Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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167 COMMENCEMENT NUMBER, 1914 (Cuuuurumnrut ODratur Lloyd C. Douglass, A. M.f is the Religious Work Director at the University of Illinois, in a position which was created for him three years ago by the International Committee of the Young Men’s Christian Association in co-operation with the Illinois State Y. M. C. A. Executive Committee and the Christian Associations of the University. Mr. Douglas was called to this position from the pastorate of the Luther Place Memorial Church of Washington, D. C., one of the oldest, largest and most influential churches of the capital, located within three blocks of the White House. Many prominent statesmen attended the church during Mr. Douglas’ residence there. While in Washington. Mr. Douglas was the chaplain of the First Regiment N. G. D. C., and a member of the National Press Club on account of former work done on Ohio papers. Mr. Douglas is a frequent contributor to magazines and ethical journals. He has delivered lectures on ethics at the Univers.ties of Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa. Penn State College, Iowa Agricultural College and many smaller institutions. For many years Mr. Douglas has been addressing High School graduating classes. In the brief time he has been in Illinois he has spoken before twenty-two graduating classes in this state. He will te heard by eleven graduating classes during this season. His address, “The Glass Slipper,” has been used before thirty-six graduating classes in various states. CLASS PLAY A GREAT SUCCESS. The Senior class of 1914 presented their “royalty” play, entitled “All the Comforts of Home,” at the Coliseum, Friday evening. May 22, to on? of the largest and most appreciative audiences that has ever been gathered on a similar occasion in the city. The general verdict is that all things considered. this was the most successful class play ever presented by the gradu-ing class of the Paxton High School. All of the leading parts were so well taken that special comment concerning any one of them would be out of place unless it were possible to comment in like favorable terms with reference to the others. This, on account of the fact that all of the forms of The Reflector are made up and ready for the press excepting a single half page, is now impossible. It was dinner, and the old farmer in his rude manner, said to the young school teacher boarding with them, Parse the butter.” The youny lady glanced at the substance and, seeing a hair in it. and remembering its strength, said ‘It is a common noun, potential mode, femina gender.”

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PAXTON HIGH SCHOOL REFLECTOR 166 A (£nmmntrrmrnt Crttrr From Our Former High School Principal and Much Appreciated Teacher, Mr. Harry Lathrop. The opportunity of a four year High School course is one that every boy and girl should appreciate. It is an opportunity that all men and women who have passed through it do appreciate and those who have been denied it deprecate. There is no substitute for a High School education. It is true that it may be made up in the college or university, but this “made up” work can never take the place of the High School course. If done in a higher institution, it is rushed through and is void of all the freedom and joy that characterizes our High Schools. Parents are investing in brains and relying on the hope that the future use of these brains will justify the investment. The question then, that should confront every High School graduate, is how to utilize the greatest interest from his investment—how to go on. For many High School graduates “going on” is entering into business. For many that is the proper thing to do. Many would find higher education too difficult. Instead of joy and pleasure they would find only drudgery. For such to go on in this direction would be madness. But there is a large percentage, the higher half, of our High School graduates who should go on into our higher institutions of learning. The State of Illinois offers nineteen years of training in the public schools and university. The High School student has finished twelve. For the student with vigor, push and energy, who wants to get the most joy and usefulness out of life, the other seven years, or a part of them, is indispensible. This is an age of specialization. The specialist is the man of today and of the future. The course above the High School is a specialist’s course. With the High School course as a basis the student reaches a climax in some chosen field. The more specialists there are in the world, the harder it is for him who is not a specialist. Statistics from our High Schools show that more are “going on” to our colleges and universities today than ever before. Sometimes it may not be easy. But the list must ever grow. The world demands it and the demand must be met. It may take a good many hard knocks, but it pays. Hard knocks are what count. The harder a man is hit the more erect he should rebound. The confidence in self that knows no failure is wrhat wins. It is my hope that many of the class of 1914 may go on to the college or university. And I am sure that you will make your “going on” such that it will reflect credit upon yourself, your teachers, your parents, and your school. Sincerely yours, HARRY LATHROP. Mr. Lathrop is noTw attending the Illinois State Normal University at Normal, and will complete the post graduate course there in June. Next year he will attend Chicago University, where he expects to obtain his master’s degree at the close of the year.—Ed.

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PAXTON HIGH SCHOOL REFLECTOR 168 The baccalaureate services of the class of 1914 will he held in the beautiful auditorium of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, Sunday evening, May 31, 1914. As has been the custom in the past, the speaker of the occasion was chosen by the members of the class. The present graduating class conferred this honor upon Rev. F. M. Webster, A.M., pastor of the Congregational Church. Rev. Webster is a man thoroughly qualified and highly cultured, having taken his classical course in Hillsdale College. After his graduation he received the A. M. degree from the same institution. His theological training was received at Tnion Seminary, located in New York City. He entered upon his duties as a pastor immediately, having charges in New York and Michigan. He was located at Whiting, Indiana, immediately previous to coming here. Rev. Webster’s message to the graduating class of P. H. S. upon the theme “Character Building,” will be looked forward to with no small degree of interest and satisfaction by both the general public and the class.