Wayland Central School - Hi Lites Yearbook (Wayland, NY)

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The KICK-OFF 1925 THE TENDENCY OF MODERN EDUCATION While it should Ik the aim of everyone to aid the child in secur- ing his education the general tendency of modern times is to make school work too easy for the pupils, and there is a danger that the teach- er may carry her assistance too far. The child should be encouraged in his likes and dislikes but he should never he pampered. He should be given work to do and should not be allowed to idle away his time and opportunities. A good rule is, “Give the child a daily task to perform in keeping with his age and physical condition. A little responsibility is good even for a child.” For was it not the very hardships endured and the burdens borne by the American pioneers that brought them their strength of character and made them great ! One of the popular slogans is, “Children should study nothing in which they are not inter- ested.” I believe, however, that it is one of the most important duties of a teacher to interest a child in subjects he dislikes in order to give him a well proportioned education. Does the phrase well-educated mean to be proficient in one line of knowledge only? Does it not mean rather to have a general knowledge of all branches? This is the era of specialized work. But, after all, is not the best specialist the one who has a general and complete back- ground of knowledge? To illustrate, the best specialists in the medical profession are the ones who have had the experience of general practice. It is said that Americans have higher ideals than other nationalities but that no people fall so far short in the attainment of their ideals as Americans. If this is true perhaps it is because the goal is unattain- able or perhaps it is because of the tendency of modern education to make work too easy for the young people. Let us consider for a moment the educational system of New York state. It differs from that in other states in its control by a Board of Regents. Some claim that the examinations put forth by this board are not fair. But these tests are standards and since these standards arc uniform, is not their value evident? Teachers should be honest in their marks. hitside of our large cities the tendency is to mark pupils high- er than they deserve. In one school it was found that pupils were giv- en marks of 100% plus for work which no teacher could conscientiously rate higher than sixty-five per cent.. Some critics claim that because of the severity of Regents, high marks can not be obtained. This is true of the student who cries, “No more home work!” Tt is not true of the student who devotes his time to thoughtful study. It is said that “Modern education’s three R’s are Rah! Rah! Rah!” Athletics and school societies form as important a part of a

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The KICK-OFF 1925 VALEDICTORY Friends, wo have assembled here tonight t commemorate an im- portant event, perhaps the greatest event of our lives. It is a night which we shall long remember. It marks the end of the first stage ot our lives, the completion of the foundation of our future usefulness. Gentlemen of the Board of Education: As I have the honor to represent the class of ’25, 1 wish to extend to you at this time their heartfelt appreciation for the kind and helpful interest you have taken in this class. I sincerely hope that we have not fallen below your ex- pectation of us. If we have, we regret it; if we have not, we are filled with joy. But whatever the case may be, we have tried to do our best. Members of the Faculty: Our work in High School is finished. To you we owe our success. W e sincerely thank you for the kindly as- sistance you have given us. Had it not been for your aid we would have stumbled and fallen by the wayside. Let me again extend to you our gratitude and it is with much sadness that we at this time bid you farewell. Fellow Students: After tonight we shall no longer be students »t Way land High School. We shall be going out to our different lite tasks. We leave our dear Alma Mater to you. Always strive to keep her records high. Never do anything that may stain your honor, the honor of your school, or the honor of your country. And now we will say good-bye. Classmates: We have long been looking forward to this memor- able night. We have hoped for it yet we have dreaded its approach. The four years we have spent together may, perhaps, be the happiest years of our life. From this time on our lives will lie in wide spreading paths. We are standing at the threshold of our real life. We are turn- ing hopefully forward, yet looking wistfully backward. AYe hesitate; it almost seems as if we could not go on. Aret we must. ('lassmates, we shall always remember our days in AYayland High. They will be pleas- ant memories. And now is the time for parting. I bid you farewell. M. E. V. D.

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The KICK-OFF 1925 student 8 training ns the knowledge gained from hooks. The modern tendency is to stress sports and societies too much. “Be moderate in nil things,” is a good motto. Another important tendency ot modern training is to try out education by the project method. The chief ben- efit derived from this method is the training received from meeting many students interested in the same work. These things go to make up n part of one’s education. However, the student who wishes to train his mind to act efficiently must work alone. He must work long and hard. What modern education most needs, to quote Hr. Sullivan, is to “chuck the soft pedagogy and get down to brass tacks.” The motive power of all action is, after all, the appeal to the emo- tions. The desire of people to express their emotions has been inherited from ancient times. But as the emotions have become refined by educa- tion so has the expression become improved. Emotions are the soul of a people. Since this is true, should not the emotions receive the most careful attention and training? To become an automaton is not the goal fora living soul. America needs live souls. She must have people who value real education,—that which trains a pupil to think for himself. If America is to assume and maintain her place of rightful leadership among the nations of the world, she must do it through the medium of better educational opportunities for the citizens of tomorrow. M. V. I).