Polytechnic High School - Polytechnic Student Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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ui-ll:l:m mmm:-1: I1-1 Inn-1:l1l nl lil IM-I-I-iilult-lil-1: an:l1lrx-1:ll:m:: rx1:mu:rm'A:ll-1:1 u:l:vl:m :IXYJIII Illlllrlllilillilill-1 s1:l:l:nmi-1:t-I-in llllil mx-mn-lin ,sl W L-lax-I-imml mlm1malml11m:m: si IRIIEIIKUHYIII :naar-nl::l:l: all-1nl:r-1:1111-1 gi llliilllllvl IDI-il The high school period is im portant in one's life because it is at this time that the foundations are laid upon which one's career is built. lt is necessary that the foundation be firm if the building is to stand. Thus these years are most significant in the formation of those character habits by which the problems of life are to be worked out successfully or otherwise. lt is in these years of youth that inspirations for great accomplishments are fostered. Lessons learned early last a life- time, directing and moulding all our actions. So our alumni have gone forth from Polytechnic with achievement for their goal, they have neither been daunted by ad- versity nor turned back by disap- pointments. ln these testings that precede victory, they have proved their ability and determi- nation. It has been their glad duty to uphold the standards of Pvbffflmif High -9011001 Polytechnic High School. Typical of the high ideals of service that have dominated our many graduates is Carl Wirsching, now president of the Alumni Association. A graduate of 1905, Mr. Wirsching has made for himself a record worthy of the school he represents. By his honest effort and continuous preparation he obtained a position under the government as construc- tion engineer. When the Great War called our citizens, Mr. Wirsching was not slow to enlist. He first served as construction and maintenance engineer, and won the rank of major. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre for his important work and outstanding bravery. He is now vice-president of the Los Angeles Board of Public Works, supervising the labor of some four thousand men. Students of yesterday are responsible leaders today. Polytechnic alumni have distinguished themselves in such professions as law, edu- cation, research, community welfare. There have been some with execu- tive ability successful in business. Others have contributed to litera-

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Foreword T IS with extreme pleasure that I accept the opportunity to write a few words for this issue of the Polytechnic Student in behalf of a school that stands high within the ranks of educational institutions of our beloved Southland. Although several years have passed since I left the halls of Polytechnic High, my interest in the school and its program of service and education has not diminished. Happy, golden days at old Poly linger in my memory, and I continue to take a keen interest in the school and its work with the youth in our City ofthe Angels. Polytechnic High School has reached a place in its program of service to the community when additional buildings and facilities must be provided to prevent a halt in its growth and advancement. Members of the Alumni Association and all other well-wishers of the school, will make every effort with- in their power to make possible the addition of needed build- ings in order to provide ample quarters for all who desire to take advantage of the opportunity to attend Poly High.'P Members of the Summer Class of '31 should be commended for their splendid work in issuing this number of The Poly- technic Student, a publication reflecting credit upon the entire school. CARL B. WIRSCHING, 'O5 President Pobfteclmic Alumni Amociation

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ture, music, and art. Among well I known Polytechnic graduates are Mr. john Beck and Mr. Leonard Wilson, both with splendid rec- ords as attorneys, Miss Isabelle Smith, Ph.D., Dean of Women at Scripps College, Whose scholarly ideals and line character have in- spired many young women, Mr. Vierling Kersey, State Superin- tendent of Education, an ofhce which requires the highest type of public servant, Lynn Van Nor- man, one-time president of our Ionian Society, now president of the Los Angeles Board of Educa- tion in which position he is de- voting himself unreservedly to the welfare of the youth of this city. Howard Byram, County Treasurer, guards the public in- terests faithfully. Clement Reis, Sales Manager, Zellerbach Paper Company, is a line representative l -. of business integrity. In science are Raymond Stringfield, Ph.D., Chemistry, Leo Delsasso, Ph.D., Physics, at the University of California, and Donald Loughridge, PhQ D., Physics, Institute of Technology, have done outstanding work? Norman McPhail, one-time prominent in the Polytechnic Glec Clubs, is now well known in Los Angeles for his generous efforts in promoting music interests. These and others likewise earnest, loyal, and faith- ful in daily tasks, are promoting the welfare of the community. The supreme requirement from all is that they strive to measure up to the highest ideals of American citizenship-honesty, fearlessness, vision, self-respect, together with faith in God and man. The student body of Polytechnic appreciates the tangible evidences of the interest which binds the Alumni Association to the school. It is through the personal efforts of President Wirsching that it is now pos- sible for the Board of Education to close Twentieth Street and enlarge Dunn Field. It is also the Alumni Association that is presenting to the school the bust of Mr. john H. Francis, founder of Polytechnic. CARL B. WIRSCHING Preyident Alumni Arrociution '