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Show THE DIXIE OWL 8 The Atmosphere of School Life Wlmtare the elements of school life aside from the daily routine Do these elements of study? contribute to the building of character and the education of As we often the individual? think of an education as nothing more than an accumulation of figure's, facts and formulas which are to be applied later to the problems of life, it might be well to anal ze briefly, the factors which compose the school atmosphere. That these factors do contribute largely to the high school or college graduate cannot be denied. How much they contribute to good citizenship, to the free institutions of democracy, to the loyally, and strength of the nation would be hard to estimate. The most important element of this developing medium is the high moral tone which permeates the school. 'this results from the splended class of young-peoplwhich attend the schools, from the influence of good men and women who compose the teaching force, and from the nature of the work itself dealing as it does with proper conduct, good citizenship, ethics, the biological phases of life, and in schools, theological instruct ion. It requires effort, a desire for and usually financial sacrifice, for the young-maor woman to go to school. '1'his accounts, largely, for the fact that in our schools are found the finest types of young manhood and womanhood. The associations of such individuals for a period of years in the class rooms, class contests, athletics, and socially will educate and build character in a subtle, but nevertheless, substantial way. In a well managed school there out-churc- is an almost complete absence of viciousness. There are very few walks of life in which vicious characters and their degrading-influenceplay so small a part. There is also a lack of sordidness and selfishness. In the business of life where competition is strong, sordid ness is a common quality. Selfishness has no place in the schools for an idea expressed is like mercy, It is twice blest; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. Instead of the insatiable lust for money which is frequently developed in the successful business career, there pervades the school atmosphere an appreciation for the higher things of life. Literature, poetry, art, science and the worlds best thought are the tools of trade. A student who spends four to eight years breathing this atmosphere and then falls down and worships the golden calf must have a small soul and a diminutive imagination. When a man can be alone and still be in good company, when lie can spend an evening with his favorite authors and ask no keener joy, then is he beginning- to see the light. On the other hand, the opportunities for growth and right development are plentiful. and ignorance go hand in hand. Our broadminded men are our intelligent men, whose minds are able to analyze and weigh the complex factors in a proposition The before passing judgment. associations of students with educated men and women and with one another are big factors in producing growth, frequently the student in the large university gains as much from association with the great thinkers of the world as from actual instruction. The friendly rivalry of athletic and class contests gives competition minus avarice and sordid - well-balanc- ed Narrow-mindedne- well-balanc- ed ss ness. It schools the emotions and teaches the adolescent boy to keep his temper and meet defeat with a smile. The high school period is the formative period in the life of the girl or boy. At this time the habits are formed which will determine the character of the individual throughout life. If these are habits of industry, honesty, fidelity, morality, steadfastness, and studiousness the possessor will grow in usefulness as the years pass by. There are few places the young man could spend his time to greater advantage during this period than in the school for these qualities are the very constituents of its atmosphere. The man of the hour in this world conflict is the man of President Wilson is thought. today the embodiment of that expression and possesses more power than any monarch who has lived. He is a product of the schools, a college graduate, after- ward a professor in Princeton, later president of the University. He said, recently, that the college men were the main stay of the nation. The greatest need of the nation today is for trained men. The men who are obtaining the commissions and as officers are training the unskilled are the college men. This is not altogether because of what they know; they may know little or nothing of the manual of arms, I) u t because of their trained minds which have the power to learn, to see, to understand and to direct. A nation like the Herman y of today could not have developed in the school atmosphere of America. For it is in this atmosphere that the spirit of freedom, democracy, and the love of mankind is fostered and renewed. E. 1I. Hall. |