Maynard High School - Screech Owl Yearbook (Maynard, MA)

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8 THE SCREECH OWL sistant business manager; Ernest Holt, alumni editor; Ruth Foster, literary editor ; Edward Fearns, Waino Sjoblom, Jane Boicourt, assist- ants ; Margaret Moore, French editor ; Lawrence Lerer, assistant ; Phyllis Naylor, John Horan, joke editor; Walter Carbone, art editor; Irma Ryssy, assistant ; Sylvia Ahola, Annie Lehto, exchange editors ; Tyko Siipola, Henry Grandell, Florence Wilcox, Ruth Moynihan, athletic editors. Miss Walsh acted as faculty advisor. Before the first issue, Ruth Foster resigned as literary editor, and Tyyne Lahti was chosen in her place. After an immense amount of work for every member of the staff, since none were experienced, the first issue appeared on February 25, 1927. Needless to say, our first attempt was far from perfect. After the magazine was published, we found a large number of defects. However, since this was our first try, we did not become discouraged, but bent our efforts toward improving the maga- zine for the second publication. Previous to the second appearance, several new members were added to the staff. Walter Carbone was elected science editor, with William Niskanen as his assistant. Hazel Priest was chosen commercial editor, while Helen Salo and Ellen Jaakola were appointed typists. Our second issue was much larger and was a great improvement over the first. In spite of this improvement, several changes were still necessary. Since the last edition of the “Screech Owl” was to appear just be- fore graduation, it was decided to make this a “Senior Number.” This edition had a great many special features, with two full page plates, special individual write-ups, year-book style, as well as a review of the school year activities. During the summer, the members of the staff were disappointed to hear that Miss Walsh was not to return in the fall. Miss Walsh was the main factor in starting and helping the “Screech Owl” and every member of the staff appreciated her work. When school began, last fall, the remaining members of the staff met and chose Leo Mullin, Editor and Miss Thompson, Faculty Advisor. They met and appointed a staff, as follows. Leo Mullin, editor ; Sylvia Ahola, as- sistant editor; Maurice White, Sam- uel Gilman, business managers ; John Horan, circulation manager; Bernard Green, publicity manager ; Edward Fearns, literary editor; Helmi Hiip- pakka. Salmi Wirkkanen, Jane Boi- court and Catherine Coughlin, assist- ants ; William Niskanen, Francis Led- gard, Lawrence Lerer, Jeannette Johnston, Hulda Hill, department edi- tors; Wilho Frigard, joke editor; Samuel Bachrach, Helen Nee, athletic editors; Florence Wilcox, alumni editor. In October, our first issue for this year appeared. Maintaining the most rigid economy practicable, the busi- ness department was able to build up a strong surplus fund for the year’s work. During the fall, the staff considered the advisability of converting our magazine into a newspaper. However, it was decided to retain the “Screech Owl” in magazine form, improving it along those lines. On our second issue, several much needed improvements and enlarge- ments were made, under the compe- tent direction of our able advisor. Miss Thompson. All of the depart- ments were consolidated into a strong literary department, and the members of these departments were added to the literary staff. This has reduced waste space to a minimum and results in a better magazine. As we approached our first birth- day, the members felt that an anni- versary number would be extremely appropriate. We now look forward to a better “Screech Owl”. Profiting by our mis-

