Scarborough High School - Four Corners Yearbook (Scarborough, ME)

Page 14 text:

4 FOUR CORNERS acquire a love for good reading which is one of the greatest benefits to be derived from a high school course. We wish to sincerely thank all who helped make this project a success, and to remind our friends that any library is a growing institution and will always welcome any additions they may feel like making. A fine step for the alumni associa¬ tion to take would be an endowment, the interest of which might be used to purchase books in perpetuation of the memory of Scarboro ' s sons who fell in the great war. SUCCESS. Success in life depends chiefly upon the earnestness with which we perform our duties. The successful men and women are those who do with their might whatever they do. With a brave determination they give the task to be performed, whether of the head or hand, their undivided attention until the work is done. We are all familiar with people who are complaining of “ill luck.” They believe there never was a lot so hard as their’s; yet when they attempt to perform their tasks, they soon become weary, and neglect them until il is too late. Dissatisfied with life, they never permit themselves to become happy, but neglect all opportunities and declare that life is a failure. In the lives of many eminent men we read that when young they were compelled to suffer great self-denials, yet each lime, with renewed earnestness, they struggled on, and in the end attained success. Thus it might be with us all, if instead of becoming discouraged at the least obstacle which presents itself in our way, we should press on and strive to complete our tasks in the least possible time. How we do a thing is of far greater importance than what, or how much we do. It is said of our concepts, or thoughts, that they do not come to mind in a hap-hazard way, but are governed by cer¬ tain laws called “Laws of Suggestion,” chief among which is closeness of attention. Thus it is with success. It does not come to us by chance, but it is attained by observing certain rules, and if we put our whole mind to the work we shall be sure to make our mark in the world. C. M. A 7 ., ’20.

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FOUR CORNERS 3 When two classes are occupying the rooms, the noise from one room disturbs those reciting or studying in the other. This diverts not only the mind of the students but that of the teacher. The dressing rooms and halls are also crowded. Some of the girls are obliged to keep their wraps downstairs in the cloak rooms of the primary department. There is also no provision made cither in the way of room or equipment for the domestic science work or manual arts of any kind, not even a chance for a library, which all class A high schools require. Not only is this true of the high school but also of the lower grades in the same building. It s?cm to us that no m: re fitting memorial can be given our Scarboro boys, who fought in this great war, than a new high school building in honor and appreciation of their brave deeds and sacrifices. THE SCHOOL LIBRARY One of the most successful activities of the school year was the beginning of what we hope will be a permanent high school library. Through the combined efforts of the students and faculty, we have now a fine collection of about two hun¬ dred volumes covering a variety of topics. Nearly all of the books are new; many are the gift of local firms and school- text publishers, but a large percentage are personal contribu¬ tions from the students themselves, the alumni and friends interested in the school. All the fiction works have been cataloged according to the Cutler system, and are used by the students under the same regulations as any other library books. A book-case has been secured which, at present, is adequate, but it is hoped that this will soon be filled. Our library serves a double purpose: first, by having an accessible collection of books, the English department is enabled to meet all State requirements for outside reading; second, the students are given a chance to increase and better their knowledge of literature that is really worth while and

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FOUR CORNERS 5 iCitrtanj. AN UNKNOWN INCIDENT OF THE WAR. It was a cold, bleak November day and there were few people in the court-house. A young man was being tried for larceny, and as it was his fourth or fifth offense he was at once ordered to Sing Sing for a term of five years. As he was being led from the court-house, one had a good chance to look at his face. It was a handsome one, though marred by dissipation, He was tall and slender, with dark hair and eyes, and one would judge him to be about twenty- live years of age. One unfavorable feature was his look of recklessness, as if he “didn’t care.” An old woman and a young girl followed him out, weeping, but he Look no notice of them, except to glance at them impatiently. The young man was taken away to prison and made to put on the “stripes.” He had a chance to read the newspapers occasionally, however, and early in the year 1917 he became interested in the great European struggle. On the declara¬ tion of war by the United States, he and one or two other young fellows became excited, although they knew it was next to impossible for them Lo ' go. Nevertheless, they talked about it whenever they got a chance. At last an idea came to one of them and they decided to try it, although it seemed at first hardly worth thinking about. They resolved to send a petition to the Governor, asking to be pardoned and allowed to go into the service to fight for their country. At first the petition was abruptly refused, then the Governor said he would consider it, and finally came back the word that they might go. There were never more happy boys than Harry Nolan and his comrades on the day they were allowed to take off their “stripes” and put on the uniform. But still that look of recklessness lurked in young Nolan’s face. Not once did he write or in any way let his mother or sister know of his release. To quote his words: “What a re women good for, anyway? Who wants to be cried over and petted by some silly woman?”