Momence High School - Monesse Yearbook (Momence, IL)

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10 SENIOR YEAR BOOK. purpose. It might seem rather slow at first, but we should remember that “Slow and steady wins the race.” The needs and results of athletics are being carefully and universally considered, and the people are abandoning many of their frivolous ideas of fashion. They now look upon a weak and puny body in pity, while they for¬ merly regarded it with envy. Theodore Roosevelt has said, “Athletic sports, if followed properlj,, are admirable for developing character.” How glorious a thing it is to be blessed with perfect health and a strong body. In fact, it is only when these conditions do exist that man can right¬ fully be expected to attain to a superior degree of excellence, in virtue of the faculties with which he is endowed.

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SENIOR YEAR BOOK. 9 It is possible however, for most high schools to make some advance¬ ment along these lines by its own exertion, and our school, like most others, has done this. We have a regularly organized athletic association iwith its various officers. In the fall, attention is given to foot ball and our team has several times engaged in games with neighboring teams, and has been fairly successful. Last fall the young ladies of the high school organized a basket ball team, but did not enter into any games with other teams. Last year, for the first time, the school board designated a “field day” as a school holiday. The “meet” was held at Kankakee and was witnessed by many spectators. About twelve events were entered into, most of which were closely contested. Our team, altho it did not succeed in gaining the greater number of points, did remarkably well, taking everything into consid¬ eration, in fact, the score indicated a very near approach to the record made by Kankakee. What a splendid thing it would be if we had a well equipped gymnasium, participation in the exercises of which should be compulsory, except in cases of serious physical disability. Such an institution would mean a great deal. It would mean less ab¬ sence from school on account of sickness; it would enliven the interest of those in attendance; it would strengthen the student and thus enable him to put forth the very best efforts of which he was capable. If athletic exercises were universally practiced the tendency would be greatly to strengthen the race, and in the course of time our people would possess qualities embodied in the Greek motto, “A sound mind in a sound body.” Of course all improvement is made as the people gain in resources. At first our forefathers hewed the logs and framed them into rude dwellings and in the same way built schoolhouses, bridges, etc., but soon, with saw mills they put the lumber into such shape that it could be framed into more con¬ venient and tasteful structures. So wonderful have been the conquests of peace that today our country is strewn with the ' most unmistakable evidences of a fast rising and lasting civilization. We appreciate the fact that the building of a gymnasium in our schoql would necessitate the expenditure of money without bringing in any immedi¬ ate compensation. But how would it do not to attempt to accomplish it all at once? Suppose that a fund be created for the purpose, and allowed to accu¬ mulate until there is a sufficient amount on hand to make a considerable pay¬ ment. Many ways might be suggested for starting a fund. For example, let a purely athletic program be given by the school each year, and the pro¬ ceeds go to this fund, or suppose that a certain per cent of the pro¬ ceeds of every entertainment given by the high school be donated for this

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MOMENCE HIGH SCHOOL