Grants Pass High School - Toka Yearbook (Grants Pass, OR)

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THE TOKA 15 nrial. On Saturday evening, October 21, the High School Basket Ball girls gave a dinner for the two football teams who had that afternoon struggled so valiantly for supremacy on the gridiron. All animosity ceased with the sounding of the last whistle; nothing but Jolly good-feeling was apparent as the guests gathered round the table which had been laid in the gymnasium. Plates were laid for thirty-eight and not only the two first teams, but also the subs, the coaches and the referee partook of the dainty feast provided by the girls. After dinner Mr. Turnbull, acting as toastmaster, called upon Captain Newell of Grants Pass, Captain Thorn and Mr. Wheeler of Ashland, and the coaches and referee for speeches, all of whom responded. Mr. Turn-bull then on behalf of the boys thanked the girls for the dinner. Miss Louise Harvey, captain of the Girls’ Basket Ball Team responded and closed by requesting “all hands to fall to” and clear the gymnasium for the reception following. During the reception the High School was opened to the Ashland students, who praised our new building very much. The students, upon arriving at the reception, were presented with introductory cards in the Ashland colors. The gymnasium was decorated in the red and white, and punch was served from a booth of autumn leaves. Through the introductory cards the Grants Pass students became acquainted with the Ashland visitors so that a pleasant evening was spent. Mr. Turner warned the students in plenty of time and the Ashland people were accompanied to the train by a large body of G. P. High representatives. • • • On Saturday morning, October 28, a crowd consisting of Helen Hair, Helen Hall, Gladys Conklin, Edith Dahlberg, Dora Birchard, Marguerite Heyer, Ruth Hathaway, Jeannette Cramer, Theodore Cramer, Lawrence Underwood, Edwin Bobzlen and Matthew Riddle assembled and started to walk to the ranch home of Vere Murray, two and a half miles outside the city. About half way, four of the party “stopped to rest,” and, much to the consternation of the Sophomore chaperons could not be persuaded to move on. However, when they finally arrived at their destination, and were turned over to the proper guardians, Gladys and Helen heaved long sighs of relief. After an impromptu shower bath, dinner, and a game of Ruth and Jacob, which some said was all pre-arranged, the ascent of the mountain behind the farm was begun. Some of the party became tired and deciding that sliding down a rock

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14 THE TOKA Sometimes as I pass a group of lusty, leather-lunged, virile High School students upon the street and contemplate the dynamics represented in their physical and mental make-up, 1 am led to wonder whether they have ever made a careful appraise-HOW ABOUT THK DIVIDENDS? ment of themselves and soberly considered their relations to the community. Have they ever considered their responsibilities to themselves because of their capacity for action? In their own estimation, are they merely raw material for the world’s laboratory and factory; or are they units of force by which to drive the world’s activities? They should find time between the “grind” of the class-room and the roystering of the foot-ball ground to make such appraisement, with a thought to their own future as well as to the future of the community and the state. “I’m not worrying myself about the future of the community; I’ve got my work cut out looking after Number One; see?” Just the sort of sentiment to be expected from Young America. But. my stripling friend, it is time for you to reflect that the state and the community have a lien upon you. It is time for you to consider that in a broad sense you are an asset, to be levied upon and exploited. A gigantic stock company has been organized in Oregon, with millions of paid up capital, and money has been lavishly spent upon equipment and fa'illties for the one purpose of exploiting you—YOU. The stock-holders are the state, your own community, your own family, and your own self. How about the dividends? The public school has been recommended to the easy-going public as “the best buy” in the market—a “dead sure thing”—an Investment that pays progressively compounding interest, not only in per capita wealth for the community, but in appreciated citizenship. On thi3 very supposition the property owners are being assessed mercilessly in order to facilitate your “coming on.” It is with this thought in mind that the old folks” are adding economy to hard work, and are seasoning their days with anxiety. How about the dividends? “You can search me.” Well, sir, it would be the proper thing for you to search yourself. The heaviest item of taxation is for the paramount purpose of insuring to the future of Grants Pass a moral and capable citizenship—a class of citizens who can do more than labor with their hands and earn a living for their families. The future will bring problems bigger than we are dealing with today, and you will be looked to by the responsible citizen to deal with them. Will you be prepared to “play the game?” Will you make good? Not if you quit your studies several years too soon. Just think of this when you contemplate “cutting” school, as too many of your predecessors have done, and going after a job. The tax-payers of this district are putting up their hard dollars for the purpose of producing a class of well-rounded, well-grounded citizens. Isn’t it a little like obtaining privileges under false pretenses for the young man to make use of one-half the advantages of the schools and throw the other half away? How about the dividends to the stockholders? —H. S. PRESCOTT.

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16 THE TOKA pile covered with slippery pine needles was quite as enjoyable as climbing, and really much easier, remained behind to pursue this amusement. After the descent the weary walk homeward was begun, and in spite of Ruth’s gone-but-not-forgotten air which she wore all day, all yet heard from are supposed to have had a good time. » • • Columbus Day, a merry party of eleven G. P. H. S. students, with Miss McLean as chaperone started for Toka Heights. After going to the depot to see the foot ball boys off. they began their walk, laden with kodaks and lunch. Reaching Jones Creek they decided to have “eats” before going any farther. Two of the party went in search of water while the girls prepared lunch and the boys whittled “chop-sticks” on which each person was expected to balance beans on the perilous journey from plate to mouth. In spite of these difficulties the dinner was thoroughly enjoyed by the hungry participants. After dinner was over it was decided that climbing Toka Heights would require too much energy, so the party walked to the Golden Drift Dam instead. Miss Mcl ean fearing Bruce, the dog mascot of the party, might become salmoned. improvised a new kind of collar and chain, which caused much amusement. Some time was spent at the Dam and when the time came to journey back toward home it was decided that the return should be by way of the irrigation ditch. After a steep climb from the track up the hillside, the ditch was reached. The elevated walk afforded a splendid view of the beautiful Rogue River Valley arrayed in her bright autumnal colors. The party reached home about five o’clock rather tired but feeling repaid for their long walk by the many and interesting pictures taken, as well as the good time. • • « On Friday evening, October 13, the Sophomores being mindful of the time when they were poor, lone freshmen and wishing to assure the Freshmen that they felt kindly toward them gave a reception in the “gym” to which members of the two classes were bidden. The early part of the evening was spent in playing various games and then progressive anagrams were announced. The only trouble experienced with this was that a good many of the Freshmen were unable to count and kept the committee in charge extremely busy finding the various tables. Later in the evening refreshments, consisting of ice cream and wafers were served and then the party dispersed, the Freshmen entertaining a still higher opinion of the Sophs than before and the Sophs voting the Freshmen not such a bad sort after all. • • • As the Juniors wished to show their appreciation of the absence of their fond and loving teachers, Thursday evening, a moonless night, was chosen for the thoroughly enjoyed Beefsteak Roast.” Any one who was down town on that evening might have seen several