfMntos. Teams in tumbling are developed under an expert inslnicfor and give occasional exhibi- tions at basketball gam or at home talent showCt Sodal Ule The social life of the

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It is to be noted, however, that tlie school never loses siyht of a boy who is not tiie star athlete, and that he is trained along athletic lines as well as is Uw wbiot ii Jfif ti» liwk9 the team. Xhe alltlftic teams aro oom- J miBd of volunteers, but every boy ia required to engage in some form of atfileticsi. It ia tht aim of the school tu provide coaoiies for as many taima aa I ' lin ' ' and tea«l9 iu« ,0in dk)t aloqf ' name liatta. Military Drills TSist is no better meanu of phytt col sides the school teams which compete with other schools, «ach company haa two teamii nnd a t ' umament i.s held for the company championship. Track athletics, baseball out 1if«i. One hour of each school diiy is devoted to drill, and there are other military forroatioM Of siKirf duration wUeh tho cadet attends daily. At all fonnatlona he ta taught to hold his shoulders back, his cheat out, bi« head up. and hi« far. ' sfjuarely to thf front. The form of physical exercise used by our army camps in developing soldiera ia oaad afanost every day

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1h« Orchestra PUjra mil Cte «l BjccrclMra and Occuloul BnlertatniniinUi. Lrft to rii : MidlBAN, nmamm, Smmtn, EtnuMx» OunocKi BWm SoinrMB Ammrmim W Euia S. a. Jown, Wikiiaoif. Sbokwau), Maim, XaMJurr» Outran, nunm. Majtok day, Ontmrntm Bttffy adequate to fifive th« studenUi the recre- •tfon, cultore, and eaae of munier whieh properly go with a good education. A class in dancing and social usage of twelve lessons is oondocted each year 1 Mrs. Katharine B. JeaMs of Kaiisns City 1ii tiA iilbH(k deiire the instruction. Forties and enttftaiiUBents are given at intervals at soch times as not to interfere with the refular work. The spirit of chiv- alry naturally accompanies military training and the bearing of the cadets in social con- tact is alwaya a natter for favsratde com- ment Mnk The sdioiirf of fers exceptional opportunities to boys who have musical taknt in its band, orchestra, and glee club. Frequently during past years the Academy Band has been called upon to furnish mu.sic in parades in Kjinsas City and nearby cities, and in ex- ecution and appearance it did not mffer in comparison with the larjre prnfcssion(11|iad8 appearing on the same occasions. Tlie orchestra plays for ehapd, rseqitionB IDd dances. Fro.n time to lime solo num- l ns are given and the coxps engages in ooot- munUgr singing. Penonalities Developed While the discipline at Wentworth is firm it is JMt at aO hanh. Vmt Uttie panisbmeot of any kind is necessary. The punishment that is assigned is always of a militar ' na- ture and not the kind which will in any way humiliate a boy. Students who cannot be handled witlioitt idNyaieal oompidriML at sent home. Tho .lim of the disciplinary department is the development of personalities. Hence a great deal of responsibility rests un tht- students themselves. Students are allowed considerable freedom in regard to their per- sonal conduct and there is no elaborate or riRid set of rules. Many cases of disci- pline are handled by the students themselves and eondoet of tiie stadent body is the re.sult of popular sentiment rather tlMA Of an oppressive system of regulations. In short the plan of Wentworth has as its object the developing of American dti.- zens — men who are mentally alert, phys ieaHy sound, and courageous enoui to tdce prominent parts in the educational, religious, oommareisl and physical life of their eom-