Manual Arts High School - Artisan Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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These Ten Years By Dorothy Smith and Winifred Smith When the Los Angeles Board of Education decided on an innovation in liit;li scliool courses and planned to give insruction in tlie niainial arts, it carefully selected a site, drew plans for a building and elected a princi- pal. The first students of the institution saw the significance of the event and assisted in getting a corner stone tliat would he an endnring granite memorial. They saw that upon the corner stone of instruction in all of our schools rested the future welfare of our whole nation. It is significant that the principal ' s and vice-principals ' offices of Manual Arts High School rest on a corner stone which stands as a symbol for the enthusiasm of youth for progress in America. In 1910 an increase in the population of the city of Los Angeles necessitated the erection of a new high school. Funds were raised and land purchased upon which now stands our school. Probably no one person had more influence in bringing about the realization of the dream ' of Manual than did Mr. J. M. Guinn, then the president of the Board of Education. In June, 1910, the Arts, Science, and Shop buildings were under construction. By September nine hundred pupils had enrolled in the Olive Street High School, the beginning of Manral Arts. That was ' o be their temporary home until the buildings at 42nd and Vermont were completed. While the students were still in the old Olive Street school they had anticipated laying the corner stone of their new home, having raised funds for that purpose. A copper box, made by the art metal classes, was used as a lining for the hollow granite stone. Into the box were placed copies of the school paper, the constitution of the Student Body Organization, a paper bearing the signature of every student and teacher in the school that year, an olive branch, the school pennant, a copy of the school songs and yells, and a few samples of American money of that date. As Mr. Guinn slowly lowered the granite stone to its mortar bi e, carrying with it the copper box and its contents, wild, enthusiastic cheers arose from the two thousand spectators. In his speech following the event, Mr. Guinn said. The Manual Arts High School is the most costly and one of the most commodious high schools in Southern California, if not in the entire state. The found- ing of a school for the moral, intellectual, and industrial training of the TM ' EXTY-THREE

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was famed at his university for track and cross country running. He is a graduate of Ames College, Iowa. He remarked that he was very pleased with Manual and was glad to be here. We are also glad that he is here. Miss Anna Hussey is at present instructing the girls in foods. Pre- viously she has taught in Oakland, Venice Polytechnic High, and Hol- lywood. There she was head of the Home Economics Department. Before all this, however, she came from ' Minnesota. As she would speak of Manual: Ti:e girls are the most teachable girls I have ever taught in my life. The Home Economics Department is so well orga- nized. Before Miss Hussey came here she had heard she would enjoy the spirit of Manual, and on arriving she was not in the least disap- pointed. Now we have someone who is and is not a new teacher. Miss Oyler has just recently returned from China. Quite a few years ago Miss Oyler taught at Manual, then left for Hawaii, where she spent a year. Later she taught at a Chinese university in Shanghai. While she was there we received many interesting letters, which a good many Manualites have read in the Weekly. She said the most amusing thing in China was the attempt of the Chinese students to copy our idea of self- government. She said that their idea of self government is no govern- ment and accordingly they all run loose. Since she has left Manual it has become better organized and she noticed particularly the good discipline in assemblies. We certainly are glad and lucky to welcome her back. Miss Loretta Miller has just recently come from Montana where she taught in Butte High School in the commercin! department. Previous to that she held the position of art supervisor in the Butte public schools. Also, for about six years, she taught at Montana State Normal College. Here she instructed in art and penmanship. Miss Miller is a graduate of Colorado Uni ersity although she has attended California, Washing- ton, and Columbia Universities. However, she is only filling a vacancy here, much to her regret and ours. She enjoys Manual just that much! Here we will have to close, hoping that the teachers who have come to join this institution will enjoy it as much as we have. TAVENTY-TWO

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young is an event of hut little less importance that the founding of a state. Every school for higher learning is a moral as well as an intel- lectual achievement. In 1911 the student body numbered 1024, and the faculty reached a total of 56. The number of students had increased to 3,300 at the be- ginning of the fall term of 1922, and the faculty to 120 members. The total number of students who had graduated by 1922 was 3317. As a result of the growth in number of pupils and instructors, a notable ad- dition to the school was made in 1922 by the erection of a new building, known as Setiior Hall. Other recent additions are an automol)ile sho j and a complete printing plant. Dr. Wilson, Miss Dole, Mrs. Farnum, and Mrs. Trummer are the only remaining instructors who started with the school in 1910. Frotn the beginning Manual Arts has endeavored to be a cosmopoli- tan high school. It has endeavored to justify its name by devoting much time and effort to manual arts, as well as to tiie academic subjects. TWENTY.FOUR