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THE SCREECH OWL 7 question gave him national recogni- tion as a speaker. It was not until his second admin- istration as President that Lincoln held extreme views on the subject. Even during his first term, he be- lieved that Southern slave holders should have compensation for their property. However, as time wore on, and both the North and the South remained fixed in their purposes, Lincoln saw but one possible remedy for the situ- ation, that of excluding slavery for- ever. With the Union forces strength- ened, the South soon realized its grave mistake, and it was not long before General Lee’s surrender marked the end of the bloodiest war that mortal eyes had ever looked upon. The nation was not to rejoice long, however. The shroud of sorrow cast its dark shadows over all the world, when Lincoln, in the wake of a stu- pendous victory, was recalled by his Maker. Time passes quickly. Events of that period are for the most part for- gotten, lost in the turmoil and con- fusion of the years which have passed, but still the memory of that beautiful soul lives on, throwing its beaming rays across our lives, serving as an inspiration to all. What does the life of this martyred hero mean to us? Lincoln, in our minds, is seen first in the light of a Savior. It lay with him to save our nation from impending disaster, to make the national edifice more su stantial than before. Without the aid of Lincoln, it is doubtful indeed, if the Union could have been saved, for a man was needed who was a thinker, a leader, possessing the virtues of courage, faithfulness, determination, and a firm belief in the right. Lin- coln possessed these qualities, and to the highest and most unusual degree of perfection, and so he was the ideal man to face so serious a situation. We should strive to imitate the glowing example which he has set for us. It should serve as a stimulating and inspirational agent, whereby we might acquire and practice some of the magnificent qualities which urged Lincoln on to his time-honored deeds. May we hold the image of our Na- tion’s Savior ever before us as a glorious example to aid and encourage us in our effort and desire to live clean, manly, upright, and patriotic lives. George Tucker, ’28. Our First Year The first anniversary of any or- ganization is always a cause for a contemplation of the year’s work. As we realize that the “Screech Owl” is approaching her first milestone, we pause to gaze back at our accomplish- ments since the first meeting. Maynard High had, previous to the advent of the “Screech Owl”, several attempts in the field of journalism. However, none of these remained sufficiently long to make any very great impression in the history of M. H. S. Nevertheless, the students had long expressed a desire to take part in journalistic activity of some kind. Accordingly, Mr. Cole, in the fall of 1926, presented a plan to the Student Council, for the establishment of a school magazine. The council acted favorably and appointed a committee for carrying out this plan. Ruth Wil- son, Sylvia Ahola, Alice Feams, Miss Walsh and Miss Adams made up this committee. After careful consideration, this committee chose the “Screech Owl” as the name of the magazine, and, in consultation with the faculty, ap- pointed the following as members of the staff. Harold Glickman, editor ; Ruth Wil- son, assistant editor ; Leo Mullin, business manager ; Grace Ployart, as-

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THE SCREECH OWL takes in the past, we hope to make the “Screech Owl” of tomorrow far better than the “Screech Owl” of yesterday or today. Edward C. Feams. Their Extraordinary Legacy There was a great commotion in the little white cottage. A large box had arrived for the twins with a letter accompanying it. “What do you suppose it is, Don ?” Peggy asked, running around excited- ly for a hammer. “Can’t find out until we open the box,” Don answered drily, neverthe- less feeling just as excited as his sister. “Well, let’s read the letter first,” Peggy said, “then we’ll know what is in the box.” But after reading the letter, the twins looked at each other dumbly. For a moment neither spoke. Then Peggy said in a small voice. “I guess we’d better wait until Aunt Kate comes home, to solve this queer message.” Aunt Kate completed the family of three who lived in the little, rose- vined cottage. The twins didn’t re- member their mother but there still lingered a vague memory of a tall, silent father with sad, brooding eyes who left them when they were eight years old. So, Aunt Kate their father’s maiden sister came to live in the little white cottage and take care of two children. Nine years had elapsed since that time and the twins were now in their late teens and were Seniors in the Mayfield High School. “Here’s Aunt Kate now,” cried Don, who had been looking out of the window. But it was not the Aunt Kate that they knew who met them at the door. The dear face that was usually so cheerful and ga y was pinched and drawn with sorrow. The gay greet- ings died on the twins’ lips as they piloted her to a chair. After a few moments Aunt Kate said in a shaky little voice, “I’m all right now.” She took a letter from her pocketbook. Don and Peggy looked at each other fearfully. What did the letter con- tain and if that was the cause of their aunt’s sudden grief. “I received a letter from your grandmother.” Gaining courage from the sound of her voice Aunt Kate continued, “She wants you to live with her.” Immediately Peggy and Don burst into violent protests. They didn’t want to go away and leave Aunt Kate. She tried to make them see what the change would mean, but all in vain. The twins knew their grandmother was wealthy. College and travel would not be a dream but a possibility. But they also knew that their grandmother was selfish and cruel. She didn’t want them seven- teen years ago. Then she certainly could get along without them now. “And furthermore,” Don said firm- ly, “we wouldn’t leave you for a thousand grandmothers.” However, the twins had to give in to their aunt’s will in the end. It was a very dejected and silent group who sat around the fireplace staring into the fire and avoiding each other’s eyes. Peggy was sobbing softly and declaring over and over again that she didn’t want to go. After listening for a few minutes Don decided to go into the kitchen and get a drink. Gosh what a lump could rise in a fellow’s throat, it seemed like a mountain when you tried to swallow. On his way out he stumbled against the box. Immediately Peggy stopped crying and screamed instead, “Oh, we forgot all about the box.” An excited ex- planation followed and in the end Aunt Kate was no wiser than she had been in the beginning. “Let me see the letter,’ she said after trying to listen to both of them at once.