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

Page 13 text:

was HEBMIAD 1 DOES IT PAY? flda M. Tracy--19291 S this is a theme for the Hermiad and since most of the readers of this magazine are high school children, I have decided to write a story with a moral attached to it. This decision was based upon a systematic study of the different classes of children around me. The time is around the last of any month and the scene is any class room in which a monthly exam is being giveng the characters, a group of children sitting expectantly at their desks, papers before them, pencils poised, and their whole attitude that of dejected martyrs. The signal is given to turn over the papers and all start to write simultaneously. A half hour previously, a small, timid youngster had witnessed a solemn compact between two of the smartest girls of the class and the smartest boy. One of the girls, whispering excitedly, neglecting to lower her voice to the medium usually obtained when discussing private and important affairs of any kind, uttered the following words which the youngster, who, by the way, had no intentions of eavesdropping, overheard. Eddie, will you manage to sit in front of us during the test, and turn your paper so that we may see it if we get stuck? Well, said Eddie, you know it would seem funny if I should sit way over there by you girls, and anyway all the fellows would laugh at me. Then you do not think it would be worth doing, even for the sake of two dances at the Senior reception ? pleaded the second girl, W-e-l-1, two dances each with two pretty girls are not to be sneezed at, he decided, and added abruptly, All right, I'll do itg but be careful or we'll get caught. With these words he hurried away to join the rest of the gang. There. laughed one of the girls, didn't I tell you it would be easy? Yes, the other replied, you're a wizard all right. At this moment the bell rang and the two hurried to the class-room. The timid youngster, making her way more slowly, muttered between set teeth, So that is the way they do itg no wonder they always get on the honor roll. Eddie is such a nice boy too: they have no right to bother him. I'll bet they won't give him the dances at the reception either. Thus a very indignant young girl found herself one seat in back of the two schemers and two seats in back of the adored Eddie. One hour passed, during which time the exams were completed and collected.

Page 12 text:

fivu-at-Crwqwn-w -QHE ganammnv-A W i de nite plan when they enter high school. Some are fortunate enough to st ke the right course while others wander from one course to another, mziking it hard for themselves, achieving very little toward success, then, w n graduation comes, they wonder why they are not up to the standards of th course. If a pupil cannot decide definitely before entering high school, hejshould at least decide as quickly as possible while he is attending a second- ary school, so that he will be able to place special emphasis on some subjects which will benefit him most. i The second element making for success is the aim to develop a personality th t corresponds to ideal manhood. The term personality is used in the broad se se of the word. It means that man should develop himself so that he can co! mand respect, admiration, and confidence of his fellowmen. i The matter of personality is now receiving more thought and attention a ong people. It is a deciding factor in making of success. Men that are ex erienced in placing men in positions of responsibility can fully see the value of a pleasing personality and its effects on other people. Examples of the value of personality are around us. One man will make an immediate success while another, equally as well qualified, will struggle years before hei can obtain any degree of success. The true success is not due to luck, buit to success factors which are ability, personality and perseverance. The better these factors are developed, the greater will be the success. i At times it will take all the will power and determination you haveg nevertheless do not give upg keep on going. Never give up, has been the motto of many successful men. Therefore it should be the motto of every individual who desires any degree of success. There is not such a word as can't g everything can be done by hard labor. Giving up because some things come hard, quitting because he lacks sufficient backbone to carry on, dropping because of discouragement, turns a man's spine into jelly, and makes a loser of a possible winner. The failures are due chiefly to lack- of perseverance and hard labor. Work while you work and play while you play andathen you will never waste any valuable time. In other wordsg Constancy of purpose brings Success.

Page 14 text:

8 THE HERMIAD The next day the teacher returned the corrected papers, saying as she did so: I was very much disappointed in these papers, for I find that there are only three one-hundreds in the whole class of more than thirty. The three who find a one-hundred mark on their papers may come to the front of the room. . The two girls and Eddie made their way to the front of the room, the former laughing, and the latter self-conscious and ashamed. I find, continued the teacher, that there is a similarity beween these three papers that is not only evident but very conspicuous, and in view of the fact that Mr. Chapman overheard a little conversation between you three, I have entered two zeroes and only one one-hundred in my rank book. Eddie, I have not altered your mark but remember, you are too good a student to bother with girls who are low enough to cheat. Girls, I am ashamed of you ! she said. The three slowly made their way back to their seats, this time, two with their heads bowed in shame, and one who bore the look of a person who has learned a great lesson. The little girl received a mark of 98, and was exceedingly proud, for the work was her own. Eddie was obliged to stand in front of the room with the little girl, and receive congratulations-they were the smartest pupils in the class! Let me add, also, that Eddie did not lack dances at the reception for he had suddenly become a great hero in the eyes of one little girl who danced fully as well, if not better, than the two cheats. iff? A LAMENT 1Edward Bellavanee-1 9305 Why are you sad, my little man? Why do you feel so blue? I had a test, the young man said And I flunked the same as you. That is too bad, my little man, What will your father say? I do not know, the young man said, But, I'm sure l'll rue the day.