Rangeley High School - Tattler Yearbook (Rangeley, ME)

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T H E 'r see its practical application. The com- mercial course prepares girls and boys not only to earn, but to save money. Domestic science is a very important study in the education of girls. So many mothers have not the time to teach the daughter the elliciency of housekeeping. It is false reasoning to say' that because a girl marries she knows how to make a home, or that because a young wife has a child that she knows how to care for it. Instincts are strong, but trained, eflicient habits are safer. Nine-tenths of our girls marry. Most of them have spent twelve years in business training, some more, while they have prepared little, if any for tl1e fifty years or more of home-making which they are to follow. Domestic science teaches these girls sewing, cooking, and all things that will make their home lives easier, neater and happier. In many High schools music is taught, glee clubs are formed and an orchestra. A music teacher is procured who is capable and who will teach the use of all instru- nients. ln niany cases histrunients are fur- nished those who are not able to purchase one of their own. Manual training is a term used in teach- ing pupils the use of simple tools. It is a training of the eye, hand, mind, and as a part of their general education. In many progressive schools manual training has become as much recognized as history or geography. In addition to imparting man- ual skill and accuracy, it is especially valu- able in cultivating the observation, in developing self-reliance, and resource. Carefully graded exercises in drawing, paper-cutting, plaiting, and weaving, wire- work, clay, and cardboard modeling and woodwork. Many beautiful and useful articles have been made, at little expense, by the girls and boys of the schools. Be- sides this boys become skillful in repairing around the house. One of the chief functions of the High school is to train girls and boys to become A TTLER N leaders, thinkers and doers. If a person has no education he cannot take part in the affairs of the town or country in which he lives. Such a person is of no benefit to the country. So education is the one thing that is absolutely indispensable in the new Democ- racy. And it must be as new as the new democracy itself. It must not only keep pace with the Ere department, the street department, the health department, but it must lead them all in public attention, in public support, in public appreciation, in finance and in statesmanship. Then, too, one must have good education to become a good citizen. It is beyond human imagination to conceive of any way to make national or international democ- racy, safe without the best possible educa- tion of all the children of all the people. Nothing but education adequately deep and broad and high can promote and protect domestic, industrial, commercial, social, civic, and religious conditions, without which Democracy is as impossible as pure water in a stagnant pool. And this is the chief function of the American High School. Marian Nile, JZI. ESSAY FROM THE VALEDICTORY HARLES LEE COOK of Louisville, Kentucky, is a genius, though he has never walked a step in his life. His schooling was ended after only three years because his parents felt sure he would not live to reap the benefits of a proper educa- tion. However, at the age of eight years, he built a steam engine and although he received no encouragement at home, he worked on until he became successful in many ambitious achievements. It took him twelve years to establish a modest factory which was destined to play an important part in carrying out some of the greatest construction and engineering projects in America. This formed the basis of the large manufacturing business he now con'- ducts. Mr. Cook declares that self-pity is

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18 THE. T know this is meant for Leora Tomlinson. Don't you remember that riding on one of these, or helping to run one, used to be her favorite pastime? Leora, knowing that you have had so much experience in running a hand-car, and that you have never met with any acci- dents, I present this to you. VVitl1 this at hand, in the future, you can start toward Rangeley any time that you are homesick. DAN: What a magical wheel this is proving to be! Look at this! Three gifts this tin1e! A cat, a cup and saucer. These can be for no one else but Miriam Hun- toon. You know Miriam always had old- maid ways, and these will be just what she will want to content her in her later years. Miriam, this cup will give you good cheer whenever you feel down-hearted, and the cat will sing and purr for you through the long winter evenings, thus preventing your becoming lonely. I-l,xz1zL: Now all our classmates have been remembered. Do you suppose this wheel could possibly hold any gift for you and I? DAN: I cannot say, but let us try, any- way, and see. I-Iere's something for you! A book on First Aid to Injured I-Iearts. Well, I know this a most helpful book, have decided to study the art of nursing. No doubts hearts will be you will find Hazel, as you your specialty, anyway. Do make good use of it. I-IAZEI.: Now I shall turn this wheel of Fortune to see if as nice a gift will not appear for you. I had better use the charm, too, that our luck may not fail us now. Turn! Turn! Oh wheel of Fortune! Turn! Turn! And give to me Gifts for all of my dear classmates, Gifts so rare and fine to see. . . . 'I For Dan Pillsbury. This young lady is given to Dan Pillsbury, because it is under- stood that with l1is interest in farming, and his work at the University of Maine, he will be altogether too busy to choose from A T T L E R the fair sex. Dan, I trust this young lady will charm away any hours of loneliness that you may have. Friends and Classmates: We hope that these gifts may prove useful to you, and that you will enjoy them as greatly as we have i11 bestowing them. Nay it be your good fortune to receive Life's greatest gifts all through the years to come. Hazel Knowles, Dun Pillsbury, 2I. ESSAY The Function of the American High School I-IE hrst High school of America was established in New York in 18:21 to meet the needs of those who did not intend to enter college. Only a few subjects were taught at that time. If a boy or girl wished to take a business or special course, they could not do so, as it was not included in the curriculum. Gradually college preparatory subjects were introduced, until High schools be- came preparatory schools. The number of subjects increased rapidly and short infor- mation conrses were given, mainly in sci- ence. In 1892 it was decided to give the same courses to pupils whether they were going to attend college or not, and two years of study in four main lines, namely, mathe- matics, languages, history and science, were given. Now the introduction of the elective sys- tem has admitted a choice of studies. The High school now oH'ers, as a rule, a four years' course, comprised to meet the needs of any pupil preparing for a life work. Commercial courses, domestic science, manual training, and other useful courses are given in the up-to-date High school. The commercial course is given to fit the student for a business life. At the present time we are recovering from the wastes of one of the most disastrous wars of history. A movement is afoot to induce thrift, and commercial teachers are training pupils to

