New Britain Herald Newspaper, June 28, 1917, Page 10

¥ Page). p . af\Pohlman, -~ Har- d Quilty, George ouls . Willlam Rapp,, ynal “Andrew Buchfink Miant Schaefer, Samuel ipack Morris Shurberg, ul Sinkiewicz, Royal Am- Howard Brown Stotts, B livan, Robert Pomeroy Francis Tierney, Ken- ond Tuttle, Gerald Stock- berts, George Demarest nry North Wheeler, Horace Robert Christ Yuon, old Zeitlin. cholarship Honors. in acholarship are awarded who maintain an average of ' per cent. or over, provided 8 subjects are of at least sev- credits value. They are: -dldreyko, Marcella Ginsberg, Germaine ' Grace, James . Hannon, Florence Alfhild George Lanza, Gertrude ‘Edward Arnold Mag, David . ‘Magnuson, Estelle . Char- iMunson, Stanley Anthony Plo- yk, Blemina Margaret Samuel- ima Schaefer, Anthony ' Paul Alma Helena Wagner. "OUR HIGH SCHOOL. (Miss Gertrude Luddy.) New Britain High school, to slang vernacular, is indeed a L factory” worthy of our ition.© Our 'school - has, for m been turning out young ‘omen whose gray matter “ extensively developed dur- four or perhaps five years Moing. It can boast of having manu many of our prom- it'c They are a credit to ;" pol and models, to whom we §d Jook for. good example, ave, An tion. 'We all are proud of “that -among our acquaint- and friends some of the finest been members of our own, dear pm» it will be interesting, to i some of the present ivities ,ahool, in order that they in be proud of us and that 7 -Av wee, how their good influ- s caused the school to pros- learning are And wvaried in ' nature; within ls of the New Britain High _there is epparently, a con- p of ' widely different are so perfectly or- everything works har- 1 - - truly composite and almost Photos by Murray, PO AU St st R R hold training does not end, however, with kitchen work, for if you should enter room 219 your first’ thought would be that you had come upon a Red Cross camp. Some young wom- en rushing here and there, others plying, their needles industriously; it is not a Red Cross camp but it is the sewing department and here many young women are learning the stitches which are so essential in creating dainty garments. 5 Most children find untold, pleasure in drawing funny faces, such as foxy Grandpa; there seems to be some strange fascination about pictures for them. This desire for drawing, something besides their breath, has wn_up with many of our fellow udents. These rising young artists will some day be on e par with Rem- brant and Whistler. Their excellent drew us like magnets to many @ |of the entertainments and they aiso m aak sny dne of them, ‘show you word for I mpeech a-nv-rod in the fij {l Hookkaspln‘ De- of dollars change In 6r busy seasons there plenty of work here. There ‘@0, excuss for any. business hours after closing office, if he has a book- m ‘the New Britain High i “You seen any of the penman- ? Many pupils scarcely their old hand writing aft- Ing had two or three years of hip, there is such an as- = fmprovement. This course = -[' uuhu g00d formation of 3 *“a to = but also de- and speed which are the busy, business with South America time and thought by . ‘business corporations. #0 many salesmen learning Qeserve credit for stirring up en- thusiasm throughout the school when any event such as dramatics was to take place. ‘We are sending students to col- leges all over the United States, who take with them the name and fame of the New Britain High and en aca- demic training which continue to give a good foundation for work in higher institutions. In the geometry class, a student soon learns that there are not two sides to,a circle, inside and out, as many believe, and that they cannot draw a round square. In algebra, we are told that “x” is not an ab- breviation for exit but that it stands | for the great unknown. Puplls are apt to exaggerate this and call any- thing they do mot know “x”. Chemical equations no longer puz- zle us; we know that we may safely drink H2 O, water, but never H2 SO4, sulphuric acld, else our life on this planet would shortly be extinguished. The activities of the New Britain High school are so numerous that it would be impossible to speak about them all without getting & monopoly on the time. ‘With all these lessons to learn, folks who do not know us, might wonder when we find time for play, but any member of this class of 1917 will assure you that work and pleas- ure have been admirably mingled during the four years spent in our beloved Alma Mater. Photos by Murray. WALTER POHLMAN, .Treasurer, Class of 1917, policies and so the management of the schools today must fit the con- ditions of today. A generation ago when children in school accepted both instruction and discipline as it was Iz‘lv-n to them, it was quite an easy matter to govern a school, but today when a pupil is given the responsi- bility of studying each subject and forming conclusions for himself, it is only natural