Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

Page 17 text:

Paxton High School Reflector 15 “ACCURACY NOT SPEED. This motto, in a somewhat different sense, may he applied to English students generally, as well as to typewriting students. If, before speaking. we would always take time to consider the grammar we are about to use. the resul would be the forming of better English speaking habits, and the acquisition of a larger ar.d richer vocabulary. John Locke, one of the great teachers in Europe during the seven teenth century, among his other doctrines, taught that the, 'native language should receive special attention ; for, as he said, “Is it not a greater disgrace to use tlie native language incorrectly than to blunder in a foreign tongue? —M. H ’21 PUBLIC OPINION A certain newspaper reporter on the Chicago Tribune staff, known as the Inquiring Reporter,” received the following answers to this question: Do you approve of County Superintendent Tobin's decision permitting the use of “It is me” and He didn't in the county schools? The following answers were received from various people picked at random: “I am not in favor of accepting slang and grammatical errors in our written speech. It is all right in quoting spoken language, but it is decidedly out of place in the body matter of supposedly good English. The fact that many persons speak ungrammatically does r.ot make such speaking right. “Undoubtedly Supt. Tobin's ruling is good. Just as many slang phrases have been accepted for general use, so will, “It is me” and “He don't,” be eventually accepted as good form. This tendency is noticeable in new American fiction by the best authors. “No, I certainly do not approve. I think it is poor judgment. We are all s' king to go forward with the English language instead of backward. Precedents of this kind ofTer all sorts of openings for the general acceptance of slarg expressions and ungrammatical utterances. There were two other people who answered negatively. Therefore, out of the five persons consulted, only one was in favor of adopting Mr. Tobin's decis’on. I think this is a convincing proof that the American people are for good English and against all slangy and ungrammatical ! hrase .— M. Me. '21. THE CLOSING PART OF THE SCHOOL CALENDAR APRIL 7th 8th—Mid-Semester Examinations. APRIL 29th —Literary Society Contest. MAY 22nd —Baccalaureate Address. MAY 27th —Senior Class Play. MAY 30th —Senior Reflector (comes from the press.) .JUNE lst-2nd —Final Examinations. JUNE 3rd —Commencement.

Page 16 text:

14 Paxton High School Reflector correctly and weave them into a language is not the work of one generation but of multiplied generations working through the centuries, each bringing its contribution of new words and placing them upon the altar of intellectual progress. But without a correct use of the old, there can be no progress in the development of the new. The Better English Movement has done much to teach the correct use of words which we now have and prepare the way for the coinage of new words. WHAT WE HAVE DONE AND EXPECT TO DO IN REGARD TO BETTER ENGLISH (By Everett Swenson, ’23.) The “Better English Campaign’’ was first made known to us by our Superintendent. Mr. O. J. Bainum. The first constructive work towards putting on such a campaign in Paxton, was done in our English classes, under the supervision of our English instructor. Miss Josephine Wade. As part ot cur daily routine. Miss Wade asked us to use our ingenuity and make Better English Fosters. A few samples may be seen elsewhere in this number of the Reflector. Some of the posters brought forth the Better English element in a more or less humorous way. Some of the other good ones were placed in the show windows of some of our leading stores, and were seen by towns, people. Two “Better English” plays were given in behalf of the campaign, which helped portray before the public, the spirit of the school. One of these plays was written by a Junior, Miss Emily Johnson, and reflects great credit upon the young writer and our school. This play was given by the Junior English Class. The other play, adopted for this campaign by the Illinois Association of Teachers of English, was given by both sections of the Sophomore English class. Later, talks were given, from time to time, in the assembly, by teachers in regard to the proper use of personal pronouns, the correct pronunciation of words, business English and better diction. In the class rooms pupils will be held strictly accountable for what they cnce learned in regard to better speech, written composition and the proper way of punctuating manuscripts. Teachers will suppress the use of slang a:, much as possible; they will enforce the use of correct English, and set an example by using the best possible English themselves. To further carry out our Better English Campaign, we. as students, are publishing this Reflector to reflect to you what we have done to improve our speech. We are learning much about how to use the best English by working on, and trying to complete this book. Experience is the best teacher.” and we are hereby putting our teaching into practice. But as a school, alone, we can accomplish little. It is up to the public, as well as the school, to determine whether it will prove successful or not. Good speech is a highly desired goal, but it is only through incessant watch-fullness that we can reach it.

Page 18 text:

Paxton High School Reflector 16 Host? lu'fnruts the Spoken tngltsh of the Ixollisters AN ORIGINAL TWO-ACT FARCE-COMEDY WRITTEN BY EMILY JOHNSON, ’22, ESPECIALLY FOR THE PAXTON COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL “BETTER ENGLISH” ENTERTAINMENT GIVEN JANUARY 11, 1921—A LOCAL HIT—(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.) CAST OF CHARACTERS. Rosie Rollister, the elder daughter. .Mr. Rollister (William Jeremiah) Editor of the ‘Avondale Advance.' Mrs. Rollister, a good old fashioned mother. Angeline Rollister. who is anything but what her name implies. Jack Rollister, a real boy. Dick Van Replen in love with Rosie. Aunt Priscilla Patterson, a southern maiden lady. Professor Samuel T. Doodle, who finds his soul mate. Katie O'Halligar., the Irish maid. TIME—Present. SCENE—Diving room in the Rollister home. Rosie is seated in a large chair holding a magazine. ACT I. ROSIE: Oh, I’m so glad that Hazel lent me her magazine with this splendid article on better English. Yes, I really must begin immediately. ENTER MRS. R: Begin what darlin’? Here, you’ve worked like a little trooper all day, ar.' now you jist sit right where you are. I’ll git ona little snack for Dad an’ the kids an’— ROSIE: (Jumping up and catching her mother by the shoulder.) Why Mother Dear! I'm not speaking of that kind of work, I’m talking of English. You know this is “Better English Year”— MRS. R: Yes. so tis. ROSIE: Well, and I have decided that our family should speak more grammatically. Now to 1 egin with. Mamma, how many times must I remind you not to leave off your “gs,” not to say jist” and “git,” and above all things not to say “snack?” MRS. R: Yes I know it. Rosie, my grammar is somethin’ fierce but you must remember, dearie, I'm git—getting old. ROSIE: Never too old to learn. Mamma. MRS R: Well. I will try ’cause you wish it honey, but now I must be join’ to the club. It’s diction day today an’ I wouldn’t miss it ter nothin'. We re also genta start, but as I was sayin,’ I'll be home in time to—to prepare dinner. (Rosie, the while, looks dismayed until her mother's last statement. then she gives a delighted little laugh, saying—) ROSIE: Ch, Mother, you are trying aren’t you? And as to reforms, why don't you bring up the subject of “Better English” at the Club? I really think that the mothers of the village should speak well not only on their families’ account tut for their own good as well. MRS. R: That’s a fine idey. Of course. 1 ain't much on this speech given, but I might mention it.