The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-12-07
Normal Column
HOW CAN THE SCHOOL BEST
SERVE THE INTERESTS OF
THE WHOLE COMMUNITY

First Prize Essay, by Taiitha Poweh
How can the school best serve the
interests OF the whole community
Before we answer this question let
us ask another: What are the things
which the community as whole
are interested in9 or better still:
What are the things which II should
he interested in9 You say II should
be interested in better schools and
churches, cleaner politics, more i'm
proved roads, advanced ideas OF
systematic farming and better ed
ucation in general for its children.
Then IL these are the things which
the whole community should be in
terested in the school will perform
the greatest service IL II carries
these ideas TO the people.
But how shall they be carried TO
the people you ask. Not In a day.
not in n month, or even in a single
school term, but little by little IN
the course Of few terms bring
them 10 realize what good school
really is: that IL is not a place
where the children study readin'.
writin'. and 'rithmetic" only, but a
place where their experiences are
guided in such a way that when
they are through they are better
equipped 10 face the problems OF
life than they would otherwise
have been, although their time In
school was not all spent in "doin'
sums or readin' from book"
The school II il best serves the
interests OF the whole community
will convince the people that a
church house may not be used alone
for religious services, but II the
farmers meet there 10 discuss hon
est questions OF better farming.
cleaner politics, etc. they will not
have sinned against the Holy Ghost.
The church which endeavors TO
show TO all men their sins and the
final consequences OF those sins Is
the one which does the most good
for its members and others. That
being true let the school OF best
service teach its children 10 stamp
such with their approval.
The school which will teach the
sons OF our land 10 go 10 the polls
and cast an honest vote, void OF
financial influence or selfish benefit,
has done something which the aver
age school does not emphasize, and
has therefore rendered q great
service.
Let the schools teach the people
that good roads are just as impor-
tant 10 success and happiness as Q
good barn or a beautiful dwelling.
Prove 10 the parents that their chill
dren are being cut out OF at least
half OF their inheritance from the
State, half OF the benefit which they
are entitled TO receive from the
school. and all because the roads
are poor.
The majority OF the children In
our rural districts will remain on
the farm. That Is a great thing 10
look forward 10 II only the schools
will teach the people how TO make
their lives happy. useful and rich
as sons Of the soil. This cannot be
unless our teachers are so trained
that they can successfully teach az
riculture. Let our boys and girls
leave school with the idea that the
farm is the place where they can
make good living in an honest
and enjoyable way. that IL is the
best place on earth and they will
invariably remain there.
But you say. I'VE have good
roads" and another will say,
ours is the best church any
where. mat may be true, but let
us ask us il true in general7" Then
il IL is not. does this not apply 10
those places where such are lack
ing2
Perhaps your school is doing all
the things here suggested and even
more. or IL is possible that IL is not
doing any OF them, but in either
case, Mr.. Voter. you either receive
the praise or deserve the blame.
Remember you placed the teacher
in position and IL her work is eff
cient 10 you is due the reward Of an
honest vote cast for a good mea-
sure. but II she is not doing eff
cient work or II she has more than
she can possibly do, then 10 you
comes the opportunity TO investi-
gate the matter and suggest and
vote for something better.
PROHIBITION LEAGUE
The chief topic discussed at the