that he carry the same principle into the matter of discipline, and ask for a share in his govern- ment. This condition makes student- government necessary to the welfare af & school. The problem is well stated by the Indian poet and philo- sopher Tahore, who has conducted 'a secondary school in India since 1902, with a self-government system. He said: ‘“Whether educational institu- tions of both the East and the Wast should turn out men or machines, or just operators of machines, is one of the gravest problems (of the world i that needs immediate ‘solution—I de- cided to found a schbol where the students could feel ti there was a higher and nobler thlns in life than vl'l-ctlul efficien: bly the m-un value of mdm vernment is that it leads to a great democratic spirit in the school. At first the pupils are likely to be rather wary -and to distrust the ones put in charge, but gradually the apirit changes. It makes them proud of their school, for they feel that they are a part of it and that the school is their own, It is also of valus be- cause by helping in the management of their school affairs, they best learn the meaning of membership in a civic society. They exercise their charac- ters in community action daily and come to realize the power of 'co- operation. It teaches them respect for, and obedience to the law of the school and its officers. Then the laws seem lass strict and harsh when the students themselves help to make the regulations concerning them intimate- ly. Instead of thinking the one who breaks the rules smart, they look down upan him and treat him as a real offender. Another good result of student- government is that it prepares the student for college life. Many col- leges are apt to be aristocratic and snobbish. especially in regard to secret fraternities, and they do not set the high schoals a good example. Tt has been found that those taking part In student-government in high schools .are pushed to the front in college ac- tivities, to head important commit- tees and by their familiarity with re- sponsibility, make themselves felt as a great influence for the common welhre. Student-government has been {ntro- duced into the high Schools of our country gradually but not until this year was it established in our own school. Until now it has been very successful, and great results are ex- pected in the future. At the beginning of the school year, section afficers were elected—that is a chairman, a vice chairman, a sec- retary, and an assistant secretary. It is the chairman’s duty to take charge of the class when the teacher s absent, and the secretary’s duty is to take the attendance each day, - The chairman and the secretaries of the section rooms with the class officers make up what is called a sub-council in each building. Both of these sub- councils elect a chairman, a vice chairman, a secretary, and an assist- ant secretary, who act as officers of the grand council, which is camposed MISS ABBIE DAWSON, Secretary, Class of 1917, very few, it is rapidly becoming a re- celving station and motivating agency for the final output of the common sohools, which makes desirable the introduction of natural acquaintance opportunities in the very first year of | high, school. “Some of the strongest and most conscientious peopla have ° termed high school life as business. Only if you call the house-hold activities of a colonial fireside ‘“business” can you so denominate high school life. Its business is but one detail. It is more than business. It is politics. It is play. It is a cross section of all life. That is the vision of a modern high school which warms the hearts of men and women, and = without which the students perish.” A normal healthy, high school boy is sure to ‘“do .some marvelous things,” and it won't help him any to swamp him in meral and = polite generalizations. To assist in organ- izing a boy’'s social activity will make him & conscioup social being. *'A pol- icy of repression will make him a puppet or a reckless rebel. The vigorous sports eof youth now property supervised and co-operated in by the teachers, still cleanse the blood and tone the will, subdue the | temper, and string up the attentive powers of the finest boys in the Eng- lshs world. Still ‘they stand the most versuasive life influence, the most appealing school memory, and the most powerful guaranty of social de. mocracy in all our high schools. Be- cause of them there is hope that the American boy of tamorrow may keep his boyish simpliicty of thought and action long past the age when his brother of yesterday has become a wearied and wearisome man of the world. And In the long run charac- ter and. not scholarship is the finest fruit of the high school. The New Britain high school is a fine example of a soclalized high s¢hool. It is pervaded by a feeling of good fellowship for all. Various clubg have been organized to further the