Pasadena City College - Pageant Yearbook (Pasadena, CA)

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f r ' !=. - ? - i Schoolhouses were an essential part of every community, for settlors realized the im- portance of education. Not only tlie young westerner but also his self-tauglit parents enrolled in school for the purpose of increasing their education. Historically important, brick schoolhouses like this early California structure remam intact today despite disastrous fires which totally destroyed other buildings. Schoolhouses, which often were built from funds raised through dances or amateur athletic programs, were constructed to lost for generations. Today, the stately brick structures with their iron-barred windows and high bell towers are symbols of the West of yesterday and its connection with the West of today.

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ProloguG Our heritage from the West includes not only the gun- slinging marshall of the early western town but also the settlers who brought democracy, neighborliness, hardihood, self-re- liance, optimism and humor to the towns of the frontier. After winning victory over the wilderness, these early settlers developd a democracy in which every man was judged upon his own merit. Through their participation in group ef- forts and through their cooperative facing of the problems of the frontier, the westerners became neighborly. By surviving the difficulties and dangers of the frontier town, they developed a hardihood, a self-reliance and a love of the great outdoors. Their faith in limitless opportunities and their independent sense of freedom helped to create the optimistic philosophy found in western American culture. Frontier people found an outlet from their strenuous work through the boisterous fun that was known as western wit. Gifted, humorous writers were a boon to the frontier news- papers through their crackerbox philosophy, mocking affec- tation and shrewd common sense. Humor is evidenced in many familiar folklore tales, first told around the pot-bellied stove of the general store by these pleasure-loving folk. Tender western ballads keep alive today the legendary deeds and manly qualities of the frontier heroes of yesterday. Because these qualities and characteristics are still part of the composition of the modern westerner, the staff has chosen Our Heritage from the Western Town as the theme for the 1958 Pageant.

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Dedication DR. DOROTHY DIXON Anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing and working with Dr. Dorothy Dixon, Chairman of the Department of English, realizes the important part she has played in Pasadena City College life. Because of her untiring service and consecrated efforts on behalf of Pasadena City College, the staff dedicates the 1958 Pageant to her. Dr. Dixon was graduated Mogna Cum Laude from Radcliffe College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and later re- ceived her Master ' s Degree from Harvard University. Her academic accomplishments were recognized when she was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa. In 1951 she received her doctorate from the University of Southern California. Before coming to Pasadena, Dr. Dixon taught at a Massachusetts high school and at the Westlake School for Girls in Los Angeles. Her proficiency in Latin and her outstanding scholarship were recognized several years ago when she did research for the Huntington Library, spending over 400 hours in making Latin translations. Dr. Dixon has made many friends throughout the school district during the time she has spent at Pasadena City College. In addition to teaching English and Latin, she served as a counselor for a number of years. She has advised numerous student activities including the Pipes of Pan and the English Council. She is a charter member of Sigma Tau Delta, the honorary literary fraternity; and has also been honored with membership in Beta Phi Gamma, honorary journalism fraternity; Delta Psi Omega, drama fraternity; Phi Rho Pi, speech fraternity. She was selected as an honorary member of Spartans and was tapped into OMD, the highest honorary service organization of the college, in February, 1949. In the community Dr. Dixon belongs to mony clubs and civic organizations including the Browning Society. She is octive in her church and spends much of her free time with her hobbies, gardening and travel. In 1952 Dr. Dixon represented Pasadena City College as a speaker at the General Session of the forty-second annual meeting of the Notional Council of Teachers of English in Boston. Because of outstanding achievements in her field and because of the warmth of her friendship for both faculty and students, the staff is proud to honor Dr. Dorothy Dixon.