Henry Ford Hospital School of Nursing - Sonah Yearbook (Detroit, MI)

Page 64 text:

Blllll1lIll'I'lll'l BADMINTON, it is said, originated in England in l873 when dinner guests of the Duke of Beaufort stuck goose feathers in champagne corks and batted them across the table. For years, in the United States, socialites had been playing dignified badminton, but strenuous badminton has been in existence for only ten years. About l93l it began to become popular but it was not until l937 that a national championship tournament was held. This ideal sport also advanced to the foreground in our school activities this winter, From playing, one derives not only the pleasure of championship and the thrill of competition, but also the healthful benefit of real exercise. The rackets are so light, the birds so airy, and swift pursuit so necessary that the heavy feeling of winter is soon banished. The Athletic Association bought four new racquets this year which increased the total number to eight. On two occasions lvlr. Rees Cramer, State Doubles Champion, brought friends who played with him in exhibition games before an audience of students. Afterward Mr. Cramer gave group instruction to a number of those interested. The i937 season closed with the Third Annual Tournament in which fourteen students participated. The entire student body fol- lowed the matches with enthusiasm during the evenings of the pre- liminary and final games. Gayle Martin won the school championship with Elsie Kataja as runner-up. .-.581

Page 63 text:

'I'llBluE 'I'EllllIS, IIIIIIIIEIHI, llllll Gllluli ABLE tennis, better known as ping pong, is one of the few sports which is equally popular on the coldest winter day or on the hottest summer one, since the ping pong room is delightfully com- fortable at all times. Besides being a part of the regular physical education curricu- lum, the game is played by many students as a pleasant pastime. The annual tournament has aroused interest, and competition is becoming keener as an increasing number of persons are gaining in skill. The l936 winner was Gayle Martin and the runner-up, Mary Widdifield. Archery, although not one of the major sports, offers keen com- petition and an opportunity for many enjoyable hours of leisure. Like riflery, it has a fascination and thrill of accomplishment. Unlike riflery, however, it has many beneficial postural effects rivaling even swimming in the realm of individual sports. Even though there are no facilities on the grounds for golf as a competitive sport, interest in the game has been sufficiently aroused that groups of students play frequently on neighboring courses. Proper technique is taught as a part of the physical education pro- gram for those who desire it by practice during winter months with cotton balls. Because of man's need for an interesting and absorbing leisure time with activity to counteract the tension of the working hours, the individual sports program is stressed. Although team sports have their place, it seems desirable to encourage participation in those activities which can be enjoyed with one or more other persons, so that in after-school years enjoyable active recreation will be easily available. Therefore, golf, archery, ping pong, tennis, badminton, and swimming, are becoming increasingly popular. ..57-

Page 65 text:

lWith apologies to loyce Kilmerl I think that I shall never see A pool that looks so good to me A pool whose gleaming waters shine Between the hours of eight and nine A pool whose blue-green depths invite A dip and swim awhile tonight A pool that washes cares away After a hard and weary day Poems are made by any fool But Henry Ford gave us our pool! L.F. .. 59..