gocial organizations of the school. ‘| One of these clubs is known as the MIS§ KATHLEEN GRACE, Graduation Speaker. and the student body, so that sugges- tions may be received from the ( in- dividual students in matters ot impor- | tance. The work of the traffic commlttaa has been very valuable this year. It has so regulated the tramic in the buildings, that much time and annoy- ance are saved by both the teacher snd the ‘pupils. Traffic officers are stationed on each landing of a stair- way and at certain posts in the halls to enforce the rules. For example, one rule requires the passing of all students to their assigned rooms as soon as the warning bell rings, and another forbids the use of the drink- ing fountains after the warning ‘bell has rung. Although these rules seem rather hard to obey, they work out for the best in the end. ‘This year the members of the ‘com- mittees were appointed by the chdir- men of the sub councils and by the head master of each building, but next year a new method of appoint- ment s to be used. Cards are to be distributed upon which the students may pledge that a certain person is fitted for some particulay committee. Reasons for the person’s proficiency must be given, and the card must contain the signatures of from eight to ten students. It is hoped that in'| this manner the committees will be composed of members who have proved themselves capable this year, or who show signs of being capable in that sort of work. As a conclusion, I wish to state that student-gavernment offers an pppor- tunity for each one to give part of his time to the service of his school and classmates, thereby promoting that desire for responsibility and trust which {s a necessary element in the young people who are to become a vital part of this great demacracy, the United States of America. SOCTAL ORGANIZATION IN THE HIGH SCHOOL. (Miss Kathleen Germaine Grace). There is no adjective so vaguely used nor variously defined as the word ‘“social.” For its splendid ge- neric sense the learned men of our times delight to use it. But some use it in a restrictive sense, and often on the same page put it into an- tithesis with itself. A meaning for society is all companionable people— those who serve their companions. Senior Civics Club. Every. member of the senior class is eligible to- mem- bership in this club. It is the pur- pose of this club to promote good fellowship among members.of the senior class, and to give a fairer view of civic and social interests through loctures, debates and entertainthents. The Young Women’s Athletic asso- ciation is an organization for girls from all four classes. This club aims to promote interest ' in athletics among the girls. Young people who spend long hours study need the freedom and ease o be acquired from muscular development, and are quick to respond to that fellowship whh‘,h’ athletics apparently affords. The members of the junior class who take bookkeeping have o ized the Commercial Bookkeeping club. Its purpose is to forward the intellectual and social welfare of its members through discussions and en- tertainments, The young men of the school are given a wonderful opportunity for advancement along educational lines in the debating club. It is an organ- ization ‘for young men who have a sreat desire for self improvement, for study and for debate. Recently the Amphion club has been organized, the members of which are selected from the young people of the junior and senior classes who have evinced talent in elocution and dramatics. It is the object of this club to keep up interest in elocution and dramatics among the students, and to give frequent enter- tainments - for auditorium programs and any other ogcasion that may arise. The Aloha club or/tha High school is a large social organization. It is open for membership to the girls of the three upper classés. Through this club the girls become better ac- quainted with each other. The meet- | ings are held every two weeks after school hours. A social entertainment | is provided for each meeting and the majority of the members are given an opportunity to help in the social actlvities at some time during the year. These social clubs are invaluable %o school life. They form a basis of, acquaintanceship for all pupils in the [ High school. Through friendly rela- tions with individuals they are thus brought into contact with the social problems challenging the moral re- sources of our contemporary school life. ‘“The unsogial school acts like fi'ostl on tender ve‘oution. The social type | of school is like the genial spring sun | developing the buds.” The clubs dis- | cover many of those lonely people of . whom every High school contains not ! a few. There is real danger to the individual who fails to establish some sort of genuine relation with the peo- ple who surround him. Later in life his lack of early companionship will cripple his ‘Power