Woonsocket High School - Quiver Yearbook (Woonsocket, RI)

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l(i THE QUIVER THE LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE OF THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL At 11 o’clock on Friday morning, January 9, 1914, all the members of the Woonsocket High School marched, to the beating of drums, to Villa Nova, where the high school of the future is to be. There an interesting program was carried out by the pupils. After the singing of Come, Thou Almighty King, with Ernest Houle and William Kelley accompanying on the trombone and cornet, David M. Gaskill, ’13. chairman, gave a brief address of welcome. “The High School History” was very interestingly told by Elizabeth R. O’Donnell, ’14. “The Old Building was discussed by Raymond Richardson, ’15. Ralph S. Clark, ’14, spoke on “The New Building.” By the aid of plans, be showed us the different rooms, and explained for what they will be used. Cora B. Morin, '15, spoke of “The High School’s Future.” She told of the many accommodations which we are to have and of which now we are badly in need. She spoke of the gymnasium, the cooking-room, in which we are to study domestic science, and the assembly hall with its large stage. An original ode was then recited by Harry J. Leon, ’1 | The corner-stone was then laid by Esther Spratt, ’14, who had been chosen by the pupils. She was assisted by the class presidents, Joseph Daigneault, ’14. Robert Y. Kelley, ’15, Harold G. Yoelker, ’16, and Avery Davis, ’17. The program ended with the singing of “America.” The building of the new high school is rapidly progressing and it is hoped that it will be finished and ready for occupancy by January. 1915. If so, the present Junior class will have the honor of being the first to graduate from it. LILLIAN MORAN. 15. A PLEA FOR DEBATING IN THE HIGH SCHOOL Public discussion is one of the means by which man has advanced in the scale of civilization, and the fact is indisputable that the more civilized a nation becomes, the more skilful are its discussions. As we look over the pages of history, we find that debating has played a very important part in the affairs of the world, and that it is one of the greatest of educational forces. Our High School should have not only Freshman debating, but

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THE QUIVER 15 erected, except for a few minor changes. Two dressing rooms on the first floor have been made into a typewriting room, and folding partitions have been placed in the hall so that it may be divided into two class rooms. The room formerly used as a physical laboratory has been this year changed to a class room, Owing to the increase in enrollment. The old building has given satisfaction as a high school until now, when it has become too small for the large classes which enter. It will be used by the upper grammar grades and possibly as a manual training school. To close, I will read the dedicatory ode by Erastus Richardson which was given in 1877. I. “To Thee, Almighty, ere the birth Of Ignorance and Night! Great Architect of Heaven and Earth, And source of Life and Light! From whom Truth lit her sacred flame At Eden’s Eastern gate— This Temple now in Learning’s name We humbly dedicate. II. “Around these consecrated walls May Hope and Peace entwine; And may these bright and classic halls With golden halos shine. May every teacher be inspired By the Great Teacher’s love. And every pupil’s heart be fired With Wisdom from above. III. “O, unto this our fervent prayer, Thy gracious Ear incline— And every breeze our songs shall bear Unto the realms divine. And where this dome now casts its shade Immortal Truth shall reign; And we shall feel that we have prayed And labored not in vain.” RAYMOND RICHARDSON. 15.

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Till: QUIVER 17 also inter-class debating; and then we could have a team to represent our school in a league. It is by no means sufficient that the student should indulge in debating while he is a Freshman, for, since he cannot really appreciate it now, he will lose interest in it in the future. Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors, all of whom are more or less acquainted with the art of argumentation, should be given an opportunity to display their skill. Many of our schoolmates are intending to enter college. Most of our universities have debating teams. We ought, therefore, to train ourselves during our high school days in order that we may become members of debating clubs of higher rank. Much of the knowledge that the young Roman gathered was from the Forum, where he would go eagerly every day to hear some orator declaim upon current topics. When he became old enough and began to take part in the administration of the government, he knew exactly how to act. We are all very soon to become members of a self-governing community, and its interests will be placed in our hands. Should we not, then, as patriots, try to learn what will be expected of us? Debating would bring us into closer connection with matters pertaining to the public welfare. ‘‘Will not debating place another heavy burden upon the student?” one may ask. By no means. Debating, like baseball, is sport, and does not add any excessive strain; on the contrary, it arouses in the student a great deal of enthusiasm. To him debating is a game. Argumentation brings the pupil into contact with valuable books, and teaches him care and discrimination. He is taught to become a systematic reader, and to pay attention to his style of speaking. It is often the active high school debater who is later chosen by his fellow-men to carry on the more difficult and important tasks in state and national life. If called upon unexpectedly to speak in public, he can turn all the resources of his mind upon the subject he is to discuss and through the experience gained while participating in debates, can easily win the confidence and respect of his audience. Debating not only affords an opportunity for systematic training, 1 lit it gives pleasure to those who participate in it, and paves the way for greater accomplishments in later life. In view of these facts, our teachers and pupils should co-operate in order that our Woonsocket High may hold its own in debate with any high school in the country. JOSEPH H. GREENBERG, '15.