Los Angeles High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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ACHIEVEMENT He gave himself to life as swimmers fling Their headlong strength upon the shifting sea, Tasting like wine the perilous ecstacy Of wind-piled wax es, of buffetings that bring The quickened heart beats, and the sweet, sharp, sting Of salty spray on the lipsg the victory Wrung from embattled waves, exultantly He rides beyond the white surf's thundering. Leaving upon the shore the rabble rout Of ignorance that fears the untried vast, Confident, calm, he came to rest at last He sought the shining sunway of the truthg Upon the pulsing, sunlit heart of youth. Breasting the breakers of distrust and doubt, Snow Longley Our high school has been indeed fortunate to have had as principal for over a quarter of a century a man of such courtesy and innate refinement as Mr. Housh. Happy is our school tio have had a principal who could influence the many young lives with which he came in contact, not merely by precept, but still better by example. In all these years his keen appreciation of the best in life as well as in literature, in art, and in music has helped to establish the ideals and stan- dards oof a great school. Bertha Oliver Understanding and appreciating the American doctrine of self-government, Mr. Housh hals made the Los Angeles High School a truly self-governing insti- tutiong and in so doing, he has given the young people the training so impor- tant in life. Always a leader in education, he has brought the school to a position fore- most among the high schools of the country. Young people going to Mr. Housh are always sure of a hearing and of an understanding sympathy. Their problems receive the greatest consideration and with his friendly advice cease to loom so large in their lives. Instead of gearing to go to his oflice, they welcome the opportunity of a conference with im. Calling out the best that is in them, he has always secured their loyalty and has proved a tremendous influence for good. His sincerity and sympathy have endeared him to all. Frances V. Harrow One does not fully appreciate the depth of nobility and the fineness of char- acter of our Mr. Housh until it is his privilege to be one of the family circle in his home. it is here that the unfailing thoughtfulness for all about him and the con- stant sacrilice of self for the comforts and wishes of those he is with stand out as a beautiful clear cut cameo. in that realm, the little principality he rightfully calls his own and where he is monarch of all he surveys, the spirit of this ruling potentate is one of sharing equally with others whatever is his bo enjoy-equal rights in every Way. There the younger generation, as well as the older, regard him with the truest kind of respect and affection and find him a delightful companion and friend. Lowell's words, Not what we give, but what we share,- For the gift without the giver is bare, are the keynote of his character as portrayed in his home: and the same courtesy and thoughtful care is bestowed, with fine gentlemanly respect, upon all who enter his family circle: so that the guest feels and says, Here is a life that has been unfalteringly lived for others! Elizabeth Day Palmer 24

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soon as we were getting to be fairly well satisfied with ourselves, he suddenly turned on us and remarked that he had been very much disappointed to note that most of the fellows in this group had not been contributing to the good name of the school, but in fact had been guilty of acts that were positively harmful. This, he said, he regretted, but still had confidence that we would be willing to turn our energies to bringing about better conditions, that he had not invited some of the worst boys to the conference, because he felt, if this group would show the proper spirit and be willing to aid in 'putting the school back to its former place and honor, that the others would follow. In addition, he urged us to join in an effort to increase the school's prestige in athletics, debating, and other outside activities. He promised to give more liberty to the debating club, and do all he could to encourage the athletic teams. Fifteen boys left his oflice determined to aid in his program, and were ready to fight for Mr. Housh at any time. I do not doubt that all feel the same way to this day. The various problems were carefully considered, experiments were tried, the good ideas adopted and the school went steadily forward along all lines. The Los Angeles High School remained true, however, to the idea of a broad cultural school. Carrying the name of the city, in conjunction with the fact that many of those who were its graduates later became prominently identified with the various lines of civil, social, and political activity in the city, the school had a background that no other high school could claim. The idea of putting forth the best.effort, both on the part of the faculty and the student body, acquired the force of a tradition. This spirit was largely the result of Mr. Housh's leadership. The wonderful opportunity for the develop- ment and expansion of this tradition, which was offered by a thirty year continuity of administration, is rare indeed. As the years rolled by, growth and progress were continuous. With in- creasing numbers came the increasing problems of administration. Organiz- ing ability of a high order brought forth the system