Farmington High School - Laurel Yearbook (Farmington, ME)

Page 19 text:

THE LAUREL 13 LENGTH OF THE. SCHOOL YEAR AY we not consider at this time the length of the school year of F. H. S. as compared with that of other Prep schools in the State. With the approach of the school year, students look forward to the last two weeks with a feeling of lassitude and non-interest in school work, due to the strenuous school year of 38 weeks which they will have ex- perienced, with only a short vacation of two weeks following the fall term of 15 weeks in length and a spring recess of 10 days following the winter term of 13 weeks. F. H. S. is only one of only two or three Prep schools in the State having a school year of 38 weeks. All others confine themselves to the regular 36 week period and cover the same amount of Work, as thoroughly and completely as does this school. The last two weeks coming as they do during the hottest days of summer can- not benefit the student to any degree. Classes are practically over, finals are com- pleted, and all efforts to concentrate on school work are entirely out of the question, although the student is required to attend school, and is expected to give his attention to school work to a certain degree. Consideration upon closing school two Weeks earlier in June would not seem un- reasonable inasmuch as at least 90 per cent. of the educational institutions of the State already favor this plan. 3.1 AT THE THEATRE HE average audience in an American moving picture theatre is no less in- teresting than the picture on the screen, and if one is observant one may discern the different types that compose an audience. First, there is the obliging benefactor to humanity who, being afraid his neighbors have not the power to read, accordingly announces all the titles aloud with great expression, and comments at length upon the appearance of the actors. I .consign to him the fate of a train announcer. Another wholly interesting person is the one who chews peanuts or candy loud enough to drown out the music. A great part of the time he is the one with the onion breath strong enough to lift a loco- motive. He is one of the most disgusting of this fraternity of offenders. The ex- traction of all his teeth would be a just and fitting punishment. Something should also be done about the young angel who has seen the presentation before, and who takes great pains to ex- plain the plot in detail to tho-se sitting around him. Surely when there is need for an explanation of the picture, the man- agement will give him a megaphone and put him on the stage from where he can air his knowledge to his less fortunate brothers. Next comes the dear old soul who goes to the movies to be shocked, and if she is, she immediately complains that the picture is unlit to be shown and if she is not, the picture is dry and uninteresting. She also comes to chastise the younger generation for using the theatre as a petting parlor. This subject is the one that invokes wide- spread criticism, but I doubt that anyone, if given the choice, would rather sit beside a person who talked or chewed continually than a young couple, who, although engaged in the very deplorable practice of petting, nevertheless are quiet and unobtrusive.

Page 18 text:

