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

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5 ,.,.Y ,- America's Future, The Responsibility of Youth Second place-senior A essay The end of high school days marks a milestone in our livesg and We begin to appre- ciate how short is the time until we take our places in the world as adult citizens, responsible in some measure for the conditions that exist there. As we approach gradua- tion, we become more fully aware of the fact that we are in truth that younger genera- tion to Whom the world is looking for its salvation. We have heard this sentiment expressed so many times in the past that the words are apt to become mere meaningless phrases. We must analyze carefully just what is expected of us individuallyg we must bring to the problem a sincere desire to make contributions to the world, in return, perhaps, for the joy of life as we know it, this joy was made possible for us through the efforts of those who have gone before. First, then, what is the most precious heritage we have received, the most valuable possession, which is worthy of being guarded by us and handed on to the next young generation when our times comes to retire. Is it not democracy? If we enumerate those factors which contribute most to our happiness and well being, we find that they are the things which are available only in a free country. And our United States is the last stronghold of democracy and freedom. How has it been preserved, and what can we do to protect it from the forces of aggressors? Our earliest lessons in history teach us of the struggle for existence of the thirteen small colonies against a force which they considered oppressive and tyrannical. Their survival was based on the homely statement of one of their leaders, We must hang together if We are not to hang separately. There is the expression of the necessity for concerted action. It was demonstrated again when Lincoln asserted, at the close of one of the bloodiest wars of history, that freedom and democracy depended upon the main- tenance of the principle of unity. Now the time has come when we must consider Whether or not mere unity of purpose Within our nation is sufficient to preserve our democracy. Other democracies, some of which were well on the way to becoming models for the world in orderly progress, have fallen-Finland, Denmark, Norway. We must recognize that great truth that civilization itself makes a corporate body, and we must assume obligation to one another if we are to have adequate defense against the violence of evil minorities. The proposition of unity must be applied not to one country or one race, but to all civilized countries. What can youth do to bring this to pass? Is this not after all, in its simplest terms, a problem of human relationships? And on this subject, we can find no better guide than the teachings of Christianity applied in a practical manner. Through Christianity, for the first time, men were related not only to their God, but to each otherg and through each other to the organized processes of society. The three outstanding principles are, first, the conception that every individual is included in the love of God. No one is left out. This is a privilege which we share. If we adhere to this, no group of people will ever be reduced to slavery, or banished from fellowship with others. Second, we are commanded to love our neighbor as our- selves. Neighbor, being construed to mean every fellow man on earth, implies a burden to be assumed. Thus privilege and burden go hand in hand. Third, the driving force behind the other two, there must be faith, faith which gives determination to translate the love-thy-neighbor policy into concrete actions and tangible expressions. As long as these principles are embraced, the world progressesg but when spiritual values are made secondary to material values, high positions are accepted with no accompanying sense of the obligation imposedg and injustice and greed result with their consequent Wars and revolutions. Then, as a serious step, let us consider our own obligation to ourselves, to our fellows, to our country, to God. Let us spend our strength in making the small portion of the world in which we live cleaner, better, pleasanter. Our contribution, however small, is a manifestation of our assuming our places in the scheme of civilization. In this way, we become a part of society. If We, as a united younger generation, adopt this as our goal, ultimately our country will reiiect this attitude. If these convictions are deeply rooted in individuals, the country as a whole will feel a responsibility for the welfare of other civilized countries, our neighbors, if you willg and peaceful international relationships will be the natural result. PATTY PATTERSON, A12 Before the Shrine Peace, When first I beheld your celestial form, Hewn from the rock of Faith, And standing immobile In serene and marble splendor Against the thundering clouds of war, I marveledg For you emerged, Unchanged and tranquil, Firmly upon your pedestal of Wisdom, Undismayed by the clouds of rancor That fell back into nothingness: And I was comforted to see That you gathered strength From the turbulence of time. GRACE BLUE, A12

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There is an Eternal Peace I can remember faces white with complacency, and voices quiet and reserved as pine trees leaning 'gainst the dawn, and children's laughter like the rustling of aspen leaves in the wind: and I can remember peace. Not the peace of the armistice that was wild with jubilation and sound, nor peace, the word, a smudge on the white cheek of an innocent page, but the peace of the Angelus tolling in the dusk and farmers resting their plough-shares and going home. I can remember the peace in the face of a Madonna, and in the quiet hearts of men who love life's calmest ways. Now they try to tell me, There is no peace, But I do not believe them. Where one purple heart vibrates with the love of God, there is the peace of faith. Where one flower blooms into the fulness of maturity, there is the peace of growth. Where one poet sings of the vision of truth, there is the peace of which all poets have sung, and shall sing. Their song shall rise above the discords of all Wars, and shall echo down the corridors of time, and into the temples of tomorrowg for theirs is the harmony of God. BETTE JANE GERSON, B12 Galatea Youth Came to do homage At the temple of Peace. And he, like Pygmalion, Prayed that the radiant image he beheld Be given life. Minerva heard youth's prayer, And answered softly, Youth, Be comfortedg I This image is not of earthly stone, Not cold and lifeless to the touch, But as warm And filled with life As the love that men bear her. If you would see her live, Then burn the incense of lo've In tireless praise At her feet. GRACE BLUE, A12

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WW ual Myra. W PIIUSE lll'IlII THE STHIRS The Housh Stairway ojfers a few moments of scenic beauty and re freshing coolness for those who pause to call to rninol this enduring Me morial to Mr. H oush. To hiin, we owe the inspirational beauty of this build ing. . Ph t graph by Wayne F. Mille