West High School - Hesperian Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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•Iiiii U AUDITORIUM

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GREETING nr HE first annual of a new school may, with propriety, set forth a declaration of its principles, or aims or ideals, which it hopes to incorporate into its future life. A new school has an opportunity that belongs to no other. It is not hampered by any old traditions nor by any established customs. It has a clean, white page upon which to start a new history. Moreover, its early life, even its first year, foretells in great measure its whole future. For, while all schools are similar in their work, and their play—they have an individuality, and generally, each emphasizes some particular trend of thought and ideal. While schools may be alike in prescribed work, they may differ vastly in the way in which the work is performed. Preparatory schools may prepare for widely different futures. Beyond and behind all prescribed work is the real educative force of a school—the force that dominates school life, that furnishes its ideals and ambitions. It is the spirit of the school which is the mightiest factor in its great influence. If this spirit is for loyalty, honesty, earnestness and self-reliance, then the students arc prepared for any vocation in life. May we not hope that already West High is characterized by that lofty spirit, and that in all its future career high qualities of mind and character shall be its ultimate aim? Prof. A. N. Ozias. Seven

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The Interior of The School HP HE interior of the West High School is in perfect harmony with the simple, yet beautiful architecture of the exterior. Each floor has its large main hall parallel to the front of the building and its two large side halls at right angles to the first. The three together form a U shape with the courtyard across the inner space and the legs terminating in the auditorium. Across the front of the building, between the two steel stairways, is a big, light assembly room for the Seniors on the main floor and a similar room for the Juniors alx ve. The inner side of the base of the L contains the principal's office, one recitation room and the wardrobes for boys and girls respectively, all lighted from the court. Along the outer side of the side halls big glass doors open at regular intervals into about twenty-four class rooms. In the basement, which is half way above the ground, arc the finest chemistry, physics, botany and physical geography laboratories in the state. Here, also, are the mechanical departments, including shop, wood-turning, machine and forge rooms, free-hand and mechanical drawing rooms and commercial departments, all of which surpass, we believe, any in the Northwest. There is, too, a large lunch room where pupils and teachers obtain refreshments at recess and meals after school at “bargain sale prices.” The whole school thus described is artistically decorated in soft green and buff. It is lighted both by electricity and gas; heated by self-regulating radiators and has a very successful and scientific system of ventilation. Finally, we come to the greatest feature of the building, the pride of the school, the auditorium. A large double swinging door on each side gives access from the side halls to the body of the house, while the balcony can be entered only by similar doors from the halls above. One enters and sees a great light hall with windows at sides and back. The walls and ceiling are dull, rough white, the woodwork polished pine. The whole makes a beautiful audience room, accommodating fifteen hundred people. Nine