John Adams High School - Clipper Yearbook (Ozone Park, NY)

Page 32 text:

YOUR VOCATION by EVETTE GALINSKY S I entered the oiiice of the usually busy Mr. Yourman, my knees were quaking fit was my first interviewj. His kindly attitude however soon relieved my nervousness. Mr.. Yourman, who is an Economics teacher, has done a great deal of re- search into the matter of vocational guidance. His advice, it seemed to me, would be well-timed for seniors who are still perplexed as to their plans immediately after graduation. In answer to my first query con- cerning the profession most profitable for the average high school student, Mr. Yourman gave a complete and definite reply. He said, You can't generalize, because the profitableness of a profession can't be measured in monetary terms. He considers the artist to explain his statement. Many artists would starve for their profes- sions, and the enjoyment they derive from painting is satisfactory prolit. I wanted to know what immediate preparation students should make be- fore graduation. It seems, to Mr. Yourman's knowledge, that the high school student should first be made to adjust himself mentally to a world that is going to be very much more rugged than that to which he has been accustomed in high school. They must come to the realization that suc- cess comes only to those who strive for it and that those who make no effort in that direction are bound to fall by the wayside, pronounced Mr. Yourman. Students should ' prepare themselves toward being self-reliant, honest, social and modest. Although they want to hitch their wagons to stars, they should realize that a stat can be reached only after many trials and tribulations and by manufacturing a sturdy wagon. Wliy are most high school students unsuccessful at the beginning of their careers? I thoughtfully inquired. Mr. Yourman explained that they were un- able to adjust themselves to a changed environment. ' Many high school students come to a state of utmost dependency because of the extremes to which teachers and parents sometimes go in order to help them, he said. Although this aid may serve an immediate benefit, it builds up, in the student, a bad trait. They have not learned the necessity of cooperation. This is difficult to understand, in view of all the high school does toward encouraging the social spirit as against the selfish in- dividual spirit. Yet students when they first enter the business world believe that the only thing they have to get is their salary and the only thing they have to give is their time. They fail to realize that what society needs and what is the criterion of success is the contribution the individ- ual can make to society. Success in life is to be measured by the degree to which we attain happiness. Dis- content, selfishness, and isolation marks failure. ir Mr. Yourman terminated his brief remarks by extending a cordial invita- tion to all seniors who may wish to secure further advice concerning their particular occupational choice, to come to see him.

Page 31 text:

ciety awards a certificate of proficiency. The Federal Government lends its cooperation in this cause by permit- ting books for the blind to go through the mail free through special provi- sions of Congress. The books must be those borrowed from or returned to libraries. Man has made great progress in opening the door of the future to the blindg but it remains for man's best friend, the dog, to lead him to the door. Not so many years ago a blind youth read an article by Mrs. Har- rison Eustis extolling-the merits of the German Shepherd dogs for certain type of work. Mrs. Eustis lived in Switzerland where she raised dogs that were used not only by the Swiss cus- tom service, but also by the Italian metropolitan police. The dogs were trained to patrol and to aid in the search for missing persons. The young southerner, who was Morris Frank, ac- cepted Buddy one of Miss Eustis' dogs and put him to a severe test. Buddy took his new master through heavy New York trafic safely. As a result of this successful trial, the Seeing Eye came into ex- istence. It is a philanthropic founda- tion. It is supported entirely by pub- lic donation. The dogs are either pur- chases or gifts to the institution. Ger- man shepherd dogs are trained be- cause they are the most gentle and in- telligent. These dogs have absolutely no strain of wolf in them, therefore they are not inclined to be frightened. It takes a period of four months to train a dog. They generally begin training at fourteen months of age. The exact methods of training the an- imals are not disclosed to the public for one reason. The foundation feels that it is best to keep its own methods confidential, because persons lacking in good judgment, of both men and an- imals, might attempt to duplicate the method with harmful results. It must be kept in mind that it takes three years for a trainer of these dogs to be trained! In one month it is possible to teach the dependent person how to use his guide. The harness by which the an- imal leads his master is held in the left hand. A leather harness is strap- ped around the chest and shoulders of the dog and a stiff handle reaches the person's hand. Through this ar- rangement any movement of either the person or the dog is easily sensed or felt by either one. The dog can understand the direc- tion in which he is to lead the blind man, who, in turn, recognizes any danger because of the forewarning given by the animal. The blind have been given their chance and are deeply grateful for it. In hospitals for the blind all over the world, Braille is honored just as we Americans honor our Abe Lincoln and George Washington. They will for- ever be indebted to their saviour and he will continue to go down in books as the eyes of the blind. Braille and the Seeing Eye are in- deed the Lighters of Lamps for those who walk in darkness.

Page 33 text:

'S gl 3. A Q S -. .1 Q 1 Ji i 1 W N ' 1 1 -4 1 1 :3 E ,Ei 2 L Q i 4 3 C A 4 L