Palo Alto High School - Madrono Yearbook (Palo Alto, CA)

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to provide a greater sphere of opportunities, thereby enabling a larger number of students to take part. The Campanile, dramatics, and athletics could all he improved so as to attract and admit more students into their Work. Journalism and Printing One way in which many more pupils could be brought in contact with school interests is through the establishment of a class in jour nalisin. The Campanile would then be put out by the class in journalism under the supervision of the instructor and the Commis- sioner of Literary Activities. A greater number of students would thus gain a more intimate knowledge of what was happening in the student world. The Campanile, in turn, would benefit greatly by such administration, fnr the news would he snappier, and the material would he handled in a more business-like manner. Besides urging the organization of classes in journalism. The Cam- panile has been endeavoring to install in the school, presses for printing the paper, and for doing the school's job work. If a print shop were established, classes in printing could be given. More practical courses are needed in the school s curriculum, and printing, combined with journalism, would offer excellent opportunities. A student, having completed a course in printing, could step into a job in a press-room and earn good wages. The knowledge of English, especially spelling, punctuation, and structure, would be of much value. To students who have difficulty in learning English gram- mar and punctuation in the class-room, correct knowledge would come easily and naturally through handling type and seeing material laid out correctly. The printing classes, like the class in journalism, would be well informed in student body interests. By printi ng all tlic school's job work, the classes could save a large amount of money for the Board of Trustees—enough in a few years to pay for the cost of the plant. Physical Education The proper equipment for the Physical Education Department is one of the greatest needs of the school, and of this equipment the showers are most essential Most of the boys who work hard get up a sweat, get dirty and grimy, and then go hack to class in the same clothes they have been exercising in. If a systematic program were followed, so that every hoy could put on a suit, have a good vigorous workout, take a warm shower and dress, a splendid im- provement in the health of the school would result.

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Editorial 'The Madrono Staff this year lias attempted to economize in expenditure, and to put out a book representative of the entire school. Former annuals have included pages of nonsense of per- sonal interest to the graduating class only. This year, in reducing the size of the magazine, vve have made an effort to eliminate all material of this character. 'The Staff wishes to express appreciation for the large amount of time and effort given the Madrono by Miss Helen Stolle. Fac- ulty Adviser; Mr. John Lcmos, Art Adviser; and Mr. William Henry. Superintendent of the Daily Palo Alto Times. . I’pon the pictures and upon the art work, which was contributed by Mr. Lemos classes, the Madrono bases its hopes for success. A Program of Constructive Enterprises 'Phis year we have realized some of the imperative needs of the school. The Betterment Committee, a result of this realization, was organized late last December for the purpose of carrying out a con- structive program. The Committee tackled the big tasks of beauti- fying the school grounds, installing a heater for the showers, and also investigated the needed improvements in the building, grounds, and equipment. School thought was turned into these channels to some extent by publicity effected by the Betterment Committee. W e Seniors, as leaders in student body affairs this year, have given considerable thought toward improvement of school life at Paly, and through our experience we realize some of the failures and weak points of activities and organizations as they arc: hut as we shall not he hack next year to put those improvements into effect, we can only briefly suggest them to the rest of the student body. The first thing the student body must have is a definite program to follow. 'Phe Commissioners, the Betterment Committee, and the Student Council should collaborate with each other, forming a defi- nite plan of operation for the year. In the past, affairs have been managed without aim. The student body lias merely collected money and spent it, here for a dance, there for a game, with no other idea than that of keeping things going and having a good time. Real accomplishment and work will do more for school spirit than anything else, and the first essential of accomplishment is for the leaders to have a program to follow. 'Phe next thing is to arouse the student spirit to a pitch where it will hack a program of constructive enterprises. Here we have the big problem—not only of our school, hut of all schools and similar organizations. One of the best methods of getting the student body as a whole more interested in activities is [21]

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The Thespian Club This year appreciation is «lue the Thespian Oub for its installa- tion of the new stage equipment consisting of a system of pulleys to facilitate the moving of the scenery, and to the licLtcrnicnl Committee for the new draperies. These useful gifts, which have been needed so long on the stage, make it more systematic and give it a more effective appearance. The Thespian Club has also arranged a new plan for tryouts. Those wishing to try out are requested to prepare something original, and are then given time enough to give a total presenta- tion of their material. Formerly the candidate, after reciting only a few lines of a simple characterization, poem, or bit of nonsense, was clapped out. Membership depended to a great extent on the popularity of the candidate. 'Die new plan tends to overcome this injustice by giving the would-be Thespians a fair chance to show their dramatic ability and originality. “The Reel Thing” Dramatics have taken a more prominent place in our high school activities this year than ever before. The dramatic program has been somewhat different than in previous years. The Thespian Club, instead of giving the usual four-act play, decided to present three one-act plays in conjunction with some of the school enter- tainments. In addition to these and the annual Senior Class play, Mr. Nichols staged his comedy, “The Reel Thing.” for the purpose of securing money for the boys’ showers. 11 is happy selection of characters and his careful directing of the play resulted in a laugh- ing and very satisfied audience on the evening of May 6. The program will call to mind the play better than any criticism could. 1231