Elders Ridge Vocational School - Elrivo Yearbook (Elders Ridge, PA)

Page 65 text:

ELECTRIC LIGHTS Though many of the students and people of the community had realized for some time the urgent need of a better lighting system for the school, it was not until the fall of 1922 that it was undertaken to secure the means whereby we could have a light plant installed. The money was secured in many different ways. Part of it was raised by subscription, part by the Board and the remainder was raised by the students of the school. The Home-making girls of the Class of 1925 gave 322.00 which they made from their lunch room when Juniors. These girls made hot lunches in the school kitchen and sold them in the dining room. This helped them in their training and also helped to secure the light plant. The boys' Agricultural class gave 325.00 which was secured by small donations from each of the boys. They made this money by doing janitor work. The girls' basketball team also are not to be overlooked for they helped greatly by giving 330.00 of their hard earned cash. The boys' basketball team did not like to be outdone by the girls' team so in their loyalty they topped the girls' 330.00 with a ten spot and very gener- ously clipped off 340.00 from their bank roll. The students then combined their forces and gave a pie social which helped the good cause along greatly. Owing to the condition of the weather there was not a very large crowd at this affair, but those who were there xx ere quite generous and the pies that wre sold brought 33000. The Board, seeing the energy that the school was putting into the struggle for a new light plant, thought they would like to give some- thing to reward the efforts of those who were working so hard to attain their goal. The Board then gave 3250.00 to the light plant fund. Thus through the co-operation of the community, the Board and the school, we have secured an up-to-date lighting system. One to which we may all look with pride. It is a source of pleasure and satisfaction to the student body to know that by personal sacrifices they have aided in giving the school a gift of permanent value. We wish to take this occasion to thank those loyal supporters of the school, who by means of their generous subscriptions ,have made this rural luxury possible. Those of -you who read this little article will see that somewhere behind this work there was a master-mind directing this energy in the right course. This master-mind was Mr. Beamer, the Director of the school. He was in the work heart and soul and was backed by the school. Although the future light plant at first seemed a dream, it began to grow and now is a reality. Of course there were some discouraging moments when to others it looked impossible, but our principle was not discouraged, but kept on with more determination than ever. I believe his motto is, Where there is a will there is a way.