Essex Junction High School - Joy Yearbook (Essex Junction, VT)

Page 11 text:

Cbitorial The great task is finished and to us it will he one of the chief memories of our high school days. Days, weeks—yes. months we have labored to produce this, the first volume of The Clarion. While it has been a difficult task, we feel repaid, because we have built a memorial to old T6. The purpose of this hook is first of all to record high school life here as it is, to keep alive the memories of these hours spent together here in toil and play, to help create school spirit, to bring vividly to the mind of all that we have a school worth working for. Essex Junction has many advantages and many disadvantages, hut the former so outshadows the latter that when her students realize their power she will rise to a place now undreamed of. Four years ago, when we entered, the change destined to take place before we left was unexpected. A new building, the teaching staff enlarged, the enrollment doubled, athletic teams prepared to throw down the gauntlet to teams representing schools of our size to either win or lose. Many more great things may he done, and if the proper spirit existed they might he done. At the present time the greatest need and the seemingly hardest thing to get is a new athletic field. Among the other things are courses in manual training, drawing and music and a teacher's training course. A new laboratory is also needed. While of course these cannot he procured by the students alone, yet they can do a great deal toward getting them by just being interested and cultivating school spirit. These things cannot he done without pep” or as long as the school must remain second in the minds and consideration of the student body. The little old school on the hill near the freight yard wielded a great influence for good. What better proof need he given than the alumni? None of her graduates hut what are filling themselves with credit. In preparing this hook we have endeavored to set a standard. We have not tried to copy other hooks of this kind, hut have tried to develop individuality —a thing which should he the aim of all school activities. To the class of ’17, to whom we leave the preparation of Volume Two of this hook, we charge to follow the high standard which we have aimed at. In their task- we wish them pleasure and success. As this hook has been compiled under most adverse conditions there have been many mistakes made. We hope they will he judged with care and consideration. The grinds in this hook were written with an effort to avoid the feelings of all and we hope they will he accepted in the same spirit. Now we take pleasure in presenting to the teachers, students, alumni and friends of the school, this, the first volume of The Clarion. Page seven