When school opened in September of the year 1912, we marked many changes. Principal L.E. Weiland had come to take the place of Mr. Godfrey who left us at the end of the preceding school year. Mr. Weiland had visited us in May of the same year, so we felt more or less acquainted with him; and work started off the first day without a hitch. Miss. Hildur Schreiner was added to the teaching force of the high school after two weeks had passed. This divided the work in such a way that we were enabled to devote more time and energy to activities which are as valuable to high school students as are the lessons learned from books.
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| Built in 1910 the new public school would stand for another 50 years |
Many things had been done which had resulted in greater possibilities for the boys and girls. I am thinking particularly of buying the piano. The piano fund was started under the instigation of Miss. Polley and had gradually been increased until with a little financial aid from the board we were enabled to buy the long-hoped-for instrument. The wheezy organ, which had done faithful service for so long, was removed, and the new piano was dedicated on the Monday morning following its arrival. On that occasion we displayed what musical talent we had, and tried to make the stranger understand how much we appreciated its presence.
The piano was not the only improvement which graced our school. It was no more necessary to summon classes from their visitations and violate their privacy by opening their classroom doors and giving a signal that meant, “it is time to call a halt; another class needs this room.” A new electric bell had banished that uncouth method; and trivial as it may seem, the bell was hailed as an object of adoration.
Our library was increased and the number and character of the book added greatly to the efficiency and pleasure of the students. Perhaps I am going into detail when I mention the new clock, new chairs and other pieces of furniture which to some would seem of small value, but to us were so gratifying.
Principal L.E. Weiland fully appreciated the fact that a school that merely teaches its pupils how to glean knowledge from the printed page is not doing all it ought to do for wide-awake young people who must learn how to live with their fellow men. Hence societies and clubs of literary and athletic natures received their share of attention. A Literary society of more than fifty members was organized, and it was to long before our first program was given. Never have I seen a society of this kind attended and appreciated as ours has been. Sometimes it was almost impossible to seat the crowds which were in attendance. It was before such audiences as these that our students waxed oratorical or argumentative. This work revealed talent which we might never have discovered in any other way.
The boys labored hard and faithfully to clean off a spot large enough for a double tennis court. I do not think they regretted the work, for they realized all kinds of fun out of the court after it was finished. Anyone watching a lively game could not help but feel that it was all worth while; not only because of the fun it afforded, but also because of the exercise.
The tennis season was a short one and basketball soon became the all-engrossing feature of the hour. The boys’ team was coached by Sigurd Ramsland and the girls’ by Arthur Thorson. No one could expect me to express in cold unfeeling words the merits of these basketball teams. I do not think that I am saying too much when I maintain that they did a big work in proving to the people of our neighboring communities that we were no longer their inferior in any respect. Our boys and girls did creditable school work, exhibited good clean morals, and played the game on all occasions at the end of the season letters were given to the boys, and a basketball banquet, which proved to be a fitting close to this most successful year, was held in honor of the teams.
Thus the days flew by. Every one was busy, and time went so fast that we had reached the close of the year almost before we knew it. It had meant close figuring of time and concentration of energy to keep all the work and outside activities in full swing, but we did it, nevertheless, and when the books were handed in on the “last day” we all felt that the work and play had been so well proportioned that we could truly say that we had spent an enjoyable and profitable year.
With expectation we awaited the arrival of September 1913. This year we knew would be different from any other school year that had ever been experienced in Westby. We were a full-fledged high school and cold hold up our heads as proudly as any one. I believe that every pupil thrilled with pride to think that we had at least reached our year of maturity. There was a Senior row, Senior dignity and Senior everything-else which we had never had before.
During vacation the assembly room had been filled with rows of seats which were nearly as long as the room itself. A rostrum from which the “powers that be” could made their influence felt to the most remote corner of the room had been built. Miss. Larkin from Ripon College and Mr. Petersen from the University of Wisconsin had come to swell the ranks of the teachers. A laboratory, with necessary equipment, had been fitted up in the basement. Physics had been an unheard of science in this school, but it was not long before we all began to learn of its mysteries. Fumes, strange musical sounds and explosions from that region below informed us that the Seniors were being lead along the fascinating road of science.
A subscription list had been passed about and a fund was raised for the purchasing of magazines and newspapers. These periodicals have served their purpose and have been valuable sources of knowledge for almost all departments of the school.
Much progress has been made in music this year. The good work received its start last year and has been continued with great success. Chorus singing by the high school has been under the able direction of Mr. Weiland who has taught the pupils to know and appreciate many pieces of good classical music. The orchestra was organized with Miss. Norris as director. The marked progress which it has made can be best appreciated by those who heard it all its first rehearsal last fall. The orchestra made its first appearance at a literary program and those who were there will remember that the first selection was followed by of sower of bouquets.
Besides the literary society which was still in a flourishing conditions. A German society was formed for the benefit of the Seniors. Of its operations and functions I am quite ignorant; but we all know that it must have proved a success because the members of the society always followed any remark incident to the program with a satisfied and equally mystifying grin.
Basketball claimed it usual amount of attention this year also. Mr. Petersen ably coached both teams and insisted upon creditable work and clean habits as requisite qualifications of candidates for the team. Several boys who, before this year, had not been conspicuous in athletics, came out to practice and made good. Although our teams have not made quite as brilliant a showing as they did last year we were not unloyal to them one minute because we felt that they were “stickers” and true sportsmen from the word “go.”
With expectation we awaited the arrival of September 1913. This year we knew would be different from any other school year that had ever been experienced in Westby. We were a full-fledged high school and cold hold up our heads as proudly as any one. I believe that every pupil thrilled with pride to think that we had at least reached our year of maturity. There was a Senior row, Senior dignity and Senior everything-else which we had never had before.
During vacation the assembly room had been filled with rows of seats which were nearly as long as the room itself. A rostrum from which the “powers that be” could made their influence felt to the most remote corner of the room had been built. Miss. Larkin from Ripon College and Mr. Petersen from the University of Wisconsin had come to swell the ranks of the teachers. A laboratory, with necessary equipment, had been fitted up in the basement. Physics had been an unheard of science in this school, but it was not long before we all began to learn of its mysteries. Fumes, strange musical sounds and explosions from that region below informed us that the Seniors were being lead along the fascinating road of science.
A subscription list had been passed about and a fund was raised for the purchasing of magazines and newspapers. These periodicals have served their purpose and have been valuable sources of knowledge for almost all departments of the school.
Much progress has been made in music this year. The good work received its start last year and has been continued with great success. Chorus singing by the high school has been under the able direction of Mr. Weiland who has taught the pupils to know and appreciate many pieces of good classical music. The orchestra was organized with Miss. Norris as director. The marked progress which it has made can be best appreciated by those who heard it all its first rehearsal last fall. The orchestra made its first appearance at a literary program and those who were there will remember that the first selection was followed by of sower of bouquets.
Besides the literary society which was still in a flourishing conditions. A German society was formed for the benefit of the Seniors. Of its operations and functions I am quite ignorant; but we all know that it must have proved a success because the members of the society always followed any remark incident to the program with a satisfied and equally mystifying grin.
Basketball claimed it usual amount of attention this year also. Mr. Petersen ably coached both teams and insisted upon creditable work and clean habits as requisite qualifications of candidates for the team. Several boys who, before this year, had not been conspicuous in athletics, came out to practice and made good. Although our teams have not made quite as brilliant a showing as they did last year we were not unloyal to them one minute because we felt that they were “stickers” and true sportsmen from the word “go.”
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