Downey High School - Shield Yearbook (Modesto, CA)

Page 11 text:

$rtnnpar$ Jfles age Congratulations, Seniors, for an excellent record of achievement as a class and for the achievements you have enjoyed as individuals. It is the sincere hope of the school that you will enjoy the benefits of your training and the associations in a manner that will mean a full and meaningful life for you. Underclassmen, you should also feel proud of the advancements made during this year. We will need to plan carefully and work diligently if we are to continue to maintain or improve upon the standards that have been achieved. We should he thankful that we live in a community that is interested in its youth to the extent that it demands a high standard of educational facilities and program. When we attain a fair degree of achievement in this regard, we enjoy the mutual satisfaction of success that accompanies our endeavor. 7 M. S. Olson

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Befctcation Chivalry produced a concept that changed the world. This was knightly honor. The education of the knight was directed toward the building of a strong and sound character. As a young hoy he was placed in the household of a noble where he mastered eti- quette and household routine, and imbibed the lessons of honor from the tales of the troubadours and jongleurs. At fifteen, he became a squire in the service of some knight from whom he learn- ed the care and the use of weapons and armor, the management of horses, and the rules of the hunt. When he had performed some single manly exploit, he was able to take the vows of knighthood, which were: to keep the faith, to do justice, and to protect the weak. Before the ceremony of knighting, he kept an all-night vigil in the church, confessed his sins, and took the oath. His lord then presented him his sword, the golden spurs, and the cross of the knight. He then smote him upon the shoulders saying: “Arise, Sir Knight. Be brave, true, and loyal.” He then became a knight bachelor or a knight banneret. He then pledged allegiance to his lord and was hound to serve at his own expense in the royal host fully equipped and on horseback for forty days out of each year. Because knighthood is the symbol upon which the traditions of this school are based, we, the students of Thomas Downey High School, dedicate the 1956 Shield to “building character,” a process which began in the days of the medieval knight and is still alive today. 6

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MR. ROBERT DIEHL Vice Principal Director of Guidance Mr. Diehl represents the principal when he is unahle to he present at meetings. He schedules all classes, handles student programming, and organizes general office planning. In the guidance field, Mr. Diehl is re- sponsible for the development of a good guidance program and super- vises group counseling. MRS. V IRGINIA GARRISON BELT Dean of Girls The dean of girls deals with academic and per- sonal counseling with parents, teachers, and students; works with parent and other com- munity groups; gives out press releases; and has an over-all ac- quaintance with the ac- tivity program of the school. 8 MISS ASINETH MELLIS Counselor As counselor. Miss Mel- lis deals with many phases of human rela- tionship. She organizes freshman orientation, assists the vice principal in administration and interpretation of tests, aids the dean of girls with personal and acad- emic problems of girls, assists senior students with scholarships and applications for jobs. MR. LESLIE WARNER Senior Counselor Senior counselors aid seniors in choosing a career, see that each sen- ior has the necessary graduation re- quirements, aid seniors in obtaining scholarships and information about college, and help any senior student with personal as well as educational problems.