Mexico High School - Pep Yearbook (Mexico, ME)

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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

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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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THE PEP 11 this school spirit depression and it will be extinct like the Do-do bird! Are we going to let out tamed reputation be wiped away, forgotten entirely! Lets forget ourselves and think only of our school! Let's all do our part to make our reputation permanent! Lets squelch those who think theyre too good to cheer for our teams and school and instill the joy of rooting tor good old M. I-I. S. into every one of our classmates. 1 ' In short, let's get out and fight, work and root for dear old M. H. S. U M. STAFFORD. THE ROADS . Great is the romance of the road! The road is often compared to man, like man it is created, it lives, it prospers, it decays and dies. It advances as the years go on. First of all, we have the wild land, then a trail made by wild animals and after this we have a carriage trail. Thus it prospers until it becomes a thriving highway for the rich and poor, respected and depraved, in short, for all. The primitive people used this tough trail as a passage to their dwellings, the Egyptians first put the road to useg the Greeks beautiful and the powerful Roman nation perfected the highway. The unsurpassed Roman road, Main Boulevard, Fifth Avenue and the Path of Life-or Prosperity, road is everything that gives man the way to success and, undoubtedly, experience. Without the road, mountains and deserts would be unfruitful, for it would be unbuilt. How can people live without roads? Impossible. Why horses and other beasts of burden would be useless, automobiles and other means of traveling would be undiscovered. Think of anything -anywhere that could exist without roads. mankind is enticed by roads and yet isn't the road what man has made it? My wish is this- may man never wander from the road! J. TARASKUS. LOOKING AHEAD Mexico High School students hope to enter a new high school building before the end of next school year. Whether or not we Shall have this privilege remains to be seen in the not far distant future. If we do get a new high school, our mothers and fathers, the nearby schools and communities expect greater things than in the past from the students of Mexico High School. I All of us want football next fall, the Same as we always have had. How do you think we can have football or any other extra curricular activities if we haven't the money to support it? Let's all support this school of ours and help it reach new heights. The best way for every one of us to do his part is to join the Student Assembly of Mexico High School ne-.. .aii. that will give us a good start for a successful year. Students, it's entirely up to you. R. BROWN. TARDINESS I think everyone should have a slogan reading something like this: Always be on time. Maybe you prefer something else, but still there are not many things that are more important than being where you are supposed to be at a desired time. Anywhere you are going, be it church, schr-01, ball game, movies or any places of amuse- ment, always start in plenty of time to arrive there before if has stared, If you do not get in the habit of being punctual it may hinder you in your work when you are older. Sometimes lives are lost because the Person required to save it is 500 late. Of Course, it is sometimes impossible to be early, but if it i5 Pgssible, always to avoid being tafdy, In a case of a lite the firemen can't afford to lose any time. In the case of an accident or illness, it all depends on the doctor. I . A good place to get practice is right here In school. From the grammar school 'till you graduate, make a special 6ffOft tO be 0l'1 time. When y0u gg infg 5511001 Classes tai-dy if not Qnly hinders yourself, but other students as well. It diSttacts their minds and it also inconveniences the teacher. But it is all true as the old story runs: Better late than never, But better never late. D. BARTLETT.