Wakefield High School - Oracle Yearbook (Wakefield, MA)

Page 13 text:

THE W. H. S. DP:RATER 11 Our High School building is a very old one. It is now crowded beyond its proper capacity, and necessarily many faulty conditions arise from this state of affairs. But matters are moving along toward the acquisition of a new building, and we must await its coming as patiently as possible. The poor ventilation and the large number of pupils in each room often make the air bad. This tends to destroy enthusiasm in recitatations and is a great hin- drance to the teachers. The building fails to offer many of the advantages required by modern ideas of education ; but these do not exactly enter into college preparation and so have no place here. The greatest in:onvenience is the keeping of the school until half past two. There is one thing, however, which these physical defects cannot overcome, that is the loyalty and ability of the teachers in our old wreck of a buildmg. The heart of the school is intact and beats strongly. Lessons are learned and recited as well as ever, even in crowded classes and school rooms. Our place in the rank ot fitting schools stands higher than ever, for a school is made up of pupils and teachers — not buildings. Perhaps the best proof of this is the success of our High School pupils in college, where they rely upon their early training as a foundation for their daily work The Spectator wishes to present some records to his readers. During the last eight years one hundred and eight pupils have graduated from this High School to enter higher institutions of learning. It is customary in all colleges to lay a failure during the first six mon.hs of college work to the school in which the pupil prepared. During these years six from this school have failed to meet the requirements. All who have been in any way doubtful are included in these. The remainder have been found sufficiently instructed. This is not all that may be said. The Spectator might point out many cases in which graduates of this High School have held high places in their classes during these months of testing. Several cases have come to the notice of the Spectator in which a pupil failed to obtain the approval of the teachers in the High School and yet was so well instructed that he did creditable work in college. These facts all point to the standard kept up in our high school. A high grade of work is required and any pupil who gets a certificate from the Wakefield High School may feel sure of holding his own in college; for, in the words of a professor at a near-by college, Any boy with a good head who really works in his High School will have no great trouble in college. That is because he has learned to work while in the High School. • Don ' t run down the High School ! Find out what its graduates are doing in college. Then you will not need to run it down. Manson Dillaway, ' 14 Attention ! Following an article on college preparation we are printing a list of the graduates from the Wakefield High School in the last four years, who have gone to other schools. They have continued their education as follows : — CLASS OF 1910 Marjorie T. Bunker, Boston University. Raymond Doane, Mass Inst, of Technology. Maijorie G. Smith, Simmons College Ruth K Hickey, Salem Normal (teacher in W ' dville). Walter C. Hickey, Boston College Harvard College. Frances L. Holmes, Radcliffe College. Lillian M. Lawrence, Simmons College. Winifred B. Watkins, Salem Normal. Donald White, Harvard College. Benjamin B. Anthony, Univ. of Maine and Univ. of Michigan. Paul H. Taylor, Mass. Inst, of Technology. Alice Lee Morrill, Bradford Academy. Elden I. Staples, Mass. Inst, of Technology. Gertrude Tingley, Lasell Seminary. Roland A. Payne, Mass. Agricultuial College. Hugh M. Kelso, Mass. Inst, of Technology. Wm. W. Grace, Univ. of Maine. CLASS OF 1911 Ralph W. Christie, U. S. Naval Academy. p:thel G. Crandall, Smith College. Mildred Hutchinson, Smith Colleoe. Daniel O. Eerris, Wesleyan Univ. Frances E. Jackson, Mt. Holyoke College. Helen A. Johnson, Boston Univ. Olive D. Waterhonse, Salem Normal. Arthur R. Cade, Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Bernard Cohen, Tufts Dental School. Paul B. Eaton, Mass. Agricultural College. Alfred E. Wilkins, Mass. Agricultural College. Allen R. Greenleaf, Mass. Inst, of Technology. Ralph R. Pitman, Brewster Academy and N. H. State College. CLASS OF 1912 Everett A. Carleton, Rhode Island State College. Marjorie Cartwright, Art School of the Museum of Fine Arts. Paul Cartwright, Huntington School and Brown Univ. Alma Eaton, Mt. Holyoke College. Adeline F. Hall, Salem Normal. Lawrence Harris, Phillips Academy, Exeter ; Lowell Textile School. Esther E. Nelson, Salem Normal. Francis I). O ' Connell, Boston Univ. Boston College. Elizabeth P. Payne, Salem Normal.

