Shields High School - Patriot Yearbook (Seymour, IN)

Page 16 text:

these bricks. Just the thing for the foundation and inner lining.”’ At this I trembled so violently with joy that several of my companions fell to the pavement with a crash, which made even the conversing gentlemen take notice. . During the summer and fall of 1911, hammers clanged, machinery buzzed, men worked and whistled; and soon the new building rose upon the foundation of the old, like a young tree that springs up from the fruit of the towering oak. And behold! the stately and majestic new High School building. My once narrow corridors have expanded into spacious halls; my once crowded, poorly ven- tilated, and ill lighted rooms have become models of sanitation. I rejoice to find existing a per- vading spirit of earnestness, loyalty, and good comradeship which makes me proudly float my colors. Through the kindness of friends and the loyal efforts of the pupils, my walls are hung with beauti- ful pictures; my halls are adorned with graceful statuary and my gymnasium furnished with the best modern equipment. The Old Building and the New send greetings to all the dear children of Seymour. Its doors swing open wide, waiting for you. “‘Come, come, come,” it seems to say, “neglect not thy opportunity of a lifetime to drink at the fountain of knowledge in such delightful surroundings. Dear children, Come! Come! Come!”’

Page 15 text:

Shields High Srhonl WAS erected in 1871. Brick by brick, my walls rose, until at last my lofty head proudly lifted itself skyward. About me were planted thrifty young trees, and in the midst of my beautiful surroundings I stood, proudly conscious of my great and important calling. My walls soon rang with the voices of children, and from my halls were turned out graduates, who are an honor to my institution. Judges, an attorney-general, speakers, congressmen and legislators were once the mischievous little boys who played under my trees and skipped through my halls. Years passed on. Seymour grew from a thrifty little village to a growing and prosperous little town. The school population increased rapidly and the citizens began to cry: ‘““More room; build a south wing!’’ and lo! it was accomplished. Commence- ments were then held in my assembly room, but this soon became too small, and the different churches were used to accommodate the crowds, that flocked to these great annual affairs. As the decades passed one after another over my head, and the little trees, upon which once long ago I had looked down, now spread their branches and lifted their heads far beyond me, I began to feel the infirmities of old age. They braced me up as best they could; erected fire-es- capes; but no use; my floors were warped, my doors creaked, my stairways were worn and unsafe, my walls moldy, my whole frame trembled with every swaying breeze. And once again the cry came from the city: ““Too small; too far behind the times. Our children should have and do deserve a better school home.’’ So the edict went forth, and then the havoc commenced. I was treated more cruelly than ever I dreamed human beings could treat me. ‘They knocked and they banged; and finally (it is too painful to relate) I remained only a pile of white, mortar-bestrewn bricks. “Alas!” thought I, “‘my day is over.” There I remained in stacks for several weeks. One day, as I was patiently awaiting my fate, I overheard the contractor remark to a member of the School Board: “Sure, we can use

Page 17 text:

Board of School Crusters William M. Casey LeRoy Miller Benjamin FH. Schueck PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER E WHO dares to stand for right, He who dares to stand for truth, Bravely seeking for the right In the halcyon days of youth. He it is who brave and fearless, Launched upon the sea of life, In both days of woe or brightness, Guides his craft amid the strife.