The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1914-01-02
A PRAlSEWORTHY PROJECT

Brief mention was made last week
OF movement set on foot by Prof.
W. Il. COurtenay that has for its object
the stimulation of industry among the
boys Of the high school, and the arous-
ing OF interest in land cultivation along
lines educational as we'll as resultant
material advantage to those whom he
aims to interest in the project. Be-
fore making public his plans Prof.
Courtenay interviewed a number of
business men and laid before them his
proposition. This new departure that
he championed was the securing of a
tract of land as near town as possible
dividing it up, and assigning an equal
amount of ground to each student for
cultivation, planting and growing of
vegetables. AS stimulous for induc-
ing the boys to apply themselves earn
estly to securing the best results,
prizes were to be offered to those ma
king the best records during the sea-
son. The business men approached
al once fell in with the suggestion,
considering the proposition most ex-
cellent one, and were liberal in prom
ises of aid, encouraging the professor
to carry the enterprise through. l.. L.
Work has donated the ground, just
beyond the base ball grand stand, and
others have pledged prizes to the
amount of SIS, and this sum will prob
ably be greatly increased AS early
in the spring as practicable the land
will be fenced, broken out, assigned,
and the young agriculturists admon-
ished to go to it. Whatever is raised
is the property of the boy who does
the work. 1t is believed that a spirit
OF friendly emulation will be aroused
among the boys which will induce in
tensive cultivation, jealous care and
the production of a superior quality
of vegetables.
Prof. Courtenay is to be commended
primarily for the idea, and finally for
carrying the plans out to point where
success seems assured. Since taking
up his duties as teacher in this place
the gentleman has displayed much dip
lomacy in handling the boys under his
charge, and keen interest in their
well being, both within the precincts
OF the school and in their daily life
outside of the confines of the school
building, showing that he does not feel
that his responsibility ends in the
school room. He constantly has an
eye upon their moral and physical we'll
being, and If his advice is followed
by his scholars they will find it ex-
ceedingly beneficial beyond mere book
learning. He is teacher, advisor and
comrade. He has won the confidence,
respect and esteem of the scholars,
and in conjunction with Principal
Nance and his associate staff of teach
ers has made the Oroville school one
of the best in the county, and an edu-
cational institution that our people
can well feel proud Of This has been
no small accomplishment considering
the reputation that our school has had
for insubordination in the past, and
is really wonderful record for the
teaching force to make in so short n
time. When high standard is once
established 1t is less difficult to con-
tinue the school on that high plane.
1t is to be hoped that the entire corps
will continue working together in the
same harmony during the balance Of
the school year, and the result will
be highly fortunate for the school and
greatly beneficial to every scholar.