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

Page 12 text:

4 FOUR CORNERS As he lay amid the dowers with the sweetness that he loved, with the still, white seal of immortality on his forehead, we sorrowed for the loved friend and dear school¬ mate whose voice had been so swiftly stilled, and for the parents who have the echoes and memory of that loved son as a silent token. His was a brave fight against the odds of illness, but God willed that his battle, unyielding as it was, should end, and he went “Unstumbling, unreluctant, strong, unknowing. Borne by a Will not his, that lifts, that grows. Sweeps out to Darkness, triumphing in his goal. Out of the fire, out of the little room — There is an end appointed, O my Soul!”

Page 11 text:

FOUR CORNERS NORMAN WEBSTER LAUGHTON On May 3, 1921, the student body and community at large were saddened to learn of the death o( Norman Webster Laughton, President of the Senior class at Scarborough High School. Seldom has the death of a student meant so much to the school or been so deeply mourned as the passing of this brilliant student, genial personality, and upright, splendid, young manhood. Norman Webster Laughton was born in Portland, Maine, May 30, 1903, the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Laughton. His early education was obtained in the grammar school at Dunstan where his parents had made their residence. Graduating from that school with high rank and the love of all his schoolmates, he entered Scarborough High School in the fall of 1017. In high school, as in the grades, his scholarship was undis¬ puted and his popularity unquestioned. Compelled by the handicap of a frail body to forego the sports which he gladly would have entered, he devoted his talents to the maintenance of a high grade of scholarship, winning the valedictory with an average of over ninety-one despite many days of enforced absence. Even when obliged to leave school about two months ago on account of fast failing health, he kept up his studies until no longer able to do so. During his Junior year he developed into an orator of surprising ability, winning a bronze medal in the preliminary contest at Scarborough, and getting a unanimous decision for the silver medal at Cape Elizabeth High School in the final event, thus doing a large share in securing the coveted trophy. In his Senior year he showed the public another side of his exceedingly versatile ability by doing one of the cleverest bits of amateur comedy acting ever seen in any high school play. As the “Bashful Mr. Bobbs” he scored a decided hit. His whimsical interpretation of the lines is a memory that will never be forgotten by those who heard the play. As the readers of this paper, of which Norman was the editor-in-chief, turn the pages, may they think of him whose life work was scarcely begun, but so well done that it leaves the impression of completeness rarely attained by those who have journeyed longer on the highway of life. Of such youth has the poet written: “These laid the world away; poured out the red Sweet wine of youth; gave up the years to be Of work and joy, and that unhoped serene That men call age.”

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lEiittDriala Despite the added cost of production this year we have tried to keep the paper up to its usual standard of excellence, and feel that many features are showing a decided superiority over those of former editions. As all know, the size of a paper depends upon the number of ads that it can secure, for it is from these ads that the chief source of revenue is obtained. Business firms and individuals have responded well to our call for ads and it is hoped that while looking through the paper ihe reader will not fail to take notice of the advertisements, and whenever possible, patronize the firms represented. It has been said by a great many people that Scarborough High does not fit students for college, but this has been disproved, for five of our boys and girls who entered col¬ lege last fall have all passed very credit¬ ably, and one student who is at Bates College passed with flying colors, receiving “A” in all of her studies. There are also members of the same class and of former classes who are holding important positions in the business world. This goes to show that although the boys and girls of Scar¬ borough go to a building that is not wholly adequate they come up to the mark in their studies. 1 ' his is an example of what we can do under the conditions now. What a great chance we would have to make a bet¬ ter success of ourselves if we had a standard High School Building! We have spent all the ready cash solic¬ ited for the development of our play ground and are now devising plans to obtain more in order to complete our grounds by the addition of a giant stride and a maple slide. These are very popular amusements, this fact being proved in a Portland play ground, when, after the tots were snoozing in bed, children of the second stage made use of these articles to such an extent that the pleasure was forbidden them. At present the children of primary school age are enjoying a sand box and teeter boards. High school students and even faculty members often find their way to the latter. At the rear of the building is the appa¬ ratus for basket ball where boys of both Grammar and High Schools are found. The principal center of attraction just now is the tennis court. Seats are to be provided and placed near the court for the benefit of spectators. Back of the tennis court is a space which is known as the base ball diamond. We are endeavoring to make our play ground a huge success, for the pupils are not only afforded a means of amusement, but physical development as well. PI. E. K. ’2i This year a plan of having an exemption list was introduced and though it has been in effect for only a short time, it promises