Central High School - Cog N Pen Yearbook (Newark, NJ)

Page 17 text:

BEGINNING TO LEARN The warm spring sunshine filtered through the study hall affecting those therein with a touch of spring fever, otherwise known as “laziness.” “I just can't work, that's all there is to it, sighed Bill Hower across the aisle to his friend Jack Gordon who was diligently occupied in attempting to keep his eyes from closing. I wonder why teachers never seem to be affected by spring, continued Bill, may- be if they were, they would be more understanding and considerate.” Jack yawned as the bell denoted the end of the period. The boys strolled along the corridors depending upon each other for support when they suddenly lost their balance and fell through a swinging door into a spacious room equipped with machinery. Well, I'll be jiggered, remarked Bill after they had regained their composure, “апа here I am a junior and have never been in this room before—let’s see— this must be the dynamo room. Dynamo room? So's your old man, laughed Jack, “see all those engines, he continued, pointing out some revolving apparatus at which several young fellows were busily engaged, well, they cut metal, and while I've never been in here before, I think they call this the foundry.” Golly, but those fellows don't seem to mind the weather. dig in! Bill and Jack curiously idled up to where one fel- low was working and enquired as to what he was do- ing. The youth was garbed in an apron and dis- played blackened hands and a dark smudge spread across his forehead, “I'm turning on a mandril.” he replied as he shifted a lever and brought the revolving Just see how they roll up their sleeves and work to a stop, revealing a piece of metal being cut into the proper dimensions. Jack perked up, This is the foundry, isn’t it?” The youth smiled broadly— ‘Hardly—this is the machine shop.” 4 Іп tum the boys strode past the various lathes and becoming deeply interested in the subject, likewise in- spected the foundry and discovered the discrepancy in They toured the forge and 1 the general method of pat- freshmen making admirable pieces of furniture in ti... joinery shop. Do you know, Jack, offered Bill as the youths walked to their lockers after spending an afternoon of pleasure, there is something in that technical course that is worth while. I like the way they roll up their sleeves and dig in, and get their hands dirty.” Jack gazed upon his manicured nails for a few moments and then replied, “I see, Bill, we'll take up some of this work and learn something along practical lines—and that's just it—dig in and learn something their previous beliefs. sheet metal shops, lea: tem making, and saw for ourselves. I see the work is interesting, too, and say, won't dad be surprised when he comes home some night and discovers that I've repaired the drain pipe. and I guess I'll also fix the runner on Bob's sled.” And we'll learn how the metals are mined and treated, and how large pieces of machinery are moulded, cast and machined.” Say there, chimed in Jack, “you've learned some- thing already, and believe me, we shall join the Tech- nical Club and travel about with the members of the various plants and actually see just how this large world about us is functioning.” Two more fellows had just begun to realize the usefulness of the technical course, not only as a brain exerciser but as furnishing experience and wide general knowledge. Learning to think and reason things out for your- self—that's the important factor! —Arthur E. O'Brien.