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

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TRADITIQNS OF L. A. I-HGH In the forest of activities and reminiscences that go to make up the life of our great high school there is one tree that lifts its head high above all the others,-that which bears the traditions of L. A. A monarch it sccmfr, so sturdy is its trunk and so massive and heavily laden its branches. Proud is it, too, for having achieved such immensity, growing ever mightier with passing years. There is an air of mystery about this great tree, for it has seen many things and guards a wealth of secrets. Time has taken no toll from this mon- arch. Its leaves are as green and fresh as when it was a mere shoot, new- sprung from the earthg its bark, as smooth and unblemished. Such beauty and strength is not the product of mere chance. Such a Wealth of traditions has not grown up unnourished, unwatched, and uncared for. Only as the result of the most zealous care have they come. Ever guard- ing them with jealous tenderness and a never dying devotion, has been the un- wavering spirit of Mr. Housh. It is this generous spirit, with its broad out- look, which has given the tree its majestic breadth and stature and which has imbued all these traditions with life and meaning. Since the time that he first became leader of this great institution, like the gardener who watches and coaxes the growth of the tree from a little shoot into a stately monarch, Mr. Housh has put heart and soul into the strengthening of L. A.'s traditions. Nor has he labored alone. From the beginning unto the present, he has been assisted by a splendid band of teachers. Noticeable for its freshness, yet apparently great strength, is the branch of Self-Government. It is fresh because L. A. has not always had Student Body Government. Indeed, under the old system, before Mr. Housh became principal, the students had no vo-ice whatever in the running of the school. It was done entirely by the faculty Consequently, there were few or no activities and the students were subjected to strict rules and regulations. These many rules look humorous to the present-day L. A. High student, so few has he to abide by. For example, it used to be the custom for the students to line up by classes, in the morning, before the entrance to the building and march in at the principal's word, Pass, given from the top of the steps. Neither at this time nor in passing from class to class, was any conversation allowed. In the daily morning assemblies, too, the same lack of participation of the students in school affairs was seen. The students were seated by classes. The singing was led by a teacher and if that teacher chanced to like one song better than another, the students would have to suffer. Another teacher would pro- vide the music. The principal would make the announcements and any moral talk that she thought necessary or appropriate. But this state of affairs did not exsist long in L. A. With the coming of Mr. Housh, an entirely new system was put into effect. Mr. Housh did not be- lieve in suppressing the individuality of the students and in allowing them to have no part in the school's activities. On the contrary, he sought to acquaint himself with their points of view and to discover their ideas and opin- ions. To this end, he would call the seniors into his ofdce tlor consultations and discussions. As he saw that their judgment was good, he laid certain responsibilities on them which increased their ability to carry them. It was, then, from Mr. Housh's desire to see the students take an active part in the running of school affairs, that Self-Government sprang. Its establishment is an achievement of which every student of L. A., past or present, should be proudg for ours was the first high schoiol in the country to have it. Student Body Government in L. A. developed from the Athletic Association formed in 1904 for the purpose off supporting and managing school activities. The administration of the Athletic Association consisted of its regular officers- president, secretary, and treasurer, with an advisory board of pupils and faculty members. The organization of a regular Student Body took place in 1905 when a constitution was adopted. Along with the development of Student Body activities, Self-Government Was instituted this same year with a supporting vote of ninety per cent of the students enrolled. The Self-Gov- . 26

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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

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ernment committee was elected by the House of Representatives and con- sisted of one member from each half grade, including post-graduates, besides eight members elected from the school at large. In summer 1912, a Senior Board control was inaugurated which has continued until the present time. Much older than the branch of Self-Government is that of the Star and Crescent Society. Its Wealth of foliage tells of a glorious past and testifies to the fact that it was once the main feature of this great tree. Formed by the class of 1879, the Star and Crescent Society was for many years the only organization of the school, and hence, one of great importance. To be its pres- ident was considered even a greater honor than we now consider to be pres- ident of the Student Body. The society grew both in membership and importance as the first president prophesied in his inaugural address. Shining now with the feeble light of crescent moon, yet Ifull of promise, it shall in time blaze with the full luster and glory of the stars. At first all except ninth graders were members, and the chief purpose of the society was to give students instruction in debating and essay writing. Later, however, the lower tenth graders were excluded and the purpose of the society became to entertain rather than instruct. At pres- ent, the society holds but one meeting a term and membership comprises the eleventh and twelfth grades. At this meeting, the old custom of presenting each graudate with a Star and Crescent pin is enacted. Ever seeking to give their strength and energy to the support of the great tree of L. Afs traditions, are its faithful alumni represented in the Alumni Association. In this association are some of the leading business and profes- sional men and women in the city. Yet, they never seem too busy or too oc- cupied with their own affairs, to stand by or protect their alma mater whenever occasion calls for it. One of L. A.'s most cherished traditions is the tower. How many adven- turous youths, in times past, have sought to explore its mysterious heights! How many tales have been woven about it! Then there was the old clock in the tower on the hill. L. A. has scarcely ever been without a publication of some kind in which to record the life of the school. The first paper to be published was the Star and Crescent which appeared in 1881. It was discontinued after several years, having accumulated a considerable debt. The next paper to appear was known as the Idea, and was first published about 1891. It served as the official organ of the Star and Crescent Society. Another paper, devoted to the interests of the Lyceum League in Southern California and L. A. High School which was known as the Lyceum, appeared in 1895. The present Blue and White Weekly fnow Dailyl was started in 1912. The traditional semi- annual or record of the class made its bow in 1897 and has appeared twice each year, without exception. ever since. Another important branch of the tree of traditions which may not be slighted is that of commencement. Commencement, today, is very different from what it used to be. Every member of the class had to contribute something to please his relatives. Orations, musical selections, and some- times debates were given. The large crowd which always gathered to witness the gala event, necessitated its being held in a downtown hall. The class play has always been an important tradition and it used to be considered the greatest event of the term. At the very beginning of the semester, the search for a play was begun. The parts were much sought af- ter, and it was a great honor to receive one. The productions were staged on a lavish scale under the supervision of a professional coach. Such is L. A.'s tree of traditions. Each year has seen something added to 'itg something making the tree just a little higher and just and little broader. It is now large and stately, but it has not stopped growing. It will ever continue getting more beautiful and -more rich with treasures as the years pass. May those who will in the future control .its destiny, do so with the same care and faithfulness of those who have watched over it these many years and may it prosper and grow ever greater under their care. Freeman Ambrose 27