Sharon High School - Mirror Yearbook (Sharon, PA)

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Administration The high school, as we know it, is a distinctly American institution. No other government has accepted the responsibility of supplying higher education to the masses. Such training has been left to the church or other public or private institution. The first high school in the United States was founded in Boston in 1821. In slightly more than a century this type of school has grown until now every boy and girl in our country has the privilege of a free high school education. This means that one does not have to be rich to secure this opportunity; the child from a family in humble circumstances may develop talent which other wise might remain latent. This is the fullest realization of the watch word of our democracy, “Equal opportunity for all.” As this great system of high schools has grown, necessarily there has been considerable change in the interpretation of its purpose. It was a direct descendant of the academy so, at first, preparation for entrance to college was its main goal. Later it was observed that comparatively few of the graduates went to college. This raised the question as to whether the limited number of courses gave the best training for participation in adult activities. Now college preparatory work is only one of many fields offered in an up-to-date high school. In larger cities whole high schools are concerned with vocational work. Everything possible, within the limits of available financial resources, is being done to see that each l oy or girl has a chance for his full development. This growth of high schools has made necessary the training of large numbers of teachers and administrators. Every large university lias added a School of Education. Teaching has become a highly specialized profession. It is no longer possible for every college graduate to teach. Teachers must have special training. Along with the variety of courses, methods have been developed to scientifically direct each pupil into the work for which he is best fitted. The time is not far distant when a pupil’s mental capacity and abilities will be measured by the school as accurately as a doctor can diagnose his physical condition. These great opportunities have not been offered without serious objection on the part of some of our citizens. There have been several notable cases where the courts have been called upon to establish the right of a lioard of education to assess taxes to support high schools. Fortunately for our youth this right was established. The question arises, “Will we continue this development, that is will we spend the necessary money?” A study of school expenses and national wealth shows a direct relationship between the two. As we have increased our educational facilities our national wealth has grown in proportion. An observation of other nations shows the same trend. The nations with poor school systems are poverty stricken. Examples are China and India. This makes it appear that money spent on our schools pays a large dividend. Many persons do not realize this fact. As citizens of the United States it will be our duty to determine whether we shall carry on this greatest of all educational programs or drop back to the ranks ot those who are the privileged few. W. BAY IRVINE.

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A BirdVeye View Some of the things which those who work in the high school consider prosaic may have an interest to those who are not so familiar with the details of the Administrative Department. This page is presented to you as a review of some of the facts and figures for the school year 1931-32. The regular enrollment for the year was 261 seniors, 262 juniors, 386 sophomores, 426 freshmen arid 293 post graduates making a total enrollment of 1,428. The percent of attendance was 96. Of the students other than the post graduates, 770 were enrolled in the Academic Course, 371 in the Commercial Course and 194 in the General Course. For a number of years the enrollment of hoys and girls has been on a parity. This year there are 701 girls and 727 boys. 'I wo hundred sixty students will graduate on June 7. Last year the total enrollment was 1,214 and 206 students were graduated. The Commercial Course was aided by the addition of 10 new typewriters making a total of 43. Six members of last year’s faculty did not return, namely, Miss F.velyn Brown, Miss Jane Holden, Miss Marian Whieldon, Miss Gretchen Stewart, Mr. E. Y. Brandon and Mr. Harry Newell. Miss Augusta Gibbons left in February and her place was taken by Miss Fleanor Gamble. The new teachers this year are Miss Winifred Loutzenhiser, Miss Dorothy Wray, Miss Lois Wagoner, Miss Dorris Cook, Miss Anna Grace Smith, Miss Marian Craig and Mr. Carl T. Flack and Mr. G. C. Stover. Each year some improvements are made in the school plant. In order to accommodate those attending the basketball games, the lot north of the building is being ashed and flood lights have been installed so that it will in time make an ideal parking ground. Several years ago the Cercle Francais planted trees along the entire Case Avenue front of our lot. these trees have grown rapidly and each passing year will give its thanks to the Cercle Francais for its thoughtfulness. The former Domestic Science was remodeled into a General Science Class Room. 'the graduates in Sharon High School are to be found in about 40 different colleges and universities scattered over the United States from Lelaiul Stanford to Harvard and from Michigan to Duke University and the University of Texas The Athletic Field which was dedicated on October 6, 1928, is equipped with bleachers seating about 3,300 people. All of us look forward to the time when the permanent bleachers will be erected. This, with the cinder track which incircles the playing field covered with a splendid turf, will make one of the finest athletic fields in this section. Each morning the students report to 34 home rooms, 7 senior, 7 junior, 9 sophomore and 11 freshmen. For several years the office force has been composed of principal, vice principal and three clerks. Co-operating with the State Bible Study Contest, Sharon High School enrolled in these classes girls and boys who met every Wednesday morning for eight weeks, closing week being a test. In the Attendance Contest, Sharon High, both boys and girls, topped every school in our division. While the results are not yet in. we are hoping that we won the contest which was based upon attendance and the final examination. This would entitle our high school to special recognition by the State Y. M. C. A. The following clubs furnish opportunity for extra curricular activities: Cercle Francais. Latin, Spe-Rc-Wri, Biology, T. M. T. M., Hi-Y, Tri-Hi-Y, Spanish, Junior Chamber of Commerce. The Tri-Hi-Y is the infant club, having been started this year. Our halls are taking on new appearance. Last year about twelve new pictures were hung such as “Sir Galahad, the Deliverer,” “The Dawn of Intelligence,” Hudson’s “Halt Moon,” “Where the Sun Goes,” “The Crest of the Sierras,” “The Carpet of Allah,” “Glimpse of the Valley,” “The Castle of the Maidens, King Lear,” “Castles in Spain,” “The Sante Fe Trail,” and “Merchant of Guise.” Seven new pictures which have been ordered will be hung before the close of school. The trophy case has about reached capacity. Up to the present time this year the football team added the county trophy. These things are largely material evidence of Sharon High School’s activities. The real life of the school goes on in the hearts of the boys and girls who show their loyalty to the school by participating in its activities in a manner which gives credit to themselves and to their school.

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■ ADMINISTRATION