Hammond Central School - Spotlight Yearbook (Hammond, NY)

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28 HAMMOND HIGH HAPPENINGS unorganized and were coached and backed by townspeople seeking a thrill and boosting any town enterprises. They played without rules, regula- tions or restraint and brought so much disgrace to the school that it was forced to recognize them for self protection. The schools now assume con- trol, employ and direct coaches and are formed into interschol- astic athletics associations or leagues. There is no doubt as to the value of the league. The play- ers must keep themselves phys- ically fit to insure efficient ac- tivity. A most important value of this physical activity is the rec- reational. It has been found that a period in a formal gym- nasium takes as much energy as a class in mathematics or language. The student needs a rest from things largely men- tal. He gets this by temporarily emphasizing things physical. He ‘'lets loose ' has a good time and comes back to his work refreshed in mind and body. Other values of these physi1 cal activities sponsored by the league are in their mental and social training. The student learns by playing with a team that he is only a part of that team. This teaches him coop- eration. He learns to subordin- ate himself for the good of the group. He learns both to lead and to follow. This is the first step in the building of public spirit. It makes for better boys and girls who will become bet- ter citizens of their com- munity and of the world. Wm. Derby. OUR LIBRARY Several new conveniences have been added to our library this year. Besides about sixty new books we have acquired an L. C. Smith typewriter, a library desk and a stand for the Ditto machine. Recently the books have been arranged in groups, according to the Dewey decimal system, which has proven satisfactory for all school libraries. Any of these books may be taken trom the library for not more than two weeks by a simple but satisfac- tory process. The borrower's name and the date .to be’re- turned are stamped on the bor-.. rower's card which- is put in the hook and the date to be re-,

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HAMMOND HIGH HAPPENINGS EDITORIAL ( )) “KNOCKERS AND BOOSTERS” In every place where the schools engage in sports, one is sure to find “knockers” and “boosters.” The former are usually in the minority, but they can cause a great deal of discontent. It is the “knock- ers” who harm the spirit of co- operation so necessary for suc- cess. We expect people to make remarks about our play- ing, but the little “catty” say- ings hurt bitterly when they come back to the players. You say, “They think they know it all. You can’t correct them.” No, we don’t, “knockers,” but we do wish you’d tell us in- stead of your friends. Sugges- tions given in the right spirit may help us see our mistakes. If a new team begins work, don’t start right in knocking them before you know what they can do. Remember that your good team was once beginning, and had to learn by experience. Give the new ones a chance! As previously mentioned, the “boosters” are quite apt to be in the majority. The par- ents of the students are in many cases graduates of the town school, and are always ready to see the Alma Mater win. Yet those who “boost’ merely for the sake of continu- al “betting” often do more harm than good. We look to the “boosters” to help keep up team spirit. We turn to them when the game is going against us, and they do not fail to give their support. We can only regret that there are not more of them. Can’t some of you “knockers” change and be “boosters” ? Come on ! We need your support! Evelyn Campbell. ATHLETIC LEAGUE The- St. Lawrence Valley Basketball League is an excel- lent organization for the pro- motion of athletics. The good effects of it are many; for, as a result of the cooperation, a higher type of sportsmanship is developed. Formerly, the teams were!

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HAMMOND HIGH HAPPENINGS 29 turned is stamped on the slip, inside the book. A fine of two cents a day must be paid for each book not returned when due. comical events. We wonder how Ted McDougall ever man- aged to trip over his own feet. We are willing to bet he could- n’t do it again. Besides the books there are several periodicals which may be used at any time without permission. These magazines are: “Booklist,” “National Ge- ographic,” “Popular Science,” “Current History,” “Wilson Bulletin,” “Pathfinder,” “A- merican Boy” and “Readers Digest.” Leah Bates. AT THE GAME At the close of a successful basketball season it is quite proper that we should, in a sense, sum up part of the inci- dents of the games played in town. These games have been enjoyed by the Hammond peo- ple not only because our team won most of them, but because of the entertainment which various incidents furnished. One may class these inci- dents as comical and sad, the latter including misfortunes to players such as minor injuries. We cannot help but recall some of the so-called happy or We have one player, who has very high ideals. He seems to like to down all the tall players. Harold King should be given special mention for pulling freak shots. However, we cannot limit the awards of credit to players only, for ev- eryone recalls how commend- ably Owen Young received that healthy slap from one of Morristown’s over-heated fe- male fans. Elliott Lewis, too, once became excited and pull- ed a hat down over an impu- dent fan’s head so that his nose and chin were the only visible features of his face. Bert Dorwin, one of the nois- iest spectators was unusually quiet during the Madrid game. Those Madrid school teachers certainly knew how to silence him. Another amusing feature was the different forms of gum chewing exhibited by those who sat on the stage. Such things as these add to the interest and zest of the games. Donald MacLachlan.