Petersburg High School - Missile Yearbook (Petersburg, VA)

Page 28 text:

22 THE MISSILE. provide suitable play-grounds for the use of the school children. Our High School campus, on account of its slope, is not at all adapted to athletic contests. When- ever a base-ball or foot-ball game is to be played, we must look about us and find some place in which to play. A suitable play-ground should be furnished, and the school authorities are not doing their duty until they sup- ply this need. At present, a wonderful opportunity for securing an ample play-ground presents itself. Directly in the rear of the High School campus is a vacant lot ex- tending back several hundred yards. Bordering the High School campus on the west is another vacant lot of great proportions, separated from the campus by a small stream. If these two vacant lots should be purchased, the small stream bridged, and the present campus graded some- what, a play-ground of ample size for any kind of athletic contests would be secured. The pupils should have such a play ground, and it is earnestly hoped the school author- ities will investigate the matter, grasp the opportunity which now presents itself, and do their duty toward the school children. PROOF. Stella — Are they wealthy ? Bella — They gave their baby an auto tire to cut his teeth on. OUT OF HER LINE. Sporting Goods Salesman — This is the regular size catcher’s glove, ma’am. Johnny’s Grandmother — Very well, how much are they a pair?

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THE MISSILE. 21 room to learn greater lessons on the highway of life. May fond remembrances linger in the hearts of their fellow- pupils; yet may the pain of parting be duly tempered by the assurance of work well done! The least that can be said of the past session is that the toil of nine long months has been crowned with the fruits of success. The unit sys- tem, now firmly established in our school, has proved its worth; the newly instituted courses of domestic science and manual training have given opportunities long sought; the establishment of our literary societies reflects credit upon our school; the perseverance in athletics, both girls’ and boys’, has prepared the way for winning teams next year; and numerous advances in various directions have demonstrated the progressive tendency of our principal and faculty. In this, the last issue of the Missile, we wish, in the name of the student body, to thank our authorities for a successful school year and, in the name of the Mis- sile staff, to thank the contributors and subscribers and our printer, who have lent their aid to attain our success. Now, as we thrust our Missile into its sheath, it is with a heartfelt hope that others have deemed its wielding well done; and we dedicate it as a means of glory to those who follow us. What constitutes an up-to-date High School ? It is true that attractive class-rooms, competent instructors, well ventilated rooms, and various other things are need- ed. There is, however, one thing which is often over- looked and which is of the greatest importance — -a play- ground, with suitable equipment, for the promotion of ath- letics. Character is moulded on the play-ground as well as in the class-room, and the school authorities should

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On the afternoon of April twenty-third, the pupils of LA and LB with several of the teachers went to vari- ous points of historic interest in and around Petersburg. Peter Jones’ trading station at the extreme end of Short Market Street, and the Golden Ball Tavern on Old Street were the first points visited. The next stop was at Oak Hill, on the north bank of the river, where a marker shows LaFayfette’s head- quarters during the Revolution. Near the house is a walkway bordered by box trees of remarkable height and beauty. Violet Bank on the opposite side of the road is an at- tractive colonial house surrounded by fine trees. One, in particular, a cucumber tree of immense size, is well worth looking at. Some distance behind the house is an interesting grave yard, containing stones dating back more than a hundred years. Returning to town, the party visited East Hill, where General Phillips died during the Revolution, Center Hill, and West Hill. We hope that this will not be the last of our local his-