Page 12 text:

10 THE W. H. S. DKHATER The Reading Habit IT has always seemed to me that to form the habit of reading good books at home is most important for young people. Therefore I hope the freshmen in our High School, and all those who hope to become freshmen next year, if perchance this paper should fall into their hands, will read this article carefully and seriously think it over. If a boy or girl has once formed the home-reading habit, and then suddenly lets it drop, he experiences a strange feeling. This is because the force of habit has become strong. He really misses his reading, and feels as if he were leaving something undone, as if he were, somehow or other, failing in his duty. Ni)w, I realize that it is rather inconvenient some- times to devote even fifteen minutes a day to this outside reading, and that it takes a great deal of per- severance to stick to your purpose, and yet the very irksomeness of the task can be made to aid us. Just work on industriously tor the first month, determined to do that reading, and you will find that the second month will demand only half as much sacrifice, and the third month but a fourth as much. This is ex- plained by the strength of daily habit, that all-power- ful aid. If the treshman gets through his first year, faithfully studying the books recommended, one can safely say that he will continue his home-reading thro igh his senior year, for the habit of reading will have become strong enough to help him overcome all obstacles. But .some boys and girls say, Oh, well, what ' s the use of all this classical reading .- I ' m not going to college. That last sentence explains just why there is such need. If you do not learn to appreci- ate and enjoy sound, sensible books in the high school, the chances are you never will. Your Eng- lish is most important to you, more important than Latin or French, indeed I think foreign languages should be studied with the idea of broadening and perfecting our English. A thorough knowledge of English words is absolutely necessary to every boy and girl, reading or speaking the English language. To those boys and girls who are preparing for college, this home reading is necessary — a clear case of . must . This is an all-sufificient reason why such pupils should begin their additional reading at once: for you know the old proverb which says, What you have done today yo u will not have to do tomor- row. Some great man, whose name I cannot now recollect, said that if a person devoted fifteen minutes a day to any subject for three years, at the end of that time he would be entirely master of it. Just think this over. In conclusion, I earnestly advise boys and gii ' ls to go to work on their outside reading early, and also to read some during this coming vacation, for tasks multiply every succeeding year, antl it is obvious that it is imwise to let all your work ])ile u]) for your senior year. I hope that I have given encouragement to a few, especially freshmen. Begin your home reading now. Ask for a list of the best books, go to the library and get one. Read it through carefully. Begin now to cultivate that steadfast friend, habit. It will help you in all your lessons. Take my word for it, you will never regret, in after years, the time spent in the high school, in becoming acquainted with the best writers. Anna Barnes, ' 14 The Spectator Discusses Preparation for College in the Wakefield High School ONCE in a while some one gives out the startling information that our High School, on which the town is spending a large sum yearly, is incapable of fitting its pupils for college in the four years spent there. The Spectator has accordingly been looking around, just to see how the old school stands. The Spectator has decided that these criticisms are of two kinds: — One is like the annual war scare which is thrown at Congress by the senators in the employment of the steel trust. The other is from the parent of some boy or girl who has failed to gain many extra points ; but on the other hand has spent much time traveling to and from the office, and has had an awfully good time. Does the parent of such a boy ever stop to think that there are boys in the High School who work and work hard; with the result that after graduation they enter Har ard or Technology-the bugbears of entering classes. When five boys can enter Technology from a single class, it certainly .seems unreasonable to say that our High School cannot prepare its boys for college. Further- more, the girls seem to have no great trouble in reaching higher institutions, Wellesley and Smith, for example. Pupils who work have no difificulty in attaining a sufficient rank to enter the numerous colleges which accept a certificate. It does not take a brilliant scholar or any too much work to attain the required rank. The cause of trouble in many cases is that the pupil has no plan in niiml for higher education. Many have an idea that the} ' are going somewhere; but have no definite idea where. If the parent would see the Principal by, at least, the end of the first year, and get an idea as to what studies his boy ov girl is likely to need to enter a certain school, much trouble would be saved. I ' ven if it is imjjossihle to make definite ])lans tor the future, one neeil not be deterred from preparing himself for college ; for a jM-eparation for llar ard or Technology will ensure admittance to au)- college in the country. This is one of the essentials ol a college preparation; having a plan in advance. Tlie other essentials are a fair amount ol intelligence, with plenty of energy and persistence.

