Westbrook High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Westbrook, ME)

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Westbrook High School 7 Nothing is more gratifying than to succeed. The symbol of success in athletics is the let- ter. When a boy is presented his letter by the coach he feels that he has reached the fulfill- ment of his long cherished desires. A letter is not a momentary reward, but a reward which will last forever. Thus, the boy who succeeds in athletics is able at any time in his life to show to the world what he did for his school. But what can the boy who succeeds in pub- lic speaking or dramatic work in Westlvrook High School show to the world for his achieve- ments? A person who is naturally inclined toward dramatic work, or public speaking puts as much. if not more time and energy into his work than the athlete does in his. The actor or the orator has the center of the stage while his work is creating an interest, but when the event is over he has nothing to show for his time and trouble. Some of his fellow students will remember the results of his effortsg the majority will forget him and his work. In order to do justice to all and not show partiality, I think Westlmrook High School should give letters to her students who take part in the assembly play and prize speaking contests. OUTING CLUB There is nothing in the nature of a social organization that is more beneficial to a high school than an Outing Club. Undoubtedly the most important elements of the school life are the studies. However, every ordinary boy or girl requires recreation of some sort. Being too studious is sometimes detrimental to the mind. Therefore, enjoyable diversions are necessary. The three seasons, which are included in the school year. offer a variety of fine sports. Nature does not mean that we neglect the great opportunities with which she furnishes us. but, that we take advantage of them. The organizing of an Outing Club would employ these opportunities to the best advantages, both for the students, who were .vitally inter- ested, and for the school. Fall is that glorious time of year when long hikes into nature's own beauty would furnish pleasure as well as knowledge of the world of natural art. The club could arrange interest- ing activities varied in many ways. During the winter season the Outing Club would, per- haps, prove most successful. It is at this time that one feels the need of vigorous exercise, such as skating, snowshoeing, skiing, and many others. By careful management these sports would bring the club jolly times. The springtime provides us with several pleasing sports. Tennis is one of the most popular games of this season. Outdoor track meets are the delight of every sport-loving youth. An Outing Club would be beneficial to the students who were members. As the saying goes, Good health makes a sound mind. What is better for one's health than fresh air? An Outing Club would also be beneficial to the school. Through the powers of the stu- dent, the school is raised or lowered to a cer- tain standard. An Outing Club would be a success only by the co-operation of the mem- bers. This would lead to a better school spirit, sportsmanship, and a greater social life. Let us encourage the development of an Out- ing Club for VVestbrook High School. PUBLIC SPEAKING It is much to be regretted that public speak- ing has been absent from our high school courses for two years. Not only is this a drawback in itself, but it is even more so to those who go on to other schools, since in all probability they will be obliged to carry without credit, or at least as an extra, the study which they have missed. Of course there are advantages and disad- vantages in connection with public speaking, but the former so far eclipses the latter that it would seem advisable for every pupil to have a full year's practice. The first few weeks are undoubtedly hard, especially for the timid person. However even he soon gains confi-

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I f il S ' jf psf. g ,- ? . . E i . . . . .. l !AJ.t,.U6l-Ls 'N FOREWORD After twelve months of sailing on the un- charted seas of new ideas and bucking against the head-tides of inexperience or the high waves of incompetency, the stately ship of journalism, by the careful steering of honest toil, the skillful navigation of reflection, and with her regular ballast of faculty advice, has once again made port and moored at the docks of either success or failure. At the many va- rious ports entered, this vessel has shipped her cargo of school activities, interests, and histories. Her completed log is now presented you in the form of the 1928 edition of the BLUE AND VVHWE. The Captain and his crew hope that the in- spectors of this log be satisfied and entertained enough to recommend that this ship be made fast at the dock of success,--and not of failure. AN AUDITORIUM FOR GRADUATION Statistics give ample proof that, in June of each year, Westbrook High School gradu- ates a larger number of Seniors than in the preceding year. Every senior class has had its problems, but the outstanding problem of late is to find a suitable hall in which to ad- minister the last rites of old Viiestbrook High. In past years the ceremony has taken place in a church of the city or in the Star Theatre. But it is hard to find a church which has a large enough seating capacity even for the parents of the Seniors, not to mention other people who would enjoy being present at graduation. O It is true that the Star Theatre is large enough to seat the audience, but even in this building difficulties arise. Following the cus- toms of decades ago, the class should march down the aisles, and onto the platform. How- ever, the aisles are so situated and are so .nar- row that it is not easy to march effectively, and besides there is no convenient way to ascend to the platform. Moreover, is not grad- uation to be considered as a sacrament, and is a theatre the appropriate place to conduct a sacrament? In view of all these disadvantages, it should be generally accepted that an auditorium is a great necessity to Westlnrook High School. A new auditorium would in a comparatively short time pay for itself, so to speak, because not only could it be used for graduation, but also for events, such as lectures, Parent- Teachers' meetings, and the presentation of the high school plays. So, boosters and citizens of VVestbrook, why not all unite as one and strive mightily to pro- duce the needed funds for the addition of an auditorium to Westlnrook High School. You can rest assured of receiving the most cordial and warm thanks of both the present students and the alumni of the school dear to all. W. H. S. SHOULD AWARD LETTERS FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING AND DRAMATIC ACTIVITIES In NVestbrook High School rewards for athletic achievements are commong rewards for dramatic and public speaking achieve- ments do not exist.

