Mexico High School - Pep Yearbook (Mexico, ME)

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THE PEP 9 perfectly your own character is molded. Today we have a code of manners that is the pride of refined living. What is a gentleman? It cannot be ancestry, for often a son of most noble parentage is merely a combination of money and a name. It cannot be dress-for surely there is many a man who, despite his careful appearance of being Well dressed, is not what may be called a gentleman. it cannot be money, for then many a common thi sf, made wealthy by his ill-gotten money, would oc entitled to the name of gentleman. No, it is something that goes deeper than ancestry, dress or wealth-something that is nobler and liner. Perhaps it can be better expressed by this example of what true etiquette can mean. A well-to-do man, on a very cold day, stop ted to buy a newspaper from a ragged youngster who stood shivering on a corner. Poor little fellow, he said, aren't you cold standing there? The boy looked up with a smile and said: I Was, sir-before you passed. The gentleman treats everyone from the lowliest beggar to the most distinguished person with consideration. It is only the man who is always eager to please, who is as courteous and considerate in manners to his inferior as to his equal, that really deserves the name of gentleman. An incident occurred which might show one where the true worth of a gentleman is revealed, not in his stylish cloth, but in his regard for the rights of others. It is the little kindness that count. e , An elderly man, who showed quite obviously by his manners that we was accustomed to travel about in his own car, was on one occasion forced to ride home in the subway. It was rush hour, many tired men and women were in a hurry to get home. The man impatiently waited his turn on a long line at the change office, constantly grumbling and making it disagree- able for those about him. When he finally did reach the window, he presented a ten dollar bill and deliberately remained at the window counting and recounting his change, 'while the people behind him anxiously awaited their turns. When he did move away he 'had a half smile of malicious satisfaction on his face which said that he felt repaid for having had to travel in the same train with them. This man, in spite of his self-satisfied manner and well-tailored suit, was far from being a gentleman. Why should we know the way to do and Say things? Vlfhy should we be agreeable? It is to make one's life happier and to bring into it a new sunshine, a new joy of living. How can a person of low, vulgar tastes be happy and contented? He finds everywhere ugliness, selfishness. He finds it because he looks for it. And he looks for it because it already exists in the mind. Wit-h the development of the mind to regard the rights of others, there comes a new under- standing of human relationship. Where once everything seemed selfish and vulgar, one sees beauty and helpfulness. Instead of harsh words and 1 nkind glances, there are words of cheer and encouragement and smiles of friendliness. Etiquette teaches you the right thing to say and to do at the right time. It teaches you to avoid the possibility of mistakes. You do not have to use the etiquette of good manners, if you do not wish to. 'Certain not, you may do just as you please, but do not complain when you find the door of respect closed against you, when you rind that people of good manners bar you from their activities. Good manners is the only key that will open the door of respect. MARY KARPEN. TRY A SMILE We all know the familiar saying that laughing makes a person fat. As we see all the charming, smiling girls around us we 'might be tempted to doubt the truth of the saying. Yet, whetner it be true or not, what a great help a hearty laugh, a friendly smile, or a cheerful word is in our every day lives. Wealth or position can gather many fair-weather friends about one, but a friendly smilc will make lasting ones. In a single day we meet people of many different types. We would not be human if we felt attracted to all whom we meet. But a smile can carry one over many rough roads where dignity would fail. A cheerful bearing, like a good lubricant, can reduce frictions in all contacts. Those of us who are apt to show poor taste in our mirth should remember that he who

