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

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THE OLLA PODRIDA 31 surely, is to read the papers published by these schools. If it is learned that a rival team is training hard for a contest, the home team will also increase its efforts. Thus it has been shown that Exchanges, when properly used, benefit nearly every de- partment of a school paper, and since a paper represents the ability of the school, the Ex- change Column indirectly helps to raise the opinion of other schools of it. The ques- tion which naturally arises is, How can the Exchanges be handled to the best advantage? After they pass through the Exchange editor ' s hands shall they be used for making fires or shall they be placed within the reach of others desiring to read them? The aim of the Exchange editor should be first, to criticize other papers, second to call at- tention to particular features in them worthy of mention and valuable to his own paper. Criti- cism does not imply that general fault-finding of a rival school, technically known as ' select ball-outs, ' nor a too generous use of attractive adjectives which might be correctly termed ' fishing for compliments ' ; but a good plain ex- pression of opinion. Probably the easiest, at least the most systematic method of criticism is to file successive issues of regular exchanges and then deal fully with two or three at each edition. What we consider, however, the most important object of the Exchange Editor is to call attention to suggestive and original features in other papers. It may be an original story or a well written story or good joshes. Either of these courses may be followed out in whole or in part — a good course is the latter — with a judicious criticism interposed when available. But if after the Exchange Editor has made his comments, the Exchanges are used for making fires or left on a dusty shelf, the Ex- change system fails in its most essential point. A good Editor may makethe Exchange column of benefit to other papers, but an indifferent student body makes it of no use to the paper itself. If there is a tendency to under-rate the Exchange column, this is the sole cause of it. The remedy, of course, lies in placing the Ex- changes where they may be of easy access to all. During the disorder which has followed our change of quarters, no provision has been made for the Exchanges. Now, however, since the Assembly Hall has been fitted up as a study room, there is no reason why several shelves should not be dedicated to the Olla Podrida Exchange Column. The chief objec- tion is that the students would spend their time reading Exchanges instead of studying. We notice, however, that at present a large number prefer the current magazines to Latin books. Exchanges should be fully as instruc- tive. We earnestly hope that Mr. James or the Directors will take action to see that an Exchange column be installed in the Assembly Hall. - o HAPPENINGS IN THE PHYSICS LAB. As the physics class, which had the honor of fust reciting in the new science recitation room, filed in and took their scats on the afternoon of December 3d, various exclamations of satisfac- tion and delight were heard. One young lady especially interested in the instructor ' s desk and its appurtenances, began to theorize upon their utility. ' ' Oh, see the soda fountain down there ! ' she exclaimed. I hope Cupid wont make us wait a long time between drinks ! Then as he selected some bright colored chalks with which to make his dates more effective, and proceeded to shoot them toward those mysterious forces, Fi andF2, etc., she continued her theorizing as to chalk. I believe he must have made that pretty pink chalk from what he had left of a box of Dr. Killen ' s Pink Pills for Pale People, and that yellow chalk, no doubt he made from the mud pies he used to play with. Then catching sight of the rather formidable looking gas-jets she likened them unto small cannons to protect Cupid from the volleys of hot air which were likely to overwhelm him at times. Some of the fair damsels are now wondering (for they have had sufficient time to find out) if three or four divine dances with Cupid at Junior Receptions mean a first or a third section. Naughty Two.

