Stamford Union Free School - Camera Yearbook (Stamford, NY)

Page 45 text:

es he keeps them to himself while in school and settles them outside without interferring with school work. Boys and girls work together amicably for their own advancement and for the prosperity of their school. As a result of such an atmos- phere of peace and comradeship, both school and students do prosper surprisingly well and quickly. Pride for the outward appearance of the entire school is also a part of the school-spirit a student feels. He is proud of the looks of the schoolrooms, the grounds, and the building and always does his part toward keeping them ill order and clean. He realizes that an orderly school building is more attractive than an untidy one, also, that trim school grounds give visitors a good impression a.nd help raise it in public opinion. Along with a student's love and pride for his school, is his obedience to the rules of his school. He realizes that a well- trained school is more praised than one which lacks discipline. For this reason he is very careful to obey all the rules of the school and of his instructors. Wlien each student obeys the rules strictly, only a few laws are needed to keep good order in the school. This helps the student as well as the school. Another desirable feature of school-spirit is the coopera- tion among the students and teachers of the institution. This kind of cooperation makes school-life pleasant and successful. Teachers like to teach a student who works with them quietly and attentively. This student gains knowledge quickly, takes much interest in his studies and advances rapidly. At the same time as he is gaining an education, he is slowly acquiring many useful habits which will aid him in a successful life later. That is because the cooperation teaches him to work with other people and think of others as well as himself. The last, but perhaps the greatest, part of school-spirit is the students a.ttendance at as many school functions as pos- sible. Of course he boosts all athletic games because he likes them but he gives his attention to other school functions as well. Students join the athletic team because they like to play. However, they fight for victory because of their own school spirit. Then, nothing makes victory easier for the fighters

Page 44 text:

EDITORIALS '- 'x .P 'iz Q N! xf SCHOUL-SPIRIT School-spirit is a feeling of goodwill that the students have for the school which tl1ey attend. To portray this emo- tion as experienced by the students is almost impossible bc- cause of its complexity. School-spirit is many things. It is the love and pride a student has for his schoolg it is his obed- ience of all the rules of the teachersg and it is the boosting of all school activities by every student of the school. The spirit exists not only in the students and instructors of the school but in the parents of the young people as well. Every school should enjoy school-spirit because its prosperity depends greatly upon the demeanors and success of those concerned with the institution. A school which lacks school-spirit is like a person who has no ambitions in life-neither it nor he ever anything a particular importance for itself, or himself, or any- body else. The love of a student for his school may be the greatest factor in true school-spirit. Une who loves his school upholds it in every way above all others and admires it for more than its educational qualities. W'hen the time comes for him to leave, he carries away many pleasant memories of the school- roorn, his fellow-students and the many little incidents which have added spice to his school life. NVhen a student loves his school, he has a friendly relae tionship with all his schoolmates. If he has any private grudg-

Page 46 text:

tl1an strong yells for their side from the throats of the school- spirited boosters. The cry Fight! Fight! yelled by voices that mean what they say, wins the game every time. It is a students love and pride for his school which gives him school-spirit, and it is the existence of true school-spirit which makes a school worthy of the esteem and praise of its students. School-spirit has done much for every school in which it exists. Many small schools have become prominent because of some feat accomplished by its school-spirited stu- dents. They may be known and famed because of their stu- dent societies, their entertainments given by hardworking stu- dents, because they have won athletic championships, and for many other reasons, chief of which may be because they enjoy school-spirit. To admit that not all schools have school-spirit is a hard task. It is the sad truth, however, that they have not the spirit which has proven so necessary for a prosperous institution. Still sadder is the fact that these schools are not so successful as those blessed with that really indescribable something felt by the students for their school. The something which is usually termed school-spirit. y ' H. BUCK '26. UNRECOGNIZED SERVICE VVhy should the members of athletic teams be the only pupils to receive honorary letters? This is a question which perhaps few people have ever considered, but it is a question worthy of consideration. Un- questionably the honor of the school is upheld by other means besides athletics, yet the people who take part in these various other activities do not receive the honor they rightly deserve. Take for instance, those who enter the oratorical contests. Now, speakers must have certain qualifications just as athletes do. They, too, must give of their time and strength to make a success, and with less pleasure and thrill along the way, for a