Spencerville High School - Echoes Yearbook (Spencerville, OH)

Page 25 text:

School Citizenship PARENTS - FACULTY - FRIENDS- On behalf of the forty-four members of the 1952 graduating class, I wish to welcome you to this-Our Graduation. It is only fitting that you our parents, faculty, and friends, be at this great occasion. You have provided many opportunities for us throughout all our school years. Among the many opportunities and one of the most important, is citizenship. But what is being offered to our students in the line of citizenship? Are they able to live as free citizens in our schools or are they tied to a strict law of silence? For example, in some schools when the students are dismissed they are to leave the building in files as if they were first and second grade students. Is this citizenship, are the students free and do they have the freedom to exercise or are they like prisoners who do as other folks say? Some schools have detention rooms where students are placed after they have done something wrong. Detention rooms are like solitary confinement cells, and after the student has been placed in these rooms, he learns nothing. Wouldn't it be better to have a person to act as a councilor and give the student who has gone wrong a bit of guidance, rather than to punish him and to take the chance that he won't go wrong again? Of course, the task of teaching citizenship cannot be wholly placed on the teachers' should- ers. The students have a responsibility. Their part in citizenship is to carry on regular work and activities, to obey and enforce laws, and to be punctual. The lessons must be learned thoroughly, thoroughly doesn't mean lust to have the questions answered but to have the lesson so com- pletely Iearned that the student could lead class discussion if necessary. To do this a pupil must learn the power of concentration, which is another great aid to citizenship. One must study the task so that it may be a completed iob. Not only in studies must a completed iob be done, but also in other activities such as athletics. For girls and boys alike, every school offers some type of athletics. In athletics a person has a chance to develop himself, not only physically but mentally, he must learn to take defeat when it comes and not to loose his temper, and he must be able to think fast, for when a tight spot comes in a game, he must know what to do and how to do it. For those who do not play on the teams that represent the school, there is an intramural program planned. Thus, stu- dents participating in intramurals are also getting their citizenship training. In school a student has a great chance to develop his sense of responsibility by seeing that his studies are done, 'by helping other students and accepting the position of an officer in some organization. The classrooms must offer a chance to live together, to think together, and to work to- gether in order to build better citizens for today and for the future. Classrooms aren't places iust to learn the lesson, but are places for the students to think and to live. Perhaps there is no school in the United States that does not let its students vote in one way or another. What is better citizenship training than voting? In many schools each class takes an annual trip. Traveling on these all day trips gives the students another opportunity to live and learn together. Inviting outside speakers to come to the schools is a fine way for the students to learn and to broaden their understandings. Hearing from persons who have actually witnessed the happenings always gives a person a better chance to form his own opinion. These are only a few of the many opportunities for the students but are they receiving these opportunities and even more for good citizenship? Are we living up to the ideals that were set up by Earl James McGrath, United States Commissioner of Education, when he said, Citizenship to the growing child comes to mean pretty much what the community shows it means. The best way to teach young people the meaning of our democratic freedoms is to demonstrate by our own example that we have mastered the three R's of citizenship-RIGHTS, RESPECTS, and RESPONSIBILITIES. Grace Monfort ..23..

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Prophecy: The Thing As we were walking down the street In bright and sunny May We sang and danced and carried on In a most annoying way. Soon after that we disappeared That class of 'fifty-two' But if we'd have our chance at life Here's part of what we'd do: Dallas, still strumming his ole guitar Has become a western cowboy star. Carole Jean, so people say, Is an airline hostess for T.W.A. Jim Clement, with all his fun A pretty Delphos girl has won. Objective reached for Patty Lou Pryer To become a Missionary was her desire. Eugene's stock will always win In every fair he shows them in. Charletta's known near and far For she's a famous Opera star. We always told Dow that he should sing- Now he's known as the second Bing , Ruth Anna Brown will always laugh About having to learn to spell Grandstaff . As we move on down through this list, We find Don Wisher a commercial artist. lf you should get sick and need an M. D. Ask Dr. Sue Hilty to give a remedy. Johnny Medaugh the world must roam Someday, we're sure that he'll come home. F. F. A. gave Don Clement his start His farm is the pride of Hummel's heart. l.etha and Bob, for now and forever- Never apart, always together. Fleeta is married and lives on Main Street She's the mother of three and still real swe D. E. P. as Editor Perry now ranks To the Journal News he gives his thanks. Lois is still a dentist's nurse, But being Jim's wife will always come first. Frank works with shrubs and flowers He loves the outdoors, and there spends hou Janet is now a minister's wife With Walt she lives a contented life. Stanley's fame now really mounts- He calls all square dances here-abouts. Mary Jane still has vitality plus et. I'S. What she's doing by now may surprise all of us. Junior, as he was meant to be, Was an Olympic's champ in sixty-three. Donna, pert as ever, alert and young, Makes life a joy and always has fun. Merlin Uakej is quite the man He has a steady iob with Uncle Sam. To be a nurse has been her ambition Carolyn always fulfills her mission. Bob Hirn, in the daytime, sleeps- He has to, with the hours he keeps. ln the Army, Doug is in K. P. so much His sleeping will ever get him in dutch. For Eileen and Neal, life isn't bitter They're happily married and hire their HSllleI'. To be an executive was Delbert's fate The name Neuman still rules Name Plate. Martin now works for the Lima News His trusty camera he'll always use. Mary Holten, so we found out Was discovered by a talent scout. Dick is traveling like Marco Polo- He drives a truck for Coca Cola. Betty, as always, is a swell pal- She works at Gregg's, this pretty gal. Elsie Gales, so they say, ls now president of P. T. A. Bobby Harter made one fatal error- When he mistook Jane for Jean Strayer. Where can we find Rita Grace? For her, these days, there's iust one Place. Russell Louth leads an interesting life Since Judy H. has become his wife. Gale iust had to buy a new Cadillac As often as he goes to Sharon's and back. Such a beauty is Norma Jean She has been declared a Milkmaid Queen! Ah, what fate will befall Jim Miller?? He is, as always, a lady-killer. Knowledge in hog-raising Jane gained here Is of no use to her as a mountaineer. On a large western ranch lives Charles Klaus It had to be large to hold his new house. As a child, Mick idolized Babe Ruth Now HE is the idol of today's youth. So, as you walk down the Spee-ville streets Some dark and gloomy day If you should see a great big box A 'standing in your way Be sure to stop and open it up That's my advice to you 'Cause we're a sitting in that box- Our class of 'fifty-two'.