Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1920-05-27
REPORT ON GYMNASIUM

Il ne GyHifldSiuHl VI WSotoii iAiSh
School, Fred Chenoweth, Athletic Di-
rector, writes us as follows:
Weston, w. Va.
May IL, 1920
To the Voters of the Independent
School District of Belington;-
Gentleman have for some time
been an interested observer of the
efforts Of the Superintendent of your
city Schools, and his co-workers, in
their attempt to place before the pub
lie your need for Gymnasium. Being
native of Barbour County, and also
being at this time employed as Di-
rector of Phyical Education of one of
the High Schools of the State, indeed
my interest is manifold and / wish to
take this opportunity to add all that
l can to the very commendable move
ment.
Briefly let me say that came here,
Weston, w. Va. last fall as Director
of Physical Education. There was
nothing to work in, nothing to work
with The gymnasium was under con-
struction but was not completed until
the first year, so things were not well
handled. You who are fimiliar with
school in your city know just how the
physical part of the youngsters edu-
cation. But now the building is COM
plete and we are using it and here
is the interesting part. What ben
lift is the gymnasium? Before it
was finished the boys who played
football dressed at home and in the
wet weather the mothers were sub
ject to the daily drudge of cleaning
up after the lad following the practise
sessions. Now it is different. He
dresses in the gym, goes to practice
follows this with a bath, and when
he reaches home mother doesn't
know that he even has his hair muss-
ed. This holds true in the other
branches of athletics such as base
ball, basketball and track. But right
away some one says that only few
students indulge in these games, and
the greater part of the students body
will not reap benefit from the gym.
Not so here. We have regular classes
and the student body receives regular
gym work. Further every student
must keep their grades up in order
to work out in the gym. Under this
requirement we have excellent work
from all. | could fill columns tell
ing the benefits derived, but believe
that the recent great war has placed
physical education before the people
in such way that any boost that l
might give would be superfluous.
Just word about the Weston gym.
1t is two story brick, with the gym
proper, consisting of basketball
court, soft. 37ft and seating cap
acity of 800, swimming pool, 40ft.
26ft. and four very large dressing
rooms each fitted with two shower
baths. On the second floor is the
High School study hall with seats
for over 100 students, two large rooms
accommodating commercial depart
ment, and four rooms used for teach
ing purposes. Taking it all in all it
is generally conceded by those who
have the knowledge to make COM
parison that the Weston gym is the
best High School gym in the state.
1t cost money, that is true, but the
gymnasium part proper would not
cost over $4,000, while the building
as it is costs just about twice that
But the boys and girls deserved it, it
is true you did not have it before
them but that is a coor argument,
don't make children suffer because
you did, they couldn't help it. Wake
up, have . special election and vote
to build gymnasium vote to make
better citizens and better Americans
Don't say you haven't the money you
have as much now as you will ever
have, if you don't want to build.
Belington is as large as Weston and
should have gymnasium as good
You young voters get to work, you
know what it means to your city, pull
it through
Respectfully,
FRED M. CHENOWETH, PLY. Dir.
Weston High School.