Berkeley High School - Olla Podrida Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

Page 17 text:

OLLA PODRIDA row for your high school career. Have an anil:)ition to be somebody and to do something. Have an ideal of some kind for which to strive. If your ambition is to be come an athletic hero, don ' t stop when the disappointments of the first year cast a black cloud over your ideal, but press on. strain every sinew, and do not be satisfied until your ambition is realized, until you are the crack half-miler of the State, until you are the football captain, or whatever position you covet. If, on the other hand, you covet political ambitions, strive for the best the school has to offer. A word of practical advice. Don ' t in your first year aim for the higher positions, but first prove your worth by fulfilling the duties of a minor office or by loyally supporting the activities of the school. The school is watching your actions, and if you perform the lesser duties well, your worth is surely going to be recognized, and in your later years they are going to entrust you with greater power in the government of the school. And finally, but indeed not the least, if your ambition is to gain scholastic honors, if your ambition is to occupy that much ridiculed and yet secretly coveted position of the ' ' dig, a name of honor, do not let the pleasanter, more showy side of high school life divert your attention from your ideal, but go on in spite of the trying tasks to perform, make your stan- dard a well done, perfectly finished lesson, and yours will be an inestimable reward. Ambition in itself is no sin. It is only when you have an ambition that does not look up that it becomes sinful. Set up a high standard, use every legitimate means to reach it, and you will be justified in the eyes of your faculty and fellow students. Class of 1914, we believe in you. AVe are glad to welcome vou. 15

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OLLA PODRIDA mate result is concerned. The only question in our minds is, will the students give their undivided support to the plan? The success of the plan depends entirely upon the support given to it. Not only is this true, but the nature of the system is such that it requires every student ' s support. Just as surely as a man becomes a supporter of the institutions and laws of the United States when he becomes of age, just so surely must every student in Berkeley High School become a supporter of the new system of student control when he enters school this spring. It has been said by some that the new system is a very cumbersome affair, and that in operation it will prove too intri- cate and complex. To many it would doubtless appear so, on only hearing the reading given at one of the student assem- blies of the latter part of last term, but upon closer study the adequacy and simplicity of the plan are its striking features. Finall} ' , let every student make the new plan of student control a success from every standpoint. Tho Olla Podrida joins with the entire school in welcoming the class of December, 1914. A full year has passed since a freshman class has entered school, and because of this fact you are all the more Avelcome. AVe have missed you, with your boyish pranks, your awk- ward ways, your green and innocent appearance, and at the same time we have missed your clean-spirited actions, your refreshing looks and your loyal support. In fact, it is a notice- able truth that since the inauguration of the new system of grading in the public schools the activities of the High School have gone steadily downward. This, to a large extent than most might believe, has been due to the absence of a freshman class. We have had less material on which to draw for the teams, we have lacked the necessary financial support, and above all, we have missed the moral support which comes from a freshman class. Fellow students of December. 1914, set a standard right 14

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Student control of student affairs, to be tried out in the most up-to-date manner and along the broadest lines, is at last a fact in Berkeley High. This semester of 1911 promises the culmination of a long-wished for state of aft ' airs, and the balance of student power rests with the students collectively ' d.-nd individually. You have a government that should stir your pride, lor it is essentially of. by, and for yon. hat- ever errors it makes are a reflection upon you : likewise, what- ever glory or honor comes to it. that belongs to you. The opportunity is early presented to you to demonstrate to those whose whole-hearted interest is focused upon you, just Avhat sort of citizens, men and women, you are going to make, for right here in your high school world is the practical side of government at your disposal. Your attitude toward gov- ernment and discipline in a local Avorld will be an index to your character, attitude and integrity oiu in the world of men. In after life, if you would have your one thousand fellow students in High remember you as one who strove to maintain justice, fairness and common manliness or womanliness, ' i: would be well to uphold, further and defend the government that is of vour own creation. 16