Wakefield High School - Oracle Yearbook (Wakefield, MA)

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HELEN W. POOR Died October 26, 1918 AN APPRECIATION In the death of Helen W. Poor, who was for twenty-two years a teacher in the Wakefield High School, not only the school and the community in which she lived and worked, but the educational world has suf- fered an irreparable loss. Miss Poor was born fifty-seven years ago of old New England stock in Derry, New Hampshire. She was educated in the schools of her native town and state, and at Radcliffe College, Cambridge, Massa- chusetts. Of high principle and strict in- tegrity, she was most democratic in her sympathies, yet would never tolerate the least deviation from right standards of living and thinking. Her spirit of helpfulness increased with the passing of the years. This was most marked during the last months of her life. She was indefatigable in her efforts to help the boys over there, and many a cheery, helpful letter was sent to some lonely sol- dier lad across the seas. Miss Poor had an inquiring type of mind. Her interests were varied, and it can truly be said of her that she knew many interest- ing things about many interesting subjects. Her clever conversational powers easily made her the center of any merry-making in which she had a part. She could always match a good story with one better, but for all sham and pretense she had a satire as keen and sharp as pointed steel. It was in the schoolroom, however, that her influence was most strongly felt. A good student herself, she had little sym- pathy with intellectual laziness. If she aroused a wholesome fear in the mind of the dull and inattentive pupil, she was also the delight of those boys and girls who could follow her intellectual processes in the solution of difficult problems. The work which she did, not only in pre- paring students for college, but in ele- mental mathematics, was thorough and exact; and it is not too much to say that the initiative, the power to think and to act quickly, shown by the boys of Wake- field on the battlefields of Europe is due in no small measure to the training that they received from Miss Poor. Elizabeth Frances Ingram. Note: Written for the Wakefield Teachers ' Association. MR. HOWE, THE TEACHER Died December 20, 1918 It is not often that a school is called upon in eight short weeks to mourn the loss of two valued and well-loved teachers. Such has been the experience of our High School during the past year. Before we had become accustomed to the thought that Miss Poor had gone from our midst never to return, Mr. Howe, who had been principal for more than twenty years, also passed on into t hat mysterious, unknown room, the curtain of which had so recently swung back to admit Miss Poor. At first we could not understand. We saw him in his accustomed place in the morning, caught glimpses of him going through the corridors and up and down the stairs, and listened expectantly for his words of cheer and encouragement. But the days passed and we came to realize that only memories remained. Much has been said of Mr. Howe, the man; but it was Mr. Howe, the teacher, that the boys and girls of Wakefield loved and honored. During the years that he was connected with our school, he watched it grow from a mere handful of boys and girls to a school numbering between five and six hundred students, and ranking among the best of the smaller schools of the State. This remarkable growth was due in great part to the wisdom and the vision of the Principal, for Mr. Howe was truly a mari with a vision; his understanding of what the public schools mean to the community and to the State was fine and deep. It was not enough that his school meet the need of today; but he was always reaching out to prepare for that larger demand which he saw in his vision of the world of tomor- row. It was inevitable that the policy of such a teacher should be constructive. In the midst of the conflicting opinions of the educational world he was not driven about by every wind of doctrine. He aimed to keep a steady course, holding fast to what he found good in old systems, but ready also to adopt new ideas and new methods when they seemed adapted to his school and the community is represented. This is well illustrated in his attitud e toward the classics in the high school curriculum. In the days when the reaction against the classics was greater even than it is today, he established the rule that if one pupil

