Westville High School - Echo Yearbook (Westville, IN)

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SCHOOL ACTIVITIES The work of a school should not confine itself entirely to instruction. The public school is coming more and more to be a community center. That this should be so is claimed by the best educators in the land. The Westville Public Schools have made every possible effort to maintain its position in this respect, but it hardly has a fair chance with the other schools of the county because of the lack of space. Not only do we lack room for social activities but even for the best type of class instruction. EXHIBIT DAYS Since 1914 the grades and high school have prepared an exhibit each semester. These exhibits endeavor to bring before the public the lines of work pursued during a semester. The school patrons have not been slow to show their appreciation on such occasions. At such times great numbers come to the school building to see the Work of pupils. The school authori- ties believe that exhibits are helpful in uniting the interests of school and home. Westville has come to regard these events as a permanent institu- tion. PARENT TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION. In November, 1915, The Westville Parent Teachers' association had its initial meeting. Points of interest were generally discussed and a great community supper planned. This social event was given on February 22, 1916. Suflicient money was cleared to purchase a giant stride. This piece of apparatus has ever been a source of pleasure to school children. The supper feature was discontinued during the war because of the food prob- lem which faced the world at that time, and has not been resumed. How- ever the club has not been inactive. In 1916 it was instrumental in the purchase of two and one-half acres of land for the school ground. This is an accomplishment worth while and shows that the club has done some- thing besides talk. Last year the Association petitioned the County Board of Education for a county traveling Red Cross nurse. We feel that this action is largely responsible for the appointment of a nurse this year. Parents and teachers really are working toward the same end, the education of the youth of a community. It is true that they have a great many problems in common, and there is no better way of comparing notes than at a meeting of the Parent-Teachers' club. Be present at the next meeting. THE ORATORICAL CONTEST In 1915 the Westville High School entered the County Oratorical con- test. Westville had been a little slow in getting into county activities and no one usually considered that Westville had it in herto do much anyway.

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April 1-No Physics. April fool, April 2-We'll take back everything that we said about the teachers, as they surely showed us a royal time. April 4-Baseball and Tennis seem to be the favorite sports at present. April 6-The boys try their luck again at playing ball with Clinton. April 7-Wonder why the Juniors have so many class meetings. April 8-Miss Smick, it seems, doesn't approve of whispering, especially the girls. April 11-Ordered our commencement invitations. Slow, but sure. April 12-Male quartet entertains us. Everyone makes a rush for the noon train- April 13-Lloyd brings a sack of kisses to school. Lloyd is a generous boy, especially with the girls. April 14-Last night was Wednesday night. Several girls caught sleeping. April 15-The characters of the play are busy now-a-days. April 18-Does anyone know that Oscar doesn't like to be teased? April 19-As the end of the year approaches the color of the Freshies fades. Give 'em a rest. There'll be another Freshmen class next year, April 20-The Juniors at last decide that they don't know as much as the Seniors and Faculty. It took them all year to learn it. April 21-We begin the last tests for the year. April 22-More tests. The Seniors do not shed many tears because they are the last for them. April 25-Last Senior Rhetorical was given. April 26-Glory to the immortal gods! Fourth English finishes the En- glish literature. April 28-All the seats are moved out of the assembly. Miss Smick is in the heighth oi' her glory- She is decorating the assembly for the ex- hibit. H. S. is well pleased with the proceeds from the first night of the play. l April 29-Exhibit, township picnic, local field meet, last night of the play. The characters 'breathe freely again. April 30-The Senior feel like Freshies at the Alumni Banquet, May 1-Baccalaureate sermon at the M. E. church. May 2-Seniors decorate the church for commencement. May 3-Finals begin, We need sympathy. May 4-Remainder of the exams. It's up to the teachers now. May 5-The Seniors are just about ready to embark for the long journey. They will stop for a day at the port of Graduation, then they will transfer their baggage from the good ship, School of Life, to Life's School, and be out of the harbor, out upon the deep. May 6-The last day! Good bye! Boo-oo Hoo-oo! Don't foregt to write! See you next alumni banquet.

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But the result proved that this line of reasoning was far from accurate. Kathleen Cornelius came home from the contest with a first prize in read- ing. For several years following we continued to send contestants to LaPorte, but they failed to win any of the medals. However, this was only the calm which precedes the storm. Last year Mertie Shunk won second in a reading entitled Her Husband's First Dinner Party, and Helen Chivington delivered an oration, Is America Worth Saving? She won first prize. This was a great night for Westville and one that will be long remembered. The school has again planned to enter and let us hope that she will prove her metal as before. HIGH SCHOOL AND GRADE PLAYS. ' For many years it has been the custom for the High School to give a play near the end of the year. These have always been well attended and show that the community is interested in what the school is doing. Such are the crowds that it has become necessary to present the play two evenings. ' The following plays have been given in recent years: His Uncle John, Dodging an Heiress, The Spy, The Clever Doctor, The Colonel's Maid, An Early Bird and Safety First. The rehearsals for all of these plays have been conducted away from school and ofi' school hours. The plays have been recognized as a means of giving self confidence and poise to a pupil. That the American people need this is apparent when we notice middle aged men stammer and blush when they are called on for a two-minute speech. The grade pupils have presented some excellent cantatas and recitals in the past few years, among which are The House That Jack Built, The Happy Family of Father Time, and ln a Flower Garden. The only objection to giving a play of this sort is the fact that the school does not possess a room large enough to accommodate the rehearsals, and taking the pupils away from the building to practice is not altogether satisfactory. A. B. Kln Hamletj--I drink to your good health, and let an onion in the cup be thrown. M. E. H.--What kind of people inhabit the South Sea Isles? M. E. K.-Hannibals. For Sale-TwentyJthree wads of gum located under Ruth's desk. Almost as good as new. Hardly been used. Inspector-Any abnormal children in your class, Miss Pedagog? School Teacher-Yesg one of them is well behaved.