Kane Area High School - Hurri Kane Yearbook (Kane, PA)

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In IXIUYIIOIIQUII WILLIS R. SKI LLMAN, SlI11l'l'I4llf!'llll!'llf llfx Ilzfl' 1l'Il-Y gmllff, 11111, H111 1fl1'1111'11f.Q Sn 1111.r'rl 1.11 111111, 111111 IYIIIIIIY' 1111'gl1f .Qtmzrl up 511111 Nllllj In all H111 1l'0l'fff, 77111: IIYIN ll 111f111. '

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P' Q ,. 5. 7 1 1 .325 .ml-we I I 6' wb-Q Q 192.8 Hunan KANESQ va IN WRITING a resume of the closing school year, it seems only fitting that the calendar should be ignored, and the period to be covered should begin on April 13, 1926 and end on March 19, 1928. - Q55 IO .9 'i'll 'lIg YJW T- V ' ifg '. L.VT,, V ' 2+-53. 1 N l-V? ,7-w1:'f' ,a w ... H i , ' '- as . .S ,- .1 ff -W . , , .A ' I u A . , . . , , . , ,. . A if i ij il 9 N ff .:n?gsg I? ,Q il Il ' l il Y Q. ll , if I+ ,, nt ,f r 1: 25 ,l 9 B Nl x .. Cn .1 A if N '50 5. YK, if: l V X4 gg li if 94. .74 5 H. These two dates have a significance and interest to every one concerned in the welfare of Kane's public schools because on the former date Willis R. Skillman was elected superintendent and on the latter date he died. I cannot add to the many and beautiful tributes already paid to the memory of Mr. Skillman, but a brief review of his work seems fitting and proper for this issue of the Hurri-Kane written with a view too belatedly of giving him the credit for his work, which he would, if living, scorn. . Less than 'a month after his election, Mr. Skillman recommended certain teachers for election for the ensuing school year. Little else was said other than that they were recommended, but the files reveal a careful and painstaking in- vestigation of each teacher and a surprising amount of data and information gathered on which his recommendations were based. At the June meeting following, Mr. Skillman introduced the idea of holding a summer school and the results of that announcement are now too well known to justify more than passing mention. This meeting, too, saw the beginning of plans to better safeguard the health of all school pupils. The community memorial service in honor of Miss Margaret MacEwen on completion of her 35 years of service as a teacher in the Kane Schools, followed by the adoption of the Margaret MacEwen Medal to perpetuate her memory stands as one of the many memorable events to be added to the account of Mr. Skillman's thoughtful consideration. The new rest room for teachers at the Central Building, play rooms in two of the other grade buildings, the increase in the average of school attendance, the immunizing of 460 school pupils against diptheria, along with other health measures, conferences with specialists fromthe .Department of Public Instruc- tion, unsightly waste land around the High School Building transformed into a parking area, extension of the H. S. Athletic Grounds by acquiring additional land, lowering the annual turn-over in the teaching staff, installation of a per- manent school record system, a motion picture machine with equipment for visual education, and methods of determining vocational fitness of pupils are but a few of the sixty projects brought to an actual realization during Mr. Skill- man's incumbency and for which he largely deserves the entire credit. At the time of his death, Mr. Skillman was busy with plans for beautifying the grounds around the Clay Street, High School and West Side buildings. 'No doubt those associated with him in this work will see that this last project is carried out, and, when completed, the growing flowers and shrubbery properly landscaped will serve as a particularly fitting tribute to his memory. Much more space than alloted here would be required to more than briefly sketch Mr. Skillmanls activities during his short stay in Kane as revealed by the school records, but what the records do not reveal might be mentioned in a closing word. We are unable to find any record in writing of the wide spread influence and inspiration which his example afforded to children and adults alike in this com- munity. Such an influence cannot be reduced to mere written words. It is in- tangible and immeasurable. But it exists and will remain a valuable memory in the minds of all who' had the good fortune to know Willis R. Skillman. H. G. BERKHoUsE Secretary, Board of Education Pace 7'1L'enly-.vi a Ql fb ,M JK VX V4 l l , e , EV 3 51 n , Z l 1' 1' , Q4 3 ., F' gl nf , 4 , ' ' P V 4'

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L il Ill W A 1 I-an F4 41928 HURRI KANEE Q4 c I Principal's Summary Kane High School year of 1927-28 began with unprecedented smoothness A. My jzintpgfv.:ZZl,7Q.wv421,Wjw.a,gjsxiffhyi 15-iaijg:-a,V.g'f'3iz, 3, V df, .' V . K F, . . ,, Q I ,1 .U-., , ,, ., w I . X lp ':'isf5,'ii' ff, 1 'j 'fG.'jr.'j,.f5' N1 Q- wzffgb .1 Lgqgjjf va -yn -5, fmcvawrgg,-fsfff, E , N, fag ,..,. ,ff gr- .pf ' - - a N V , . .. - , V - K - k asm, 514, ll I 4'A N 1? :I fr li li ' 5' Y 1 , 'N la - 1' f . 5 s 'a 4 il A ,N 95 i 224 224 l YA. 334 5 . 4 A and dispatch. This was in a large measure due to the fact that the faculty of the previous year was returned with but one change. This group entered upon I the work of the year with such a fine spirit that there has been no friction, and Kane High has managed to gain in all departments. The pupil-teacher reaction was of the best and this fostered a condition condusive to firm school work. The enrollment for the year was 470, including seven post-graduates who returned for work in other courses. Outstanding scholastic records were made. The High School was included in the six percent of Pennsylvania schools ac- l credited by the Commission of Secondary Schools of the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools of the Middle States and Maryland 5 its pupils ranked high in the variouscompetitive tests taken, and its teachers compare well with I those of other systems in their work and in their participation in professional organizations and societies. The entire school took part in various enterprises I of worth to the community. I The 1927 Hurri-Kane, following the example of former editions, ranked high I l in the contests in which it was entered, securing All-American Honors in the Scholastic competition and winning first place cup in the Tri-State Contest. The Margaret MacEwen Medal contest in English was successfully conducted and the Lincoln Essay Contest held. In its initial year the Debating team won an enviable place among the school activities. Athletically Kane High had a successful year. The football team won the mythical championship of the county. In basketball, starting with but few vet- I erans, both boys and girls gave good accounts of themselves. Not only did the teams uphold the glorious school traditions of clean sportmanship but the mem- bers achieved splendid scholarship records. . The various dramatic efforts throughout the year were well received, and credit must be given to those who have given their time to the development of this art. The musical organizations were a treat and pleasure. Through the support of the various organizations of town a band was started. This organiza- tion we expect to give a lot of service in future years. One of the projects of our Superintendent, in which he was enthusiastically supported by all the High School organization, was the beautification of the High School grounds. Shrubbery was planted and the school ground improved in this way. The Athletic Associa- tion with the cooperation of the Board has arranged for the improvement and development of the Athletic field. This will not only transform a bare patch of ground into a beauty spot of green, but will also provide a place for various in- tramural games. In all these projects the Class of Nineteen Hundred Twenty-eight, one of the largest in the history of the school, played an important part. Loyal Seniors, , grounded in the traditions of the school, and now leaving its halls and sur- D744 roundings, they have attempted to leave their impress upon the school environs. We have been proud of them, and our earnest hope is that we shall be as proud of their achievements and successes in life. Maythis book, which is a record of past glories be a prophesy of future greatness. X ga 924 l 754 P4 GLENNIS H. RICKERT , Principal of High School g 5 Page Twenty-eight .La i if na