Garrett High School - Aeolian Yearbook (Garrett, IN)

Page 21 text:

••• The AEOLIAN • +... A YEAR IN GARRETT (r tf PERSON going from one community to another finds general customs, civic. JL social, and religious activities, educational programs, and habits of life varying but little and usually only in details. A community with a large foreign born popu- lation reflects very much the same manners of life and community interests as any other community drawing its population largely from the same sources. Yet, each community has a different spirit and atmosphere, one that is soon seen and recognized. Older communities often develop a spirit of easy complacency, or haughty, over-bearing, better-than-thou attitude, or of pride in former days and events; while younger towns and cities are filled with the spirit of do, get results, watch us grow, build for the future, or spirited but friendly rivalry. It was more the air of these last two that impressed me as very prominent in the community life at Garrett. Sometimes differences of opinion coupled with this spirit of friendly rivalry even p revents the very progress within the community that both sides really want, but it is hoped that Garrett will not be guilty of this. Ultimately one side usually yields in the interests of harmony and progress. This same attitude is manifested towards neighboring communities and regardless of their reception by them Garrett believes that the friendly hand and spirit, in the long run, wins and holds friends, be the keen rivalry what it may. The schools, too, reflect this same spirit and a genuine spirit of progress, open mindedness, and of genial helpfulness pervades the teaching force and student body and chides the occasional individual slacker or reactionary. A realization of the value and necessity of team work between teachers, building groups, parents and school of- ficials is making a healthy growth that augurs much for effectiveness in the future. The new high school building with its artistic landscape gardening is a fine be- ginning for a new day for Garrett school buildings. Remodeling or replacing of other buildings, clean, freshly tinted school room walls, well varnished woodwork and fur- niture are to follow rapidly as finances will permit and this will do much to develop and maintain the cheerful, ambitious, healthy spirit of the boys and girls during the many years of school life in which they spend most of their waking hours under their influence. One of the greatest problems confronting the school this year was the need for a sense of individual reponsibility on the part of each boy and girl for being promptly and regularly in their proper places and doing their assigned work each day and all day. The necessity was evident for parents and teachers alike to feel they should plan and arrange matters so as to interfere as little as possible with the regular daily attendance and work. Few things, if anything, can give the pupil a sense of self confidence and buoyance as the consciousness of complete mastery of the daily tasks that come to him. On the other hand, probably nothing can so much discourage and give one the sense of failure, lack of ability and utter worthlessness as habitual failure to cope with and really master the things the school demands of him. Ir- reguarity is one of the greatest contributing facts in causing such failures. School library facilities have not been at all adequate and it seems that not the best use is made of the opportunities we have. A good healthy spirit of study and broad scholarship is a thing to be desired and sought. The school and city libraries should be available to pupils during the hour and one-half noon period. Let us hope this may be possible soon. These are things that a year in Garrett has made prominent. They are not the only problems by any means as is shown by our strenuous efforts to secure permission from the State Board of Tax Commissioners to build a more adequate gymnasium but they are more vital and significant. Loyalty, co-operation, and unselfish boosting- has done much to put over a good program the past year and increased thoughtful- ness and zeal along these lines will accomplish more in the next. W. S. PAINTER. Page 13