Northampton Area High School - Amptennian Yearbook (Northampton, PA)

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GEORGE A. EICHLER, Superintendent

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(HE year 1934 marks the one hundredth anniversary of the establishment of free public schools in Pennsylvania. This is a (treat landmark in the history of our state. The Class of 1934 has done well to make the celebration of this important event the theme of its Amptennian. It is doubly appropriate since our own locality was the birthplace of George Wolf, who might properly be called the founder of public education in Pennsylvania. Wolf was an educated man and held a number of important offices but his crowning achievement was the strength and force with which he urged in his messages as Governor of the Commonwealth the establishment of a system of public education for Pennsylvania. James Buchanan wrote: If ever the passion of envy could be excused a man ambitious of true glory, he might almost be justified in envying the fame of that favored individual whoever he may be whom Providence intends to make the instrument in establishing common schools throughout the Commonwealth. ” Providence selected George Wolf, a native of our own locality. The Free School Act was passed on April 1, 1834 and signed by Governor Wolf, thereby sacrificing his political future. He was thus the founder and first martyr of public education in Pennsylvania. The great service which Wolf performed is not generally known, even in our own Community. It is, therefore, most appropriate that the Class of 1934 make known, through its Yearbook and Commencement, the great and lasting achievement of George Wolf to the cause of public education and to human progress generally. G. A. Eichler, Superintendent

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IT IS very fitting for the class of 1934 to use as their theme for the Amptennian, Public School Education,” because one hundred years ago, Governor Wolf and his co-workers realized the great value of an education and that only the wealthy could have it at that time. If it was good for the rich, it must be good for the poor, so education was made possible for all in 1834. Our own Northampton County was the nucleus of this great movement. After school--what? That is the question which confronts each high school student, especially when he nears the end of his high school course. It is a question which each must decide for himself. But, after you have been introduced to the world by school and other experiences, when the time comes to decide, it ought not to be hard to choose for yourself a life work which you will enjoy and which will be of service. 1 believe that two important elements of a successful life are the pleasure it gives you and the good it renders to others. There are many opportunities, many positions, little or big, in which alive person can be of real value to humanity, and it matters little, it seems to me, which one a person chooses, as long as it is useful, honorable, and offers a chance for the full development of your faculties. But whatever be your choice, we need to remember that the chief requisites to success are the old-fashioned virtues - - accuracy, promptness, fidelity, acceptance of responsibility - - the virtues which are so often marked as out of date. Without them you cannot climb to success. Best wishes from your Principal. I. L. Sheaffer