Allderdice High School - Allderdice Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

Page 29 text:

Upportunity WITH conditions such as they are, it is natural that many -of the graduates of 1933 sh-ould be in a dilemma as to what they will do until they can procure regular emplloymenlt. Although in the majority of cases limited funds preclude any expensive 'higher education, lack of money should not prevent any ambitious young person of Pittsburgh flrom improving himself culturally. The facilities for costless education in this city are many and are wi-thin the reach of everyone. The seeker after knowledge may go to the Carnegie Library, in the books of which lie almost limitless information on every branch of learn- ing. His reading he can follow up with dir-eot -observation in the museum, or by lisltening to the capable men wl1o lecture in the Music Hall. Here, in this one building, is enough to satisfy any -thirst for enlightenment. The courses offered to graduate students by the High schools and trade schools form another priceless oppontunity and should not be regarded merely as a method of spending time, but as serious, specialized study. Let n-ot the oft-ridi-culed correspondence school be disdained, for through its agency the pathway to knowledge can be greatly illumined. If the graduate feels that he is not adapted to .the pursuit of further k11owledge and wants to put his shoulder to the wheel, he need not necessarily stay idle and dependent because of industrial inactivity. There are all over the country abandoned farms which he can work on a crop-sharing basis and ex- tract a living, if nothing more, from the soil. T-he gold fields of the West offer a reward, uncentain as it may be, to diligence and knowledge. There are other opportunities like these ready to be taken by those who are willing to leave their procrastinating iidleness and to putt their whole energy into a determined venture. In vievsf of these opportunities, then, let us not permit ourselves to become the unresisting victims of circumstance but rather let us rise with all the sanguine vigor of youth to reproduce the -enterprise wfhich has made this country pre- eminent among nations. GAG -27-

Page 28 text:

Of the tongues of many nations, Until the day when, fr-om the Wigwam Came the young braves with their Credits Came the squaws with many Credits To receive the Great Diploma, Vxfhile the s-oft beat of the tom-toms Led by the magic Wand of Zeigler Made Low music through the Wigwam. Gone the braves to distant nations, Mingled with the Golden Panthers, Mingled with the Tribes of Tartan, Harvard, Princeton, all receive them. Yet often do they think of sighing Of the gay days in the Wigwam, Of their struggles in the Wigwam Near the vale of Forward Avenue. myth 06- SXAXE

Page 30 text:

The High School Student and Politics N OW that tihe eleotion of 1932 is a page in American histiory we can consider the significance of the increased interest taken by the high school student in the field of politics. On every hand were evidences of active and thoughtful con- cern in political matters. Everyrwhere were seen campaign buttons, miany of which were worn for a purpose, as showin by the school election returns, and not merely for display. The political speeches which were given in the history classes showed the thoughtful at-tiltude taken by the majority of the students toward campaign issues. Most imqpontant of all was the school election, into which the pupils entered with extraordinary seriousness and deliberation. This manifestation of interest, enthusiastic as it may seem, is but trifling compared to the avidity of the foreign stufdenit of today and the American stu- dent of the days before the Civil War. In Europe and South America students are a puissant and highlyrrespected fa-otor in the politics of their countries. So it was in America before the Civil Vifar, the colleges of the tiime, many of which corresponded to a modern high school, bei-ng t'he seats -of political thought. But because of the corruption which crept into the government following th-e War, students turned th-eir eyes away from the government and have continued their indifference until today. The recent rude awakening of America from her political lethargy has brought her at last to see the importance of giving her youth some education along political lines. We realize today that to the lack of genuine political edu- cation and the common practice of gaining all governmental principles empiri- cally, can be ascribed mfuch of the docility of the American public in being led by unscrupulous leaders, for it is quite evident tihat any well educated voting populace would not submit with approbati-on to the outrages of the typical America-n politician. Only the costly school of experience has been able to teach the masses through their pocketbooks the necessity of an honest govern- ment. It is to prevent the re-occurence of an official deibauch when prosperity again flushes the nation that high sohool pupils be taught to recognize and demand sound political practices. Now, when reform is widespread, should pupils be so enlightened, in order that they may ably carry on the practices begun by their forbears. -28...