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

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8 The Screech Owl In 1848 Horace Mann took a seat in Congress, filling the vacancy caused by John Quincy Adams’ death. By doing this, Mann left one field of hu- manitarian reform only to enter an- other — the prevention of the exten- sion of slavery. Although Webster was greatly opposed to the re-election of Mann, he was elected by a great majority to continue his good work in Congress. This, however, was not the last political office that Mann at- tempted to hold. In 1852, he ran for the office of governor of Massachu- setts but was defeated. When Antioch College at Yellow Springs, Ohio, was established, Mann, although already middle-aged, accep- ted the position of president of the new college. He would have earned great glory in the field of college edu- cation had he not already earned greater glory by his work for the pub- lic schools. Horace Mann died in August 2, 1859, a winner of glorious victories for humanity. He was buried at Antioch College but was re-interred at North Burial Ground, Providence, Rhode Island. Thus in this brief sketch of the life of an educational trail-blazer we see that he merits as great honor in his field as Edison and Franklin did in their own distinctive fields. — Laura Salminen, ’37.

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The Screech Owl 7 mediate aid was rushed to the stricken zone from the northern and eastern states. They were under no obligation to help, but no sooner was the need expressed than food and clothing which more than exceeded the demand was donated. Now we are giving our financial support so that flood control projects can be rushed to completion. In the terrible Hindenburg crash many Americans risked their lives in attempts to save the German ship’s passengers and crew. In the hectic day and night that followed, all else was put aside while Americans tried to bring relief and comfort to dozens of sufferers. In countless similar cases we have faced emergencies and overcome them. In England and most of the Euro- pean countries our American “cocki- ness” is the butt of many jokes, but after all, I think we have something to be “cocky” about. Don’t you? — C. King, ’37. HORACE MANN— A PIONEER IN EDUCATION The year 1937 marks the close of a century of educational reforms which began with the creation of the Massa- chusetts Board of Education and the appointment of Horace Mann as secre- tary to the board in 1837. This year we shall observe our national celebra- tion planned by the National Educa- tion Association in co-operation with state departments of education throughout the entire United States. Strange as it may seem, Horace Mann’s life greatly resembles that of our greatest president, Abraham Lin- coln. His boyhood was spent on his father’s farm in Franklin, Massachu- setts, unfamiliar with riches, but living the care-free life of a country boy. Very early in his youth, young Horace was taught by his father to hate evil, ignorance, and intemperance. At the age of thirteen, Horace’s father died, leaving the boy to provide for the family. Loving his family, he naturally desired to help as much as a boy of his age was able to, but his inborn desire for education was not killed by the great responsibility placed upon him. In 1816 he entered Brown University and graduated in 1819 at the head of his class. Brown University today remembers Horace Mann as one of its outstanding pupils and instructors. After teaching at Brown, he was at- tracted to the study of law, and in 1827 he was admitted to the bar. This led to his election to the House of Rep- resentatives and Senate where he ad- vocated social and humanitarian re- forms, undoubtedly having his own boyhood in mind. Other officials were also interested in educational reforms, so when the Board of Education was finally established, Horace Mann was selected as its chief executive. He at first hesitated because this position had very little promise and a very small salary. However, he accepted because it was a fine opportunity to do great service to humanity which had been his most ardent desire since childhood. On June 30, 1837, Mann accepted the office and on the following July 1 he began his work of making people desire better schools, and improving methods of teaching. At first Mann wondered how his long awaited reforms could be accom- plished, as almost everything depended on his actions. His methods of bring- ing these about was by lecturing, writ- ing, and by publishing a journal of education. Common-school Journal, at his own expense out of his very small salary of one thousand dollars a year. Eleven years later, when Horace Mann resigned as secretary of the Board of Education, a marked im- provement could be noted in all fields of education and in the great num- ber of new schools that had been es- tablished, including three normal schools at Lexington, Barre, and Bridgewater.

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SURPRISE ATTACK Africa — the land of the veldt, where the sun sweats the living souls out of men and bleaches the bones of many a white hunter. The land where mountain stream and jungle have yet to disclose the thousands of secrets locked in swaying grass and steaming swamps. Where the nights descend like the cloak of death and keep ren- dezvous with the king of the forests — Numa, the lion. Yet deep into that forbidden land man has trespassed, bringing with him the evils and bene- fits of civilization. And it is to the white hunter that I dedicate this story, the man whose dauntless cour- age has many times brought to safety the adventure-seeking men and wo- men who crave the excitement that only Numa can give them. Jack Martin, in his fifth year in the jungles of Africa, did not cherish the prospect that confronted him. He was lost in gloomy meditation when sud- denly he was aroused by a loud rat- tling and chugging that seemed to come from the road which led into the camp. Turning his head, he perceived an old Model T grunting and bumping its way up the small incline in front of the tent. Jack had expected the new party to arrive at four in the afternoon but here they were, three hours early. Sauntering over to the car, he ob- served a tall English-appearing man with a monocle in his eye and a look of plain disgust on his face. The next figure that appeared made him stare in admiration. As the girl stepped out of the car, she looked more alluring than any movie queen to Jack Martin. Her supple body, graceful and lithe, was a sight such as not many hunters had been privileged to view. Her bright hair fell to her shoulders in soft ringlets, adding to the loveliness of her face. As Jack stared unconsciously, he was brought out of his trance by an abrupt, “Come, fellow, we haven’t a year, you know.” “Righto,” replied Jack good hu- moredly, “but I assure you after you hear Numa growl tonight, and you tramp fifteen miles or so in this jun- gle, you’ll have had enough.” The Englishman’s face showed no expression as he waved a hand care- lessly in the direction of the girl and drawled, “My daughter, Ellen. I’m Sir James Morrison, and I suppose you re- ceived my letters.” “Yes, Sir James, and everything is ready. We’ll start at once, if you wish.” Ellen put in hesitatingly, “Must we go into those black trees now?” Her father gave a brief laugh and replied, “Not going soft, Ellen?” “I should say not,” and the girl squared her small jaw. “It will take more than a lion to scare me.” “Sam!” yelled Jack, “Get the boys together. We move at once.” Sir James started a bit when he saw the natives burst forth from the shadows on all sides. “By Jove,” he exclaimed, “They’re ugly brutes.” “Well,” replied Jack, “They’ll never win a beauty contest, but they know this jungle like you know your own house.” Soon the party was under way and the two men fell into conversation. Sir James was proud of his greatest accomplishment — he was a dead shot with a rifle. Year after year his fame