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

Page 9 text:

VVestbrook High School E1 '.3n 7 we realize that in our every-day lives opportunities arise which could help us along the highway to leadership if we take due advantage of them? In pursuing the highway to leadership we must exert our utmost energy to conquer all fear of meeting any situation, all self-consciousness. and many other characteristics detrimental to a leader. We must acquire-personality and individualism, force of conviction, and keen wisdom. In our school life hundreds of opportunities are offered us each day which would cultivate any quality for leadership which we might possess. lt is only too true that we do not take advantage of these. On the one hand, we are not showing school spirit, sportsmanship, or any desire to coop- erate for the welfare of our school. On the other hand, we are scorning the magnificent privilege of building our character with a foundation which can withstand the most severe tests. To strive with an unfaltering energy to attain the heights of leadership is the one outstanding duty which an individual owes to himself. Great success in the future depends entirely on one's ability as a leader and the preparation which he has received. Too often does one find those who lack all qualities of a leader. Leaders are in de- mand everywhere to conduct all enterprises. Thus, it can be seen how vitally important are leaders to the progress of the world. With this fact in mind, one should not be indifferent or re- luctant to attempt any task which will aid him as a leader. Furthermore, special attention should be given those who display marked traits of leadership. More ways should be devised to bring the student in contact with the problems of a leader. Some students may be more adapted for social leader- shipg others, for intellectual leadership. In both cases the students should be encouraged. Lit- erary organizations and social clubs may offer splendid advantages for the development of leadership. Consider the heights that have been attained hy great leaders. it is not illogical to imagine that some day those individuals who have been distin- guished leaders,in their school life will add glory to their name as well as their school. Therefore. how could one show more school spirit and patri- otism than by faithfully seeking the highways to leadership as they extend in our school life. DOROTHY M. STAPLES, '29, NEED OF A WASHINGTON CLUB I believe that there should be a Washington Club started in the High School as early as the Sophomore year, so that the students would be able to earn money and to organize themselves for the Washington Trip. The lack of this planning has been the failure of the trip this year. The seniors. not knowing whether they were going to VVashington or not-till the first of this term- found that it was too late to make a success of it -the outstanding reason being the need of funds. The program, relating to the Washington trip, with a few exceptions, will probably be the same in the future. This year the seniors were plan- ning to leave about the middle of April and spend eight days in the cities of Philadelphia, Washing- ton and New York, enjoying sight-seeing trips, transportation, meals, and comfortable rooms for the total sum of eighty-three dollars. Naturally, this price sounds large: but different men who have gone there-on business-have said that that price is very cheap, and anyone who can afford it is very unwise not to go. This might be the chance of a lifetime to see the White House, Woolworth Building, and many other sights, of which so much is heard about today. Of course, the plan and organization of the club depends wholly on the students of each class: the success of it, on the cooperation of the whole school, combined with the help and interest of the parents. Do not be content by merely trying, for if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. PHILIP RRAGDON, '29. A RACQUET FOR TENNIS Since it has been the custom to use the general topic projects for editorials of this magazine, this article is in one sense a repetition for it is once more a suggestion for extended athletic activity.

Page 8 text:

r In W. X Y' -I tr Xyfyf , f-A 'J yx FOREWORD Yet another Blue and VVhite has been talked of. framed, constructed, and printed. Although it has been at some cost of time to the students responsible for the publishing, their labor will be well rewarded if you, the readers, find a moderate degree of enjoyment in it and if it measures favorably with previous editions. Twelve more months have passed since the last edition was brought forth. VVe, the Editorial lioard, have endeavored to make this Blue and VVhite a mix- ture of accurate records of scholastic activities, humor, and literary quality covering that twelve- month's period. The fortunes of the school have been good, as a whole, and it has been the desire of the editorial staff of this paper to compose and complete an equally favorable report of the good fortunes. OUR EDITORIALS Our editorials are written on numerous subjects of miscellaneous nature. They are not composed by the Editor-in-Chief or his Assistant entirely. Indeed, nearly half of them are not formed thus. Some are the choice results of the compulsory English course. the peak of literary accomplish- ment attained by the most highly ranked students of the school. Frequently their literary worth is disregarded and more often the idea which the editorial conveys is the reason for its choice. ,pug Under the general topic suggestions various students have attempted projects and reforms. Almost without fail have their efforts been for naught. Perhaps this project or reform may be of worth. VVeigh the questions carefully and if you agree with its theory, next ask yourself what your duty is in aiding the idea to be carried through. Read then their editorials both enjoy- ing their literary value and judging their portent fairly. thus rewarding the efforts of those who penned them. EDVVIN RicnARnsoN, '29. LEADERSHIP The world would never progress if there were not those who could assume the responsibility of leadership. In truth, the success of every under- taking, notwithstanding how trivial, depends en- tirely upon the leader. The religious. industrial, political, educational, and social progress of the universe remains under the control of the leaders. Therefore, are we going to allow such progress to slip backwards merely because we have not sufficiently stressed the importance of leadership? Indeed, we guard against such a serious mistake, for every boy and girl, young man and young woman is now given equal privileges to acquire those traits essential to leadership. Let us for the moment consider the many and broad highways to leadership. For instance. do

