Brockton High School - Brocktonia Yearbook (Brockton, MA)

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BROCKTONIA 9 mittee on the celebration, The Brockton Centennial. It is impossible for the people of Brockton and the High School in particular to fully express its appreciation to the family of the late George E. Keith for the gift of the Eldon Keith Field. It is a most unusual center for the out- door life of the school. We cannot forget the struggles of the earlier years when we had neither grounds nor suitable equipment for our Athletics and were nearly always in debt for what we did have. On Thanksgiving Day each year the Alumni would loyally come to our assistance, borrow from us or from the college the necessary equipment and play with the school team before crowded bleachers. The proceeds would generally pay the bills of the preceding year and start us on the next season. In this way we kept going and tried to im- prove from year to year the ex- istent conditions. The opening of the Gymnasium in the new wing in 1911 and the employment of Mr. Roberts in 1913 gave us an added impetus. Slowly, but sure- ly the boys improved in health and strength until the opening of the new Gymnasium in 1917 and the Eldon Keith Field in 1921 found them ready to take advantage of these new opportunities. Never again should the school be found wanting in Physical Training and Athletics. In conclusion, the support of parents, teachers and pupils through these years has been fine. I believe in Brockton and its schools. AVE ET VALE G e t c h el l was born June 11, 1865, at Baring, Maine, and 'twas there that he received his grammar school education which he supplemented by a three year course at the Calais High School. From here he entered the Coburn Clas- sical Institute at Waterville, Maine, to prepare for Colby Col- lege. The year 1893 saw him a graduate of the latter school with his degree of A. B., and in 1896 he received the degree of A. M. He experienced his first practi- cal training as a teacher in the un- graded schools of Maine. Soon after he had received his college diploma and degree, he was inducted as principal of the High School at Plymouth, New Hampshire. At the end of two years he m.oved to Somerville, Massachusetts and became mas- ter of the English High School there. Next he assumed the lead- ership of the High School at Hyde Park, Massachusetts where he re- mained for seven years, during which time, through his efforts, the erection of the high school building in use there today took place. Mr. Getchell then came to Brockton, September, 1906, as master of our B. H. S. under Head- master C. T. C. Whitcomb. From this point the principal accomplishments of his life, to date, may be noted in his Remin- iscencesf' The fine reputation of the shoe city lads for good sportsmanship and the scholastic standing at- tained by our High School has reached even to many of the dis- tant corners of our nation, and we all know that this has been great- ly, not to say chiefly, due to the untiring efforts of our outgoing chief. Both the State and the National Educational Associations claim him as a member. He's a York and Scottish Rite Mason and still belongs to the I. O. O. F. of Calais, Maine. Mr. Getchell is just sixty-one

