Fairhaven High School - Huttlestonian Yearbook (Fairhaven, MA)

Page 15 text:

Fairhaven High School waked on the morn of its hundredth year on January 26, 1952 and began at once its second century of service. To us it did not look queer, and, because changes had come gradually through the long years, I do not think it felt queer, but its aspect and atmosphere were certainly different from those which greeted the first class one hundred years ago. Theirs was a plain building unadorned within and without — an old meeting house converted at moderate expense for school purposes. Ours is a building beautiful to behold fashioned of the finest materials to provide a place where students may work surrounded by inspiring examples of the handiwork of master craftsmen. There were few pupils then, and the narrow curriculum was composed of the relatively few subjects thought necessary in a high school course. There are many pupils now, and our broader curriculum embraces many subjects about which people need to know today if they are to think and act intelligently. It is easy for us to multiply the differences between their school and ours. Their schoolhouse is gone; if we want to know how it looked, we must examine old photographs. Their textbooks are so scarce as to be collector’s items. Their teachers and the members of the Class of 1852 have gone to their reward. How then has the school survived? When we say our school is a hundred years old, what is it that has endured so long? If you show me a piece of fine china made in 1852, there it is before ' us much as it came from the hand of the potter, but the Fairhaven High School we know is quite different from the school that opened its doors a century ago. The difference, of course, is that a piece of china is finished, static, and dead, while a school is developing, growing, and alive. It is the organization that continues even though teachers and learners come and go. We know that a school can preserve and pass on ideas and ideals. Let us determine to keep alive the most worthy of the ideals that have been taught here. Among these let me mention two, each connected with a man. The first man is Henry H. Rogers, and the ideal is generosity. From his abundant wealth he gave freely to beautify and benefit his town. Are we doing as much in proportion to our means as he did, or do we say because we have little, we need it all for ourselves? The other man is Charles F. Prior who was Superintendent of Schools here for many years, and the ideal is intelligent participation in practical politics. Mr. Prior sug¬ gested our motto — “The noblest motive is the public good,” and to encourage young people to learn how to participate in community betterment, he organized the Fairhaven Junior Improvement Association of which most of you have been members. Shall we say F. J. I. A. is for children and politics is for those who would enrich themselves at public expense, or shall we learn the ways of democracy in school days and determine to make it work in practical ways as we become adults? The answer lies with you. In a day when there is emphasis on selfish getting. Mr. Rogers gives us an example of generous giving; and in a time when revelations of dishonesty make us question the soundness of our government, Mr. Prior reminds us that if we want good government we must do our share to make it and keep it so. Of course there are other traits that have stood the test of the years. You know them: honesty, loyalty, kindness, and reverence. I urge you to acquire and treasure them as precious coins that are unaffected by depression or inflation. With them you are prepared to buy the respect of your fellows and of your own conscience. Sincerely your friend, Chester M. Downing Principal

Page 14 text:

CHESTER MILLER DOWNING, Ph.B, Ed.M. Brown University, Harvard University Principal FAIRHAVEN HIGH SCHOOL OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL To the Class of 1952: Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote a humorous poem about a wonderful one horse shay, that was so well built that it ran a hundred years to a day before it fell apart. In this poem we read: “Little of all we value here Wakes on the morn of its hundredth year Without both looking and feeling queer.”

Page 16 text:

WALTER DAVID WOOD, A.B., M.A. Clark University Assistant Principal, Physics VELNA BOWLES, B.S. in Ed., Ed.M. Framingham, Columbia, Boston University Home Economics, Clothing ALEXANDER M. CLEMENT B.S.E., Ed.M. Williams College, No. Adams State Teachers’ College Assistant Director of Boys’ Physical Education, History DORIS D. BRUCE, B.S. in Ed. Bridgewater State Teachers’ College, Boston University Director of Guidance RAYMOND G. BOYCE B.S. in Ed., Ed.M. Fitchburg State Teachers’ College, Boston College Chemistry, General Science GEORGE COOK, A.B., Ed.M. University of New Hampshire English, Civics, Junior Varsity Football, Tennis