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

Page 13 text:

Integrity is defined by Webster as the quality of being honest, or , freedom from guile or fraud. It I adds the implication of high- mindedness, or a nice sense of al- legiance to one's standards. It denotes uprightness or incorrupti- bility in the execution of trusts. It is to be honorable, creditable, fair and straightforward in con- duct, and free from deception. Integrity is the foundation of every successful venture in a life which looks into the future for the perpetuation of its existence. Without that moral force doubt reigns, and failure is certain. The creation of corporate bodies is de- pendent on, first, the faith of the stockholders in the integrity of oflicers, directors, and the business management, and secondly, the soundness and probable success of the business or the business venture, Without the former, the latter will fail miserably. The requisites of men who are chosen for important positions by modern business executives are, first, integrity, and the ability and aggressiveness. Ability and aggressiveness may be substi- tuted, but there is no quality to replace integrity. Absence of this ele- ment can only bring unfavorable results. Integrity is that element in the mind of man which stabilizes every human endeavor, whether it be in governmental functions, business, or the home, Without it confidence vanishes and chaos ensues. J. L. VAN NORMAN, '99 President L01 Angela Board of Education

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The empire of the mind of the adolescent is the kingdom over which our high school education trains you to reign. You will be, forever, a good ruler if during your high school education you have learned to think, to think in terms of the depth, breadth, and variety of complexity which you will meet in every phase of American life today. You will be a strong ruler if in your heart and spirit are noble ideals ruling your head. Your reign over self will be con- tinuingly successful if your high school education has taught you to know and to enjoy the arts of life and of living. If your high school education has skilled you to know and respect some work in life, and if you are equipped to per- form that Work, you will be well on your way to success. If this experience in dear old Poly has inspired you to be kind in action, simple in want, noble in friendship, faithful in trust, and untiring in effort, then truly you are captain of your mind. Your spiri- tual, social, and personal life will contribute to our civilization. VIERLING KERSEY, S'08 California State Superintendent of Education

Page 14 text:

There has been widespread in- terest in the remarkable records in construction made by Lynn Atkin- s Jn within the last ten years. Al- ready his reputation is well estab- lished as one able to accomplish the impossible. Mr. Atkinson was born in Ko- komo, Indiana, 1894. He received his high school education at Los Angeles Polytechnic, and it is with a warranted measure of pride that the school claims this famous man as one of its sons. Later he attended the New Mexico Mili- tary lnstitute. Training in these in- stitutions formed a strong founda- tion upon which to establish his career. Mr. Atkinson comes from a fam- ily of builders, and he was brought up in an atmosphere of construc- tion. He worked under his father until he was 21, at 18 as superin- tendent ofa highway camp, and at . . 21 superintendent of construction on the Broadway tunnel. ln 1916 he entered business for himself. His last piece of work, the contruction of Pardee Dam, Oakland, is the one which has brought him so prominently before the public. With limited time and finances, and a record river wash-out to combat, many men foresaw disaster. Not Mr. Atkinson, however, for he en- tered the job with a determination to finish it in proper fashion and in less than given time. just how he accomplished this is a story that that reads like fiction. Two years from the day work began the 57,000,000 dam was completed. One secret of Mr. Atkinson's brilliant success is his sterling character and magnetic personality. Not only is he capable, but he also has the ability to inspire in those under him his own zeal and enthusiasm. Another reason for his success is that he knows how to cooperate. His own youthful genius together with the sober experience of older men, has made exactly the right combination. No one questions the fact that even greater things are in store for this outstanding man. LY NN A'FKlNSK7N