to make friends. Thus the value of social clubs broad- ens out in one’'s mind to an instru- ment of companionship through which many may be led from a sense of isolation to one of social responsi- bility. WHAT IT MEANS TO STUDY. (Miss Alma Helena Wagner). The social life of a school and the athletic contests in which a school engages are very important and bene- ficial, but the real purpose of the school is to afford to the public an* opportunity for study. A person | may enter high school with the ob- Ject ‘of becoming a businéss man or woman, he may take up a household arts course, he may prepare himself ' for a college or normal school train~ ing,—but no matter what course he: follows, his success, as a student and:; as a member of society, depende upon * the amount and the kind of studying: which. he do “To study in the most manner, attention must be paid ° to the physical condition.”. This state- ment, one of the suggestions study which are posted in the rooms of our high school, is especially true in regard to the high school. student. He has much of his timeé to himselt, to spend as he pleases. If he uses all his spare time indulging in pleas- ures which will harm his ' physical well-being or consume his energies, it is natural that his studies will suffer. If, on the dther hand, ' he refulates his hours outside of sechool so that his pleasures will not inter- fere with his progress at school, the results will be both pleasing and beneficial, » To aid the students of the New | Britain High school in this matter, & _ . 'plan of supervised study has been in use there for the past year. Accord- ing to this plan, the assignment of a subject for the next day ls studied just after it has been given, while the day's recitation and suggestions of the teacher are still fresh in the minds of the pupils. Some people may think it useless to attend school all day, when one might just as well have a half-day session. It has been proved, however, that the additional hours spent in school are much more profitable than the same number of hours Gsed for studying outside of school. ‘The supervised study period following each recitation is helpful to both pupil and teacher. ' But study as such, no matter how thoroughly it is done, does not bring success. There are many other fa tors to be ‘considered. For example, to be a successful student, a person must have the right attitude toward his work, He should be self-re- Hant and confident of success. The oted Roman historian, Livy, says, ‘A person under the firm. persuasion that he can command resources vir- tually has them.” To be sure, over- confidence is no better than an entire lack of confidence, for while ter causes despair, the former laginess and shiftiessness. A st! should spur, himelf on to his work ; by considering the knowledge he is acquiring. If he recalls the ships and the struggies which w great men have willingly undergam to get an education, he will see w! a.great advantage he has, and, ing the advantage, will make use of it. It is often very mnecessary ‘for student to goad himself on to . work. The sun will seem to be ing more brightly and more invitin 1y when he has an intricate prob to solve. A bit of gossip will ever so much more important he has a long assignment ‘of h to study.” Often a task seems lessly difficult. ~ Often, too, & thoughts wander afar off;and refuse to rivet themselves §bithe: ject in hand. But the feeling isfaction which results from th ough preparation of an assig is well worth a little self-o The realization of having 1 something worth while is one pleasures of surmounted diffici It makes diversion more ‘and. enables.one to attack new, culties with confidence in his The material gains which from study are enormous,’ ny people perhaps. fail to ‘| advantage of en education. B R quirlng know| can a nation in the world's commerce successful busin Where would' of our 6Mch uch: ‘high: ‘with' the efficient | for { & This means thnt reads, learns or some effect (ipow his: habits. The self| therefore, .a welt in the mt enabled. stve him'a place i s benefits’ which ‘he llw nhoqll and ecm;h how ‘much they Ianguage? We are toid with the tropical coun- increasing every year, and = ‘who have a knowledge of @ will be in great demand, We, ls of the New Britain High have the advantage of learn-. ‘Ianguage and if upon enter- tlie bullding you hear strange in the corridors, do not be- e startied: it may be some ambi- s follower of Cervantes trying to # the Spanish languege. We not fooking to far ahead when picture some of our fellow-stu- Bte ‘selling goods “made in Amer- 1o the Spanish merchants. fhe cotirses in history heve been L extensively; High school knotvn for many years that ngton did not cross the a :n 1492 and that Julius not the first king of Eng- they are famillar with ‘Branehes of the U. S. govern- ipal ownership; assoclated les, commission form of gov- pt and many other such terms roughly understood by stu- its’ Who have studied Civics and vely upon them to be famous ps 10 the campaign for better ‘of the two sub-councils. The officers of one serve as officers of the grand council for half the year and vice versa. Three regular committees have been at work this year.