Newport High School - Blunita Yearbook (Newport, PA)

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Zhc 36lue anO Wbtte. 3 “In accordance with my desires, and in response to my urging, an orchestra is an asset to the school. The music is splendid, and all things point to its success. Then, as a further aid to my pleasure, came, near the end of my era, a very entertaining male quartet. They will doubtless make a fine showing during your reign, judging by their initial attempt and their appreciative schoolmates. I can only ask that you will encourage the attempts made as the days go by, and incite all with whom you come in contact to greater efforts.” The voice of the speaker grew more faint, and he spoke with a greater effort than before. “My life is fast growing to a close, and I cannot stay after the clock strikes the hour of twelve. I dislike to leave this loved spot, but greater powers guide my destiny. I must depart from you soon, but will leave with you my parting best wishes.” “But,” he continued, “there is one more matter of which 1 must apprise you. Newport High School would be very much benefited by the introduction into its curriculum of Student Government. I have, at various times, given them some ideas of the plan, and I have begun to prepare the soil, in which your good seed sown will take deep root. I am leaving this charge to you that you promote the idea, and give the students a better chance to show of what stuff they are made ’ Nineteen Twenty-One raised his eyes to his parting comrade, took his hand, then spoke as if registering a vow, “I will do all in my power to make my life one of the most prosperous, as well as one of the happiest times that the Earth has ever known, and I will try to make everyone better for having lived during my reign.” From my position I could see tears sparkling in the eyes of both speakers, and I realized that I had been an unconscious eavesdropper, and that I was a witness to a very touching scene. I quickly stepped forward, and started homeward. I turned my head just in time to see the aged Old Year go slowly down from the school building, and to see the New Year enter the portals. I mused and my thoughts were kin to desire, “Three hundred and sixty-five days ago, Nineteen Twenty was as exuberant and high in spirits as the young Nineteen Twenty-One now is. To-day, at the close of his life, he has accomplished so much, and has served the purpose of his life so nobly that we gaze with awe and veneration on his gray hairs and his earnest demeanor. A better chance and a higher ideal are the lot of Nineteen Twenty-One, and we look forward, through our hopes, to the fulfillment of high aspirations and the attainment of nobler desires. Isabelle Deckard, ’21.

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2 ZIbe Blue anb Tldbite. and give some hint as to the meaning of the meeting. I stopped, and viewed the encounter, and unconsciously listened to their conversation. The elder first spoke and said, “Dear Nineteen Twenty-One, I wish for you a happy life, a joyful sojourn with the pupils and teachers of this institution. May they benefit by your visit.” “Oh, Nineteen Twenty, I do thank you for your kind wishes,” rejoined his companion. “Have you had an auspicious life? What have you accomplished by your being here? Please tell me something of your stay, and give me some idea of what are to be my duties, how I may place the school on a higher pedestal?” The old man stroked his beard, thought for a moment, then slowly and deliberately answered, “My life has been a happy one, but one with many sorrows, intermingled with the joy. The trail has often been rugged, often shadowed by difficulties, but, when these had been surmounted, I was able to light-heartedly pursue my course. I wras often discouraged, but my disheartened mind was comforted by the conviction that there were ‘brighter days’ ahead.” Youthful Nineteen Twenty-One eagerly cried, “How patient and hopeful you must have been! Do go on.” The tale was resumed. “In Newport High School, I encouraged many new enterprises, which have met with much success. 1 suggested a High School paper, and the pupils were all enthusiasm. The ‘Blue and White’ has been published, but the ardor has begun to wane. I had been hoping to see it regained while I held the sceptre, bubt I have been disappointed. That charge I will hand over to you, my successor, and hope for you, that the boys and girls will realize their mistake and remedy it very soon. The publication may be made one of the best of its kind, and it provides a fine opportunity to create school spirit and to advance the school.” “Athletics have become very popular lately and I pride myself on having discovered to Newport such splendid sportsmen as are found in N. H. S. They are ready to respond to any call, and they grit their teeth and ‘carry on.’ They skillfully and manfully met their opponents, and are raising high the standard of their ‘Alma Mater.’ Will you, a New Yaer, not encourage these young people in their pursuit of High Ideals and ‘Success’?” “Then I must not fail to mention one of the principal joys of my life—Music. I have endeavored, during my visit, to instill in the hearts of all my associates, the love that I hold in my own.

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4 Ube Blue anb XlUbitc. GO-OPERATION THIS ISSUE MARKS an increase of four pages to The Blue and White. In order to have this addition continue successfully, it will mean that every student in the high school must work, and help to shoulder the responsibility which we have taken upon ourselves. In the past, the publication has been prepared by none other than those on the various staffs. Now, that we have enlarged the Blue and White, a proportionate increase of material will be needed to continue with this addition. There is, among the pupils, sufficient ability to warrant a bright future for our publication, if this ability be applied. Do not think that, not being a representative of a certain department, you have to sit idly by, and look on while the other fellow contributes his share for its success. No matter how small the contribution, it will be greatly appreciated. Not only that, but it is to your own interest, individually, to share a portion of the responsibility. Furthermore, it will be to your advantage, mentally, to prepare such material as will be interesting, and cause our issue to be regarded as a first class publication among high schools. W. K. D., ’21. STUDENT SELF-GOVERNMENT THE TWO MAIN functions of Student Self Government are: To spread the spirit and ideal of student self-mastery and student-government; and to enforce rules necessary for the welfare of all members of the school. The idea of Student Self Government accords with the American idea of popular government which holds that all power resides in the hands of the people, and that all abuses, moral or political, really concern the people and should be corrected by them. Under this system the people themselves choose those who are to enforce the rules which they as a body have decided are right and proper. The slogan is, “Of the Student, By the Student, For the Student.' When a student arrives at the age of moral responsibility, or knowledge of what is right and what is wrong, it is vastly more self-respecting for him to personally enforce rules of proper conduct than it is to have these regulations imposed upon him by higher authority as is necessary in the case of all undeveloped persons, both in point of years and as regards mental development.