Oshkosh High School - Index Yearbook (Oshkosh, WI)

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:M A Y INDEX FOR NINETEEN HUNDRED SEVENTEEN editorial Concerning Graduation THE immediate aim of a high school career, the end of four years of varying effort, the recognition of something completed — that is grad- uation. How much it means and should mean to all of us! And the visible sign of that attainment, the graduation exercises — how much they symbolize for most of us! How much we look forward to them with mingled feelings of pleasure and dismay! And yet our S. A. class, with the reward al- most within grasp, has voluntarily given up its right to the usual exercises in order that the money provided for that purpose may go to the Red Cross. Schools all over the country are giving up things at this time of the nation ' s need, and it is only fitting and proper that our Senior class should take this wonderful opportunity offered it of showing its patriotism. The tendency of many schools this year is toward economy in everything. Our banquet is the only Senior affair that is at all expensive, and even in that we can use economy and common sense. This is a period of hard times for the whole nation generally, and for our own families particularly. Let us, there- fore, show our love for both by making our graduation stand for common sense and economy in all respects. And then to these two we can add a third — Patriotism. Memorial Day A FEW years ago patriotism was an intangible quality which everyone should possess but which few would actually define. A few years ago, when a flag was seen or the Star Spangled Banner played, only a scattered few saluted or stood up. A few years ago Memorial Day merely meant to most of us, that the regular school session would be re- placed by some program (and we rejoiced accordingly I. This year, it seems, things are quite different. This year there are quite tangible ways of showing patriotism by enlisting in the army or navy, in the Red Cross, or the ranks of gardeners. This year anyone who would not Page thirty-one

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M AY INDEX FOR NINETEEN HUNDRED SEVENTEEN OHHERCIALDEPT ON Friday, the IV hour class in Salesmanship listened to an address by Mr. Sterling, manager of the Oshkosh Furniture Company. The subject on which he had been asked to speak was, ' The place of the retail store in modern business, and the importance of the salesman. This subject was handled exceedingly well, and was admirably adapted to the needs and interests of the class. Many questions which had been pre- pared by members of the class were answered by JVlr. Sterling during the last ten minutes of the period. This proved to be unusually interesting and profitable. A committee procured the services of Mr. Sterling, and Lucile Gibson, who was chairman of the committee, introduced him to the class. A committee, of which Fred Rowekamp is chairman, has been successful in securing Mr. Hoyt of the Henderson- Hoyt Store for a Friday in April. Mr. Hoyt is an expert along store efficiency lines and is sure to bring to the class that is studying these problems a message both pleasurable and profitable. Some members of the Commercial Law class are becoming adept in cross-examination through the plan of socialized recitation. Students are conducting the recitations themselves and examining each other with a thoroughness that needs careful preparation. BOOKKEEPING A New Word — One of our Sophomores tells us that discount on mer- chandise is not exactually cash. Reformed Spelling — Posting is a ccsisitimatic (systematic) arrange- ment of debts and credits. SHORTHAND In a Transcribed Letter — Your favor of the 23 instant came duly to handle. Page thirty

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MAY I N D K X FOR NINETEEN HUNDRED SEVENTEEN publicly salute the flag or honor our national anthem would be strongly condemned by the very people who, last year, remained seated, too lazy to be patriotic. This year, because most people have been stirred out of their lethargy by the war, Memorial Day will probably have some real meaning for us. As we stand on the curb watching the Old Soldiers ride by, we will probably experience an actual thrill of patriotic feeling. We will feel our- selves carried back into the days when the old men, young and brave and hopeful, marched forth from their homes to fight for their country and a principle. And we will rejoice, for we will look about us and see that the country they fought for has prospered and grown great, and that the prin- ciple that they fought for has not died, for our young men are still ready to go forth and fight for their country and a principle, when necessary. Yes, Memorial Day will have a real meaning for us this year. Are We Trustworthy? WE, as students in the High School, have many privileges. Among these is that of being excused from a study room to go to a teacher ' s room and work there. This is one of the greatest of our privileges, but unfortunately it is also one of the most abused. Per- haps some of us do not realize what a favor we are receiving. The teacher may not wish to be made responsible for the students; she may wish to have her room free; she may have planned to use her time for other things than watching or helping pupils. Yet in most cases she does these things willingly and cheerfully, as an accommodation to the students. In return should we not have some consideration for her? Again, when we receive permission to go to a teacher ' s room, we are put on our honor. We are trusted to do as we should in every respect. But how often is this trust misplaced! Perhaps the teacher wishes to leave the room for a few min- utes. She did not ask the students to come, perhaps did not even want them to come — why should she not go if she wishes? Not only go, but go with assurance that the students will remain in order while she is gone. Surely, that is only reasonable. But how different it often is in reality. The mo- ment the teacher leaves, the students cease to study and begin talking or throwing erasers about the room. Very childish, is it not? One would think that high school students should be beyond the age where they must be watched every minute. Yet it would seem that some of them are not. When the S. B. class asked permission to have a prom, they were refused. Some of the students were angry over this, and said unkind things about the faculty. But what could the faculty do? They did not dare give permis- sion for this — too many of the students have shown that they are not to be trusted. If some of the students want further privileges, let them see to it that not only they themselves, but also the other students, respect the priv- ileges they now have.