Brockton High School - Brocktonia Yearbook (Brockton, MA)

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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.

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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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BROCKTONIA 11 HOPES We have all had hopes, big hopes, little hopes, and middle- sized hopes. Some of us may have hoped to be Jack Dempsey or Helen Wills but we all, at least, have hoped to graduate from High School. This last hope is about to be realized by most of the senior class on June 18th. During our first year We had hopes that perhaps some day we Would be able to do things as the second year class did them. As we outgrew our infancy we looked to the Juniors to see whether we should part our hair in the middle or not at all. Now, as we stop to think of it, as Juniors we knew about all there was to know. We are now completing our last year in dear old B. H. S., hoping that we have done our duty as the real leaders in scholarship, ath- letics, activities and school spirit! Now I arrive at the point in this wandering where a different kind of hope is apropos. Seniors, I hope with all my heart that each and every one of you makes a big success of whatever you try to do in the years to come. You have been a fine group of stu- dents as a class and as individuals. I thank you for your support of our activities and officers. If we have shown the Juniors how to do what is expected of them, as well as last year's class showed us, we may feel satisfied that we have born a success as the leaders of Brockton High. I canno: close this editorial without saying in a few sincere words just how much We regret that the classes which will come after us will not have the guid- ance and advice which Mr. Getch- ell is able to give. He vs all bid him a sincere good-bye and clasp his hand in a friendly shake that will show M bow high in our esteem he stands. Robert E. Keene, '26. ONWARD TO SUCCESS W UNIORS' Seniors to be! Our time is here for ac- f s' tion! Having passed an- other successful year, we are now ready to take up the task of lead- ership in all activities. Not only must we assume this responsibili- ty but also, we must set an exam- ple for the lower classmen to fol- low. Let us prove that we are more than capable of these duties that confront us by performing them all to the utmost of our ability. With our motto, Onward to Success, in mind, may we strive to equal and surpass the wonder- ful example set for us by those leaving, and in this way putting to use the talents which we all possess. To our worthy Senior friends, departing from our midst, let us bid farewell, and shaking their hands wish them all a very suc- cessful career. They have stood the test and are worthy of all the praise that is given them. May they long be remembered! Robert Tonis, '27. THANKS The staff of Broclctonia is tak- ing this chance to thank the school as a whole for the fine spirit of co- operation shown by all. This is our final and, we hope, our best effort. We have worked especially hard in preparation for this issue, which we have endeavored to make, as far as possible, take the place of a year-book. As a result you have in your hands the largest Brockfon '11, ever published. And now, Class of Twenty- seven, we hope that next year, when it comes your turn to say good-bye, you, too, will be thank- ing the school as a Whole for their part in the publication of the best number in the history of the school. The Brocktonia Staff.