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8 THE PEP A 17. Seniors are having their pictures taken. Oh-for a handsome map. 19. School closes for a week. A Chance Wlth Ziegfieldj' a three act comedy, coached by Miss Harmon, was presented Thursday and Friday with fine success, a dance was held the second night after the play. 30. School opens for the Lap. Every one tries for higher rank. MAY 1. Debators will be admitted to the club. Debators prepare themselves. 2. Members of the classes to represent the school at play day chosen. 3. junior Prom is doubtful, unless more pledges are turned in. 4. Wm. Fisher reaches finals in the annual Lyford prize speaking contest held at Colby College. 7. Seniors win inter-class meet, Sophs. second, juniors third, Fresh. last. 8. Gloden has his face slapped by mistake of M. Stilphen. 9. Mexico proceeds, beats Hebron, 12-10. 10. Girls plan to hold inter class track meet. 11. The junior and Senior girls are too old and stiff to participate in track, as reported by f Soph. girl for too dignifiedj. ' 16. Track meet to be held with Alumni today, county meet this Sat. 16. Hurrah!!! The typewriting students of Mexico High enjoy the purchase of some full sized typing paper. L. ROY, '35. 12. Track meet at Wilton in morning, baseball game in the afternoon. National Honor Society members pledged Friday morning by john Kidder. 14. Mexico loses ball game with Gould, 6-4, and come out last in track meet, with two Seniors and one Junior making letters. EDITORIALS SILENCE Silence is goldeng speech is silver. We've all heard this saying over and over again, but how many of us ever stop to think of the actual value of silence? Of course, the compar- ative values of gold and silver can give us a slight idea, but that is not enough. Let us consider silence and speech in ordinary, every-day people. Do you often hear of a quiet person getting into avoidable trouble? Not as often as a talkative one does, you must admit. Winch does the employer advance first, the one who tends to his own business or the one who tells everyone's secrets with his own? The former, of course. Who learns from the experience of others by listening? The one who is not too busy talklng to listen and profit. All these examples are just to show that sile-nce is appreciated in people. This does not necessarily mean that one should act dumb and inferior, but that it is best to keep one's thoughts to one's self and not speak until speech is required. A little slip of the tongue and your most innocent speech may be misunderstood and carried to far extremes. When we were children we were told that Children should be seen and nO: heard. Although we do not consider ourselves as children any more, we should bear that in mind. Calvin Coolidge was known as a man of few words, yet he was asked to serve arfother term as President of the United States. People understood his worth, even though he did not attempt to convince them by speech. Many of ou' great men were of the same kind. The rule also applies itself to our school life. It is only natural for us to want to speak frequently, for, after all, God gave us tongues for speaking purposes, but we should give our classmates their chance to express themselves. For studying, there is nothing more useful than a quiet room to study in, so let us too try to observe the slogan Silence is golden. ' M. A. POTTS, 35. ETIQUETTE Etiquette is an art-the aft of doing and saying the correct -thing at the correct time-the art of being able to hold oneself in hand, no matter how exacting the circumstance. And like painting or music, the more you study it, the more you apply yourself to its principles, the more

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10 THE PEP laughs last laughs best. j Those of us who are a little too sober should remember that a man without mirth is like a wagon without springs, in which one is caused disagreeably to jolt by every pebble over which it runs. JOHN C. KIDDER. WHY THE DEBATERS SHOULD JOIN THE M AND M-ER CLUBS It is being argued that the M and M-er Clubs are strictly atnletic clubs, and that only those earning letters in sports may join. That argument has no basis, because no fact has yet been found to prove it. The idea nas merely oeC0.ne understood because until now letters have been awarded in nothing but athletics. Athletics has become established as the only worth while activity. Not only is this an absurd idea, but a dangerous one also. What are we in high school for? An education, of course, and what activity is there that is of more educational vrrlue than debating? There is none! Debating gives you the power of being able to speak your ideas on a subject with clarity and frankness. It gives you a sense of equality and ease before people, a broader view on current events, and a developed knowledge of the English language. And what do athletics give you? A healthier body, indeed, but statistics prove that athletes have shorter lives than ordinary people, because they strain themselves too much. And after all, life isn't a series of making a touchdown, of tossing a ball into a hoop or of batting a ball. Athletics do not give you as much to build your future life upon as does debating. Perhaps you say that athletics are more for the glory of the school. Well and good, cultivate that spirit of sportsmanship, but don't overlook the fact that the glory of your school isn't going to help you any when you're out of work or money, 'vhefr you feel your strained muscles stiltening with premature rheumatism. I, personally, feel that athletics are fine, and I enjoy watching a good clean game. But when it gets so that ' seems that athletes are on a higher plane L. an debaters, that is the time to put a stop to such ideas. , This year only eight students went out for debating. And why? Because many pupils, although they are fine speakers, feel that they are just wasting their time on it, and that they will get nothing for their efforts. The students of Mexico High have not given the oebati' teams of former and present years the proper backing. No interest has been shown and then, also, some of the student body do not even know that such an activity exists ,till they are reminded of it. In order to prove that the athletes are not On a higher plane than the debaters, let me say here that the Student Council of Mexico High has standardized one letter for all those earning letters. If we are all to have the same ranking and standing, why shouldnt we all belong to one letter club? On behalf of my fellow 'debaters and myself, I wish to say that I hope in future years not only will the spirit of equality be shown, but greater things will be accomplished by the debating team of Mexico High School. M. A. POTTS, '35. WHERES OUR SCHOOL SPIRIT? Did you know that school spirit makes the wheels go 'round in a successful high school? Let me tell you!!! It's the pep and spirit of the students that urge the Pintos and Pintoettes to victory! Iris the unfailing support of the teams, victorious or vanquished! It's the energetic efforts of the classes that make a grand success of our annual fair! It's the ceaseless drive to sell tickets for our dramas and all other entertainments! It's the mob attendance at our games and socials and other activities designed for our own pleasure and enjoyment! It's the coopera- tion of the students with the faculty! The wimngness of each and every one of us to take part in anything and everything concerning Mexico High. Not many years ago Mexico High, altho' a small school was noted, not only in neighboring towns, but throughout the state for its glorious school spirit! But where is that ramous spirit now? Is it extinguished? dead and buried? or is it merely asleep waiting for a stick of dynamite to bring it to action? No, it is not dead! Not quite! A few faint signs of life were shown during our fair and at the Rumford-Mexico football and basketball games, but thatls all! Two or three years more of