Appleton High School - Clarion Yearbook (Appleton, WI)

Page 20 text:

Sll. Vlilf .-l .VIV1VERS.'l If Y The style in commencement programs has changed. The long, dry, original essays formerly read by members of the graduating class have been replaced. Even the saluta- tory and valedictory addresses have been abolished. At present, the commencement exercises consist of a class play, class day exercises, and the commencement itself. On class day, a pageant expressing school activities is usually presented. At this time, ath- letic awards, typing awards, essay prizes, and the Craftsmanship Shield-the highest honor possible-together with the awarding of other prizes are made, On commencement night, a brief program precedes the presentation of diplomas. As the city grew, and as people generally became more interested in education, the once spacious building became most inadequate. It became necessary, with eleven hun- dred students, to run a ten period day. ln spite of the fact that every available space was utilized, the sit- uation became al- m o s t unbearable. 5 Then another great S change came. The city voted to estab- lish the union system for schools to replace the antiquated dis- trict system and at the same time it de- cided to convert the existing high school into a senior school and to erect three junior highs. One of NX X ..,,,.sswvwuuu 'I Q ,.v ' 5 L v- i .f these buildings is located on the north side of the city, one on the west side, and one in conjunction with the fourth ward school on the south side of the river. This somewhat relieved the situation temporarily. A school day of six lifty-five minute periods with su- pervised study was started, while things in general took on a more normal aspect. How- ever, at present the situation is again unhappy, so that ways and means for erecting a new building on an adequate campus are being seriously considered by the school board. So far, no mention has been made of the principals who have so ably piloted our Alma Mater over calm as well as rough seas. There have been but four men at the helm for the past quarter century-a fact which speaks well for both the men and the institu- tion. lVlr. Ralph W. Pringle entered his service when the building was new. He was a man of manners mild, gentle ways, and much loved by the students. lVlr. P. C. W. Keller succeeded lVlr. Pringle who went to La Grange, Illinois. lVlr. Keller impressed the students greatly with his fundamental principles , high ideals, staunch convictions, and firm actions. The students soon learned that in lVlr. Keller they had a most valuable friend. lVlr. Keller resigned to Lake a position in Waukegan and was followed by lVlr. Lee C. Rasey. lVlr. Rasey, in turn, won the hearts of the pupils by his winning per- sonality, sense of humor, and ability to be one of them. He left the school to enter busi- ness. lVlr. Herbert H. Helble who has formerly taught in Appleton High School took up lVlr. Rasey's work. His genuine interest in the youth of the age and his ability to l't1g1i- fff11rlr't'n

Page 19 text:

THE CLARION rampant. May-Day also had a place in the extra-curriculars for a time. A lVlaypole was erected on the east lawn, and about it frisked, more or less gracefully, most of the girls in vivid costumes. ln the winter of l9l 7, a unique project was undertaken by the home economics de- partment. The girls, directed by lVliss Fern l-loag, adopted and cared for a baby girl. The entire school was greatly interested in the child. As the school grew, need was felt for a newspaperg so the Talisman,' was started as a weekly publication appearing every Tuesday. At the same time, the Clarion was converted into an annual of rather elaborate style. The dramatics and music de- partments were also enlarged. The junior class play and operetta have J . -' L. N 'N I f I . become annual events. The school . K ' , .1 55 fi' I also boasts a fine band and or- 7 I ' fi i ' chestra. Cilee club, band, and , 1 up wig X il V ' V. orchestra have become part of the ,R ll 1' Mill? , regular curriculum. V ' 5 ' 'Ilia , i ll., At Thanksgiving time, for ti If A lg ,577 . 1 , several years, the seniors spon- ' M41 lm l A sored an auction for charitable V r I 'I ' purposes. The money, several yt 1 I - V Q Ill! X I hundred dollars, was used to help W, E--1 I Z I ll? lr , ' 4 12 1' Q 'I I f' l ,' ' the poor. Articles to be sold were R l P 1 - 1 ll 'l l fi solicited from various merchants. W1 illirj , l 4 ' But this event, although of worthy I 'bl' . , A purpose, died because it provcoizd to , Jw-.. V I ll ,,.. X jljli ' e too great a tax on stu ents, S Qi. A faculty, and merchants. 'JI 7 ' ' V 1' , , 1 ,LZ For many years, there has L. ' 44' '. 5 existed a student governing body 7 '-12 , 2'f77lja- - I 2.57 Mf.f.ws' : .--fr called the student council. Rep- f .91 ul., resentatives from the classes to- ff, ' fl 1 gether with the principal, plan and execute means for improving conditions about school. It has always been a very effective organization. During the year of 1927-1928, a chapter of the National Honor Society was in- stalled. The object of this society is to promote high scholarship. Seniors are elected to membership by the faculty. Of course, with the growth of the school has come the development of athletics. For the past few seasons, Appleton has belonged to the Fox River Valley Conference composed of Oshkosh, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, East C-reen Bay, VVest Green Bay, Fond du Lac, Marinette, and Appleton. These schools participate in football, basket- ball, track, hockey, and cross country sports. Entrance into state tournaments has been abolished. Nor must we forget the war service of our Alma Mater. A bronze tablet placed in the main corridor lists one hundred fifty students and teachers who took an active part in the World War. Seven gave their lives in the cause for democracy. During the war period, the school itself was not unaware of the conditions. Classes in the preparation of surgical dressings, knitting sweaters and socks, and frequent letters from those at the front were constant reminders of the great struggle. Vriyr' fl1i1'li'vn

Page 21 text:

THE CLARION keep up with the rapidly changing educational methods have made him valuable to the school and the community. Teachers come and teachers go, and Appleton High School has had its share in the vicissitudes of the teaching game. Perhaps, however, it has been a little more fortunate than some in having a wealth of outstanding characters. Decima Salisbury is known to every generation, having resigned this year after thirty-five years of service. Her in- fluence needs no comment. Among others who have been specially dear to the students are Rose Ellen McNevin, now Mrs. Jimmie Hayes of Chicago fwouldn't you know she'd marry a perfectly good lrishman?D : Miss Grace Bennett of Oak! Park, Miss Calla Guyles of Madisong the Reid sistersg Mr. Bjorklandg Mr. Moe: Miss Ethel Carter, Miss Ada Hahn, Miss Mae Webster, and it shall have to end etc. And, though the school has grown unbelievably, though the personnel of the fac- ulty and student body is constantly shifting, though some have grown old and gray dur- ing these years, it's just the same old school after all. Times change, styles change, even faces change: but youth retains the same buoyant spirit, the same purposes, the same ideals-in spite of some kill-joys' opinion to the contrary. And as the years pass, the students and teachers in Appleton High School are still trying to carry on the work so nobly begun twenty-five years ago. -MARGARET RITCHIE. P11516 flflwfll