Washington High School - Massillonian Yearbook (Massillon, OH)

Page 14 text:

Have A Line » » Twelve hundred vest-pocket editions, all distinct, of a generation that has gone before—twelve hundred bundles of raw material, the stuff of which civilization is made. (Or is it made?) Twelve hundred—an unco¬ ordinated, Neolithic mass. But hold! There are men in that mass! It is the function of the mecha nism to find and develop them. And there are two men (count ' em) sitting at the controls of that mechanism, which must add polish and wisdom, discernment and appre¬ ciation not to the mass—but to its individuals, mind you. Schedules— meetings — public appearances — guidance — complaints of students — complaints of parents — complaints of teachers — planning — much rub¬ bing of unruly fur — headache without end. Do you tire of this? Then there is a way for you to avoid it all — but not for these men — jacta alea est! The inarticulate mass must be formed into well-ordered lines — lines conforming to the myriad processing requirements of the variegated raw material. Classes (firm lines) clubs (hand lines) rallies (scream lines) parties (cake lines) committees (gas lines) chapel (by-lines) athletics (headlines, foul lines, scrimmage lines) commencement (line terminal)—the mechan¬ ism whirs—but there is a rhythm to its laboring! The pieces of the giant must have been fitted by those men—what a task! What a tribute that they (the pieces) have so little friction one with another! (No friction at all, you see, would violate a fundamental law of physical science). The world, like a hungry market for commodities, awaits the finished product. It must be ready on scheduled time. And now the lines must be re-formed. Competent business men—enlightened electorate—civic- minded citizenry—leaders. There is no escape, the market cries. And like a faithful merchant, the public high school delivers the product.