12 - THE LAUREL surge of pure, sincere and line attitude, even a very remote idea of possibility may be developed into a smashing success. On the other hand, even a self reliant possibility of success may go down to cold defeat and de- struction when suppressed by an entirely'or partially wrong attitude. Since we can see so very readily that correct attitude is really our source of po- tential energy upon which we may run our success, we may now consider our present life, in which we are so vitally concerned at present-that is, our school. Students are, as a general rule, prone to regard school life as a routine for gaining a ready knowledge of pure, hard facts. In truth, however, after careful consideration, we can easily see that, while we gain our facts through careful study of that which is really useful and practical, at the same time we are gaining something ideal and more noble. Now let us consider this idealism, which is usually brought forth and acquired by us subconsciously. In this consideration cor- rect attitude also fiashes out as the primary function and pulse of idealism. Idealism is really unlimited in its restriction over the development of fine character. But in our branch of life it is principally embodied in causing a more acute understanding of mutual relationship. Thus it is in this school life that we develop an attitude of equality among ourselves, self control, re- gard, attentiveness, and all that is a symbol of idealism. ' And so, fellow-students and friends, let us unfailingly make it our aim and purpose to synchronize our attitude and time-our two big, ever present opportunities-into a development and persistent use of finer ideals. Now is the time. 1.2 THE EVILS OF NOTE THROWING IN SCHOOL OME do not realize the real harm and absurdness of passing notes. I shall endeavor to show a few of the unmannerly creatures some of the inconveniences and the childislmess of passing and throwing notes. The last period before recess I sit beside one of these uncouth urchins who might well be called a note fiend. I will be well absorbed digging into my French, when all of a sudden something will land on the exact word I am about to look up. I jump in my seat with such sur- prise that I find the principal's eyes glued upon me. I-Iastily I turn a leaf in the book to cover up what I know is a note, saying on the outside, Please pass to -, six seats back. I then feel like a dirty culprit with the note in my hands and I watch continually for a chance to pass it on. , Finally the chance comes! I make a hissing noise to my next door neighbor-just then the principal turns around and I gaze in front of him, making my lips move to make him think I am memorizing something. At last it is out of my hands, and just twenty minutes from the first time, I started again to look up the word the note fell on. Discouraged and disgusted, I put down the book and begin on my Latin. I just find my place when the answer to the note comes whizzing back on my desk. just as I get it back to its owner the bell rings. Where does my studying come in? And all for a single note! Why couldn't they just as well have waited and said it at recess time? But, oh no, they had rather bother at least five people and have the feeling that they are disobeying someone. Oh, how childish this seems to me! When I was a Freshman and in the beginning of my Sophomore year, I was myself one of these troublesome things. But now, I have an altogether different attitude toward school and note throwing. Very seldom is there anything that cannot wait and be said just as well as bothering everyone else and making a nuisance of yourself.

Page 20 text:

, 14 THE LAUREL R Q! Ei mn Illil - ig I 2 l 2 ONCE FELIX I-I! Twenty years, bitter years had passed since I last stood in that old lane. Strange it is, how often there are unac- countable intangible happenings, which course through one's life. Still more curious it is to realize that through a period of intermingled sorrow and joy, many times, a certain spot in nature holds a spell over us. Often, too, this favored spot imparts to us a vision of future joy and success, or seems to symbolize our souls and physique by characterizing ruggeclness, composure or subdued atmosphere of the spot and sur- rounding latndscape which impresses itself upon us. Sadness, too, is deeply associated with these bonds which seem, perhaps, only like mere coincidents. . But, after all, is it strange that there should be an incletinable relation between the elements and mortal ? Through the ages there has always been this surging tide of mortals, using nature as its playground for joy or stage for tragedy. Then is it strange that one spot, with which we are often closely related, should pnlsate with our very same spirit or be em- bodied in close alliance with our cares, sorrows and joys of life? still impressive and The old lane was beautiful. The long avenue remained the The parallel stone same in appearance. walls, moss covered and rough, were yet Mlenvy rnrtgaaar blanketed with twisted and climbing ram- blers, honeysuckle, and Woodbine. Farther down the aisle the high, battered old gate was swaying on creaking hinges, ending the long path leading to the low-towered house beyond. Ah l yes, there too were the long rows of pines, towering, overhanging, yes, the true sentinels of nature. Sentinels! The watch guards of my ris- ing hopes in long past days, once sharing in my joy. Twenty years ago I had waited in this lane, enrapt in joy and delightful expect- ancy. This was our trysting ground, the forerunner of expected paradise. On that last visit here the pines sang a rollicking rhapsody of joy and promise. Long I waited, dusk deepened, the breeze checked, the song of the pines ceased, silence fell- yet I waited, surely Sibyl would come. Click! The gate latch grated. Ah! now she was coming. A rustle of silk, nearing footsteps, a quick touch upon my shoulder. Sibyl ! I whispered tensely. A brief moment of cold silence followed. In the next instant I was answered by a cold voice, scornful and distant. Felix, go. Our past has been a dream. To me it is now a mere blind happening. Depart, never to return. Oh! Felix if you love me, keep this warning sacred. Goodbye. I heard a mocking rustle of attire draw-