Page 10 text:

8 1 ............ . ' The Blue 6- White Tennis is a sport which is truly a refined one. Men and women, young and old, poor and rich, all types play this game. To be accomplished in the art requires both natural gift and incessant practice. It is in truth but a halfway mark be- tween the commonness of baseball and the exclu- siveness of golf. Not only is tennis an art but it is strenuous exercise, bringing into play the entire muscles of a person's body. Most sports require large gate receipts in order to maintain, without financial loss, the team. In tennis the condition is quite the reverse. Any player of worth in the high school class possesses both clothes and racket, the only necessities. VVhat money was raised by foreign guarantees and home attendance would abundantly supply the treasury with travelling expenses. The one remaining difficulty excepting the sup- port of the students is that of securing a coach. The need of a coach, and a competent one, is of some weight. Contrary to other sports. however, practice without an instructor would be fruitful. But few people of high school age would work continually without supervision in the ceaseless practice so important. Such a man as Paul, Ginger Fraser would be an ideal selection. With both a coach and the practice a progressive team could be made worthy of letters and a pride to the school. For the last quarter century the school has been lax in furnishing any teams but those of the three major games. In fact, no team of the minor type has existed, except one for track in the early nine- teen twenties, and a girls' field hockey team. Field events, track, ice hockey, and tennis are present in all noteworthy colleges and if the graduates of W. H. S. have only self-training in these things they represent the school poorly while in attend- ance at these higher grade institutions. An edi- torial favoring ice hockey similar to this was received with plenty of silent approval, but noth- ing whatsoever in the way of active assent. If you. the students, the faculty, the parents, are interested in and desirous of a tennis team for WV. H. S., show your desire by.speaking to Prin- cipal Philbrook. Not a team for 1931-1932, but for 1929-30 year with the spirit and desire new, vigorous, and fresh in your minds. With the voice of the scholastic body, the appeal of the par- ents, and the open agreement of the faculty, it seems quite certain that Westbrook, which has previously been known to support a strong team, in any sport which she enters, will be provided with an equally strong aggregation to prevent Portland High's team, as well as others, keeping from their boasted terrific paces. Principal Philbrook no doubt would be more than glad to stand behind a prospective squad if it be the will of all concerned and aid in selecting and acquiring the necessary coach. He waits for your verbal opinion. EDWIN RICHARDSON, '29. WESTBROOK NEEDS A HIGH SCHOOL This year, as every year before for many years, the pupils of Westbrook High raise their voices and plead for a new high school. We realize that we are not heard. Every year we have reason to realize it more and more. Yet we do not give up hope. for we realize that altho it may not come while we stay here. it must come sooner or later and there is no doubt of that. Must the pupils, members of the faculty. and parents bend their knees before the request is granted? Or will the city wait for a few more years and buy a few more portable chairs to place in the front of every classroom, that all the members may be seated? This is the case of several rooms nowg and the difficulties in the main room during assemblies can hardly be imagined. Every seat has two pupils in it and the back and sides of the room, including the two side doorways, are lined with pupils standing up. T wo years ago there was a rumor that reached the papers and was circulated throughout West- brook that the main room was unsafe and might collapse during an assembly. How this report started, very few know. There must have been some truth in it because a little later the room was thoroughly investigated by experts, so we are told, and pronounced safe. Until they gave their ver- dict there were no more meetings in the room, it is noticed. If there was enough truth in it to have it investigated and assemblies prohibited, why do the people of the city hesitate? It is also