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20 THE T fatal to success and that some of those who have started life with the worst handicaps have accomplished the most. He faced nothing but discouragement, but the life he now leads enables him by example and effort to contribute in his own way to the progress of the Republic and its citizens. The life of this man serves fittingly as an example of the motto, WE BUILD THE LADDER BY WHICH WE CLIMBY' VVe know that in order to reach a success- ful point in life, there are many steps which have to be taken. These steps rep- resent a ladder leading upward. Character is the main foundation of this ladder. Character determines the only true value of people and their workg character has a great iniiuence upon a nation, there- fore it is a power. So in building, we must see to it that character is strong and firm enough to bear the weighty burdens which will be placed upon it. VVith a firm foundation completed, we shall begin to shape the rounds by which we shall reach the top. These will be made of the knowledge we acquire, hence it be- hooves us to gain all we can. Grit, vision, and the ability to overcome obstacles are qualities which carry the climber upward. Let us be careful that there are no broken rounds, for these signify failure. Still this ought not to hinder progress. We should strive to make the ones above stronger, for there must not be too many broken rounds. If failure comes, find the difficulty, remedy it and strive on. Many have not reached the top of the ladder for they have been confronted by obstacles which seemed impossible to over- come, although did Youth only realize this, the things which seem to oppose are, in truth, not so great as they appear. History furnishes us with thousands of examples of men who have accomplished the seem- ingly impossible and attained greatest re- sults. We must not wait for the extraordinary opportunities but must grasp the lesser ones and build upon them. Every life is full of them and it is the idle man, not the am- A TTLER bitious one, who is always complaining that he is given no opportunity. Every circum- stance may be made into material for suc- cess, and nie may learn from others who have pushed their way upward and now stand, self-poised, upon the topmost round. With all the opportunities of today, by keeping one single aim we, too. should endeavor to overcome all obstacles, for reward is waiting for every person of energy and ability. To have a delinite aim is the important essential in our lives. Nature intended us to have a life purpose and it is through keeping that in view that the highest .round of our ladder is reached. We should aim high, but at the same time aim at that which we have the ability to reach. Shakespeare said: Lowliness is young Ambition's ladder, NVhereto the climber upward turns his face. We should not overestimate our talents or mislead ourselves in regard to them. Neither should we wait for a greater op- portunity. Now is the time to build our ladder. The present day holds tl1e material from which we may build as fast as we will. Can it be put to a better use than for self- improvement ? worth while are'usually placed Providence and all effort must reach out for them. We are called upon to climb to great All things by a Divine be made to some times heights to secure the prize we seek, but after we have gained it, we realize that our efforts are well rewarded. The climbing may be slow and tedious, but we should make each lesson we learn serve as a step upward and onward. And'when we have scaled the ladder of success we will dis- cover that there are still loftier heights beyond. To live that we each day may be, As time goes swiftly by, A little further from the earth And -nearer to the skyf' May we be given the insight to choose wisely the heights to which we shall aspire, remembering always that NVE BUILD THE LADDER BY 'WHICH WE CLIMBY Lucille Huntoon, 121.