Piedmont High School - Summit Yearbook (Lawndale, NC)

Page 17 text:

LAWNDALK, NORTH CAROLINA II 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. The 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 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 chalybeate water. Situated on top of a majestic hill, sloping in every di¬ rection, thus giving perfect natural drainage; command¬ ing 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 institution of high order. But what has man done toward perfecting 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 adequately furnished, large recitation rooms fitted with patent desks of the most approved pattern, and last, but not least, by his ef¬ forts 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 dear¬ est friends. We are nearly one-half mile from Lawn¬ dale ; thus we have the advantage of the village with the perfect quiet of rural life so necessary to sustained men¬ tal effort.

Page 16 text:

IO PIEDMONT HIGH SCHOOL way through school, women and children, all caught the spirit of the hour. More than six thousand dollars was raised. The thanks of the school are due to the friends of the institution whose loyalty and liberality have made it possible for us to take another step forward in the march of progress. Piedmont is not dead. Piedmont is no longer in its INFANCY. 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-three 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 com¬ plete 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 fath¬ ers, 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 educa¬ tion of all the people. He has been heard to say that, though he 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 invested in Piedmont High School. At a recent com¬ mencement kindred and friends raised by subscription the sum of $2,500 for the erection of a dormitory in mem¬ ory of Major Schenck. On account of the high price of building material the erection of this building has been deferred; but plans are now being perfected to improve our water-works, give us bathrooms, toilets, shower baths, etc.

Page 18 text:

12 PIEDMONT HIGH SCHOOL 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 Presby¬ terians 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 and Sunday Schools. Students are required to attend daily roll call, which consists of sing¬ ing, reading the scriptures, and of prayer. At these ser¬ vices 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 stu¬ dents, 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 is not denomina¬ tional.