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

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parents with the teacher assists in bringing about better results for the child. He has made a careful research in the subject of child study, and has given many lectures and talks upon that most interesting subject In every Way Mr. Laird compares favorably with the foremost edu- cators of the state, and THE cJRr-XCLE wishes and sees for him a successful future. N! '54 il ' KSN- n , I

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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

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Class Oration Our Noble Inheritance When The Great Navigator sailed westward from Spain to reach the Indian Isles, little did the people dream there t were two large continents on the other side of the globe. After the discovery of South America men realized that a new world had been found. Each nation was anxious to obtain a share. Ever eager to increase her domain England sent out explorers. Through them she claimed the greater part of central North America. Companies were formed which l Wa sent over colonists to settle the newly acquired territory and establish trading posts. Their aim was purely commercial. They had no thought of making this their home. Another class of settlers desiring to make homes for themselves and children came also. They did not think when making their settle- ments that they were laying the foundation for our grand and noble country. They had serious trouble with the French along the Mississ- ippi and also with the Indians who were excited by French inliuence. During this trouble the colonists received help from the mother country. The French were Hnally driven out of America. England now changed her tactics toward the colonists for she saw in them a chance to increase her revenue. She passed laws prohibiting them from trading with any country save herself. All the goods they received were taxed. During this time the condition of mankind was greatly changed. The common people began to think more for themselves. They realized that All