Jacksonville High School - Crimson J Yearbook (Jacksonville, IL)

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POSITIONS AND OTHERWISE BY ANNE OBSERVER “What position do you play?” How often do we hear this question asked and how frequently the answer is, “Why, I’m not on the team.’ Do you have to be on any particular team to play your proper position in life? You may be without a single athletic, literary or musical accomplishment, but nevertheless you are playing just as important a position in life as some of your more highly cultured friends. The point is—HOW are you playing it? Some time ago, my attention was called to the small frail figure of a boy, selling peanuts on a crowded depot platform. He appeared to be about fourteen years of age and despite his frailness and the jostling of the crowd, his whole aspect gave one the idea that he was one who would “never say die” until his last sack of peanuts had been sold. Upon inquiry, I found him to be the oldest son of a family of five, including a crippled mother. Here was a boy who was playing his position with all the courage and strength of his soul. Sunshine or shadow mattered little with him, as day after day he trudged up and down the platform winning the bread for four others beside himself. Can you find an example, in this boy which you ought to follow? Are you playing your position in your school room? Are you making the most of the opportunities that are being given you by your parents your teachers and your country? When your signal is called, are you ready to grasp the opportunity that is placed in your hands? A foot ball game was in progress, and with the score tied and three minutes left to play, a certain signal was called. Knowing that the game depended upon the failure or success of this play, the man called upon responded with all the knowledge and skill at his command. Victory seemed certain, but just before reaching the goal he stumbled, and because he had failed to learn how to carry the ball properly, it bounded from his arms and came into the possession of his opponents. A little thing, but it lost the game. Are you carrying the ball properly, or will you lose your grip just before you complete your task? Again, you may have acquired all the skill possible; you may be trained to the highest standard of efficiency, but how do you use your knowledge? Are you a sneak? Do you attempt to use your knowledge in an underhanded manner? Do you win your victory at the cost of your own self-respect as well as the respect of others? Honor and glory is sweet to every man, but many times this glory is overshadowed by the feeling that you didn’t play the game square. Clean, honest work is the only kind that will win for you in the end. and until you have fully decided upon that course, you are only half a man. In following such a course, you may oft-times become discouraged. Many times, J » f