Townsend Harris High School - Crimson Gold Yearbook (Flushing, NY)

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'QI v 'QA IA- is . J - I A If 7 x be li V 0 Q ' SEA, 'Q . I if? I , I V .II .Q 'xy I PFI I 55225 C'-di iw' Page Sixty BENNY LEONARD Light Weight Champion of the World KNICKERBOCKER BUILDING 152 WEST FORTY-SECOND STREET NEW YORK, N. Y. TELEPHONEIS: WISCONSIN 2640-4041 March 21st, 1929. Master Sydney Goetz, Townsend Harris Hall, l57th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, New York City. My dear Nephew: You have asked me to advise you whether boxing is a suitable exercise for body building or if I think the so-called Hpunishmentn offsets the benefits that might be derived from indulging in boxing as a sport. Also if I think boxing should be included in the routine work in a school gymnasium such as the Townsend Harris Hall is constructing. Without hesitation my answer is that I am convinced boxing is as good exercise and recreation as any that can be done in a gymnasium. Not only does boxing build up a strong body physically, but it strengthens the mentality, increases the alertness, and builds up the character. So far as npunishmentn is concerned, the amount that could possibly be received in a match between two boys in.a gymnasium with big boxing gloves of the training type would be really more beneficial than harmful. The knocks received in such a contest would only tend to harden and toughen the body and accustom the recipient to taking the knocks and disappointments that would come in later life. Everyday this becomes more patent to the educators in this

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eyes. Then the bell, ever merciful, broke up the gathering which had threatened to end in a riot. The stud- ents filed out-still hurling epithets at joe. , He remained behind-trying to hold back the tears and to find consolation in the fact that they laughed at Co- lumbus, Robert Fulton, and the Wright Brothers, etc. The instruc- tor walked over to him and patted him gently on the head. You'd better go home and take a l-o-n-g rest, joe, Youive been studyng too hard lately, and your mind needs a complete vaca- tion. I'll see that your absence won't be counted against you, and in two or three weeks, you will feel like a new person .... T' joe exploded at this treatment. But Mr ......................... , I tell you it's really true. I'm not crazy, and I wasn't dreaming. I tell you I actu- ally Jaw Shakespeare and talked to him .... - F 'vt if , y at 1 iul -ga ,.,,i ji'-7' f ' 4 WW ! W ' f 9 - I W imsm - The instructor would hear no more of the whole disagreeable affair, and insisted on hustling joe home. Soon the doctor, the instructor and joe's par- ents succeeded, ostensibly, in convinc- ing him that the whole story had been the product of an overworked brain, but no one could 'explain the presence of the paper recording joe's conversa- tion with Shakespeare. THE END FRIENDSHIP 'Tis like a beam of golden sunshine, a thought divine and pure, Like some great and beauteous statue, bound forever to endure. It can ne'er be ought but godlike, for its very theme is love, 'Tis the base of all man's goodness, ,tis a gift sent from above. No one evil, no one malice, can destroy its binding ties, For the faith on which it's founded is eternal as the skies. It does not end wth brief life's ending, but goes on beyond the grave, 'Tis a spirit that is holy, a spirit that is brave. 'Tis like the greatest of all virtues, like a dewdrop shining bright, Like the solemn peace of morning, the embodiment. of right. 'Tis a beautiful bar of music, sounding sweet and clear, 'Tis a blessing of the holy gods-profound, complete, sincere. I I T S fa vit lille W3 ew ll 1324 P is i v. , 5.7 fl Qui - f V l W 'U in cg' 'xggv 3 G il . lv 24' . i Page Fifty-Nine

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country that boxing is a wonderful thing to develop the growing boy, both mentally and physically. The essentials of boxing are fairness, courage, honesty and sportsmanship. Don't you think that anything that inculcates these attributes in a youth growing into manhood must be a good thing? In my own case, for example, I know positively that I am a better man for my experience and .training in boxing than I would have grown to be without this experience. The ability to grasp opportunities and take advantage of openings or mistakes by opponents in my old ring days has stood me in good stead since I have taken up other business. The knack of thinking quickly, of strik- ing with speed and precision at exactly the proper moment which my boxing days developed has enabled me to recognize and seize opportunities to act quickly and decisively in my business ventures. The knocks that I took also benefited me be- cause they taught me not to allow myself to be discouraged by reverses in later life. I could go on words more, but I think I conclusion I would like to assistance to you or your extolling boxing in a thousand have answered your questions. In say that if ever I can be of any schoolmates, either by instructing or advising them, I shall be very glad to do so. In fact, when your gymnasium is completed, if the boys have a boxing team, I sall be only too glad to teach them anything that I know about the game. With best wishes for your success and the success of the Townsend Harris Hall organization, I remain, Your loving Uncle, BL:CL M-Si -fha 10. up U ,K a a n 1' LGI sh' ,f' 1 M7 5 ui 4 '- T w iayf -A E I 'x. gr . mi 5 fi 5 w If It wi' :ga l We t Page Sixty-One