Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 129, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 June 1915 — F NE EXHIBIT OF PUPILS’ SCHOOL WORK [ARTICLE]

F NE EXHIBIT OF PUPILS’ SCHOOL WORK

Domestic Science and Manual Training Brought Up to'High Degree In Rensselaer Schools. The exhibit in the manual training and domestic science departments of the Rensselaer schools shows the excellent training of pupils along these lines so long neglected in the development of the pupil and patrons and friends of education who visited the school rooms and saw the many articles on exhibit must have felt a keen pride in the result which is the development of the last few years. Owing to the bad weather of last Friday and Saturday the exhibit was continued over Sunday and Monday, thus affording a large number the opportunity of seeing it. The reporter visited the exhibit and Superintendent Dean accompanied him on his rounds. Miss Dyer, the domestic sefbnee teacher, was in the room where the sewing exhibit was displayed. This room is used for sewing classes and is equipped with tables, chairs and sewing machines. Sixteen 'girls in the senior class took domestic science and their exhibit consisted of their graduation dresses, which had been made in the school sewing room, every stitch being taken by the pupil who is to wear the garment. The ruling had been made that no pupil in the class should spend more than $7 for thein graduation dress and each was required to file a schedule of all -expenditures with Miss Dyer. The prices varied from $2.68 to $6.98, the average being about $5. The Daughters of the American Revolution offered two prizes for the best work in the domestic science department, the awards to go to the seniors, one for the best workmanship and the other for the best design. The judging was done by Mrs. N. H. Warner, Mrs. J. H. Long and Miss Pearl Danjiels. The finding is to be kept a secret until thfe awards are announced at the commencement Thursday evening. The dresses are all of white material, organdies, dotted Swiss, flaxon and rice cloth. They are very pretty and the grading showed the lowest to be 85 per cent perfect and that there were’ five graded above 95. Last year sonte graded considerably lower, indicating a marked improvement this year. The grading was based on the following features, the value of. each being the figure accompanying it: 1 Structure: (a) Accuracy of cutting 12 (b) Matching materials as to design ... A ., ® (c) Width and evenness in size of seams 8 (d) Width and evenness in size of hems < 8 (e) Width and evenness in size of gathers 6 (f) Width and evenness in size of placket .......: .5 2 Stitches: (a) Evenness and size 33 3 Finishing:. (a). Raw edge finish : ..10

(b) Fastenings 5 (c) Thread ends 5 (d) Removal of bastings 5 Total 100 DRESS DESIGN. 1 Material: (a) Suitability of material to occasion . 10 (b) Suitability of material to J design 20 2 Dress Plan: (a) Unity of dress .......'. 20 (b) Suitability of plan to present mode 10 (c) Suitability of plan to person.4o Total 100 Other exhibits in this department were by the first year high school and the grade pupils. Freshmen girls made middie blouses and the Bth grade made the middle blouses and underwear models. The 7th grade made initial towels and night dresses, the 6th grade made initial sew bags. The exhibit was not made with a view of showing only the very best work, but each pupil in the domestic science work was required to have one article on .exhibit. In addition to the sewing work pupils were required during the year to plan the arrangement and furnishing of a kitchen, the cost of the furnishings not to exceed SIOO. Designs were made, showing the location of the range and other pieces of furniture, and the dimensions of the kitchen.. Patterns of floor covering were attached to a number of the designs. The manual training exhibit was also fine, showing that the boys as well as the girls were devoted to practical accomplishment with their hands as well as their minds, and the display consisted of one Morris chair, library tables, office desks, taborettes, porch swings, one wardrobe, umbrella racks, newspaper and magazine racks, flour stands, light shades, towel racks, coat hangers, wren boxes, broom hangers, hall trees, etc. Mechanical drawing was exhibited also. Prof. Carl Clever is in charge of these department and the result of his instruction has been the development of some good artists with wood materials. The D. A. R. also offered two prizes in this department, one for the advanced class and one for the lower classes to compete for. The grading was done by W. J. Wright, Ralph Donnelly and Louie Ramp. Joints and finish were important features in the grading and the judges say that the work is very fine. Many opportunities were offered to sell several of the articles the boys had made. Desks, library tables and taborettes being in general demand, but these articles are the property of the boys who made them and will generally go into the homes of their parents. In later years when some of these lads have grown into great artisans they will look with great pride upon their first efforts and will praise the day that manual training was inauguarted as a part of the course in Rensselaer high school. It is probable that a number of the articles shqwn in the exhibit will be displayed in a down town store window, where they may be seen by many who did npt get to see thent\at the school house.

The success of these departments bespeak the splendid work of the instructors and the management of Superintendent Dean and it is hoped

that the influence of our splendid school will be so felt that it wall reach out and bring as pupils many more of the township graduates of this and adjoining counties. v

Ralph DePalma won the fifth 500 mile speedway classic in the remarkable time of 5 hours, 33 minutes and 55% seconds, going on an average of 89.84* miles an hour. The Italian drove a consistent race throughout and the knowledge secured in former races helped him greatly in maintaining his lead over Dario Resta, a felloy countryman, who crossed the tape out five minutes behind. DePalma was never farther back in the race than fourth place. Resta contested every mile of the way with DePalma and the race between these two pilots was the feature of the contest. Gil Andetson in a Stutz was third, nine minutes behind the winner. Of the 24 cars that started 11 finished, ten of which received prize money. DePahna’s victory was a popular one, as was shown by the thousands who rose and cheered wildly as the winner finished the last lap. DePalma drove into his garage immediately after he received the checkered flag, which announced victory, and locked the door. His first words were praise for the mechanician who rode by his side during the long grind. Enthusiastic friends burst open the door of the garage and DePalma became the center of attraction for hundreds of friends who fought to shake his hand.

DePalma’s machine ran perfectly until the (beginning of the 498th mile when it showed signs of fault. Spectators feared that the car would fail him and that he would be robbed of victory as tie was in 1912 when, with but two miles to go, his machine broke down and he lost the prizes he thought as good as won. DePalma lost his lead in the 315th mile, when he stopped at the pits, but regained it in the 331st male, when Resta skidded into the outer wall and was forced to make a tire change. After this DePalma was never headed, although Resta pushed his car the limit. This year was the first in which no person was injured. Although the weather was threatening and the race had been postponed from Saturday a large crowd was on hand to witness the event. The track was ideal for high speed as it was chilled, and the tires lasted much longer than usual. The winner made two pit stops for tires and fuel. The drivers divided the $50,000 stake after the race, DePalma getting $20,000 as his share.

While there does not seem to have been quite so continuous a stream of tourists returning from the races as there were last year, there have been many going through since yesterday evening. N. C. Shafer, of Rensselaer, accompanied by Dr. Turfler and Ross Ramey, made the trip to the races in Mr. Shafer’s Maxwell roadster and the return trip was made in 3 hours and 45 minutes, with an 8-minute stop at Lafayette. Harve Hemphill and Art Battleday, in their rebuilt Yellow Jacket made the return trip in a little less than 4 hours and 15 minutes. Not many cars were able to go round either of the Rensselaer cars.