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18 THE OLLA PODRIDA The O 1 1 a Podrida. EDITORIAL STAFF GEORGE WARREN, ' 02, Editor-in-Chief. CHESTER L. STANLEY, ' 02, Managing Editor. William Andrews, ' 02, Exchange Editor. Miss Ida Henley, ' 02, Alumni Editor. Richard Boettiger, ' 02, Athletic Editor. Percy Girvin, ' 02, Forum Editor. Miss Maude Hogue, ' 02, Associate Editor. Miss Matilda Martin, ' 03, Associate Editor. Miss Eleanor Merrill, ' 04, Associate Editor. Miss Berniece Kelly, ' 05, Ass ciat Editor. BUSINESS DEPARTMENT WILLIAM C. CAVALIER, ' 02, Manager. assistant managers Walter C. Clark, ' 01 S. C. Dorn, ' 03 STAFF ARTISTS Miss Eva C. Steele. Samuel Hume, BOARD OF DIRECTORS MORRIS C. JAMES, President Harry Squires, ' 02. Miss Mabel Knoll, ' 02. MISS ROWENA ELSTON, ' 03. DONALD HlC KEY, ' 02. EDITORIAL Christmas again returning, will find, as ever, a hearty welcome, and the same kind, charitable spirit that is always in- separably identified with Christmas - tide. Christmas is a day when a whole world celebrates with festivity and charity the ad- vent of an influence that has never ceased to spread and increase; that has inspired a whole world with a nobler and truer impulse; that has dominated the political affairs of nations; and even if it has no religious significance for us, Christmas-tide brings with it a flood of tender memories for the old, and joyous expectations and happiness for the young people. It is a time when old quarrels are forgotten; when the very air is inspired with the pure elation and joyousness of the Yule-tide; and when, as the family gathers round the hearth, the most pessimistic nature is mellowed and softened by the pervading influences abroad. In the homes of the rich, costly gifts are given and received; in the poorer homes, less expensive ones. But an expensive gift, if not accompanied by the true spirit of charity and love, gives less pleasure to the recipient than a less expensive one which is actuated by the true spirit of charity and love. The close of this school term finds the Berke- ley High School better, in some respects, than it has been before, and we regret to say it, but it is unfortunately true, worse in others. The Athletic society, having been reorganized upon a firmer basis, and recruited by the large number of new boys, is in a flourishing condi- tion, and has given a good backing to our dif- ferent athletic teams during this fall season. During the coming spring we hope that their interest in B. H. S. athletics will not flag, but, on the contrary, continue to grow stronger and deeper. The Forum has undergone a complete revo- lution, and with highly satisfactory results. Members who intend to debate, and have ' heir debates well prepared, are active members, and the rest are relegated to the position of honorary members. This leaves the field open to those who wish to compete in debate, with- out hampering them by compelling them to listen to ill-prepared dialogues, originated on the spur of the moment to save their authors from the customary fine of twenty-five cents. And yet these advantages are more than off-set by a new and growing evil. There is a great deal of personal animosity among the different members of our schools. The B. H. S. has become divided into a number of different fac- tions whose hostility to each other reminds one of the feudal barons of the middle ages. This is not as it should be. ' School spirit is lost in personal and factional enmities, and these dis- cordant elements threaten to destroy school patriotism.

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32 THE OLLA PODRIDA Smiles From Exchanges. Cano carmen sixpence Sacculus plenus rye, Viginti quattuor blackbirds Cocti intra pie. Cum dapes sunt apertae, Aves coeperunt sing, Nonne hoc a dainty dish Ponere corram king? Rex erat intra parlor, Numerans suam money, Regina in culina, Consumens panem, honey. Ancilla extra aedes, Pandens sua clothes. Praeceps venit blackbird, Abripuit suum nose. How dear to my heart are the scenes, warbled the scene-shifter. Instructor in History — Who led the First Crusade? Cadet (absently) — Mrs. Nation. I have a few more points to touch upon, said the tramp as he awkwardly climbed over a barbed wire fence. Excuse me, Miss, said a Junior to a Senior, as he trod upon her dress. I can always catch a train when I don ' t want to. If I but knew a little Greek, How happy I should be ! For all the other languages Are but as Greek to me. Phyllis — What do you say to a tramp in the park ? Maude — I don ' t speak to the horrid things. Scene in the Back Parlor:— A young man of good reputation was kneeling at the feet of a young lady of the senior class and using very eloquent language. The idea that that young man is wearing out his pants at the knees for her sake is more than her delicate mind can stand- — she faints. — Grand Tableau. Literary Aspirant — I can write about any- thing. Editor — Then right about face. Customer — Have you felt slippers, ' young man ? v. ■ Clerk— Yes, but not- for a long time now, ma ' am. -A ■ ■■ .■■ ' • You can ' t keep a good man down, Tis truth beyond assail; ' Twas proven many years ago By Jonah and the whale. My pa is smarter ' n your pa, said Willie. He writes poetry. Huh ! sneered Johnnie. My pa ' stwicet as smart as your pa. He don ' t. Teacher — What is the largest , river in Italy, Leo? Leo— The— the- the — Leo ' s Sister — Say Po, Leo. Leo (quickly)— Sapolio. He placed a ring upon her finger, and then lovingly kissed her hand. She indignantly drew back. Please remember, Jack, that there is a place for everything, she said. Student (in Latin) — Three times I strove to cast my arms about her neck and — and — that ' s as far as I got. Teacher — Well, sir, I think that was quite far enough. The music teacher asked: What does it mean when you see ' f ' over a bar ? Forte, answered one of the boys. And what does it mean when you see ' ff ? ' asked the teacher. Please, sir, eighty ! said the bright boy- of the class.