East Lansing High School - Ceniad Yearbook (East Lansing, MI)

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SAMUEL B. LAIRD

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habit of study which, we trust, we have acquired, that is to be most valuable in the future. Not the exact knowledge which is acquired here is of the most worth to a student, but the habits formed in acquiring this knowledge. A Latin lesson may not be of any practical use to a large majority of students, but the habits which should be formed during the learning of this lesson are of infinite value. That the same discipline of mind, received from practical studies would be better for a student, is admitted, but that the same discipline can be so attained is not readily apparent. But do not let us forget that the High School is not the broadest field of study, but that the High School work needs the four years of college to make it complete. The college stands in the same relation to the High School as the High School to the Grammar Grades. There is a more close and personal contact in college than elsewhere and the friendships formed here are most lasting. But let us remember that there are some things more desirable than an education, for instance, honesty and uprightness of character and even if we do not reach the goal of our ambitions in study, still the consciousness of moral integrity is best of all and we hope that the laws of right living have been learned by us in such a manner as to make us worthy the respect of our friends. In the sweet bye-and-bye when the High School will not be as high fin airl as We have found it, a future graduating class will have to thank the liberality of Lansing's citizens for a more comfortable and convenient building. For ourselves, we are to be congratulated that we have come through our breathless experience alive and well. WILBUR JUDSON.

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Samuel B. Laird Lansing has been most fortunate in her selection of superintendents, both past and present. Today we have at the head of our public schools a man of whom we can feel justly proud, and to whom we can entrust the care and educa- tion of the hundreds of pupils placed under his direction. Mr. Laird spent his boyhood days in the town of Chelsea, Washte- naw county, Michigan, and his first schooling was received in the union school of that place. At the age of twenty he secured a certifi- cate and commenced teaching, and in this way obtained means for furthering his education. After two years of this work he entered the State Normal at Ypsilanti, from where, on completing a four year course in the classics, he went to Tawas City, and spent the next nine years in teaching. Following the very successful period in that city he accepted a position in the East Tawas schools, where he remained for the next five years. At the end of this time he removed to Dowagiac to take up the work of superintendent of the public schools there. In addition to his work of superintendent Mr. Laird taught four studies daily, besides the extra work done in studying for degrees. After spending six years in Dowagiac, he was offered the superin- tendency of the Lansing public schools and came to this city to assume his duties at the beginning of last year's term. Mr. Laird has always been a hard worker, as every school where he has been can testifyg he has had the degrees of Ph. B. and M. S. con- ferred upon him, after examination, by the McKendree College of Illinois, and B. by the State Normal, as results of his post graduate work. During the past year he has organized several Parents clubs, and held numberless meetings in which the welfare of the child 'l has been the theme, for he firmly believes that the cooperation of the