Portland High School - Totem Yearbook (Portland, ME)

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SENIORS I

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io PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL TOTEM Administration Portland High School Oilers all the courses required for college and other ad- vanced schools, and, in addition, has an ample supply of other courses designed to train the non-college student for a useful career. 4 Four years of English, required of all students, opens up a wide field of litera- ture and gives a background of correct speech and writing which is necessary for success in the present day world. History follows English closely in furnishing a proper background for understanding the world of today. Science with its branches of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, and General Science explains to be- wildered students the workings of a wonderful universe. One's education too is not complete if his mind has not been awakened to the necessity of quick thinking and rapid calculations via the mathematics course. Although some may never have any practical use for a foreign language, their knowledge of other nations and their native tongues leads to a better understanding of our neighbors. For those who desire a business position, the commercial course gives practice in bookkeeping, stenography, economics, business law, and allied subjects. The Vocational course starts one on the way to a desirable trade through its branches of drawing, woodworking, printing, electricity, machine, and automobile. In the Home Economics department the girls learn how to make themselves and their homes attractive. In addition to their regular class work, Portland High has a staff of teachers who specialize in physical education, sports, penmanship, glee club, band, and Orchestra. Gymnasium is required of freshmen and sophomores. For sports, foot- ball, basketball, baseball, tennis, hockey, and track are offered. Penmanship is for all commercial students. In the Glee Clubs, our best singers display their talent. Band and orchestra pro- vide our music whether at an assembly or a football game. Our school also offers a splendid art course. We have public speaking and debating, in both of which courses we have carried off honors in the past. The Cadet corps is such an old organization in the school that it has become a tradition. Our extensive library aids in reading and reference work and is greatly enjoyed. The school publications, one of which became the High Lights in the daily paper this year, give plenty of practice to future jour- nalists.

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12 PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL TOTEM SENIOR CLASS OFFICERS Clilford Lawson, Treasurerg William Walker, Vice-president: Vernon Loveitt, Secretary, Robert lvlulkern, President. President's Message By ROBERT T. MULKERN This is a century of Progress. Portland High School, when first opened in 1821, had 20 pupils. Now, one hun- dred and thirteen years later, it has more than igoo. This fact shows the rapid strides that education has taken along with the many discoveries and inventions of the past cen- tury. Our school has kept in harmony with these develop- ments and now offers each of her students a truly modern course. A question which has arisen and is the cause of much controversy is whether the pupils of the modein school re- tain the zealous attitude of those who gained their educa- tion in the smaller schools of the years past. I believe they ROBERT T. MUI,KERN do. Although the past century has brought many material changes, human nature has remained the same. We are often asked to consider the boy who did not have the educational advantages we enjoy, such as: public libraries, moving pictures, and radio. In most instances he had to walk miles to a poorly equipped schoolhouse and upon his return home was obliged to do chores, and in the evening continue his studying by candlelight. To many people this seems an excellent example of great sacrifice and zeal. But if we disregard our sympathies and attempt to answer the question more fairly, we find that this is neither zeal nor sacrifice. This mode of living was the result of en- vironment and was accepted by the people of the past generation as being perfectly