Milford High School - Oak Lily and Ivy Yearbook (Milford, MA)

Page 33 text:

OAK, LILY AND IVY. 11 Miss Edith Nichols, when the following program was rendered : Carroll Dug¬ gan, On the Assassination of Lincoln; May McCart, Washington; Irene Man¬ chester, The Stranger’s Alms; Harry Finn, An Appeal to the People; Mildred Whittemore, The Boy in Blue; Sadie O’Connell, A Rose of Rome; Mary Cameron, The Death of the Flowers; Elizabeth Allison, A Sermon; Cornelius Foley, Patriotism; Edward Gott, A Prairie Fire. The second division in charge of Miss Adele Waldmeyer, gave the follow¬ ing program, Nov. 20: Thomas Quirk, Spartacus to the Gladiators; Stephen Archer, Success in Life; Alice Bragg, Seeing Things; Irene Hogan, The In¬ ventor’s Wife; Salome Sprague, The New Church Organ; Charles Gould, An Appeal fol Liberty; Margaret Curran, Guilty or Not Guilty; Florence Dwyer, The Curfew Bell; Agnes Gilmore, The American Indian. There was no session of the high school on Friday, Nov. 6, as the teachers attended the annual meeting of the Worcester County Teachers’ Association in Worcester. Among the most interesting addresses of the day was that of Supt. Herbert W. Lull of Newport, R. I., formerly of Milford, on the topic “Some Other Considerations Regarding the High School.” At the business session of the Association, Supt. Charles W. Haley of Milford and Principal John C. Hull of Leominster, formerly of Milford, were chosen vice-presidents for the ensuing year. Wednesday Mornings. Among the excellent changes which have been introduced this year, the gathering of the whole school in the Assembly hall each Wednesday morning is one of the pleasantest. Instead of assembling merely for our music lesson, as formerly, we now hold the opening exercises together, and a short selection from some famous author is read to us by the Principal, from which we can often gain some thought to guide our actions through the week. Then a helpful little talk is given us, in which we are commended for our good work, while spurred on to further eff ort. If certain things have not been properly done, they are then spoken of in general terms without reference to any individual, who, if he received a personal reprimand, might be much offended and made stubborn. An appeal is thus made to our sense of honor, and each one begins to feel that he is master of his own actions and is led to make them worthy actions. These little friendly talks produce a delightful sense of equality and responsibility, and make us realize how important each one is, and how valuable the effort of each individual to the common advantage. Debating. On Nov. 29 the Senior class held a debate on the subject, “Resolved that trade schools should be maintained at public expense.” The argument lor

Page 32 text:

IO OAK, LILY AND IVY. The writer hopes to see the time when manners, ethics, respect for old age and a decent regard for personal and property rights will be taught (to those who do not receive such instruction at home), in the public schools from the lowest grade up. I think I have noticed that those who have least regard for the rights of others are most strenuous for their own. It seems a serious fault in our system that it attempts to run all minds through one mould, regardless of individual differences. Much of our school appropriation is wasted because spent where not needed and not wanted. I believe in compulsory education to a certain extent, but it would seem more sensible to end it by the ability to pass a required examination in “the three Rs” than by an age limit; and if limited ability or lack of ambition, or want of opportunity prevents the individual from using more than the minimum limit, where is the sense of forcing more upon him at public expense? The community assumes the expense of educating youth for the benefit of those educated, of course; but also and chiefly for the benefit of the community in the long run, and the purpose will be best accomplished when our schools turn out the best and most desirable citizens. i C. B. Godfrey, ’62. School IRotes. Outlook for Senior Class Play, Within the past few weeks a decided interest has been manifest among the Seniors in regard to a class play. Dramatic productions have been few and far between in recent years, and it remains for the Seniors to take the initiative steps. They can do it too, for there is real talent among them to pick a cast from. Without much thought one can select the leading man and leading woman, and as for a comedian, one could be provided if the Juniors could be persuaded to lend their inimitable artist, whose artistic ability simply cannot be restrained. If the Senior students will only think of our stirring, enthusiastic readings of Macbeth and The Mercha nt of Venice, they will have no difficulty in picking a sufficiently villainous villain. All that remains are the minor parts for which there will undoubtedly be keen competition. Our cast is provided, we have our music, a competent coach from the corps of instructors can be obtained, and all that remains is to settle the question as to what division will be made of the pro¬ ceeds. Seniors, be ready to express your opinions at the meetings which will be held soon to settle this momentous question. —R. S. Bragg, ’09. Rhetoricals, Members of the Senior, Junior and Sophomore classes participated in the first rhetoricals of the season, Friday morning, Nov. 13, under the direction of

Page 34 text:

OAK, LILY AND IVY. 12 the affirmative side was arranged under four headings as follows: i. Trade schools are maintained in the South. 2. Democratic society should meet the needs of all classes. 3. Germany compared with America. 4. The substitution of trade schools for apprenticeship in the shops. On the negative side the speakers used as their arguments : 1. That the most successful mechanics of today had no trade schools in which to learn their trades. 2. Why do we establish trade schools when we can get along without them? After rebuttals by the first speakers on each side, a vote of the class was taken, first on the merits of the debate, and second, on the merits of the question. The negative won in the first instance and the affirmative in the second. The speakers on the affirmative were William Dunphy and Marion Wil¬ liams and on the negative Ralph Bragg and Dorothy Shean. Blumnl IFlotes. —The two oldest sons of Mrs. Edith (Stoddard) Corbett, ’76, are at present in the United States Navy. —Mrs. Sarah (Cook) Smith, once of this high school, resides in Bangor, Me. Her daughter Fannie is a teacher in a Bangor school. Eler younger son, Dexter, will graduate from Maine University, June, 1909. —Rev. Arthur Wright, ’96, of Worcester, preached at the Methodist church, Nov. 8, in exchange with Rev. T. Corwin Watkins. —Leslie Whittemore, ’03, is residing in Boston for the winter. —Miss Florence Pratt, ’99, is supervisor of drawing in the Medway schools. —Miss Lillian Davis, ’08, has a position in F. W. Draper’s store. —Miss Gertrude Mann, ’03, is enjoying a visit to Washington. —Joseph F. Higgins, ’97, who is employed by an architectural firm in Bos¬ ton, is at present residing in that city. —Miss Claribel Moulton a former teacher in the Milford High School was married recently to Mr. George Waldo Waterman of Chicago. —Herman L. Dillingham, ’05, a student at Dartmouth college, was a recent visitor at his home on State street. Btbletics. The annual meeting of the Athletic Association was held in the Assembly Hall, Sept. 15, 1908, at 3 p. m. The following officers were elected: President, Principal E. R. Clarke; Vice President, Wm. Dunphy, Secretary, Thomas Quirk, Treasurer, E. R. Clarke; Executive Committee, Thomas Dempsey, Wm. Dunphy and Miss Helen Higgins. It was voted to run a football team. Mr. E. R. Clarke was elected manager and Thomas Dempsey, captain. The following week twenty-two candidates came out for practice. Pending the arrival of John E. Dowd, a coach from Worcester, Alfred Cenedella of the class of 1906, was engaged as temporary coach, and gave the team much valu¬ able aid. I11 the squad were only three players that played on the team two years ago; C. Duggan, Wm. Dunphy and Thomas Dempsey.