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8 BROCKTONIA to be associated with all these men. Each has been tireless in his efforts to improve the schools and each has brought new ideas. The result is an educational sys- tem of unusual efficiency. It is difficult to estimate the personal influence of such men, but it is certain that each has built him- self a place in the history of the city. The growth of the High School has been phenomenal. It began with the first full year in the pres- ent building and has continued to the present time with the excep- tion of two or three years during the World War. This growth necessitated an additional wing in 1911 and in 1915 Mayor Burbank appointed a committee of fifteen to make recommendations for an- other addition. The report was favorable and the West Elm Street part was occupied January 7, 1917. It looked so large that it was called by some the White Ele- phant. For several years parts of the Whitman and Lincoln Schools were accommodated in the new building but during that entire time the High School was limited in its work. This year for the first time the High School has the entire building but now the enrollment exceeds the seating capacity of the building by at least four hundred and we are still crowded for room. The elective blanks for next year number near- ly twenty-eight hundred. The increase in the teaching force has naturally kept pace with the increase in the number of pupils. In the graduation program for the Class of 1907 there were thirty-two listed including the teachers of Music and Military Drill. Of the thirty-two, six are still teaching,-Dr. MacGregory, Mr. Bailey, Miss Beal, Miss Burke, Miss Cooke and Miss Hodge. Miss Brewer has been the Secretary since 1900. These teachers with Dr. Chase, who retired last year, have given exceptional service to the school and the community. This year the working force num- bers one hundred and four. One hundred were graduated in the Class of 1907. In 1924 I signed diplomas for two hundred and ten. Including the class of this year over thirty-six hundred will have received diplomas during these twelve years. This is a remark- able showing for the holding power of the school. These grad- uates did the required work of the school, and because of this, are now workers and leaders in their respective communities. There have been many innova- tions and much progress in all lines from methods in the class room to outside activities. I par- ticularly recall the evening ses- sions, the receptions to parents, the exhibitions, the salute to the flag, the increase in scholarships, the Gilmore Prize Speaking Con- test and the formation of the band. Three events stand out more prominently than others-The celebration of the Fiftieth Anni- versary of the School, The Brock- ton Centennial, and the gift of the Eldon Keith Field. No sooner had I taken over the responsibilities of leadership than active prepara- tions were begun for the proper recognition of the Fiftieth An11i- versary, All through the Spring and Summer, committees were busy making the necessary ar- rangements and September 16, 1914, found them ready for the two days of celebration. The whole program was notable and may be found in the files of the local papers. The Brockton Centennial dur- ing the week of June 12-18, 1921, once more gave the High School a prominent place. The history of the city and the proceedings of the Centennial work may be found in the book published by the com-

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10 BROCKTONIA fwhich seems really hard to be- lievej and his request to be re- tired under the pension act, from the duties of chief executive of Brockton High after thirty-five years as a teacher counting the twenty years of service in our School is due to the fact that he wants to stop while he is doing one hundred percent. work. Not a day has he lost because of illness, since 1896. Way up in Compton, New Hampshire there is a cozy little country home Where Mr. and Mrs. Getchell plan to go after leaving Brockton. A few words of Mr. John F. Scully, Superintendent of Schools, seem most appropriate: I feel that the loss to the school department is a tre- mendous one. Mr. Getchell is one of the best organizers and administrators of a High School that I have ever known. His school is one of the smoothest running ma- chines imaginable. Added to this is the possession of a kind heart and a disposition to give every student every opportunity to make the most of himself. Though a strict disciplinarian, he always tem- pers justice with mercy. Put yourself in his place. Esti- mate the planning and supervising that must be done in connection with the curricula of two thousand odd students. Think of the task of supervising and advising in the many branches of the school's pro- gramme. And then bear in mind the small recompense received, and. try to consider all the blame and fault finding that go along with the honor of so high an oflice. The great question that now arises is Who will or who can re- place him ? We sincerely wish the School Board success in choosing from the number of applicants, a head- master who will be worthy and capable of shouldering the respon- sibility that Mr. Getchell will soon lay aside. We hope they will find a man who will carry on with a faithfulness as reliable, with a sincerity as pure, and with an ability as great as that of our re- spected chief who is about to bid us adieu. S. A. D. LOOKING The Brockton High School has one of the finest list of scholarships of any like institution of learning in the country, and through them nearly a score of pupils are as- sisted in their first year, at least, at some college or university. There is also a growing tend- ency toward loan associations, whereby worthy and needy pupils may borrow money at a fair and low rate of interest, payable two, three or more years after gradu- ation, interest being kept up in the mean time. Colleges have this plan in most every part of the country and re- quire the signature of parent, AHEAD guardian, or some other trust- worthy person. At least one college catalog has the statement: It is very seldom that a student has to leave this college, going out backwards, after the first year. If he shows him- self a man, there is a way of keep- ing him on the roster. What a fine thing a Brockton fund would be. A trust fund right here where the ambitious pupil could apply with the possibility of getting the necessary start. Sum- mer work and something outside at college could care for the in- terest and possibly some of the principal.