Brooklyn Technical High School - Blueprint Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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THE BLUEPRINT EDITORIAL STAFF EDITOR: Richard Thorpe. ' ASSISTANT EDITORS: Ronald Pond, Nicholas Wilburn, Fred Hirshfeld, Jack Gardner, Gerald Levy, Oscar Levi, Harry Hart, Kenneth C. Holden, Joseph Perry, George Stone, Ralph Stahl, Ted Melnechuck, Daniel McCarthy. BUSINESS MANAGERS: William F. Cavanaugh, Milton H. Kurtz. TECHNICAL: The Marlin Printing Co., Inc., 1,fi7I,lliILgj Scientific Engraving Co.. Engraving, The Arthur Studios, Portraits. DISTRIBUTION: Members of tl1e English Oliice Squad. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Literary - Chairman, Miss Bennett, Assistants: Mrs. Feldschuh, Mrs. Smith, Miss Buck, Mr. Flaumenhaftg Art- Mrs. Nicol, Business--Mr. Cucker. LOOK AHEAD In these days, few of us look ahead. We are mostly concerned. if we are concerned at all. with the immediate situation before us-an attack here, a small advance there, or a slight retreat somewhere else. Only some favored few are able to keep the world- wide strategy of the war in mind. In our personal, private lives we also have this confusion. We are always apt to attach too much importance to little things, or to see only parts of a problem. Stumbling through life without thinking of a tomorrow that will surely come, we grasp any opportunity that comes our way. We must plan our lives. Yet, you will say, all planning is of no importance now. We are controlled rigidly by the necessities of the moment. But this war will certainly not last forever. By the time the present freshmen, or even the juniors, graduate, the world will in all probability be at peace again. Whatever your plans may be, you will find ways of advancing them, in war or peace. In the services, many oppor- tunities for specialized training are open to an industrious, intelligent young man. However, do not be side-tracked by lucrative, but temporary, offers. Look around. Everywhere are men of brilliant mind rotting away in inconsequential positions, only because they were once, in a weak moment, pushed off their self-appointed path. Or perhaps they had no such road. Think! Where will you be in 20 years? Where would you like to be? R. S. 26

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E FROM TECH TO TULAGI lly FRED HIRSHFELD, 75 Last summer, we were all very happy to hear the story of the victory which our Marines scored over the ,laps on the Solomon Islands. This was quite an en- couraging piece of news as it showed us that Japan held no monopoly of offen- sive strength in the Pacific. Among those Marines was a former Technite, Lieu- tenant Peter Irving Olsen, of the class of January. l935. While at Tech, Olsen was active on the hockey team for which he was awarded several medals and prizes. He also took part in baseball and basket- ball. In addition to his athletic activi- ties. he was a member of the Survey staff. He was elected to the General Or- ganization Executive Committee for two terms and, in his last term, he served as president of the General Organiza- tion. After graduating. Olsen attended Ohio University in Athens where he played on the baseball team. He later taught Physical Training, Biology, and English at Hollister High School in Ohio. He also served as coach of their basketball and track teams. In January, 1941, he left to enter the Olhcer Candidate School at Quantico, Va. He graduated on May 29. receiving his commission as Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve. From there, he went to Aberdeen, Md., to study ordnance. On May 23, 1942, Olsen left by boat from the small city of New River, N. C., for an unknown port. His destination turned out to be the Island of Guadalcanal. On June 22. he became a First Lieutenant. Soon, he was transferred to Tulagi where he remained for several months. His activities there, of course, cannot be disclosed, but we can gather that he did his job well because on August 7, he was promoted to the rank of Captain and assumed the position of Assistant Ordnance Officer. When last heard from. he was back on Guadalcanal. well and busy. We know that wherever he is. he is serving his country faithfully. Tech can justly be proud of having such a man among its alumni. Captain Olsen, you won many bal- tles for Tech many years ago in vari- ous forms of athletic competition. W e hope that you will do at least as 'well now. We are confia'ent that always, whatever you may be doing. as a Tech man, you will do your job cor- rectly, as a Marine. you will do your job ejicientlyg and as an American, you will do your job completely. Good luck, and Cod bless you! 25

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BALANCED PERSONALITY It is generally considered that anyone who would judge a book by its cover. that is. anything, by its superficial appearance, is something of a fool, yet I heard of an instance in which someone did just this. This person had a friend whom he considered a jovial light-hearted fellow who never thought of anything more serious or problematic than how to get invited to another party. As it happened, they were coming home late one evening when the jocular person became very serious. And this person was surprised! But why? lt is ridiculous to suppose that because a person does not go around spouting erudition and learning, he cannot do it if he wants to, that because someone does not open his heart and soul to everyone he chances to meet, he has no heart and soul, that the majority of the populace of the world is idiotic because it acts idiotic most of the time. Yet this false concept is prevalent among those who serve the public, some magazines and most radio programs for instance, who would never treat their readers or listeners as even moderately intelligent individuals though it meant saving them from bankruptcy. Of course, there is the opposite extreme too. Some people think it sad that every- thing is not deeply sentimental or intellectual slush, and consider all Hippancy unjustifiable. This is as fallacious an opinion as the other. A gold ring which is mostly lead would not be saleable, but a pure gold ring could not be sold either, because it does not wear well . K. H. POINT OF VIEW Some time ago While on my palm I lay below No soothing balm A maple tall and grand, His worried soul could know, When, from the tree, With nervous dread, A sparrow wee Away he fled. Fell upon my hand. I was an awesome foe! He was aware Encounters, then, Of danger there: Of mighty men The unknown, great and grim, With ghastly mystery, For how could he, May, after all So weak, so wee, Be just as small Know what confronted him? As that one was-to me. Kenneth C. Holden, F62 27