Independence High School - Orange and Black Yearbook (Independence, KS)

Page 15 text:

Independence High School ' '1 Supf. C. S. Risdon Principal S. M. Nees Orange and Black 1922

Page 14 text:

lndependence High School The Function of 0 High School It is our ambition to make the Independence High School serve the needs of the 'boys and girls to the fullest possible extent. At no time in the life of youth, is opportunity more important or the dividends on right teaching greater. The high school age is the sorting out, the testing per- iod. We should here discover the ambitions, the tastes, the capabilities of each individual student and so manipulate his environment, so direct his thinking, so adapt courses of study to him as to guarantee the richest re- wards. Not only must this institution fully meet the needs of the boys and girls who will enter college, but it must just as completely, just as def- initely prepare that larger group who enter the various activities in the arena of life. It must do its utmost to store his mind with useful knowl- edge, to develop and discipline all his faculties, inspire confidence in his powers, broaden his mental vision, elevate and crystallize his ideals, develop habits of social service and enrich his personality by the associations of broad minded, well poised, sympathetic men and women. An unhappy person is never an efficient individual. Nature so organ- ized us that it is only when we find joy in our work that our faculties func- tion to their full capacity. So the atmosphere of the school must be friendly, cordial, sympathetic, that optimism and happiness characterize the whole student body. School is not only a preparation for life, it is a vital sector of life itself. Most of the characteristics that prevail in man- hood are here acquired: habits become fixed, aims and purposes solidify. Here the keen diagnostician of human nature can quite accurately foretell Whether the youth promises to become an asset or a liability to society. Such fundamental qualities as industry, perseverance, straight thinking, tenacity of purpose, reliable judgment, and the like are clearly present or wanting. The floater of the school is pretty sure to be the driftwood of society. Society doesn't look upon the school as a charity and can reasonably expect it to be a dividend paying investment in the essential qualities of efficient citizenship. The recipient of the opportunities thus provded by pufblic taxation should pay back in service many times what it has cost to educate him. He should prove an efficient producer in whatever field of endeavor he may enter. Education is not for ease but for labor of the most effective type. It should not represent energy working at cross pur- poses, but energy organized, skilled, dire-cted so as to function in construc- tive enterprises. The more numerous and complicated life's demands become, the more extended and diversified must be the opportunities offered in the schools. It is our ambition to make the institution which is the finishing school for the masses meet to the fullest extent the demands of the hour. C. S. RISDON, Superintendent of Schools. T l a at Oranqe and Black 1922 e

Page 16 text:

g A Independence High School THE FACULTY MR. RISDON, City Superintendent. There are few if any pupils in our school who were born when C. S. Risdon became Superintendent of the schools of Independence. None of us ever had classes with him. Few of us ever were brought upon the carpet before him. Yet there are few of us who are not acquainted with him and rejoice to know that the acquaintance is more or less mutual. We think of him as a very busy man, work- ing for the best interests of the boys and girls, yet at the same time able to see a fellow and learn his troubles if need be, or rejoice in his triumphs. Mr. Risdon is not only Superintendent of one of the best city schools in Kansas, but his skill and untiring eiorts have gone very far toward creating that high standard. He is active in club and civic work of the city, is presiding oflicer of the next Teachers' Association of Southeastern Kansas meeting at Parsons, and an active member of the Board of Directors of the State Teacher's Associationg and it's all for the kiddies. In Mr. Risdon's eye there's nothing too good for his thousands of boys and girls. MR. NEES, Principal. The work of S. M. Nees extends back to the time beyond which the memory of most Independence people runneth not. Throughout the years of his administra- tion he has kept in close touch with world ,affairs and with the business, vocational, social and religious life of the people whom he has so faithfully served. Mr. Nees is a tireless worker, and is strictly attentive to duty's call. We cannot imagine his shirking any task imposed upon him. Along with his school labors he has for years -been the efficient Treasurer of the State Teachers' Association, and, too, he has made some enviable records in baseball, tennis, bowling and golf. His motto seems to be, 'tKeep your eye on the ball. He is an ideal -high school principal. MR. CASTILLO, Assistant Principal. I. H. S. is fortunate in having for assistant principal so able a man as E. J. Castillo. He is the able instructor in Agriculture and Biological sciences. At the same time he is faculty advisor to the Annual Staff, a position held by him ever since the work of the first Annual was organized. He is a good worker-and says he enjoys teaching above all other work. Not only is he a teacher but he seems always to be ready to assume the responsibilities of principal whenever -that duty falls upon him. MISS PATERSON. To be a man without a country would be only about half as bad as to hold a debate without Miss Paterson. Miss Paterson's specialty is English and she is a most capable person for that line of work. As a driller of debate teams she has shown herself time and again to be one of the most capable in this part of the state. Not only does she handle the Senior English work but she supervises the work of the Y. W. and finds great pleasure in her administration. MR. REAL. Mr. Bea1's ability as Athletic Director is Well indicated by the number of cups won for our school. His teams have been the pride of the school not only because they win, ibut they are always trained to be, above all else, real ladies and gentlemen. We are counting on having B. O. B. with us again next year to lead our teams to even greater victories. He seems not to care for girls, -but he may some day care for a girl. And when a lady's in the case, why, all other things give place, for awhile. MISS STEVENS. Miss Helen K. Stevens is one of our able instructors in Mathematics, and not only is she well grounded in her subjects but she gets and gives great 'pleasure as a teacher. As a side study she has a 7th hour class in Physiology and is a very capable critic of the I. H. S. Student. And do you know, this strict and accomplished in- structor is a very pleasing person, and you should have her accompany you on your next class hikes or picnic excursions. MISS INGLEMAN. We learn upon excellent authority that Miss Ingleman has deliberately cast Fourteen sim Orange and Black 1922 ' a