Gardena High School - El Arador Yearbook (Gardena, CA)

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A NORWEGIAN WEDDING Beautifully colorful and interesting is the custom in Norway of conducting the marriage ceremony. A week before the wedding, the guests deck themselves with flow- ers and go to the house to take part in a very merry celebration, for which everyone drops his work. When all is ready, the bridegroom enters the room preceded by many musicians ; he takes his place at the table on the High Seat, which has been made especially for the bride and groom, and is beautifully decorated with many ornaments. After the groom has been seated, each guest takes his seat at the table. The bride now enters the room also preceded by musicians. She looks very love- ly in her golden dress trimmed with shining ornaments. On her head is a golden crown set with gems. The bride and groom exchange glances as she seats herself be- side him. The ceremony is over now, and the feasting begins. The guests have brought as their gifts many delicious dishes of food, with which the table is laden, and which they now enjoy. After the dinner they all depart, leav- ing together the happy couple. — Ethel Olsen Love Love is like a light that gleams Forever on our way; Undying light whose pure white beams Would shame the light of day. Love is like a little bird Whose song is crystal clear; A flitting, flying, carefree bird, Who sings through all the year. Love is a throbbing human heart Which sings to all mankind; The world is full of peace and joy, And hatred is so blind. — Mamxyn Garner, S ' 28 Page Thirteen

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Customs of Foreign Lands EASTER IN RUSSIA Beautifully impressive are the Easter services in Russia, and especially so are the midnight services when the old cobblestone streets and adobe houses are deserted except in the neighborhood of the sacred buildings. Everyone has gone to the Church, which is decorated with branches, artificial flowers, and boughs of waxen fruits. Piles of Easter cakes and colored eggs are seen waiting for the blessing. Only such lamps are lighted as are absolutely necessary when the worshippers take their places in an orderly way. The priests appear in black robes, and everything is very gloomy. Just at the hour of midnight the sound of an exquisite bell is heard from the tower of Ivan Velike, followed by every bell in Moscow. As soon as the echo dies down, the priests appear in robes blazing with gold and precious stones, singing the Easter Hymn, Christ is Risen, and when the tones are heard, the altar and the build- ings are brilliantly lighted in a flare of color and blaze; in fact the whole city blazes into light. Everyone is happy, and everywhere the greeting, Christ hath risen, Yea, He hath risen, is heard. Lent is now over and Easter has begun. The families return to their homes to break the fast, and invite their friends with them. A large table is spread in the greatest room with meats, hard-boiled eggs, vegetables, and cakes of every kind. When the Russian Easter comes, whatever their political or religious opinions may be, the old table will be spread, the old greetings of friendliness and happiness will be exchanged. This day is loved by all, because they recall memories of child- hood, and because it furnishes a yearly opportunity to renew old friendships. —Emily Cost, S ' 28 THE ARMENIAN HOME In Armenia the majority of houses are built of natural stone with usually seven or eight rooms in them; one room serves as the dining and living room and is the largest in the house. On the walls are hung vividly colored rugs which the women of the house weave on a loom. Long benches line the walls with rugs draped over them. Each family has servants to help the men who work from April to October in the fields sowing grain. The rest of the year the snow keeps them at home. After the daily work is completed the whole family gathers in the dining room where they sit by the fireplace, the men smoking their pipes, the women knitting or sewing, talking of old times and telling stories. The Armenian Christmas comes after our New Years day. They celebrate the Christening of Christ instead of his birth as we do. Then the tables are spread with delicious Armenian pastry, raisins, nuts, and spiced meats. The older people do noth- ing but visit the homes of their neighbors, friends, and relatives; they exchange the greeting, Christ hath been Christened! taste of the food spread on the table and chat a few moments before going on. — Rose Avedesian Page Twelve

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Our Auditorium An auditorium is the place in which the happiest memories of school life pre- sent themselves in one long flow of pictures. When it is empty, if you sit in one of its cool, dark corners, what thoughts come to you? At first you think of yourself as a student of the Junior High, when you sat in the back of the auditorium greatly impressed by its grandeur. Through all the stages you pass until, as a senior in the front row, you suddenly face the end. You see on the walls the pictures that departing classes have hung there. All the happy days you have spent at Gardena pass in review. The stage brings pictures of the plays. What varied scenes has the curtain of the ships risen to reveal? Some were scenes in living rooms, some in the yards of houses, some even in Japanese gardens. Characters begin to enter and exit in fantastic array; a little gypsy girl, a hunchback miser, an orphan girl, a great Japanese Poo-bah. A long procession passes until the last figure that has made an impression has faded away. On either side of the proscenium arch are the two flags. They herald the patriotic programs of the past. Then follow the varied events of other assemblies; the one-act plays, the student musicians; and the speakers. The seats are occupied by a murmuring, restless throng of familiar faces. Your thoughts span the coming years and you think how short the time will be until the succeeding classes taking part in the scenes before you will be strangers. You are filled with regret that the happy high school days are finished; that your place in the activities of the old auditorium must be surrendered. A desire to achieve success so that you may be a welcome guest takes possession as you arise and make a last survey of the room. Fred Clark, S ' 28. Desire Oh, I want to go a sailing, On the deep and wide blue sea; I must go adventure trailing, Over mountain, moor, and lea. There ' s a restless little feeling, Tugs at heart and soul o ' me; If I could only go a sailing, On the crystalline blue sea. But I must stay here studying; They say home ' s the place for me. Though my heart goes right on sailing O ' er that loved wide blue sea. — Madelyn Garner, S ' 28. Page Fourteen