Brimfield High School - Spectator Yearbook (Brimfield, IL)

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T H E S P E C T A T O R 19 IS Athlrtin? J UST as Jenkins persisted in saying ‘Sh! Sh! don't breathe the name of Brown here! so we would say, Sh! Sh! don’t mention athletics in Brimfield. That our annals carry some record of noteworthy athletic achievements is quite true, and county authorities have been forced to hand over a good many medals to Brimfield at one time or another. But somehow—we can’t quite decide why it is—during the last few years the athletes from the B. H. S. have usually sneaked in under the wagon seat instead of coming home from the meet with a noisy crowd and flying colors. Perhaps we may attribute this to the higher standard required in the school room, or to the progressiveness of the village—which pro-gressiveness discourages all contests of mere brute force and demands the higher tests of the mind. Being so young, we have no right to judge the times, but being young, we must necessarily offer our opinion. The whole aim and object of the B. H. S. is “A Higher Standard.’’ That is, a better course, longer class periods, in short, more brain work. But with the development of this idea, athletics, music—all the lighter things must withdraw from the race. “Music requires too much time, and perfection in athletics must needs be a slow process.” We cannot say that this race for knowledge, to the exclusion of other things is truly a product of the times. Nations past, and what is a significant thing, nations fallen, have excluded all rigors of the body for the development of the mind. Athens, the beautiful city of Greece, so encouraged learning that the average ability of her people was on the lowest possible standard, about two grades higher than our own. Yet Athens fell—because, although the mind was carefully trained, the body was neglected, and this idleness was sapping the very virtue and strength of the Empire. You cannot have a vigorous and healthy mind without rigid discipline of the body, and this discipline is learned best in the track team, or under a good basket ball coach. Are we quite sure, then, that in the neglect of this discipline, we are mastering a higher acquirement, or is it a case of “Greece captive, leading enthralled her captor? In our last plea for more training in athletics, we would bring before the reader the object of education and how it is accomplished. “Education has for its aim the development of the powers of man (1) by exercising each along its proper line: (2) by properly coordinating and subordinating them; (3) by taking advantage of the law of habit, and (4) by appealing to human interest and enthusiasm.” How this is applied to athletics? How often athletics are the only means of keeping some boys in school, and the good done by this,— we will leave to the tender imagination of the reader. 24

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li R I M FI E L D HIGH SCHOOL Atlilctira Senior (Sirla’ Huakrthall (Tram Line Up, 1912-13 Ethel Memler Alma Dungan Ruth Hayes Elsie Cobb ’irginia Murdoch Right Forward Left Forward . Center Right Guard . Left Guard r I ' HE team was not allowed to play any interscholastic games, but really they were experts, from the forwards to the guards. I only need to mention a certain trial game between the S. G. P . B. T. and last season's boy’s basket ball team, in which the score was twenty to fourteen in favor of the former, to prove this statement. (Hrark Athlrtira Owing to the fact that the material for the annual must be sent to press so early, we are unable to give much about the track athletics in which we take part every year at the county meet. However, we have a great many good men trying out—at least, we hope they are, and of course we hope to capture our share of the points. Tennis has always been Brimfield’s strong point in the meet. Some time during the last few years, Ethel Memler has managed to win a gold medal (1st place) in singles, and Ethel and Virginia Murdoch have won both silver and gold medals in doubles. It is to be hoped that all future aspirants in this line will work up to this same unsurpassed standard. But only Volume II of the Spectator can tell. 23

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n It I M F l E L I) HIGH SCHOOL lUuiatii atiii Sentiments ©a llir iE itnr Here’s to the editor Of this year book; Please don't be unkind And for mistakes look. She has labored so hard To make a success of it, That all the class cannot Help but to love it. We all join to thank her, And give her due praise; So all give “Three Cheers” For Miss Ruth Hayes. “Cy” ulljr Iflanagrr Who works so hard to get elected. And gets his many votes collected Before he is at last selected? The Manager. Who starts the season full of hope, Who figures out all sorts of dope And with small matters has to cope? The Manager. Who is it runs clear out of dough, With half the season yet to go. While all the bills like mushrooms grow? The Manager. Who is it uses all his brains. And always takes so many pains To be prenared—and then it rains? The Manager. 25