Gainesville High School - Hurricane Yearbook (Gainesville, FL)

Page 22 text:

GAINESYILLE HIGH SCHOOL, 1915 One of the most useful organizations of the high school is the orchestra. Un all pulrlic and private occasions the very best music may be furnished without cost to the high school. The high school orchestra creates en- thusiasm in music and leads many to play some musical instrument. An- other important high school organization is the athletic association. Probably this lzody has more work than any other of the school's socie- ties, supporting and encouraging, as it does, all athletics. Every student organization should be conducted on a business basis. Every otiicer should be selected with greatest care. The ollicers should be selected on account of ability and not popularity. Neither should any one or two members be let 1'ule everything according to their wishes. That is one of the most harmful things that comes before organizations. If this is the case, the organization will soon be divided, which means it cannot stand. A prime necessity is proniptness in business transactions and also in time of meeting. The work should always be business like, and at no time should foolishness prevail. The value of student organization is almost inestimable. The value accrues not only to the student but also to the school and public. The school is well advertised in every particular because each organization does its best work by competing with other high schools. The members of these organizations attain managing power that leads them to success in their future lives. This ability makes of them good citizens who are a credit to their community. In these organizations is where every high school student first learns to take responsibilities. This also is a fundamental part of the foundation of a business life. The value of co-operation is learned in bodies of this kind. This again is a great help to them in after life. High school students lay their foundation for after life while in the high school. Were it only for this reason student organiza- tions should be carried on in the most prohtable manner. The life and success of all high school organizations depend on the co- operation of the entire student body. Each student should be an active member and support the organization by his work, dues, and regular attendance. Without the co-operation of students, the organization can- not do its best workg the otlicers do not have encouragement and therefore the work is a burden. For this reason student organizations must have the support of the entire student body and faculty in order to be successful. CLAUDE OGILVIE. 20

Page 21 text:

GAINESYILLE HIGH SCHOOL. 1915 lihrary is that it is a fountain sending out. as well as gathering in, for it- self. In many communities experiments are heing carried on tending to make the school a community center and these experiments are in many cases successful. Through the use ofthe school huilding as a community center the value of the school lilgrary to the community will he inestimahle. The time will come, no doubt, when the school building will I:-ecome the real social center of the community, and when that time comes it is safe to say that every school will lie equipped with carefully selected hooks for the use not merely of the children hut also of adults. The whole academic life in America is weakened lizy the mad desire for credit. Many of our young people go to the lilzrary as a reference for examinations. thus piling up credit instead of culture. For the relief of this situation the most potent factor yet discovered is the library con- nected with the school. Every high school boy or girl will become a lover of hooks if the proper opportunity is given. The lover and reader of hooks is always ready to communicate something to his associates. He is then on the road to a good conversational powe1'. It is doubtful whether the school through any other line of endeavor has so great an opportunity to influence the life of our country as through the liberal use of the library. With all the enlargements of our curriculum let us continue to give the library its proper place in the school and in the lives of children. HELEN HOLDER. STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL A modern high school must have student organizations to be complete. Without them, important duties of the school will he left undone. Al- though student organizations are necessary, there lies great danger in hav- ing too many. If a school is in such a condition, the students do no one society justice, and at the same time possibly they are slighting studies. Literary societies are essential for any high school. They are the foun- dation of practice in public speaking and legislation. By means of such societies the students learn parliamentary rules and the necessity of order. It is very important also that each class of the high school have its organ- ization. In this way the spirit and unity of each class may he realized. 19

Page 23 text:

GAINESYILLE HIGH SCHOOL. 1915 SOCIAL LIFE IN HIGH SCHOOL When girls and boys have grown into womanhood and manhood and have gone out into the world to take their places among' their fellows, the fondest recollections that come after busy hours to soothe tired brains and ofttimes aching hearts are those of school day experiences. As young people are naturally social in temperament and ready always to plan for amusement and gayety, it is very necessary that the social life of the school furnish an outlet for youthful enthusiasm of a social kind. They are going to have a ce1'tain amount of social intercourse, for their natures require it and if such intercourse have the support and encouragement of the school authorities it is sure to be a pure and wholesome form of amusement. One of the best results of this element in a school is its essential char- acteristic of preventing selfishness. It is an established fact that where so called crowds or sets exist, the1'e are sure to be several isolated boys and girls who seldom have the chance to mingle with their comrades in a social way. In high school each student belongs to a class-whether Freshman or Senior makes no differenceg everyone has the right to join any of the associationsg if' desired each class may have receptions, parties and the like. If one class plans for a little party or social affair, there are no hard feelings, no one belonging to that class is left out, everyone feels that he or she personally is needed and wanted, for each one is in a measure responsible for the success of the entertainment. So to prevent this selfish attitude and to promote a feeling' of companionship, it seems that school, where the students meet on the common footing of fellow class and school mates, is the first place to inaugurate this feeling of lmnnc cunmrrulwrz'c. As- sociation promotes and cements friendship. As a people we are democratic and our democracy should be developed in early years when minds are plastic and hearts are susceptible to influences. Social life in High School develops not alone a friendly spirit but also school spirit. In order that a school be successful it is absolutely neces- sary to have the co-operation of the students. The teachers cannot alone accomplish all things, neither can they be entirely successful with the aid given them by the board of trustees or the patrons. They must have the assistance and support of the students or their efforts will be only in a measure productive of the good they hope to achieve. Social activities will instil a certain amount of school spirit into some who hitherto have seemed practically indifferent. In the scholastic year of 191-1-1915 the spirit of good fellowship has been encouraged in the Gainesville High School, and I firmly believe that it has proved highly beneficial to the student body as a Whole as Well as in- 21