Smith Academy - Echo Yearbook (Hatfield, MA)

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SMITH ACADEMY 27

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26 PURPLE AND WHITE ECHO Pro-Merito On November 8, the Pro Merito members, Eve- lyn Kacinski, Dorothy Skarzynski, Esther Carter, Barbara Ryan and Lucy Zawacki, accompanied by faculty advisers Miss Ryan and Mr. Jakobek, en- joyed a day of fun at Easthampton where the Pro Merito Zone Meeting was held. Arriving at the Easthampton High School about 9.45, the group registered, and was welcomed by Easthampton students who showed visitors through all the classrooms, the gym, and the laboratory, and explained what classes were held in each room and how they were conducted. At 11.00 a meeting was held for the advisors in one of the classrooms while a meeting for the dele- gates was held in the auditorium, with Bernard Lovely presiding. After he told of the plans for the day, a number of selections were played by the Easthampton High School Orchestra, with Eli Bourdon conducting. This was followed by a wel- come extended by Principal Howell K. Thayer. The program continued with the reading of the reports from each school represented and the recitation of the poem If by Barbara Konopka. The meeting closed with the singing of the Pro Merito song. At 12.00 a delicious luncheon, enjoyed by all, was served at Ionic Hall. After the luncheon Wil- liam A. Dexter, Superintendent of Schools, spoke briefly. This was followed by a very interesting talk given by Robert W. Hisey, a student at Williston Academy, who told of the strict schools and the wild, man-eating animals in South Africa, where he had spent his early childhood. Another speaker with a very interesting topic, Mrs. Harvey Benson, was introduced later in the afternoon. Mrs. Benson told how she, a teacher, had been interned in the Philippines during the war. She mentioned the great hardships they had to undergo in the camp. Despite this, the adults there wished their child- ren to get some sort of education; so, they gath- ered up scraps of wood, and built desks and Mrs. Benson told how she was happy to teach the eager- to-learn children. A football game was scheduled for afternoon en- tertainment, but because of the heavy rain it was voted that we should not attend the game. Instead, a social gathering was held, with singing and danc- ing. About 3.00 we returned to Hatfield, after hav- ing a wonderful day. Dorothy Skarzynski, Lucy Zawacki, Evelyn Kacinski, Esther Carter, Barbara Ryan. On May 8, accompanied by Mr. Jakobek, we went to Tech High in Springfield to attend the annual state convention. At the business session a new constitution was adopted and new officers were chosen. It was voted that the next Pro Merito zone meeting would be held at Northampton in the fall. After a lunch in the school cafeteria, delegates heard a very inspiring address by Professor Rand of the University of Massachusetts who took for his subject, Apples of Hesperides. The afternoon closed with dancing in the gym.

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28 PURPLE AND WHITE ECHO Physical Fducation The comprehensive physical education program placed in the course of study for this year has been planned to provide each individual uniform growth and development. There are three excellent reasons for a course such as the one adopted this year. It must be admitted that the recreational aspects of physical education are desirable in that the proper use of leisure time in the coming years depends upon participation in desirable activities today. For those with correctible physical defects such as round shoulders, the remedial aspects of this program should provide improvement. Though there are many reasons for physical edu- cation, the most important are biological and physi- ological. Participation in a program of physical activity develops organic power, strength, agility and poise. The normal heart and circulatory systems become stronger and more efficient in moving blood to the active regions when repeatedly re- quired to do so. The voluntary muscles also increase in size and grow stronger when gradually increas- ing loads are placed on them to the point where their maximal voluntary pulling power is involved. This program should develop the following ob- jectives: the maintenance, improvement and appre- ciation of good health; optimum growth and de- velopment of each individual according to what his capabilities warrant, mindful of the differences in individuals, and greater appreciation and intel- ligent use of physical education activities adapted to individual needs. With the additional shower and locker room facilities recently approved by the town, the physical education program of Hatfield should meet the needs of the youth of Hatfield. John C. Jakobek Soccer Smith Academy ' s 1948 soccer squad had a fair season, with six defeats, one tie, and two scoreless games. Ted Besko, a good man, was unable to play this year because of an accident that left him with a bad leg. Through graduation, the squad had lost such players as Stanley Kirejczyk, Alex Widelo, and John Fortsch. This left weak spots in the line-up; nevertheless, the boys fought hard and were not to be taken lightly. The schedule included one game with the East- hampton team, champions of Western Massachu- setts. This team was indeed out of our boys ' class, and as a result the boys suffered defeat in a hard game. At the beginning of the season Coach Symancyk was able to depend on scrimmage sessions, be- cause of the number of boys who reported for practices. We must salute the under-classmen, who reported faithfully for practices and, when needed in a game, showed a developing talent. In winding up the year ' s schedule, Coach Sym- ancyk lost the following seniors: John Foster, Bernie Wendolowski, Jake Majeskey, Wimpy Kochan. Nevertheless, we are looking forward to next season, expecting some good games. SUMMARY Holyoke High 5 Smith Academy Holyoke Trade 3 Smith Academy Hopkins Academy 2 Smith Academy 1 Easthampton 7 Smith Academy Smith School 1 Smith Academy Holyoke High 2 Smith Academy 1 Holyoke Trade 1 Smith Academy 1 Hopkins Academy Smith Academy Smith School Smith Academy