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was called upon to fill a most difficult position. He has shown so much interest and tact in discharging all the duties of his trying position that he has won the gcod-will and respect of both teachers and pupils. Honor before honors. Do we realize how much we owe to all of our teachers? — how very far their wis- dom and help carries us on our way? Their unselfishness is daily before us and their assistance is invaluable, but their un- conscious help and influence must not be forgotten. In after years, in the school of experience, we shall have learned to ap- preciate even the value of their rebukes. It is not too late now to show this ap- preciation in the practical way of giving attent.on in class. Let us, therefore, be- gin at once, while we may, to express our gratitude to those who have patiently en- dured our faults and follies, for the past three years. At last, after fourteen years, our high school has been allowed to have a football team. It was not possible to arrange a baseball schedule, and in order that we might have one fall sport, the school authorities permitted the renewal of foot- ball. Through the efforts of the girls who sold tags, we collected one hundred and eighty-one dollars and bought uniforms, footballs, etc. Although we started with a weak team, made up of all raw material, we developed a very strong one, which proved its strength in the last games of the season. Much credit is due Coach Raymond P. Dower, who gave his time, thought, and energy towards developing our team. It can well be said that the Wakefield High School had the second best team in the Mystic Valley League. Next year, with some of our veterans, we ought to have the best. The Debater extends its sincerest sym- pathy to the many classmates who have lost dear ones during the past year. To the class of 1922 the upper classmen extend a hearty welcome, wishing them the best of luck throughout their high school course. We give them a word of advice: Make the best of every day. The work of the Junior Red Cross has been most successful. The tag day was a great success, netting about $500. This included all the schools in town, while the high school alone raised about $100. All who helped to make it a success are to be commended. We all know of the many ways of help- ing in this good work such as gathering the peach stones and tin-foil, the knitting of diff ' erent articles, and the sewing which, to be specific, means property bags and kit bags. In reference to the sewing, it might be said that it is as important as the other work. This is a fact which some do not seem to realize judging from the at- tendance at the workrooms. The work is easy and pleasant and there is work for everyone to do. A much larger number of workers can be accommodated at the rooms and surely there are more who can come. Help is needed, for our work is not yet finished, though the fighting has ceased. The articles which are being made are very necessary, such as warm garments for the Belgians. Are we going to fail now, when the need is so great? Is Wakefield to have a memorial to the men in service who so unselfishly offered their lives upon Freedom ' s altar? Twenty- six men have made the supreme sacrifice and many others would have gladly done S3, had it been their lot. Shall our grati- tude be shown only by a word, parade, or an occasional newspaper comment; or shall we establish a firm and lasting memorial to those men to whom we owe so much? We would suggest that such a memorial take the for of a room in our Town Library. Such a memorial would keep alive in the minds of old and young the debt we owe our soldier boys. i ' i i ' :i i i y ' - ts i i •t yt We wish to sincerely thank all those who have made this issue of the Debater possi- ble. The year has been a particularly try- ing one, but in spite of many handicaps, the pupils have shown unusual enthusiasm. Much credit is due the business managers who have so competently looked out for the financial affairs of the Debater. Con- sidering our handicaps, we beg the lenient opinion of the public, and offer this issue as our little bit for the High School.

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only, wished to study Greek, he should have the opportunity, and this rule he never changed. One secret of Mr. Howe ' s success was his intimate knowledge of and affection for the community in which he lived. He kept his finger, as it were, in the pulse of public opinion, and so far as he thought right he conformed to it, but if he felt that public opinion was wrong, he dared to disregard it. He showed so much kind- ness and good sense, however, in his oppo- sition to the opinions of others that in most cases he won the respect of those who were opposed to him in matters of thought and policy. One of the most difficult tasks Mr. Howe had to perform was the selection of teach- ers. Owing to the small salaries paid by the town, he was often forced to select young and inexperienced teachers; but he was quick to recognize ability, and the showy, self-seeking teacher seldom found favor in his sight. Under his wise guid- ance the young teacher soon gained her ex- perience, and all too often left after a few years of service for a larger school at an increased salary. This frequent change in the teaching force made the administration of the school at times very difficult. But Mr. Howe never complained. He used often to say that the Wakefield High School was a training school for teachers, and he was proud of the fact that his teachers were sought by educators from all parts of the State. Such loyalty on the part of the principal won the lasting respect and de- votion of all who were associated with him in school work; and during his entire term of service no disagreement between prin- cipal and teachers ever arose that was not quickly and pleasantly settled. The boys and girls, however, held the largest place in his affections. Their wel- fare was his chief care, to serve them was his highest pleasure. Within the walls of the old High School all were welcomed alike irrespective of race or creed, and he worked untiringly to develop the best in each. Many a boy can look back to quiet talks with Mr. Howe in his office, when subjects far removed from the school cur- riculum were discussed. Little did he dream at the time that he was skilfully be- ing taught the worth of an education and that ambitions were being aroused that would lead to worthy achievement. To Mr. Howe belongs that best of all tributes — he was a good man and he lived a good life. His unassuming, yet strong influence, like the delicate golden thread in the wonderful cloth of gold, was woven into the very warp and woof of our com- munity life. Who shall say in what deeds of unselfishness it shall find its ultimate fruition? Elizabeth Frances Ingram. iK K ifi Mi ' i 7i ' 7R 7t 7f The Debater Knows: That 1919 is the best Senior Class at W. H. S. That certain members of the gentler sex seem anxious to participate in the football fray. What about it, girls? That, considering its many handicaps, we had a good football team. That Captain Ray Batten is some ath- lete. That its m ghty proud of Jim Brown, our classmate, just back from over there. That some of the Senior girls looked well in ribbons, and some looked like — ! That it takes Senior colors to make a Junior Party a success. The Debater would like to know: — What folks have against the Senior Class. What happened to the Sophomore Party. When we ' re going to have another track meet in Room I. What Miss G — and Mac talk about, Monday, 3rd period. (Room I.) What the Seniors think of rhetoricals. At the W. H. S. White House, 1918 — 1919 President: W. F. Maguire. First Lady of the Land: Not yet known. (Confer with Medford.) President ' s Cabinet: 0. Rowland, R. Batten, R. Reid, L. Douglass, M. Neiss, M. Kelly, M. Sawyer, M. Anderson, 1. Low. Events of the Social Season: Senior Party, Nov. 27, 1918 Officers ' Party, Dec. 27, 1918 Reception, June, 1919 Military Department: Commander-in- Chief of the Army, C. J. Doyle. Grand Review and Prize Drill, May, 1919 Secretary of State.