Petersburg High School - Missile Yearbook (Petersburg, VA)

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26 The Missile Everything possible is being done to beautify the school, and extensive improvements have been made in the in- terior of the building. The walls have been painted a light buff color which improves greatly the former bare white walls. The High School has a growing orchestra which is composed almost entirely of high school talent having at present about fifteen member. This orchestra was form- ed under the direction of Miss Sarah Taylor and Sergeant McCall from Camp Lee. Under these experienced and capable leaders, it is hoped that the orchestra will be a great success. The High School class in journalism under Professor H. A. Miller, prepared a feature article for the issue of the Index-Appeal, March 23, 1919, on the survey of all the churches of the city, both white and colored for the past year. The work was highly creditable to both Mr. Miller and the students. A prize of $2.50 in gold has been offered by the Cockade City Chapter of the Daughters of 1812, for the best essay on ‘‘The War of 1812.” Every pupil of the High School has the opportunity to complete for the prize. The essay must be handed to Miss Turner, the vice-president of the Chapter, or to Mrs. J. O. James, or to Mr. Wolff, the prin- cipal of the High School, by June 1, 1919. On March 5, 1919, the Teachers’ Club met in the new auditorium, and were most fortunate in securing Mrs. Madeline Snowden, the well known dramatic reader, to be with them. She presented from memory Ibsen’s famous

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The first assembly of the High School students in the new auditorium was held March n, 1919. The meeting was opened by singing “America” accompanied by the High School orchestra. Mr. Wolff presented a beautiful baby grand Mason-Hamlin piano to the High School on behalf of the students. The devotional exercises were conducted by the Rev. J. A. McClure of the Second Pres- byterian Church and a short talk was made by Superin- tendent Martin on beautifying and extending the school grounds. Superintendent Martin has extensive plans for the schools grounds. He plans to have a playground in the rear, from the school to Lawrence Street and from the backs of the houses on Guarantee Street to the alley back of Pine Street. There will be baseball, basket-ball and tennis courts; also a swimming pool. On the west side of the school there will be a play ground for smaller child- ren and in front a park for the recreation of the older girls.

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The Missile 27 “Doll House” which was thoroughly enjoyed by all the lovers of the drama. On March n , 1919, Dr. McWaters, the head of the de- partment of literature of the American University, con- trasted by dramatic readings the theories of Browing and Omar Khayyam as translated by Fitzgerald, Dr. McWaters has the original portfolio used by Robert Browning, and this and other displays made his animated reading much more interesting. The audience was de- lighted by a promise from Dr. McWaters for an early return to the city to give a reading from Browning. On March 26 the Rotarians met in the P. H. S. gym- nasium. They assembled at the east end of the building and were conducted through the auditorium by Prof. Mar- tin, then through the various class rooms and study halls on each of the three floors. Many were especially pleased with the laboratory and its modern equipment and express- ed the opinion that it was a great asset to the school. Then the Rotarians assembled in the “gym,” where the domes- tic science girls served them a beautiful home luncheon. These girls prepared the whole luncheon and served it beautifully, for which they deserve much credit. The ta- ble was artistically decorated with yellow jonquils and blue place cards, thus carrying out a color scheme of gold and blue, the colors of the graduating class. The girls served in their simple domestic science uniforms and the menu was as as follows: Creole Soup, Parker House Rolls, Roast Chicken, Mashed Potatoes Green Peas, Olives, Celery, Radishes, Pickles,