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'A The Blue 6- White 8 dence in himself and learns to speak at ease before any audience. Too much can scarcely be said in regard to the value and benefit derived from training in public speaking. It gives one perfect control of himself and enables him to express his views in a clear and concise manner. All the world pauses to listen to the man who can say exactly what he means and mean exactly what he says. There is no profession in which one may not at some time be called upon to express his opinion. Even though he may be best in- formed in his subject, if he can not convince others of this, he is left behind. Thus he loses opportunities for advancement, while others are promoted because of their supposedly greater ability. A word might also be said in regard to prize speaking. Of course not every one can win a prize, but the possibility of such an honor arouses enthusiasm in the competitors and spurs them on to better work. Even though they win nothing in the way of prizes, their efforts will have certainly not been wasted and may prove invaluable to them in later life. WESTBROOK HIGH,S SPORT STANDING I wonder if people generally realize the ath- letic achievements of Westbrook High School during the past five years. For the past live years Vlfestbrook High School's successes. which have won the admiration and envy by her opponents are unusually remarkable. A small school whose total attendance never reached -L00 members competing with schools of two or three times that number, except one or two schools, such as Thornton Academy. which has about the same enrollment as VV. ll. S., and coming out vfctorious has to be considered as a school of unusual merit. Although VV. H. S. only participates in three major sports, she has always been able to up- hold her end in them. Her teams are famed and feared for always doing the unexpected. XYestbrook is generally a good drawing card also, because she is always in the game and Fighting to the last bell. For the most part her clean sportsmanship is never questioned. Her coaches i.nsist on this. Her players individually have won honor and standing. Her alumni stars are in demand everywhere. Some have become famous ath- letes in higher schools of knowledge or at least have lived up to their high school rating. Nearly every year, for the last five, some Vlfestbrook players have been either high-point men or picked for all-team, a few of the recent being Charmard, Sullivan, LeBeau, Aube, He- bert, McLellan and many others, most of whom are continuing to star in other schools. Of course, the girls also come into promi- nence, having won a state championship in 1924, and twice being runners-up under the coaching of Milton Philbrook. A large hand- some shield. presented by appreciative citizens of Westbrook, hangs in the library as a me- morial of that championship. VVe might add here that during this last year girls' field hoc- key has been introduced into the school sports. Besides this shield, from 1923 to 1928. W. H. S. has ten other tokens of superiority in sports. Six of these are baseball awards. one of which is a silver bat and ball presented by J. A. Merrill for the highest team batting aver- age. The other five are large beautiful Sun- day Telegram League cups. Imagine! The cup for 1923 is a tie for championship with Biddeford and the other r011.w'r1ffiz'r' four, 1924, 1925, 1926, and 1927 are Cl1a11Lpi011.s'11ifvs. ls there any other school in the Telegram League likely to be able to produce such a record, tak- ing in consideration the smallness of VVest- brook High? NVe are from Missouri Ban- quets, entertainments and lordly favors have been the citizens' answer to the teams and their coaches. VVe appreciate them. The other four cups are proofs that VV. ll. S. came thru in basketball for a good record. Besides being runners-up in a New England Basketball Championship at Tufts one year. she has also entered the tournament at Bates several times. Twice XYestbrook brought home the bacon. First, a beautiful Bates' Col-