Plainfield High School - Hermiad Yearbook (Central Village, CT)

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8 THE HERMIAD We may be told to imitate Shakespeare, Milton, or some other well known writer. We'cannot bring ourselves to do it: we do not want to push them out of the limelight, at least not yet. There is another evil of writing something for the Hermiadf' Instead of going right to work and studying our lessons we ponder for an hour or two on what to write. It is not easy to decide. In looking over some of the Hermiads of the past two or three years I noticed particularly titles such as The Model Pupils, With Apologies to Shakespeare, Conduct in Class Meetings, Study, My Pup. If you consider the titles only, they may seem to be quite appropriate subjects for students to write about, but when you read the articles you notice that every one is either written in a sarcastic manner or is on a subject which it is evident the pupil was driven by necessity to choose, even though he realized it would be more appropriate for a third grader. If this particularly forced attempt at writing an article for the Hermiad fwe have to write something to get a markj should ever be published, as it may be because it is on a very important subject, it will only be one of many written late at night and protesting against unexpected theme assignments which most pupils will agree are seemingly made up by teachers to keep them from catching up in their studies. Citgo THE VALUE OF ATHLETICS IN OUR SCHOOL CEvelyn Troening-19291 THLETICS and sports are the most talked of subjects of our modern times. Why? Because we are living in a sport-loving world. The people of today admire the ability of another: they respect and applaud the prowess of an athlete. Multitudes went to Chicago to witness a championship boxing match. Hundreds flock to college stadiums to witness athletic con- tests between teams representing renowned collegesu Thousands gathered at the Yankee Stadium to watch the World Series and see Babe Ruth break his own home run record! What is more fitting than that athletics should also be a part of our school life? What a dull and dreary place our school would be if we had no team which engaged in competitive games! These games enliven us, and, as we urge our team ever onward to victory, they also arouse school spirit, and es- tablish in the students a sort of paternal feeling which immediately makes them true supporters of their school. The oldest member of the alumni will slap his fellow citizen on the back when he hears of a victory which his school team has won.

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THE HERMIAD 7 ments for each day. And if there is a chaperone,-supposing that the camp- ers are young people,-she should be afforded every courtesy, and her advice should be followed. She should not have to do very much work while there are young people to do it. They should also include her in their good times, make her one of them. There are so many ways to have a good time while on a camping trip, that it would be impossible to name them all, but I can at least give an idea of one day's entertainment. What fun it is to get up a little after sunrise in the morning, jump into a bathing suit, and have a lively half-hour swimming and scrambling in the cold waters of the lake. Then comes a dash into dry clothing and the preparation of breakfast, which may consist of any food which the campers like. After the morning meal, when the small tasks of putting the camp in order are finished, it is great fun to go fishing, or boating, or on a hike through the woods. The campers are usually proud if they can catch enough fish for the noon meal, which is the heartiest of the day. In the afternoon there may be games, calls on neighboring campers, if there are any, or any other amusement which pleases the party. The evenings are the crowning glories of the days, however, when the group gathers around a camp fire to tell stories, sing, play musical instruments, or put on a few amateur theatricals. It is amusing to see the camp members, dressed in their ordinary camp regalia, stout clothes to stand the wear of camp life, trying to make their fellow members realize what or whom they are trying to imitate. If there are neighbors, all sorts of contests may be held between the camps, with a prize awarded to the winning gmoup. Oh, there is nothing more enjoyable than a summer camp, with congenial campmates. GENE? WHAT? fErnest Royle-19281 0 write, and what to Write: that is the question. This very day we were told we were to write something for the Hermiad. Almost anything will do, said the teacher, but I won't accept any- thing unless it is well done. , What shall we write about? t Oh, write about a football game, something about the school, a ghost story, or countless other things. Or perhaps you can write something original. How can we write something original? It is a common saying that there is nothing new under the sun. This is going to be nearly original, I think, but what a subject it is! It is the undisguised feelings of one who has to write when he does not feel like it. D

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