Mission High School - Mission Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

Page 14 text:

WFILLIAM J. DREW Missiorfs Principal at work on plans for tho new playground THE PRINCIPAUS MESSAGE By Willialil J. Drew SUCCESS WITH CHARACTER THROUGH WORK AND EDUCATION To overcome obstacles in the path of a wholesome and well-ordered life, to be courageous and undaunted in the face of discouragement or temporary defeat, and yet to maintain morale, to have Faith, Hope, and Confidence in ultimate success, and to back up these qualities by honest. sincere work is a challenge to our American ideals and institutions and to the youth of our country. We of Mission High School have had obstacles, discouragements, and defeat in the uphuilding or the rebuilding of a great school. Our original building was destroyed by fire in January, 1922, during one of the coldest winters in our experience. There resulted actual priva- tion, suffering, and grave illness among teachers and students. For years thereafter we planned, struggled, and worked, through those terri- ble days of real calamity and bitter cold weather, when the school was housed in Government tents set up in our school grounds, in neighbor- hood churches, and in temporary buildings erected in Mission Park. You people of today are blessed with the privilege of enjoying a school plant which is the result of sacrifices, energy, and the indomita- ble will to succeed. THE MISSION ' JANUARY 0 1936 Page E ight

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Just as the missions of California were the center of community life in which the young were trained to perpetuate the mission culture, so at Mission High School are the students, as they carry on activities of life. following in the footsteps of the pioneers of old California. The padres taught honesty, good moral character, modesty, handi- crafts. trade and commerce, art, music, literature, history, and languages. So, too. does Mission High School teach these in the shops, commercial. music. art. technical, and academic departments. Throughout our journal we have attempted to show how our school, like the missions of old, prepares its memhers for life. We helieve that this theme is fitting hecause our mission heritage is an undying one. Our school is like the original Mision San Francisco de Asis. not in structure. hut in activity. It was the intention of the old Spanish padres to have the missions a day's journey apart along the coastal road called El C2llllill0 Real. FORE ORD The missions were the connecting points of California. The padres held clmrch services, taught school, instructed the natives in crafts and agriculture. and did many other things too numerous to mention. They have set a stirring example for all teachers who come to Mission High School. Therefore. we present as our theme the analogy between life as it was in the missions of old California and as it is today a M nklgligh School. , to . we in . va' r if 5 . 4 V V if gl V I if l I , .fs-by H jk-I u I f

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A great school has been built at a cost of 351,500,000 on the site of the original building. A It has been said that San Francisco, which was destroyed by fire and earthquake in 1906, has risen Phoenix-like and triumphant. Like- wise has Mission High School risen from its ashes, Phoenix-like and triumphant. In the matter of a playground, our struggles and patient work, at this writing, seem to have been rewarded. The Board of Education on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools has secured an appropriation of 585,000 for tl1is purpose. The Mayor, the City Mana- ger, and the Board of Supervisors have co-operated splendidly here. The Governor's Tree, the araucaria excelsis, was planted by Gov- ernor James Rolph. Jr.. on the school lawn in February, 1932, in honor of the bi-centenary of the birth of George Washington. By accident, or by a ruthless act. the top of this tree was broken off and the tree appar- ently destroyed. However, in emulation of the indomitable Mission spirit, the remaining small tree trunk. a mere stick, was planted in a box, nurtured and cared for in the girls court, until today it has re- grown a beautiful new top with a spread of about three feet-another example of overcoming discouragement and defeat. For years the din and roaring noises of the street cars as they pass the school have greatly interfered with all recitation and class work in the rooms fronting Eighteenth Street. After more than a decade of pa- tient endurance and argument with the street car company, we have to announce fwonder of all wondersj that, on October 7, 1935, the old street cars were removed and replaced with splendid modern, rubber- tired, trackless. trolley coaches. This innovation is the first unit of a modern noiseless street car transportation system which, we devoutly hope, will be extended to our entire city. Finally, the latest and most marvellous accomplishments in the world are taking place at our own gates: namely, the building of the gigantic Bay bridges. spanning greater expanses of water than have ever before been bridged, and the aerial conquest of the Pacific Ocean by the great China Clipper ship in a glorious round trip between San Fran- cisco and Manila. These are brilliant examples of overcoming obstacles -the result of Success with Character through Work and Education. THE MISSION 0 JANUARY 0 1936 Page Nine