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

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17 TI-IE HERMIAD ' ' f -...- -495 monthly on time always, and with added improvements in each issue. A The financial condition of P. H. S. can be illustrated quite satisfactorily, xxiih a ittlc exaggeration, if we imagine our good school as a wounded wood- chuck or groundhog in winter. This winter of which I speak, the time from 1925-30, has been an infinitely long time and the groundhog has not been hi- bernating so long, of his own free will. No indeed: he would have left the place Cdebtsl long ago, if it hadn't been for a lot of dirt and gravel Cschool fi'-fbls and bill-D, uhi- h had blocked up the entrance to his burrow. But, one vxould naturally be inclined to say, I thought such an animal could dig through the earth. So it can, naturally. This groundhog, however, as I mentioned be- fore, was slightly injured, that is, his paws, fthe A. AJ because of some mis- fortune had been weakened and bruised, and his claws Cschool enthusiasmb were not Sharp enough to dig with good result. And so, because of the weak- ness of his paws and his nails the poor animal has been unable, during that long winter, to dig himself out of all the debts. Now, assuming that we comprehend the unfortunate predicament, P. H. S. is at some time or other in, can you not see where with added strength, with sharper enthusiasm, with a stronger A. A., and with the several clubs mentioned to share the duties heaped on the A. A. at present, enough money could be brought in at any time to extricate the hog from his hole, and to change him into a bird, carefree and easy, with a home tthose school debts! on which it ct-u'd sit, and not one u hich could sit on it, figuratively speaking, or entrap it, as in bygone years. This is but one of the advantages of clubs that might be men'ioncd. Coming, myself, from a well-known school in Massachusetts, the B. M. C. Durfec High School of Fall River, which had about ten different organizations such as the ones mentioned, I am able to produce here certain statistics which well represent the effectiveness of such bodies. An unfortunate accident happened one night: one of the branches of the school, a large technical building, was burned to the ground, which, strange as it may seem to some, caused great sorrow in the school. Eventually, two years later, a new building was raised on the same site. When it was completed, a fund was started to decorate the school, and purchase paintings, pictures, and small furnishings. At the beginning of the year all of the clubs immediately set to work, and instead of keeping all of the profits that they made, they do- nated part of them to the fund. The faculty of the school, after presenting a play, turned over to the principal, Sl26.30: the school newspaper contributed 5183.60 which it had collected by conducting a series of three candy sales in the school: the Commercial Club donated 3100.00 A prize-winning play netted 35000, another 51000: an evening class gave 33500, after conducting a sale of paintings, embroidery and millinery made by the students: the Forum gave 5907: the Institute, Sl3.83, and the interest on the sum was 51.72, making a total amount of 5529.52 at the end of the year. This does not represent all the

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THIE HICRMIAD 14 How much for a Sophomore? VVho wants to buy? In a twinkle all the students cried out, Il I! And then titty odd students, both younger and older, Lugged home a young Soph high up on his shoulder. CLUBS-A POSSIBILITY FGR P. H. S. CGeorge Agayoff-l930l HAT school is there that has a student body which will not participate in the various actixities of the school? There is none, and there never will be, as long as the opportunities are offered. In the best and most up-to-date high schools in the country, there is a sys- tem of extra-curricular activities, which tend to give character to the school. add to its attractions, kindle the interest of the pupils, supply them with a practical education and experience, and also help the school in its finances. These activities, exclusive of various sports, are the different school organiza- tions or clubs. Almot every department in a high school could organize a club for the purpose of stiniu'ating interest in its subject and of making it possible for the students to apply the art studied. The English department, perhaps, has a chance to do most in this field. It could form a Dramatic Club the members of which could study drama and present plays throughout the whole year for entertainment. In this way, desired practice would be obtained, and a certain ami-un: of money collected. A Forum might also be formed from a group in- terested in oratory and debating. From the large number of students who usual- ly apply for membership in such a popular organization, a Debating Team could be organized and debates scheduled with other schools. Another possibility is a Journalism Class, formed by those who wish to excel later on in literary tields and newspaper writing. A school newspaper, issued weekly might well be the work of this class. The Commercial Department might possibly get a Commercial Club into operation, have the usual dues paid, interest aroused, entertainments scheduled. and money made for the club and school. The Orchestra and Gee Clubs, which usually go hand in hand. are pojvuhtr in any school. The possibility and practicability oi all these clubs in Plainfield High School is cvident, and one can easily see where, through them, many problems i-t the schoo', and especialTy in the sports, can be overcome with but little effort. Sue' cess in this new plan of clubs is assured by the way the Biology Club has pros- pere l. Because of the interest shown and the enthusiasm with which its works has been carried out, the club has been able to issue the Outdoor XYorld,'

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THE HERMIAD 16 money raised by the clubs as some was kept in the club treasuries. Is it not evident that this suggestion is an important one, too beneficial in many ways to be turncd aside without a trial? Its possibilities and advantages, as connected with Plainfield High School, should be carefully judged, by teach- ers as well as by pupils. Plainfield High School will have a greater distinction in the future, its problems will not be so colossal, and the individual student, a possible member of each of the new clubs, will have a wider and more practical education, which will stand him in good stead in life, if only these activities are endorsed. WE THE CLASS OF 1930 CDonald C. Gallup-19301 They'll never say that we were falsely proud: That we weren't always loyal to our schoolg Or, when the praise for some great deed was loud, That these great minds were ever else than cool, For slander can't be carried 'gainst a class, Whose great repute, no false report can marg The only criticism to amass, Is that our members were too bright, by far. For four long years, we've worked and done our bit To make this school the very, very best: And when we leave, they know they'll be hard hit, To find, at all, our peers among the rest.. So, though they search this great wide world around, To equal us a class will not be found. C224 SELECTION FROM GENERAL INFORMATION LESSED is the Senior who walketh in the corridors of P. H. S., and fre- quenteth all of its classes, for his delight is in the law laid down by the Student Council and he studieth his lessons day and night. He shall be the model, set as an example to others, for he seeth all A's on his report cardg his brightness shall glow more brightly, and his cause shall continue to pros- per. The under classmen are not so: but are like unto the kindergarten children, who are not yet come to responsibility. Therefore, the under classmen cannot be compared with the Seniors, and are worthy only of scorn and contempt. For authorities recognize genius and can be only adverse to plain ignorance.