Deering High School - Amethyst Yearbook (Portland, ME)

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ON THE AIR One evening I turned on my radio and heard a sketch depicting a visit through Deering High School. An interested mother, Mrs. Smith, played by Mrs. Frank I. Cowan, asked to see Mr. Whig about her son's college preparation. As Mr. Wing was busy, the secretary, Miss Jeanne Morris, took Mrs. Smith through the school, explaining various rooms and activities. They came upon john Marsh sing- ing in the Music Room. He explained the ad- vantages of the hve-year-course that he is taking. Students taking this course have time to take extra studies and activities which might interest and benefit them. Nlrs. Smith and the secretary met Miss Hall, the school nurse. She explained her position and told of the worth-while projects that D. I-I. S. maintains. Tuberculosis tests, physical examina- tions, and eye and ear tests are a few of the health plans of the school curriculum. Mrs. Smith and the secretary passed on to where Mr. johnson, guidance counselor, and Billy Smith, played by James Doughty, were discussing Billy's ranks. Billy was trying to get by on a passing mark. Mr. johnson changed Billy's attitude and gave him new ideals to work for. After hearing this discussion, Mrs. Smith, much wiser than be- fore, interviewed Mr. Wing about her son's pro- gram. On another occasion I heard a radio skit which included the Bowdoin One-Act Play. john Marsh and Clayton Smith discussed the advantages of belonging to the Dramatic Club. They belong, not for the glamour of footlights, but for what dramatics teaches them, namely, to be unself-con- scious and poised, to face emergencies such as for- gotten lines, and to portray character convincingly. Bernard McDonough and Walter Sullivan joined in the discussion of a one-act play based on the Black and Tan War in Ireland in 1919. In this play Irish policemen were hunting for an Irish patriot. The patriot, a supposed ballad singer, gained the conhdence of a Sergeant and escaped from jail. The play was well done in Irish dialect. Deering High School has many other interests. Nearly every student fits into some extra-curricular activity and enjoys school more because of its as- sociations.

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SCHOOL DAYS Now that the class of '39 has reached the goal toward which we have been ever working, that of being a senior, it is very hard to believe. The time has come, however, and we are looking forward to graduation eagerly and yet a trifle sadly. It seems incredible that we will not be returning to the halls of Deering next year to resume our studies with renewed vigor. Although many of us will go on to college, we will all miss the life of activity and fun of the Deering High School student. Since our first day at Deering, when we entered as insignificant, frightened freshmen, up until the present, our days have been filled with pleasures. In the held of sports our school has been among those at the top of the list and it has been with great pleasure that we have attended the various games. In the fall we all derived pleasure from the exciting whirl of the football season. The wild ex- citement, the colorful approach of our band, some- times rain, sometimes crisp autumn days, but al- ways the eternal thrill of a good football game. Basketball and track are ushered in with winter. Will we ever forget the fun of being a part of the milling throng, of happily greeting friends under the glaring lights which shine down upon a track meet or basketball game. Spring brought us base- ball, tennis, and golf along with other activities. However, sports did not overshadow our many other social events presented by the various clubs of the school. Three of the outstanding affairs of the school year are the Dramatic Club Play, the Glee Club Operetta, and the Senior Class Play. 1 The Dramatic Club play of our senior year was called New Firesf, It was well attended by our socially-minded schoolmates, who also enjoyed the dancing in the gymnasium after the play. The Glee Club operetta, called The Gypsy Rover, was a great success and brought several underclassmen to prominence by their brilliant per- formance. This, too, was followed by dancing in the gymnasium. One of the most important events on the seniors' social calendar is the Senior Class Play. This year a cast of nine prominent seniors presented The Late Christopher Bean, which was a Broadway success, and did not disappoint the Deering aucli- ence. There was also a large attendance at the dance held after the play. At the Freshman Reception the novices to the halls of Deering are given the opportunity of in- troducing their parents to their teachers and of hearing their principal and class officers speak. Few students become seniors without realizing the marvelous scholastic opportunities afforded at Deering. We come to appreciate our teachers' un- derstanding and guidance through our four years of association with them. Besides this, we learn to use and enjoy our exceptionally fine library. Our large, well-ventilated cafeteria is also a popu- lar room and is frequented at recess by our hungry lads and lassies. We are proud of our well-equipped chemistry and biology laboratories which are fut- nished with all of the instruments necessary for careful study. In years to come we, as those before us, will find infinite satisfaction in returning to Deering to renew old acquaintances at alumnae gatherings, and to watch with interest the advances in edu- cational opportunities offered by our own Alma Mater. Our four years here have taught us that to every man there openeth a way. With our four years at Deering the way has been opened. Where do we go from here?

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PATHFINDERS CLUB OFFICERS President MRS. O. A. I-IORTON Ist Vice-President MRS. RAEBURNE L. MARSH Znd Vice-President MRS. HARRY C. LARRABEE Corresponding Secretary MRS. EDWARD L. LINCOLN Recording Secretary MRS. GEORGE I-I. CHAPMAN Trearurer MRS. RAEBURN B. SMITH CHAIRMEN STANDING COMMITTEES Program MRS. WILLIAM E. ATWOOD Friendship MRS. WILLIAM DOUGI-IERTY Hospitality MRS. I-I. NORTON MAXFIELD, JR. M emhership MRS. CARL T. STEVENS Literature MRS. LINCOLN KING Finance MRS. GEORGE C. KERN Scholarship MRS. HENRY P. CHAPMAN Special Project MRS. ELTON N. SAGER Publicity MRS. FRANK M. COOMDS Auditor MRS. WALTER P. DEERING The Pathfinders Club has been functioning in the school for hfteen years and has grown from the original twenty members to over three hundred this year. All mothers of children in Lincoln MRS. O. A. I-IORTON President Junior High School and Deering High School may become members. The aims of the club are to promote friendship between the mothers themselves, provide contacts between parents and teachers, help in the general welfare of the school and assist worthy members of the graduating class to obtain a higher education. For the latter aim, the club raises annually as large a fund as possible to be distributed through the Scholarship Committee. Monthly meetings of the club are held in the auditorium of D. H. S. with either an interesting speaker or an entertainment of some kind. The programs are introduced by music provided by members from either school. At the close of the program, tea and sandwiches are served in the cafeteria and members are given an opportunity to meet the teachers. Usually a different group of teachers is present at each meeting. In recent years the most effective means of ob- taining funds for the scholarships has been that of selling tickets to the local theaters, for which the club has received a sizable commission. This year, however, the Strand and Empire were not Obtain- able, so the smaller local theaters, the Cameo and the Deering, were used with decidedly less profit. Some other means will have to be employed to raise the fund to its usual efficiency. Illness of the chairman contributed to the difficulties, but her place was ably filled by Mrs. Edward Willard. Once during the year for the past three years the club has varied its regular afternoon meetings and held one in the evening, called Fathers, Night. At this time each member may bring her husband or a friend on her membership ticket. Entertainment by members from the two schools is provided. Last year and this year the building was open for in- spection from 7:30 to 8:30 with each teacher in his room to greet the guests. Another regular feature is that of the entire program being in charge of members of Lincoln Junior High School at one of the regular meet- ings. This is always very interesting, as is the Christmas program which is usually produced by members of the Deering High dramatic and glee clubs combined. All members interested in books of recent publi- cation are given an opportunity to hear a book of recent fiction and non-fiction reviewed at an after- noon meeting in the school building once a month. A silver collection is taken at this meeting to de- fray the expense of hiring the books to be reviewed and paying outside reviewers whenever obtainable. Anyone interested may attend this meeting.