New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1917-01-03
The Open Forum.
WANTED! ENTHUSIASM FOR THE
N. u. HI. S. ALUMNI.

There has been much discussion Of
late among the Alumni regarding their
relation to the high school. We are
continually being invited to, come up
to the building, but for most Of US there
is only one chance to come, and that is
during Christmas vacation. for our an
nual Alumni Get-together. 2 Then,
when we have the opportunity, per-
mission to use this wonderful edifce is
denied us, because we wish to indulge
in little harmless amusement, such as
cards and dancing. What is the use Of
acting upon the surface as tho all Alum
nj would be welcome guests at the high
school, when in reality they cannot
even have the building the one evening
lin the year when they want it? The
new high school does not mean one thing
to the old graduates and that is entirely
wrong. It ought to mean great deal
to them and could easily be made to
do so.
OF course, we realize that the main
objection to using the building is the
dancing proposition. Last spring the
Juniors and Seniors danced and the
building still stands intact in spite Of it.
We also realize that they had permission
from their parents, who were held re-
|sponsible, but on the other hand, we
must consider that the Alumni, with few
exceptions. namely the last classes
entering the association, are Of age.
Aside from that, the Alumni meetings
have never been known for being f'rowdy-
ish." AS a rule, you could not find a
more quiet crowd of young people any
lplace and there is no need for anyone
feeling particularly responsible. !,
The root of the whole matter lies in the
fact that the New Ulm High School is
not used sufficiently as a social center,
as it should be, Take all the progressive
high schools, Madison, Wis, Indian
apolis, Ind, and others. What are they
doing? Opening up their schools to the
public by having them the center of
community frolics, anusefhents, dancing,
etc. In Minneapolis in the high schools,
for instance, they have community
singing, to which not. only the high school
pupils and their parents are invited, but
also people who are not high school
graduates themselves and have mo child
rem going to school, It is the spirit Of
social service, the twentieth century ideal,
Ia thing that seems to be lacking here.
There are small towns along the Great
Northern, where the schools were opened
lup for Hallowe'e en- carnivals and Christ
mas celebrations Again after basket
Dbal games, the. out-of- toWn teams are
/ entertained at the school house by the
town teams, with al light luncheon served
| by the Domestic Science classes, and
dancing afterwards. At. Walker, the
faculty chaperones and the young people
frequently have school dances on Friday
/; evenings. @ i
Whether one approves Or disapproves
|of dancing. however, is really not the
point at issue Dancing and cards are
the most easily provided for means Of
entertainment Of this day and age, and
most young people will do both; so, con
sidering this fact, why not have dances
for school children where they ought
to be, namely in the high school,. under
faculty supervision? Surely, no one
can deny that good dancing tends toward
graceful bearing or why should it be so
emphasized in the curriculum of a
gymnastie collegeg It would do some OF
these high school boys and girls good il