Hillsdale High School - Shield Yearbook (San Mateo, CA)

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X xE if 1 Pete Fagotfi Marty Nilssen , Giorgio Brida

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Lenbezs 06 'Zomazzow murdering flies. I . ed The 1959 Boys' State was one of the most pleasurable and educative experiences in my life. Everything started when a group of boys from this area arrived at the Sacramento State Fair Grounds on a scorching 110 degrees Saturday afternoon. Our group and preceding groups, which included boys from everywhere in the state, were then assigned to a party leither Federalist or Whigl and then to one of seven counties, each of which comprised three cities. I became a Federalist, residing in the County of Harelson, City of Stanford. From Sunday to Thursday, elections for city, county, and state officials were held much in the manner of our student body elections with the exception of much more enthusiasm, vigorous campaigning, which included impromptu speeches and demon- strations, and 1002 voting. I was elected Deputy County Sheriff and played a minor role in the prosecution of a young San Francisco delinquent caught in the act of Boys' State was not all work as it became evident when party spirit ran overboard with the use of fire hoses and water balloons. Soon there were padlocks on the hoses and two laps around the horse track if caught with any balloons. On Thursday afternoon we all left the fair grounds and traveled by bus to the Capitol Building. Most of the f major offices in the building were open to us, and the Boys' State Senate and Assembly Mike Heffernan WO! held sessions in the chambers normally occupied by the California legislature. The Boys' State Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and other important state officials were installed at the Capitol. During the course of the week there was a talk from a West Point Cadet, a Boys' State talent show and a very professional talent show presented by Sacramento High School. Girls' State is more than learning the why's of California's state, county and city government-it also means friendships and fun. Mixed in with learning civics and meeting new, life-long friends, were numerous activities, ranging from a Girls' State variety show to a tour of the State Capitol and visit with Governor Brown to the final parties. For the past few years California Girls' State has been held at the Davis Campus of the University of California. This gave us an excellent preview of college life, for we slept in dorms, ate in a college dining hall, and attended lectures and meetings in college classrooms. Girls' State is basically a lesson in Americanism. It is calculated to send 422 girls away as better United States citizens-and it does. The sponsoring unit, the American Legion Auxiliary, has invented a unique method for teaching civics to us, by practicing in reality what we would ordinarily read in our school textbooks. Each morning we attended a lecture explaining some phase of government. During that week, we put our learning to practical application by holding elections for numerous government posts. The most exciting were the State elections, culminating at the governor's post lthis girl went to Washington, D.C. for a weekl. We were split into two political parties, Whigs and Tories, in which we made posters and held conventions and demonstrations and rallies. Never have I seen such spirit! Personal experiences will always stay with me, whether embarrassing, exciting, or moving. I was elected City Treasurer, Court Reporter, and Clerk of the Senate. By relating my experiences, I hope I have shown you that I am proud to have been HilIsdale's first representative to Girls' State, the first of many. Carol Martin 59 I I 4

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gazeiqn cfxchange Students Marty Nilssen Rjukun, a deep valley in Norway, sent Hillsdale a pretty exchange student, Anne Marthe Nilssen. Marthe, as we called her, lived with Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Herman and her sister, Sue, while she attended Hillsdale. Marthe found her academics to be much easier at Hillsdale than at home, and she admited that she enjoyed relaxing somewhat for a year. But she still thought the more difficult Norwegian system to be more advantageous. Marthe experienced tasting many American foods that were new to her. Once Mr. Herman asked Marthe how many hamburgers she would like. Marthe, not knowing what a hamburger was, replied, Three ! When a surprised Mr. Herman served Marthe the hamburgers she proceeded to eat them open-face with a knife and fork! Marthe said that American and Norwegian students differ only in that American students are more independent. She believes that our hopes, efforts and desires are basically the same, . ' Pete Fagotti if ff if Caviar for breakfast! Sound rather unusual? Pete Fagottl Hillsdales exchange student to Sweden last summer, not only had caviar, but often two other types of fish included in his daily breakfast menu. Pete tells us that food in Sweden is very whole- some and non-greasy. Milk, bread and cheese are to the Swedish people as hamburgers and milkshakes are to Americans. Strawberries and whipped cream are a favorite dessert. Before visiting Sweden, Pete had the impression that it was not too advanced, but he was quite surprised. The Rudberg's, Pete's family, were a little better than average Swedish family, and they owned, among other appliances, a television, an automobile and a washing machine. Generally speaking, Pete says, Sweden is fairly modern and very clean-they have respect for their country. Traveling has added many new ideas to his knowledge, but more than anything else, Pete has become aware of this one fact: There are all types of people every- where. Giogio Brida Milano, ltaly, is the home of Hillsdale's other exchange student. Giorgio Brida lived with the Thiltgen family during his stay in San Mateo. George, as he preferred to be called, discovered quite a difference between the school system in Italy and the system practiced at Hillsdale. He found that his studies were not as difficult, so he had more time to relax. Relations between students and teachers are more formal in ltaly, and the boys must wear suits and ties to school. Teachers, instead of students, change rooms between classes. George said that the American system appealed more to him as a student. George was quite interested in sports. He avidly pursued cycling, motor racing, skiing, and swimming. He played the accordion quite well and enjoyed dancing. George said that he enjoyed his year at Hillsdale, and we enjoyed knowing him. Perhaps, if he realizes his hope to be an electronics engineer, he will once again visit us in San Mateo.