Page 14 text:

12 THE W. H. S. I)EHATP:R Katherine N. Whitten, Wellesley College. George H. Abercrombie, Worcester Polytechnic Inst. Mary Bridge, Salem Normal. Raymond G, Brown, Mass. Inst, of Technology. Theodore F. Cram, N. H. State College. Edward S. DufflU, Mass. Agricultural College. C. Wesson Hawes, Mass. Inst, of Technology. Carl H. Holm berg, Mass. Inst, of Technology. Phihp W. Morrison, Jr., R. I. State College. Lillian M. Oram, Salem Normal. Jessie L. Pease, Waltham Training School for Nurses. Russell B. Perkins, Dartmouth College. Helen Randall, Simmons College. Walter J. Wolfe, Mass. Inst, of Technology. CLASS OF 1913 Alfred E. Collinson, Philips Academy, Exeter. Nathalie Cox, Simmons College. Elsie L. Doleman, Lasell Seminary. Florence Emerson, Velle?ley College. Constantine Soteriades, Clark College. Daniel J. MacLeod, Mass. Agricultural College. Ethel M. Hickey, Mt St. Mary Seminary, Hooksett. Lillian E. Moses, Wellesley College. Alice M. Pike, Mt. Holyoke College. pjmily H. Preston, Mt. Holyoke College. George W. Killorin, Jr., Holy Cross College. Edward Hazen Walton, Norwich University. Raymond S. Wilder, Wentworth Inst., Boston. Ruth Willey, Salem Normal. Grace V. Young, Waltham Training School for Nurses. RAISING BUTTERFLIES Some pc(»i)l( ' liavc a li()l)l)y of saviiiij tlic arrow-head, Wliilo others, with less lal)or, the postage stamp, iiisteail. At some pursuit orij inal I tiiou rlit my hand to try, So befjaii, with hirge ideas, to raise the butterfly. Tlic ease was made of wire and ' twas partly filled with loan). For some worms form the chrysalis, others the eucoon. The twenty kinds of leaves kept newly fresli from day to day, Were food for twenty kinds of worms from sliy-hhie i)ink to finiy. ' I ' lie n)ilU-weed one with wicked hoiMi and siripes of ijreen and black. The species witli llic briij-lit red hcud and eye upon tlie l)ack. Tlie ones wliicli turned from ui ' een to bhic and liissed wlieii tliey were t,eas( ' d, All made a haiidsonic fam ' ly with wliich 1 was n ucli pleased. I fed them all Mie sunnner f hrouiih, until bright aiitnn)n canic. Six butterflies rewarded nie l)ut I ' ll conceal each niiuie. The rest tliey disappeai ' ed from view, for toward the soil they steered. Alas, alack, when sprinij next came, not one of Iheni appeared. iMii.i i!i;i) MKi.i.irrr, K. THE DEACON ' S REVENGE The boys had made a raid again, They ' d robbed him of his pears. The Deacon had not said a word — The Deacon never swears. But Just the same lie made a vow. He vowed he d catch those boys, And teach them not to steal his pears Which were his only joys. That niglit he took a mammoth club And climbed up in the tree. The night was dark, the clouds were thick, And he could hardly see. He waited there rpiite patiently For half an hour or more. Till sleep completely coiniuered him. And he began to snore. And then dark forms crept softly up Toward the guarded fruit: They heard the Deacon ' s awful snore And saw his hanging boot. Now after they had got some i)e!irs. They thought tliey ' d play a jtrank. And so they seized the Deacon ' s boot And gave it ((uite a yank. The Deacon woke u|) with a yell And tumbh ' d from his perch. The l)oys then ([uickly disappeared Beyond a near-by churcli. The Deacon ' s veil had roused his dog. .Vnd now, with anger deep. He rushed into the yard and sei .i-d The breaker of his sleep. The Deacou fried to calm the dog, Hut this could not be done; So then he tried to choke the brute. , nd this increased tlie fun. ' I ' liey pnlU d and hauled and choked and bit, The hair and clothing flew, The Deacon prayed and yelled and prayed, But nothing seemed to do. ; t last the Deacon broke away . nd rushed into his house. The clothing left upon his back Would scarcely clotlu ' a mouse. And this is how tlu ' Deacon got Heveiige for all his wrongs. And now the boys all smile and wink And mock him in their songs. F.Aiti i: Sii- i!i . 11.