Piedmont High School - Summit Yearbook (Lawndale, NC)

Page 8 text:

Piedmont High School Lawndale, N. C. born a bigger and better Piedmont. Out of the fire-fiend’s ruin, out of cherished, broken plans will come the fruition of broader foundations and the realization of higher ideals. Three handsome structures, more modern in construction than the old, more dormitory rooms, more recitation rooms, greater conveniences, water¬ works, a larger campus, larger play-ground, and probably electric lights, will be the outcome of our terrible dis¬ aster. Piedmont is not dead. Piedmont is no longer in its infancy. It is not an experiment. From small beginnings, through toil and sacrifice, it has ripened in efficiency till it is now gen¬ erally recognized as one of the strongest preparatory schools in the State. It has fourteen years of steady growth behind it, a large patronage, and many friends in the present and glorious possibilities for the future. Our water cannot be surpassed. A well dug through ninety feet of almost solid rock is conveniently located for our use, besides at a distance of not more than four hundred yards from the School are springs of health¬ giving sulphur and chalybeate water. Situated on the top of a majestic hill sloping in every direction, thus giving perfect natural drainage; com¬ manding a magnificent view of hills, vales, grassy undulating plains, and of the Blue Ridge in the distance; shaded by a forest of stately oaks; enlivened by the mu¬ sic of rippling water; with excellent drinking water and air free from the taint of malaria, nature has made this an ideal spot for an educational institution of a high order. But what has man done toward perfecting it? He has given us daily mail, communication with all the world by telephone and telegraph, a railroad within a mile of the School, a dormitory adequately furnished, large recitation rooms fitted with patent desks of the most approved pattern, and last, but not least, by his SIX

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Piedmont High School Lawndale, N. C . the great enlargement, it was soon found that our room was still insufficient; students were turned away for lack of room. This lack was met three years ago by the erection of another dormitory sufficient to accommodate forty more boys. Session before last other improvements were made, new rooms were fitted up for the primary department, other recitation rooms were enlarged and the dining-hall was remodeled. Yet, when the session opened and boys and girls began to arrive we found that we needed more room. The fact that it seems almost impossible to secure enough room for our students demonstrates clearly the wisdom of our plans and the soundness of our policy; not, perhaps, from a financial standpoint, but from the standpoint of doing the most good to the most people. A handsome building thirty by fifty, two stories high, was erected during the summer and it was ready for occupancy at the beginning of the last session. The lower story of this building is used as a boys’ dormitory. The upper story is used by the Musigmarhonian and the Pierian Literary Societies. On the seventh day of March the main building, containing recitation rooms, dining-room, auditorium, Principal’s office and residence, girls’ dormitory, and one dormitory for boys, was destroyed by fire. As only two dormitories for boys and the society halls remained, it was impossible to continue our work, so the school was suspended for the remainder of the session. Major Schenck, the President of the Board of Trustees, called a meeting of the citizens and it was determined to re¬ build. The contract was let and work was begun at once. Sequestered student life gave place to the builder’s work. Girls, boys, teachers, study and exam¬ inations have given way to the carpenter, the mason and the tinner. To-day the wooded hill is resonant with the craftsman’s tool. Out of the ashes of the old is being five

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Piedmont High School Lazvndale, N. C. efforts as instruments in God’s hand we are unpolluted by bar-rooms, gambling dens and other moral dangers of town and city life, which too often blight the lives of boys from Christian homes and blast the hopes of their dearest friends. We are nearly one mile from Lawn¬ dale; thus we have the advantage of the village with the perfect quiet of rural life so necessary to sustained mental effort. SUNDAY SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES Two flourishing Sunday Schools are within easy reach of us. The Baptists have regular appointments for preaching at New Bethel and Lawndale. The Metho¬ dists hold regular services at the latter place. The Pres¬ byterians also hold services at Lawndale but at irregular intervals. These churches are only a good walk from the School. All students are required to attend at least one of these churches. Students are required to attend daily roll-call, which consists of singing, reading the Scrip¬ tures, and of prayer. At these services occasional short talks will be made by the Principal and others, for the purpose of encouraging the students and inciting them to higher ideals and nobler efforts. Two prayer-meetings are held each week by the students, one by the girls and the other by the boys. These services are voluntary, and while no one is forced to go, they are largely attended and a spirit of devotion is shown that is pleasant to witness. Cant is discouraged but it has been the constant effort of the management of Piedmont High School to inculcate a spirit of rev¬ erence for God and veneration for holy things. The School is distinctively Christian, but it is not denomina¬ tional. seven