Allen Academy - Allenian Yearbook (Bryan, TX)

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CHOOSING A SCHOOL Some of the things which should be carefully considered in making the choice of a school for a boy or young man may be mentioned here. A 'school which has gone through the experimental stage and which has become fixed in its policy and has virtually separated the good from the bad in its experiences should attract the attention of a prospective patron. A school should have listed in its accomplishments national recognition in every phase of its work. A school is not built in a day, and the great- est joy that can come to a school man is that confidence and respect have been gained for his school project outside the con- fines of his own district or state. A school with a national rec- ognition must have national standards and should have an in- ternational vision. Another essential is the character of the men who are to teach your boy. 'In teaching boys 90 per cent of the success lies in the personality of the teacher. In any good school what a boy gets from the text books is not half so important as what he gets from the lives and characters of the men who teach him. The third essential is the moral and religious atmosphere with which your son is to be surrounded. A good school will stand not only for moral purity, but for Christian ideals and standards of conduct. Out of the heart are the issues of life. The fourth essential of a good school is discipline-firm, kind, wise control. There must be unquestioned obedience to constituted authority. But obedience must be willing or it is none: it must come through loyalty rather than through com- pulsion. The fifth essential is thorough instruction -- sound mental training. This requires able and skillful teachers. Masters is the old Word, and it is a good one. A teacher who is master of his subject, master of himself, and a master among boys is cheap at any price. T Finally, a good school will not neglect the health and physical development of your boy. Physically fit has come 26

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HISTORY In 1886, J. H. Allen, working with the citizens of Madison- ville, Texas established the Allen High School. Here as a pio- neer in the educational system of th e State he worked for thirteen years, and conducted a school of remarkable vigor and success. He was joined by his brother, R. O. Allen, in this work in 1896. Then came the decision of the brothers to establish a school for boys and after mature deliberation their one seed was planted in Bryan, which has indeed been good ground. In September, 1899, these two men, known in the Texas educational circles as the Allen Brothers, formed with a few of the prominent citizens of Bryan a corporation for the purpose of maintaining a preparatory school for boys. During the first year the Principals were the only teachers. But since that day there has been no turning back and the school has had very gratifying success. The initial purchase of land has been increased from five acres to three hundred forty-eight acres. From one building of two rooms the material equip- ment of the school has been brought to a plant which includes ihe administration building, seven dormitories, the dining hall, an indoor gymnasium and drill hall, a hospital, nine homes for faculty members and students, thirteen bungalows for students quarters, a modern dairy barn, a twenty-acre athletic field, and three hundred forty--eight acres in maneuver field and campus. During more than the half of a century Allen Academy has welcomed thousands of students. These old boys are fill- ing positions of prominence all over the country and are living examples of the Allen spirit. The alumni of the school have always been very strong factors in its upbuilding. Even the briefest sketch of the history of the Academy would be incomplete, if it failed to mention its Board of Direc- tors. The school has always felt it could not have accomplish- ed so much without the sympathy, confidence, and support al- 'Ways accorded it by the Board and the business men of Bryan. The school is proud of the fact that among the members of its present Board of Directors there are old Allen boys who are helping to shape and direct its destiny. 25

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to have a new meaning for us. The phrase expresses a high idea as well as an urgent practical need. Health and strength of body are beyond price, simply because they are prerequisites to the most useful life. In the light of recent events and tendencies we may add that a school must train more definitely for service, for citizen- ship and for democracy. No school is a good school for an American boy unless it can inspire in him an enthusiasm for our American ideals and institutions, and where possible give him opprotunity to help develop international good will. Since its founding Allen Academy has stood for the above things. The extent to which we are realizing this ideal is evi- denced by expressions from some very high authorities which have come to us in the form of personal letters, several of which may be found elsewhere in this catalogue. LOCATION Bryan is situated on the Southern Pacific and the Missouri Pacific lines, 100 miles north of Houston and 160 miles south of Dallas. Eight miles from the Brazos River, located on a high sandy oak ridge fthe highest point in the countyl, the town is exceptionally free from all local causes of disease. Its health- fulness is unsurpassed by that of any locality in the State. The town enjoys a fine reputation as a. school center. Its excellent public schools, the State A. 8m M. College, and Allen Academy manifest the interest of the people of the community ill educational affairs. Because of the fact that Bryan is the home during the school year of about 6,000 students every pre- caution and measure is taken to keep the town clean and free from the temptations found in the larger cities. Its citizen- ship is cultured and refined, and in the Bryan people its school find great support. The merchants of the city are very active through all of the Service Clubs in the promotion of Bryan as an unusual town for students. Bryan is a city of churches as well as of schools. Perhaps no other town of its size in Texas has so many beautiful and costly church buildings. The following denominations are rep- zv '