Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-05-23
SOPHOMORE PROM"
1.-The Sophs Do Honor to the
Seniors Tonight at the Grand.

1.-The Sophs Do Honor to the
Seniors Tonight at the Grand.
Following a time honored and a
pretty social custom in this city, the
Sophomore class of the Grand Rapids
High School is giving prom" or
bali at the opera house tonight in
honor OF the Seniors or graduating
class OF 1905. This Is usually the
Joyous function OF the Juniors, but
for fear that the petty tyrant In
charge Of the schools (whO Is opposed
TO "proms" in general and this one in
particularly might use his position
against them when their time to
graduate should come, the Juniors
contented themselves this year with
a tame reception" to the Seniors
with all the frolic OF their vivacious
young natures "cut out" But the
SophOmores could not be suppressed,
either by frowns, wheedling or cajolery
and they are maintaining thelr
independence and the revered tradi-
tions OF the school tonight at the
opera house, and that they will enjoy
the occasion goes without saying. 1t
Is to be hoped that the time will come
when the schools will be managed by
a man of sufficient brOadmindedneSs
and dignity to command the respect
OF the scholars and the community In
general but no man can do that and
NEEDLE with the private affairs Of the
patrons Of the school or gauge the
educational qualifications OF the
scholars by the way their dads voted
al the school election"
The above article which appears In
the last issue of the Valley Leader Is
not only remarkable for the amount
OF malice, hatred and revenge that
appears to inspire 1t, but for it's
undisguiscd shallowness and the
disregard Of It's author for the welfare
of our children and our schools.
The prom" referred to was ball
or dance given by few "Sophomores,"
High School girls and boys ranging
from fourteen to sixteen years Of age.
May not prudent parents who
have no objections to dancing hesitate
to allow their young daughter to
attend public ball,-a ball that by
It's very nature must be as public as
our public schools? These "PrUms"
In the past have been expensive
swell" affairs, and their Sweetness"
Is measured by their expenSivenesS
Now, many OF our laboring men who
have children In the high school can i'll
afford to indulge their children in such
needless .swell" Injuries, even II there
were not better reasons for their OPP
position to this class of entertainment
We pay out twenty-five Thousand
dollars annually for the support OF our
public schools. Might not a thought
rul tax payer say that this money is
being wasted because the attention of
our children is turned away from
educational work by too much school
entertainment, and while some
entertainment should always be
recognized and supported, are we not
carrying itstoo far In our foot ball,
basket ball, athletic contests, and
most OF all In the "sweil' affairs
called ''Proms."
Dancing rightly conducted may be
as harmless as any other form OF
physical exercise, but the universal
testimony Of men OF experience Is,
that public dancing is a dangerous
past time for young girls in their
early teens, such as we have in the h gh
school, and such seems to be the
opinion of our superintendent, and in
this he voices the sentiment of the
best parents in the city. For this
exercise Of his best Judgment. the
above groundless and unwarrantable
charges and malicious attack is made
on him.
Even IL he were wrong, thoughtful
parents who have the welfare OF their
children at heart would not encourage
them In rebellion against their
teacher, for such rebellion will only
lead to rebellion against all lawful
authority, and In the end, rebellion
against these parents themselves; but
man who would so to jail rather
than contribute to the support of his
own child ought not to be expected to
have much regard for the welfare Of
other peoples children. But the
~ender Is that there are SO many
parents In this town who will con-
tribute TO the support Of such man
and allow his vile writings to be laid
before their children.
JOHN A. GAYNOR.