Mendota High School - Atodnem Yearbook (Mendota, IL)

Page 17 text:

It is very seldom that the selfish part of school spirit becomes evident. Usually our boys and girls are quick to champion the cause of justice. While often impulsive and sudden in their conclusions, our students are wise and just enough to change their decisions when fairness so dictates. However, one of thc big problems is to get the students to give themselves a square deal. Seine are prone to cheat themselves and thus check their development. They are too ready to accept unnecessary help from their teachers or fellow students. Stu- dents cheat themselves just as much by permitting others to continually lead the way and do all the reciting, as they do by actually copying the work of another. Self-expression is the greatest means of individual growth. Real school spirit is often expressed by the unceasing struggle on the part of the large majority of our students to place their names on the honor rolls. This year's rolls are longer and more regular than ever before. And the re- quirements liave been raised, not lowered! But the greatest cause of rejoicing is the occasional lost sheep that comes to his senses sufficiently to realize where he is drifting. Now and then the faculty rejoice to see a ne 'er-do-well take a stand for better work-and make good. It is true that we still have a few who are wasting the greater part of their time, but they are becoming fewer each year. The increasing demand for good work on the part of the student body, as well as the faculty, is exerting great influence to push even higher the scholar- ship of our institution. But far greater than the zeal for work among our boys and girls is the earliest desire for a wholesome and genuine sense of moral responsibility a11d obligation. In this period of universal moral degeneracy, this particular phase of true school spirit is an inspiring and vital thing. Whenever possible and pi'actical, our boys and girls are given the opportunity of executing various kinds of school activities. Many of these are identical or closely related to later life. For this reason the doing of these things is the best possible kind of training for efficient citizenship. ln concluding, the words of David Starr Jordan 's Appeal 'To Boys' are quite applicable. They pertain to girls as well as boys. He says: 'tYour first duty in life is toward your afterself. So live that your af- terself-the 1na11 you ought to be-may in his time be possible and actual. Far away in the years he is waiting his turn. His body, his brain, his soul are in your boyish hands. He cannot help himself. t'What will you leave for him? t'Will it be a brain unspoiled by lust or disipation, a mind trained to think and act, a nervous system true as a dial in its response to the truth about you? Will you, Boy, let him come a man among men in his time? Or will you throw away his inheritance before he has had the chance to touch it? Will you turn over to him a brain distorted, a mind diseased? A will untrained to Thirteen

Page 16 text:

Continually weighing and determining physical, mental and moral prob- lems, results in the ability to select and cherish the sincere and really beautiful things in life. All that is questionable, superficial and wrong, will naturally fall i11to proper classes. All that is uplifting, all that is noble, all that makes life worth while will come as a natural heritage. The right kind of school spirit will give expression to the best part of a true education. NVhile book knowledge is necessary and important, it is not the real foundation of an education. Every phase of school activity has its place and does its work. Faculty and student body have worked hard this year to inculcate and develop what they feel to be the corner stone of the educated person. While much has been accomplished, there is a great deal more to be donc. Throughout the year our athletic activities have been brightened and en- livened by this cheering and singing that all high :chool students enjoy. How- ever, this is the easiest kind of school spirit to exhibit, and is not, by any means, the truest and deepest method of expressing pride of school. In fact the commonness and abundance of noise makes this lighter phase of school spirit often difficult to guide and control. But we want and need the yells alltl cheering. The students of Mendota High have made rapid progress from the van- dalic spirit which often pervades high schools. Our new and beautiful build- ing is unusually free from the scratching, marring, versifying and name -writing condition so often found in public buildings. Neither are our walks and walls besmirched with different colored paints designating the probable graduation year of some misled student artists. All these and their related barbarisjms have been outgrown and cast aside by our student body. We are thankful their minds have attained this level. . Our boys and girls are not only proud of their building with its grounds to the extent that they guard and care for it, but they take pleasure in leav- ing behind them thotful, useful and decorative expressions of their delight and reverence for its precincts. These gifts to the community 's greatest institution are the material expression of a school spirit that is as commendable and beauti- ful vandalism is execrable and repulsive. The social side of our high school spirit is good and growing better. There is a rising tendency to taboo any form of questionable entertainment. While it is entirely natural that in a group of several hundred students, there are a few who are careless and thoughtless i11 these matters, they are in the minority. These few have felt the displeasure of the student body o11 several occasions this year. And, in most cases these few offenders have benefitted by this form of eensurc. Surely the boys' idea of treating every girl as they would wish other boys to treat their sisters is a standard of gentlemanly conduct to attain and be proud of. Twelve

Page 18 text:

action? A spinal cord grown through and through with devil grass of that vile harvest we call wild oats? Will you let him come, taking your place, gaining through your exper- iences, hallowed 'through your joys, building on them his own? Or will you fling his hope away, decreeing wantonlike that the man you might have been shall never be? This is your problem in life, the problem of more importance to you than any or all others. How will you meet it, as a man or as a fool? When you answer this, we shall know what use the world can make of you. R. E. Beebe ,l...L . . SCI-IOOLROOM RULES THAT D0 NOT WORK IN M. H. S. 1-You are especially requested to come late, fifteen minutes preferably. 2-If you don't feel like studying put your books under the desk and disturb others. 3-If the teacher has callers you are requested to make all the noise possible. 4-If you have nothing to do why not wiggle the seat where some scholar is writing? It will be of great assistance. 5-Bring an extra supply of chewing gum, so if the teachers make you throw yours away you will have some more. 6-If you are sent out to the Principal take your cap and coat and go home. You won't have to study the rest of the day. He went into the office, The picture of despair, But came out smiling broadly 'Cause Mr. Beebe wasn't there. Fourteen