Wilkinsburg High School - Annual Yearbook (Wilkinsburg, PA)

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Worki of the Community Did you ever stop to think how much our high school is like a small com- munity? It requires but a little use of the imagination to see that in this com- munity. we have, among other interests, business, religion, civil government, and entertainment. The class room may be compared to the store: our studies, the goods for sale, the teachers, the sales people, the students, the customers. As in any community, so in ours, the school, religion is an important factor. Daily, at ten o'clock, we attend chapel, where we have most impressive devotional services together, pausing for a few minutes to worship God with prayers and songs-of praise. f A- A-ff gr g In this, our small community, we have our political interests. Our govern- ment is democratic, the right of franchise is given to every student. This, the right of every citizen to vote, is given at the time of the election of members for the Activity Board, our representatives. The whole town turns out to hear the campaign speeches given by the managers of the candidates, at which time these managers orate eloquently upon the merits of their respective candidates. After all campaign speeches have been given, the citizens go to their home rooms, the polls, where the Votes are cast. Members of the Student Council are also elected by the citizens of our com- munity, and once more the Vox Populi has been heard. These two, governing bodies look after some of the local problems of the town and plan methods whereby they may improve our community. At times, many go to the town hall, which is also the village Qpery House , when we listen to plays and concerts produced by dramatic and musical members of our community. - Qur social center is the gym, where many citizens, forgetting the cares that infest the dayv, trip the light fantastic toe to the accompaniment of some well- known orchestra. Sports and clubs provide an excellent opportunity for the citizens to use their leisure time to the best advantage. Those most interested in athletics may en- a e in football baseball basketball or spring sports Those who enjoy club life, g g , , , ' , A and no community would be replete without its clubs, may have their choice of at least a dozen clubs, some of which are commercial, home economics, aviation, and language groups. What community would be complete without a newspaper? Our community has its own press, the DVilkinsbu1'g Hi-Ways, whose aim is to keep the citizens informed as to the news of the activities of the school and its leading citizens. Each year a resume of the work of the community is published under the title The Annual which gives a pictorial history of the yearls work. It becomes the who's-who of the community, a copy of which is filed each year in our own library. One organization in our school-community without a parallel in a non-school ff is the National Honor Society an organization composed of citizens ot roup , , , , Enusually fine character who have excelled in scholarship, leadership, and service. Thus, community spirit and community interests are as well defined in this our small community as in any live, progressive town. A -ELIZABETH COATES. 23 WH 93

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THE ANN UAL OFFICE HEALTH CAFETERIA ANNA M. Gmnmz Secy. to Supt. EDITH H. SMITH Secy. to Prim. RUTH E. lNlAR'l'IN Im. W. L. THUNHURST EDNA D. CALLAGHAN MRS. E. S. MCMULLEN Telephone Operator Medical Inspector School Nurse Cafeteria Mgr. Health lt is a recognized fact that mental 'health cannot flourish when physical health is neglected. Hence, Wilkinsburg High School has as a part of its school work, classes in the science of health and its practical application. A yearly medical examination is a part of the health programg it serves not only to check serious illness among the students, but also to point out minor defects which need cor- rection by family physicians, dentists or oculists. Thus it may be seen that we are ever active in our campaign for the conservation of that important natural resource, public health. Scholarship Scholarship-the ability and inclination to study-has always been revered. Since the days of ancient Greece it has been recognized as an important factor in a well balanced life. During the twentieth century there has been a tendency to drift away from the intellectual to the purely practical aspects of life. At pres- ent however, there seems to be taking place a definite reaction to this tendency, and there is a renewal of interest in mental enjoyment. We are proud to know that our school has never swerved from our intellectual goal and that intellectual and practical training go hand in hand. T Chapel Chapel in VVilkinsburg High School has always meant more to the students than any other single factor. This daily half-hour period is looked upon as a source of spiritual and intellectual stimulation, the value of which cannot be overrated. The service, simple and quiet, includes a prelude, a Scripture reading by a student leader, the Lord's Prayer, choral responses by the a cappella choir, and a hymn by the entire group. Yet, the spirit in which these meetings are held is such that alumni, in recalling their high school days, think first of chapel, and they plan their visits to their alma mater so as not to miss this period of the day. 22

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THE ANN UAL Seated: Miss .lane Anderson, Miss Vinnie Knappenberger, Dan Thompson, Florence Inghram. Standing: Eclwanl Miller, Mr. Floyd H. Carson, Miss Helen Faris, Don Balsley. A bsent: Dorothy Killingsworth, Mr. C. D. Jeffrey. Activity Board Chairman .. ...... MR. CARSON Secretary .. . .. Miss ANDERSON The most important organization in the Wilkinsburg High School is the Activity Board. This was lirst organized December 17, 1914, and as now, was composed of five student members and five faculty members. The students are elected for the entire high school period by popular vote of the student body, the faculty members are appointed by the principal, Activity Board has two meanings in itself: First, it derives its name from the work it performs in taking care of all activities in the high school. All activ- ities must pass the Activity Board and also all the funds are entrusted to the Board. Secondly, the word activity comes from a Latin word meaning full of action, which is characteristic of each member of the Board. When the chair- man, Mr. Carson, assigns a certain duty to any one person he is assured of a rapid return of the report. The members are alert in suggesting their own ideas about problems which arise at meetings. The most recent problem which has come before the board is the matter of matinee dances for the young people once a month. This matter has been discussed at length and the results of same will come before the student body soon. The meetings of the board are scheduled for every other Wednesday, and are held in room 205 at four o'clock. Some meetings keep its members until din- ner time because of the many problems which come up. Problems such as man- agers for gym exhibitions, class night managers, purchasing robes for the a cap- pella choir, renting gowns for commencement and acting in response to various other needs of the school. The officers of this board are, Chairman, Mr. Carsong Secretary, Miss Jane Anderson, Treasurer, Miss Edith Smith. One can readily see and understand why this Board is the most important organization in the school. , 24