McKinley High School - McKinleyite Yearbook (Canton, OH)

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Jgsnu ' Mhz Jlfltkinlzpite ey' '23 ' of the fact. I continued on my way feeling rather silly for making such a foolish mistake. Farther down the hall I spied another janitor mounted on a stepladder busily engaged in washing the windows and it suddenly occured to me what a big part these men played in the life of the school. It could not continue without them, that I knew, and I wondered how many others had ever considered the fact. That their duties were well performed, the spick and span condition of the building spoke for itself. I was walking along aimlessly thus com- l muning with myself when unconsciously I began to sniff the air. What a terrible odor! I had made up my mind that someone had thrown a few over-ripe eggs about the build- ing when, upon drawing nearer, I perceived through an open door marked Chemistry Laboratoryna cloud of what lookedlikesmoke. Although the odor was by no means inviting, my curiosity quite over-powered me and I entered the room of mystery determined to learn why they were employing eggs in their experiments. Through the smoke I could distinguish the pupils working busily at their desks. The teacher in charge, observing how interested I was, explained the experiment to me and I was not a little surprised to discover that eggs had no part whatever in it, but it was merely a gas which they called H2S. VVhen my bump of curiosity was thus satis- Hed I fled from that locality. A door marked Domestic Sciencen caught my eye and I de- cided that the interior would make an excel- lent refuge. QWhatever happens, a person must have food.j As I opened the door an aroma of spices reached my nostrils and I soon forgot the pursuing I-IZS. The girls, I learned, were making pumpkin pies and, ifquality could be judged by the odor, I prophesied their success. My good judgement was soon proven when the fragrant morsels were cool and I was permitted to sample one. How I envied the future hus- bands of those girls! My next step was to the Library where I made the acquaintance of Mr. Sohn, the librarian. The room was crowded to capacity. Some of the students were standing and some of the boys had perched themselves on the top of a cabinet. Mr. Sohn informed me that the room was not always as l crowded as that, and I guess it was a good thing for him that it wasn't, poor man, for he went around helping everyone find what they wanted. I next visited the Domestic Art room where I found the Senior girls deftly complet- ing their graduation wardrobes which were indeed a credit to their teachers. As I left that interesting place I nearly glislgf- A A ner,-in

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' Ghz Jlilckinlepitz M '23 - -+2-29 sea:-M IMPRESSIONS of MCKINLEY Lv QEQW AST summer came to Canton on. a visit-and like all other visitors I Q N, Elaltii, was yery anxious to see everything which perta1ned.to the great ,fgfsyx William McKinley. My' curiosity guided me to his home, his J A church, his monument, his tomb, and, last but not least, to the 7 great high school which bears his name and of which I had heard QQ so much. I was very much impressed with this wonderful school. 1 Q Its wide halls, 1fS large and airy classrooms, the very bigness and completeness of it all quite overwhelmed me. I tried to imagine the halls filled with laughing, chattering boys and girls hurrying to their various classrooms, but it was no use, for my imagination has its limits like all other imaginations. Then and there I resolved to visit McKinley High again when there was really some- thing going on, so that I might get a glimpse of the life which was carried on within its walls. That is how I happened to drop in one day last week, and I assure you, I was not disappointed in what I saw and heard. I was determined not to miss anything and, what is more, I don't believe I did. I arrived at the high school in time to see the young people swarming into the building and made my way to the oflice where I was cordially welcomed by Mr. Pottorf, Mr. Shutt, and the two ofiice girls. Mr. Shutt and the girls were kept pretty busy reading and stamp- ing the excuses for absences, so I sat down and watched, all curiosity. At half-past eight o'clock, the tardy bell rang and soon after a score of young people crowded around the desk where they gave their excuses for tardiness while lVIr. Shutt handed them slips. I could tell by their faces whether he had excused them or not, but happily, he did most of them. When this excitement died down I decided to go in search of some more and after making my inten- tions known to the ofifice force, I departed feeling like Marquette and Joliet must have felt when they had the New World to explore. Soon the bell rang and the doors on every side Hew open, expelling crowds of boys and girls. Some rushed madly to the drinking fountain on the corner and drank as if they had never seen water before, while others hurried on, chattering and laughing, to their various classes. It was all beyond my wildest imagination and I stood transfixed as the last pupil disappeared behind a closed door and the bell rang again. Finally, I decided to go up to the second floor, as I remembered that there were several laboratories there and I knew I would find something of interest, so, spying a door marked UP, I climbed the steps. A mysterious whirring greeted my ears and I halted a moment to determine from which direction it came. Then, my heart fairly flew into my mouth and I gripped the railing in terror, for there, wriggling past the door, was a mammoth,snake-like form. I clapped my hand over my mouth in time to smother a sudden impulse to scream. It was then I noticed that the object of my terror was not a living thing, and a janitor passing by with , one end of it 'held to the floor convinced me I -eglizlg

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' Mhz jlflciainlepite ey' '23 ' -it I 0622+ collided with Mr. Pottorf who had been look- ing for me and I was quite ready by that time to be led around. The gymnasiums were our first stopping places and I was very much impressed with the work being done toward the physical education of Cantonls future citizens. I was very glad to meet the physical instructors, Miss Williams and Mr. Wieck who were responsible for the splendid work being done. Upon my request I was next ushered into the furnace room, for I had a great desire to learn how so large a building was heated. Mr. Thomas, the engineer, politely ex- plained the system to us and the ventilation system also proved very interesting. I was much impressed to discover how many persons and things contributed to the life of McKinley High. The manual training classes were next brought to my attention and the fruits of their labors were proudly displayed by Mr. Pottorf. Indeed they were worthy of pride. We were about ready to leave when a bell sounded five times in quick succession. I thought it must be for a fire l I drill, but Mr. Pottorf informed me that there -2 was to be an assembly and invited me to attend. ' My interest and curiosity knew no bounds ,,, ,Q as I watched the students pour into the spa- cious and beautiful auditorium. I had never .1 seen so many people together before and it rather over-awed me. That feeling grew as the assembly progressed. The Rotary Club was on the stage and several of its members rendered interesting talks, all of which bor- dered on the basketball game with Massillon which was to be played that night. Everyone was in a high pitch of excitement and the yells led by Fred Craig and Ted Phillips, added to the enthusiasm. But, when from two exits in the rear the band appeared in their attractive red and black uniforms and paraded up and down the aisles playing a fascinating air, the excitement reached its height. I had never experienced anything so thrilling in all my life before and I was curious to know if every assembly was like that one. I learned that several prominent men had spoken to McKinley's pupils. Among them were: Carl H. Sunberg, Reverend Day, Reverend Kerst, Honorable J. H. Himes, Theo. E. Burton, Edgar Davies, Dr. Winfield Scott Hall, Reverend A. S. Wil- son, Dr. Barker, Guy Chamberlain, Jamie Heron, Joe Mitchell Chapple, and H. B. Webber. Soon after the assembly the bell rang for the noon hour. I couldn't help but reflect what a prominent place the bell had in the life of the high school. Its- summons sent every door open and every pupil hurrying down the hall. It was really surprising how rricany little things counted in the high school li e. 911416 T