—namely, the progress, efficiericy, and traffic cam- mittees. The progress committee, as its name suggests, thinks out plans for the progress of the school. This committee i1s really the brains of the efficiency committee which attends to the carrying out of the ideas of the progress cammittee. Since these two committees work well together, joint meetings ‘are often held. The pro- gress committee has from fifteen to twenty members and it elects a chair- man and a vice chairman to conduct the meetings, ‘The purpose of the efficiency com- mittee is to promate a higher stan- of efficiency in the school as a ‘whole and among the individual stu- dents, This committee has from twenty to thirty members among whom are three lieutenants, who are each responsible for the work of from eight to ten members. As executive over the whole commities, there is a chairman and & vics ohairman, to whom the lieutenants are responsible. Meetings are held weekly and wario matters which tend toward the effi- clency of the school are If thought necessary, a camuif appointed to investigate the Boclal categories must differ from | philanthropist to paperhanger. But to be considered soclal any category should be embracing, not exclusive but inclusive. “Intellectual life requires for expansion and manifestation the in- fluence and assimilations of the in- terests and affections of others. Maz- sini, that greatest of all democrats, said:: “Education is not merely I| mnecemsity of true life by which the STUDENT GOVERNMENT., (Miss Emma Schaefer.) THere are two ways in which the boys and girls of the high school can be trained in citizenship and in right social thinking—Afirst, through the curriculum, and second, through par- ticipation in the organization and management of the school as a social unit or, in other words, through student-government. The aim of this social co-operation or student-government is to develop responsibility in the student, and to teach him self-control. The placing of a part of the responsibility for ad- ministration on the student ' teaches them to Tespect and help each other. The majority obey those pupils who are in charge and the healthy spirit which is thus obtained, influences the careless ones to do e right thing. This responsibility develops and trains the student’s character, and develops in him self-controil, ‘The secand aim of student-govern- ment is to give the students prac- tice in our form of government. It teaches them the fundamen- tals of government 80 that when they get out into the worid they mill make more efficient citisens. This training means deeds, not words. ‘We use text books in school for we know that knowledge is power; therefare if the students. are to know about our gov- ernment, they should:have practice in it. This can be plished by student-government which trains them for citizenship through action. New conditions always call for new its individual renews his vital force in the vital force of humanity.” High school life discovers above all what has been called the ‘extraordinary pliability of human nature,” and it seems impossible to set any bounds to the moral capabilities which might unfold under ideal social and educa- tiona] conditions. -But in order to obtain’ these conditions those in charge of the management of a high school recognize the need of co- operation. The educational actlivities of a high school as well as the so- clal undertakings are but differing manifestations of the attempt to so- clalist democracy. The membership of our high schools has changed with enroliment increasing three or four times as fast as the total population, and a more varied membership 1s discovered than formerly. Consequently the demand for effective mixing processes grows before any definite action is Fimperative. The place of the high One of the things which the commit-{ achool in tee makes a great effort to do, I8 ng. promote a spirit of co-operaties tween the members of the compy They All Use Overlands Leading concerns in practically every line of trade are usérs }ovaerhndDd!verwa Gimuttbauadem 'l‘hefifltcoatofa Ddiverywmhmtthemfltw Let us show you why 7,000 merchants chose Overlands. W. F. KEELEY, Dealer Corner Elm and Franklin Streets = New Britain, Conn. Tel. 1228 i'orya-y in the Vocational school pug odors &re wafted ‘up to us o the lower rogions, where the ing dcpartment is located. The weatly arrayed in cap ' and seem to enjoy life in their )qiipped kitchens. Their house- pular thought is chang- The wschool “functions are ing. From having been purely ate preparatory school far a ool i3