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

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THE SCREECH OWL 7 no difference whether the work is mental or physical, because Efficiency can be used in both. Investigations and experiments have proved that Efficiency pays, as under such a sys- tem, more work is accomplished in less time, and there is less wear on the human body. A few years ago a person was sit- ting in our commercial room for a study period. His attention was at- tracted to the teacher who was start- ing a lecture. He could not study any longer. The most interesting thing to him that school year was to listen to this teacher talk. He was too young to be inspired by what was said, but he has always kept the talks in mind as opinions on Efficiency. On this par- ticular morning, the instructor was especially interesting. He talked to the students about schedules. “Plan your work,” he said, “it only takes a few minutes.” The student did not pay attention to this bit of advice, but now he realizes the significance of it. If you make up your mind to do something, do it. For you will find that if you postpone something, you never do it later. With a schedule there is no need of putting- off. If you keep within your schedule, you will find that all your work will be accomplished and that you still have time to yourself. But you who did not hear this talk, what about your Efficiency ? What do you know about improving your work with speed, accuracy, and enough stamina to do your work again ? Effi- ciency is not dull, on the contrary, it is interesting. Incidents happen every day that could be avoided. For ex- ample, suppose there is an automo- bile accident. The cars meet at an intersection both going at an unusual rate of speed. The cars are damaged. Luckily, the drivers were not hurt, but if they were Efficient the crash would not have happened. If car owner A saw that his vehicle was in good condition, that his brakes were not faulty, the crash might have been avoided. If owner of car B had al- lowed himself sufficient time to get to work he would not have to hurry, en- dangering the lives of others. These inefficient persons are a menace to their community. True enough, all good things have their bad points. It is argued that Efficiency tires a person. When one acquires the art of Efficiency one gets into a certain rhythm. It is when this rhythm is broken that fatigue steps in. This can be remedied by having scheduled rest periods. The human body is a motor to whatever work it does. When a gasoline motor does not run smoothly, it is said to need tuning- up. If this is not attended to imme- diately, any number of troubles may result. A human motor may be tuned up, but if a part wears out, it can never be replaced. I repeat. Efficiency, is the shortest, easiest, and best method of doing work. Remember, it pays ! — Albert Bachrach, ’38.

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SUMMERTIME ACTIVITIES With the closing’ of school, and the warm summer days drawing near, more than one thought comes to my mind regarding the ways in which I will spend my spare time. I realize that, in these days of modern con- veniences and short working hours, everyone is confronted with more or less the same problem, so I have ar- ranged a list of practical ways that will help to pass that extra time. Make 1. A small garden in a sandbox with sods, plants, running water, fish, etc. 2. A photograph album. 3. Embroidered articles. Collect 1. Different kinds of stamps. 2. Old coins. Write 1. Short poems, and bind into a book. 2. A nature diary, and illustrate. Read 1. A daily paper. 2. Any good magazine. 3. Library books. Photograph 1. Scenes you enjoy 2. Your friends. Help at home 1. With the housework. 2. Learn to cook. Be a Good Neighbor 1. Clean and mow your lawn. 2. Plant flowers to make your yard attractive. Improve Your Health 1. Enjoy out-of-door sports. 2. Join Boy or Girl Scout classes. With the aid of these suggestions, couldn’t we plan to make this a sum- mer which is spent in a practical as well as an enjoyable way? How about a little co-operation, classmates? — Karin Saarinen, ’38. HAVE YOU EFFICIENCY? As we sit down and try to think of a subject to write for this last issue of the “Screech Owl” for 1938, we pause for a few minutes to look into the future. Our aim in life is to secure a position that will help us on our way to Happiness. With this thought in mind, I write about something that will help us achieve this goal. Per- sonality and personal appearance help us to obtain a job, but today competi- tion is keen, hence the importance of Efficiency. Efficiency is demanded chiefly by people in business. We know, how- ever, that it shall be important in your life because this machine age is lead- ing up to it, and it is bound to affect all of us. What is Efficiency you may ask? Efficiency is the shortest, easiest, and best method of doing work. It makes

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THAT’S LIFE The tinkling of a bell broke the silence of the little sidestreet pawn- shop as it announced a customer. The short, stalky Irish proprietor emerged from a back room to find a beautiful young woman, robed in mourning black, holding a cherubic baby in her arms. “A young widow,” said the pro- prietor to himself. He had seen many like her but it wasn’t in his business to sympathize with his customers. Somehow, however, as she pathetic- ally fumbled in pulling her wedding ring from her trembling left hand, clutching the child in her right, as tears welled in her lovely eyes, some- thing caught the Irishman’s heart. She laid the ring caressingly on the counter and asked, “How much could you give me for it, please?” Her voice portrayed a soul deeply burdened with grief and sorrow. Examining the ring, he found it to be of practically no value. He was all business-like when he was about to say that the most he could offer was fifty cents, when the baby broke out in choking wails. The pent-up feeling of the woman sud- denly burst as she began to sob hysterically, clutching the child to her bosom and murmuring, “My little darling, daddy is gone forever. Where can I get food for you? What will be the outcome? Why has fate been so cruel to me?” The pawnbroker’s heart softened as his eyes filled with tears. He had steeled himself against many pathetic cases, but he had never seen one like this. How could he turn this young mother away in such a large de- pressed city ? Perhaps sending her to her doom. Turning towards the sub- dued woman, he sympathetically and earnestly asked, “When have you two eaten last?” “Last night I fed the baby, I haven’t eaten since yesterday noon.” The pawnbroker was at once chari- table. “Won’t you have something to eat?” “Oh, thank you so much, but if you could be so kind as to give me the money for the ring, please, I would be so grateful to you for it. I would like to pay my room rent and buy the baby proper food and clothing. Then, I may find some work.” “Why don’t you go home to your parents or relatives?” inquired the Irishman. Lowering her head, she answered sadly, “I haven’t any.” Deeply touched, the man thought, “What does the loss of fifty dollars mean when I may save two lives?” Returning from the cash register, he handed the woman the money and murmured, “Good luck to you.” The young mother gratefully smiled at him as she accepted the money and left saying, “May He help you.” The pawnbroker, smiling, re-entered his back room saying to himself, “That deed has opened the pearly gates for you, old man.” A few blocks away from the pawn- shop, the young woman, still carrying the child, climbed into a waiting car and said, “0. K. Charlie, that old fool fell for my stuff like a brick. Let’s try one more place and call it a day. I’m tired of carrying this hired brat.” — Helen Smith, ’37.