Taunton High School - Journal Yearbook (Taunton, MA)

Page 10 text:

L'ENVOI CVVith profound apologies to Kiplingb VVhen the last, last write-up is written, and our pen points twisted and dried, When the photo-prints are faded and the proof-sheets laid aside, We shall rest, and faith, we shall need it-lie down for a month or two, With the blissful thought that the Book's in print, and there's nothing more to do. And only the Class shall praise us, and only the Class shall blame, VVhen we've gathered in their money-shall we gather any fame? But a joy there's been in the working, and sometimes a sly ' ALI-Ia-Haavv For we've drawn the Thing as we've seen it, have written the Things as They Are! The Staj

Page 9 text:

THE JOURNAL STAFF 1923 Eghikuf-in-rlgicf HILDA E. WHITE Business ,iunungrr MILTON N. LEVY cinsuriulc fifhiiurs DELIGHT M. BROWN ETHEL M. NELSON WILLIAM F. MASON WALTER S. GRANT HILDA A. GRAYHURST ,ilnlw 'ifhiiut NIAXVVELL P. WHITTERS 1 flflulr afhilnr CONSTANCE D. WITHERELI.

Page 11 text:

EDITORIAL T is a day of freedom and independence. of rational theory and spa- cious enterprise: it is an age when startling, overpowering changes are wroughtachanges that sweep the world on in a blind, fearful fiood of wonder and new order. Like everything else, the old regime in High School has passed away, and new methods have replaced it. VVe do not know whether these were brought about by authorityAby much discussion and theorykor by the rampant, imperious youth of today. But we know that we have a new and foreign freedom, that we no longer adhere to the strict, unflinching rules of ancient pedagogy, that we are, in part, released. Out with the dread birch branch and the stern, steel-bespectacled schoolmarm, whose deep-furrowed countenance seemed never to relax in a friendly smile, went our chilled horror of an education. Today-to speak briefiy and frankly-our teachers are ourfriiends. But it is not only the teachers who have widened the chasm between the old and the new. It is as much the standards of the pupil: not new, perhaps. but newly released. All over the world, amidst scorn and re- proof from the older generation, the too prim conservatism has n'erged into an open, equal companionship and, side by side, boys and girls have striven for the desired freedom in the schools. The classroom is now encouragingly informal: all sorts of questions are asked, and strange, startling opinions ventured. Is it not a vast improvement over the days when ideas were as fixed as textbooks and we dared not but agree? Although these transformations have been long accepted, student government, to any great extent, is still distrusted in secondary schools. Here and there, we see a tense and vigilant cop niajestically directing the throngs of students: once in a while we chance on a progressive spot where discipline is less dogmatic, but, the great youth of the country is still cautiously guarded by the piercing eye of long experience! None of us would denounce the fact that, since the time when pupils sat eowering beneath the teachers' scrutinizing gaze, the world has pro- gressed apace. No one would deny that the present day schools are filled with self-thinking, self-knowing, individual personalities, not with a sordid, firm mould of like characters-like, because they dare not be different. VVhy, then, should we doubt that student government is possible? ls it because the Faculty would not trust us? Are we afraid it would fail? No, it is because we do not trust ourselves: we have not yet the courage to shoulder this huge responsibility and make it succeed! We are the Youth of America, destined to be citizens of the greatest nation in the world. A question of honor is at stake. Let us not hold back, but, having once set our ideals high and made our faith strong, strive on until student government and true democracy are attained!