of departments with respon- sible heads. The student body became more and more important, and its har- monious work with the faculty is a monument to the tact and diplomacy of Mr. Housh. He has always had a splendid faculty to work with him and aid him. The culmination and fruition of the past came in the establishment of the school in its new location, in its wonderful buildings and with splendid equip- ment. The alumni of the Los Angeles High School feel personal interest and pride in the growth of the school. We recognize in how great a measure Mr. Housh has contributed of himself to that achievement. We love him, and honor him, and rejoice that he has been permitted to serve through this long preiod of years, and to live to see his work fulfil the measure of accomplishment. Mr. Housh's prestige with the faculty and the students grew as they came to understand more and more of the fine qualities of the man, the tireless, painstaking study that he brought to the solution of every problem, his won- derful patience and willingness to wait for results. He possessed the quality of sympathetic understanding. When it became necessary to be firm, he was not afraid to exercise that virtue. Go back today, and you find the same modest, kindly, hard-working man bringing to his task the same high ideals and enthusiasm that he had in the be- ginning. Ask him about the various teams and he will give you a pretty good analysis of the players. Ask him about educational problems, and his opinions are worth listening to. No greater testimonial of true worth can be had than is to be found in the warmth of feeling for Mr. Housh entertained by the graduates of Los Angeles High School. We love him, and honor him, and offer him the warmest and heatiest congratulations upon the completion of his thirty years of service. Marshall Stimson President L. A. H. S. Alumni Assn. 23

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To put into words an adequate tribute to the man who for thirty years has guided the educational activities of the Los Angeles High School is not possible. Rather is that tribute found in the quickened heart beats of the great procession of graduates when stirred by memories of their school days under the leadership of Mr. Housh. Scholar and educator, kindly neighbor, loyal friend, faithful home-maker, discerning citizen, gentlemen, Mr. Housh has in himself been the best example of that which he has striven to make operative in the lives of the students. Amid the belittling and distracting influences of the petty details of the day's work, Mr. Housh has retained the power to idealrize. His ideals are enshrined in the stately building of the Los Angeles High School, embodied in its worthy traditions, and best of all, are being realized in the lives of thousands of the capable and courageous men and the high-minded women of this city. Mrs. Susan B. Dorsey Mr. Housh has grown bigger every one of his thirty years as principal of Los Angeles High School, bigger and more understanding. He is the per- sonal friend of every teacher, student, and employee hexe. Our principal is a man with vision, conservative, yet progressive, and be- cause of these qualities he has led the high schools of this city until they rank among the best in the world. The respectful, sympathetic, attention which he has always given to every suggestion made by faculty member or pupil has helped him to do this. Because of this fostering df initiative L. A. has been the training ground of executives. lt was here that the principals of Manual, Poly, Fairfax, Warren I-Lardfilng, and Wilmington received their training and Mrs. Dorsey, hers for the superintendency. - Katharine Carr Now, Miss Stewart, what is your real reason? Mr. Housh instinctively challenged a conventional presentation of your problem. So you re-stated your case, giving basic considerations, and received sympathy and under- standing. Mr. Housh's interest extended to all subjects. As a teacher, his field lay in the Natural Sciences. I have always thought Mr. Housh spec- ially adapted to the Social Sciences. Mr. Housh has served successfully and happily as Chairman of the City Art Curriculum Committee, Mr. Housh has always declined to be drawn into controversial debates, stirred up by champions of special causes. He is a follower of the Golden Mean and maintains a judicial attitude. Under his charge, Los Angeles High School has welcomed the New-but not with a mad rush, overturning the Old with its proven utility. Carefully evaluated and adjusted, the New has been incorporated with the Old, of which it has seemed to be but a natural outgrowth. Anna Stewart To my beloved and honlored principal, man of vision and culture, dev- oted to humanity and justice. Even to the old red school house, when I first knew him, he gave beauty with its vine-clad tower and walls and setting of green lawn. Here and later he also showed a love of and a faith in young people. also a keen sense of justice so that the members of his faculty felt his spirit and tried to express it themselves in their contact with the students. Always looking ahead to improvements that would make a better school, but never seeking fads, he has shown rare balance and vision-loving all the fine and beautiful things of life, he has led the school, its student body and faculty, a truly cultured man, but ever broadly human and friendly. Long may he preside over the destinies of the oldest and best high school in our city. Bertha Hall 25