Central High School - Centralian Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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To the Central High School “Annual” ’07 AST year I wrote in a reminiscent mood to the Annual. I referred to the golden age of Prof. Tousley, Miss Abbott and Miss Cruikshank- a great constellation in the educational firmament of those early days, and they left their impress upon the students of the High School in the 70’s. Their commanding personalities were beloved and admired by all who came under the sway of their great influence. At the same time there flourished an institution, I fear now almost forgotten, to which we in our days were tremendously devoted. I refer to the Philomathean Society, which flourished and prospered for many years after my day Class of 78. This literary society did much for the boys and girls of that day. I can assure you. It was a center of interest in very many ways. It promoted good speaking, stimulated debate, gave a fine training in amateur dramatics, and at the close of the school year there was usually a public entertainment in the old Academy of Music, which always drew a packed house and filled each performer with a glow of satisfaction and pride. This annual blaze of glory was the goal of all our earthly ambitions. It was a vast stimulus to our school work and fulfilled our ardent desire to get into the game. These Philomathean meetings were held weekly and were wisely left entirely in the hands of the scholars, with the exception of one officer who was our critic. There was no paternalistic oversight except such as was solicited or kindly proffered when we had a heavy program to pull off, like the memorable burlesque of Romeo and Juliet given in the Academy, and under the supervision and training of Miss Abbott. The proceeds of these public entertainments were usually given to maintain our library, which in those early days in a degree took the place of the later and greater public libraries. To many a boy and girl the old Philomathean Society was the luminous spot in what to some was otherwise a rather prosy course in the High School. It gave us a chance to develop along a good many lines incidentally, outside of our books. It became our social atmosphere and life, the one thing needful to drive away ennui and brighten school life drudgery, which makes many Page fifteen

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To the Graduates of Central High School r HE graduates of the Central High made a great I mistake in not attending the reception and dance given by the Senior Class to the Alumni on Friday evening, April 19th, at the Masonic Temple. The Seniors had made every arrangement for a large meeting and gave a very interesting program. Few of the older alumni attended, which was a disappointment to the Senior Class and the officers of the Alumni Association. Feeling as we do, that there should be a closer union between Central High School graduates, we thought this reunion would work up a school spirit that eventually would develope and be the means of forming an active and aggressive organization. At present the Association is inactive and is doing nothing for the progress and advancement of High School work. Nor is it doing anything to stimulate the students to greater efforts either in school work or in the various fields of activity of the students outside the school room. If properly handled it would be able to accomplish much along both lines suggested. The Alumni of this city working with Alumni of the other high schools could also wield considerable influence in affairs that pertain to the public good on the broad local questions of the day. We are not taking the stand that our training and education entitles us to, and I hope the present Senior Class will take up the work of organization and follow up the start made this year. If this is done from now on the High School Alumni Association will grow, and the future graduates will get under the banner even if we old timers forget our obligations. Wishing the Association future greatness. I am yours sincerely, W. W. HEFFELFINGER, President of Alumni Association. C. H. S.. Class '88. Pag fourteen

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tfHcj L P 7S 0 a i pH c a mental sluggard and shortens many a school boy’s career in mid course. Now then, this sort of thing is my ideal antidote to the modern hankering for fraternity and sorority life in the high schools. To banish the secret society, which was recently done by legal enactment, and furnish no rational substitute, is sheer unwisdom, to my thinking. A fraternity man myself, I would raise my voice and use my influence decidedly against secret fraternity life in any grade of the public schools, including the High Schools, but I should desire to provide the widest and freest interchange of thought and feeling and social intercourse among the young people of our vast High School population. I should like to see a true and inspiring spirit of democracy pervade the whole school life of a boy or girl, and this spirit is definitely and easily gained in fres, open, social intercourse, as suggested, in the old literary, elocutionary and dramatic society idea. These efforts need not be confined to one or two societies • there may be several. An occasional scrap over an election of officers in such a society is vitalizing and joyous. Hie graceful staging of a good amateur play is full of stimulus and leads to a truer appreciation of the great dramatic art, too little cultivated among young people desiring broad culture in our day. Debating clubs should be encouraged, and the excellent work now done can be improved, no doubt. A boy who can put up a good debate has about the best running start for a successful career, where clear thinking and ready speaking and writing are involved, that I know of. 1 would plead for all kinds of open societies, literary, musical, dramatic, athletic, art and critical, thru which the intellectual faculties can be stimulated, and at the same time give a rational basis for social intercourse, with its adjustments suited to every kind of boy and girl. DAVID PERCY JONES. C. H. S.. Class 78. Pag- sixteen