Allderdice High School - Allderdice Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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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...

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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-

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Distinction The graduating class of February, nineteen thirty-three, carries with it an unusual significance. It is the first class to have completed the full six years course offered by Taylor Allderdice junior and Senior High Sch-ool. This fact is worthy of mlention because this group of fionty-four girls and fifty-four boys contains what may be considered the first true representation of the type of pupils produced by Allderdice. A high school is the primary step in teaching what Huxley called the rules of life. Firstg it teaches us to be better citizens. To be better citizens, we must, to the best of our ability, fulfill that task to which we are best suited. Also we must plman intelligently our part in the governing bodies under which we are ruled. Secondly, it -teaches us to be better individuals. Seton wrote Man- hood, not scholarship, is the first aim -of education. Manhood inclu-des those qualities we have learned svo well. Also, through education we are shown paths along wlhich happiness, the prime aini in life, is pursued. Thirdly, it is necessary to show the students the way in which to use his knowledge. It is possible to use this double edged sword in destructive or constructive work. It is one of the purposes of education, therefore, to quell the former tendencies and fioster the latter, making the safety of the state secure and progress possible. We are most certain that our y-oung 'butt capable school has played its part in giving to us those facilities and instructions necessary towards making us the desired type of graduates. Let us hope that a large percentage of us have taken full advantage of our opportunities and will fulfill expectations. 1 -29-