Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1920-06-10

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Belington, W. Va.
Gentlemen:
Having read Prof. Boyle's articles,
from time to time, and the article by
Fred M. Chenoweth appearing in the
Progressive of May 27th., in regard
to a gymnasium, has prompted me to
give you some of my experience along
this line. Being Belington boy I'm
still interested in Belington al
though many miles now separate
me from the old town.
Have just finished iny second year
as Physical Director of the schools of
Sheridan, Wyo., having charge of all
the need of good gymnasium. We
have here five grade schools with an
enrolment of 100 and high school
with enrolment of $50. Every
pupil from the first grade to the
eighties, inclusive, has regular class
es every day, in the gymnasium, in
the class room or out doors, consist
ing of gymnastics and games Ply
steal education is not compulsory in
the high school because the high
school gym is located in different
part of the city from the high school.
However, gym classes are held for
the high school students and are we'll
attended We have basket ball
tournament every year between the
different grade school teams, for both
boys and girls, also foot ball for the
boys in the fall and field meet in
the spring. The high school boys
and girls basket ball teams also have
tournament early in the winter to
decide the class championship. Our
interscholastic games usually start
the latter part of January and contin-
ue until about the middle of March.
The high school girls basket ball team
plays other schools the same as the
boys do except that they have fewer
games. From late fall till early
spring our gym is the busiest place
you could imagine, filled with bunch
of lively youngsters playing basket
ball, indoor base ball or some other
game.
In the central part of the city, just
two blocks from the Post Office, the
new Central School is now being erect
ed. This building covers almost an
op,t;ra b1ooL orJ will ooe+ .o,,,o+b;xc.
like 100000 In this building will
be a gymnasium 102 Sc, fully
equipped with running track, etc.
Just few steps from the gymnasium
lies the athletic field making it ideal
for our foot ball teams and for all
athletics. After practice, hot and
cold shower and good rub down
leaves the young athletics in the
pink of condition.
The reason / am telling all this to
show that town the size of Beling-
ton ought to begin to look after the
welfare of it's boys and girls. If you
do build a gymnasium, and hope you
will, it won't be long till you'll be
wondering how the town ever got a.
long without it. Boys are full of life
and will naturally turn to athletics as
an outlet for their surplus energy, if
given a chance. If they do not get
this chance to take part in their time
this chance to take part in the differ
entk inds of sport which gymnasium
affords they are going to find other
ways as to put in their time and they
do not always choose as you would
approve.
So, to the voters l say: Have
special election and vote to build
gymnasium. A few mills extra tax
levy is nothing when you consider
you are doing to develope the school
boys and girls of to-day into real
men and women of tomorrow
Don't make the mistake usually make
by spearing money and making the
gym SO small that you will outgrow
1T In year or two
Sincerely,
WILBUR L. WRIGHT
Physical Director, Schools of
Sheridan Wvo