Piedmont High School - Summit Yearbook (Lawndale, NC)

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Lawndale, North Carolina ii feel that we have less to fear from fire than ever before. At a distance of not more than four hundred yards from the school are springs of health-giving sulphur-lithia and chaly¬ beate water. Situated on the top of a majestic hill sloping in every direc¬ tion, thus giving perfect natural drainage; commanding 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 music 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 institu¬ tion of a high order. But what has man done towards per¬ fecting it? He has given us daily communication with all the world by telephone and telegraph, a railroad within a mile of the school, electric lights, water-works, dormitories ade¬ quately furnished, large recitation rooms fitted with patent desks of the most approved pattern, and last, but not least, by his efforts as instruments in God’s hands 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-half mile from Lawndale; 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 Methodists hold regular services at the latter place. The Presbyterians also hold serv¬ ices at Lawndale, but at irregular intervals. These churches are only a good walk from the school. All students are re¬ quired to attend at least one of these churches and Sunday Schools. Students are required to attend daily roll call which consists of singing, reading the Scriptures, and of prayer. At these services occasional short talks will be made by the Prin-

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10 Piedmont High School Piedmont is not dead. Piedmont is no longer in its in¬ fancy. PIEDMONT IS NOT AN EXPERIMENT. From small beginnings, through toil and sacrifice, it has ripened in efficiency till it is now generally recognized as one of the strongest preparatory schools in the State. It has twenty-one years of steady growth behind it, a large patronage and many friends in the present, and glorious possibilities for the future. No history of Piedmont High School would be complete without mentioning the benefactions of the late Major H. F. Schenck, whose heart and soul and master mind were devoted to Piedmont and to the ideals for which it stands. Major Schenck was gathered to his fathers, September 25, 1916. The school, its teachers, its patrons and its pupils mourn the loss of this strong, broad-minded, big-souled friend of boys and of girls, who devoted his time, his talents and his means to the education of all the people. He has been heard to say that though he had never received a penny from Piedmont in the way of financial dividends, he had never invested money in anything that pleased him better than the money he had in¬ vested in Piedmont High School. At a recent commence¬ ment kindred and friends raised by subscription the sum of $2,500.00 for the erection of a dormitory in memory of Major Schenck. On account of the high price of building material the erection of this building has been deferred; but plans are on foot to improve our water-works, give us bath rooms, toi¬ lets, shower baths, etc. For this purpose more than $700.00 was subscribed last commencement. Our water cannot be surpassed. At a distance of about a quarter of a mile from the school buildings is a fine, large spring of pure, sparkling water, affording more than twelve gallons per minute. This water is piped to us by means of an electric pump. A tank of fifteen thousand gallons capacity, standing on a steel tower more than fifty feet high, gives us means of fighting fire. With this and with electric lights, with no danger of exploding lamps nor deadly fumes of gas in our dormitories, with buildings of only two stories in front, we

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12 Pikdmont High School cipal 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 reverence for God and veneration for holy things. The school is distinctly Christian, but it is not denominational.