Central School - Deeds and Misdeeds Yearbook (Decatur, IN)

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24 DEEDS AND MISDEEDS MUSIC Music, one of the five principal arts, is an integral part of man’s daily life. Music is a balm and an inspiration to the soul; it drives away cares, sor¬ rows, and dull moments. In the schoolroom it is a great aid to discipline. Boys and girls love to sing. They enjoy expressing their finer emotions and thoughts in song form. It brings cheerfulness and is a recreation in the daily routine of work. The boys and girls of Decatur have certainly worked hard to learn new songs both by rote and by note; the latter being often a difficult task to do. We have tried to help boys and girls learn to appreciate some of the better songs, and hope they will be able to discriminate between the good and poor types of music. In working with these children, we have formed some opinions as to the probability of developing the talents of boys and girls in this field. Then too, not all can be performers, so it is highly necessary to have good eda- cated listeners for listening intelli¬ gently is in itself a very commend¬ able art. Throughout the course we have tried to drop a kernel of theory. For after all this comes second in place to appreciation. Theory, the funda¬ mental principles upon which music is based, must be partly understood to be able to be a performer. And several of the pupils are aiming for a partially musical career if not an entire one. Throughout the school there is a very commendable spirit shown in music. The work can become very profitable and good results may be expected if the course is kept as a definite subject in the school curricu¬ lum. Almost everyone enjoys music in one form or another. And many find their greatest enjoyment in life if they may be entertainers. They learn to do a part of this in the school room, where they are often asked to take part individually. “Where there is music there’s life, Where there is life there’s music.” MISS RIESEN. - o- GEOGRAPHY The 8A class has had a very pleas¬ ant time traveling through the differ¬ ent countries of Africa, South Ameri¬ ca, Asia, Australia, and parts of Eur¬ ope. That seems to be an extensive trip, but with our first class, high pow¬ ered automobile and Miss Mutschler as our chauffeur, we have been able to complete that journey in one se¬ mester. The things that interested our class the most were the oriental costumes, which the people wore. Theii strange manner of living, their child marriages, their strange religious and sacrifices of human beings were a few of the numerous topics for discussion. Several weeks were spent in travel¬ ing over Egypt. We tried to deter¬ mine the race and color of the Queen of Sheba. We visited King Tut’s tomb. Every one has in his possess¬ ion a relic that was found in the tomb. We have studied Egyptian styles and

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DEEDS AND MISDEEDS 23 MANUAL TRAINING The manual training of 1922-‘23 proved to be a great success. EVen though some of the classes were handicapped by short terms many pro¬ jects were made which can be put to good use in and about the home. Each section received manual train ing three weeks from eight until ten o ' clock in the morning. The first semester there were six classes which did the work easily in eighteen weeks but in the second semester there were seven sections and some of these clas¬ ses were very large thus hampering the work of the pupils The difficulties of short time and crowded condition were overcome, however, by the pupils working after school hours and earl} in the morning By their putting in over-time the pupils exhibited a pleas¬ ing attitude toward their shop work. Some of the projects completed in the shop are tabourets, foot stools, book racks, hall trees, broom holders cutting boards, radio cabinets and loads of half lap joints. There was a great amount of repairwrok done 01 . maps, hurtles and chairs. We also built foot stools for the 7Bs ' whose legs are too short for their ed¬ ucation. The repair department also put new running gears on Mr. Brown ' s baby crib. The 7-Bs’ who had never had man¬ ual training before were very anxious to get into shop work but they soon found that it became an “old joke” to run one of those “great big planes” and “wee little saws.” The classes were held in the High School Manual Training shop which is well equipped with wood working tools and machinery. This gave them a chance to do all their work very neatly and accurately. For finishing the projects, the best obtainable paint, stain and varnisn was used. Not only did it require will, but plenty of muscle grease was also applied in giving the work a fin¬ ishing touch. At times the pupils thought L he teacher was harsh with them .vivn he made them do their work accur¬ ately and neatly, but now since they have developed accuracy and derived much benefit by exercising care they thank Mr. Gephart for much of their success in the shopwork. --•Chester Reynolds - •- PENMANSHIP There is not the least reason why any normal boy or girl should leave school unable to write a rapid leg- me style of business penmanship. Not only is this true but when we fail to develop a child in this most essential subject, we start that child in life with a handicap as serious as if we fail to develop proper speech. Being a firm believer of the above ptatement , Supt. Worthman made a ruling effective this year, that requires an improvement certificate be fore his grades will be accepted in the high school. The totals below represent the awards granted thus far this year. An other shipment was made on which the return have not yet been received. High School Diplomas . 12 Final Certificates . 50 Improvement Certificates . 30 Progress Pins . 13

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DEEDS AND MISDEEDS 25 compared them to the 1923 fashions. The girls are all thankful they were not living then. The 600 set helped us to enjoy the trip immensely; it brought many scenes before our very eyes. Miss Mutschler paid us, the 8A’s the compliment of having kept our “culture” under our Geography hats throughout our journey. —Mary K. Schug -o- HYGIENE Our hygiene lessons have introduc¬ ed us to a science which we have learned to enjoy and appreciate. A healthy mind must dwell in a healthy body. With this great fact before us we are enabled to choose right habits of living which will make habits of useful and successful citizens. In behalf of all our hygiene classes I tender our sincere thanks to Isaac, our humble skeleton, who has served us so faithfully. —Louis Ogg -o- EDNA SWEARINGER It was with sad hearts that the teachers and classmates of Edna Swearinger received the unexpected news of her death. Her illness was of short duration, no one realizing the seriousness of her condition. Less than two weeks preceding her death she was happily taking part in all school activities. She would have entered high school with the mid¬ year class. Edna had an unusual personality, possessing;i characteris- tics that made here an ideal student and companion. CHAPEL PERIODS What do we hear in chapel? How are we entertained? By classes in endless succession, Once over, and again and again. Mr. Brown has taught us our duty, Thru tact in all his work, And when he comes into our classes We feel it would be wrong to shirk. The bankers’ talks will be useful To those who have money to spend; They explained every move in check writing From the first line down to the end. Ministers oft read from the Bible, And give a learned discourse there¬ from. They have lead us to see new beauties In its language, its verse, and its song. Miss Riesen leads in the music, Each morning she comes with a smile, And after a choice of selections She keeps time, and we all sing a while. On the mornings when classes gave programs Of music and plays, we recall, To have had chapel last several hours Would have been a joy for us all. The health play taught us quite plainly Of disease germs to beware, For they may be lurking in foodstuffs Or in water, or borne by the air.