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

Page 15 text:

9135 Willis A. Dunn Medal Award Mr. Carl Wirsching, President, Polytechnic Alumni Association, Los Angeles, California. Dear Sir: For many years past Mr. Willis A. Dunn has faithfully served as Principal of the Polytechnic High School, and for some time past I have felt a desire to express my appreciation of his personal interest during the days I attended Polytechnic. Too often we unintentionally neglect to recognize and to express appreciation to those to whom we are indebted, and it is natural that the organization of an association of former students of Polytechnic should serve as an inspiration. With this thought in mind, and with a desire to honor Mr. Willis A. Dunn, it has occurred to me that this objective might be accomplished by the annual presentation of medals to the student body, to be known as the Willis A. Dunn Award. The award of such medals to the stu- dent body will perhaps serve as an inspiration to the students in whom he has always been, and will always be interested, and such awards might assist him in stimulating interest. Recently Mr. Frank visited my office, and I advised him of this viewpoint, and at his suggestion I am presenting the matter to you. Inasmuch as this thought has been prompted by contact with the Polytechnic Alumni Association, and believing that this association will be an enduring group, it would seem proper that the presentation of such awards should be made annually by the President of our Asso- ciation, if agreeable with you. I am therefore delivering to you herewith the aforementioned medal awards, together with a memorandum of suggested conditions relative thereto, with the request that you advise me whether or not our Asso- ciation would desire to undertake the presentation of these medals annually, and if so I would appreciate any comments or suggestions in connection with the awards that you might care to make. Yours very truly, LYNN ATKINSON. P.S. It is noted that I have neglected to mention that all expenses in connection with engraving dies and striking of medals will be borne by me personally. L A

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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

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PIIILLIP NoR'roN W, A. DUNN CARI, ll. Wmscuwo 'IUIIN llnatx Jllemomfzdum 0 C0lldifi0ll5 RLII,A'l'lVE TO NVILLIS A. DUNN MEDAL AVVARDS F1RsT: It is anticipated that the Willis A. Dunn medal awards will be made annually to selected students of the Polytechnic High School of Los Angeles by the President of the Alumni Association. Siacorsin: lt is anticipated that three awards will be made, as follows: Gold Medal Silver Medal Bronze Medal Timm: lt is anticipated that the recipients of these awards will be selected from the student body by a group of the faculty to be selected hy the Principal of the Polytechnic High School annually, Fouaruz lt is anticipated that in making the Willis A. Dunn awards that much weight will be given to scholarship accomplishments of students under consideration, but it is not anticipated that scholarship alone shall be a determining factor, as the governing elements of the award shall be based on the accomplishment of the students as regards effort, character building, and actual achievement. Primarily it is intended to give large consideration to the elliorts of selected students, rather than to a high grade of scholastic accomplish- ment, and it is conceivable that in only infrequent instances will the awards be made to those having the highest scholastic grades.