Santa Barbara High School - Olive and Gold Yearbook (Santa Barbara, CA)

Page 13 text:

EDITORIALS SELF-GQVERNMENT IN 'rx-ua SANTA BARBARA H101-1 Sci-1001. To Student Self-Government in the Santa Barbara High School we dedicate this issue of the Olive and Gold, in the earnest hope that before the time swings round to the publication of the next Olive and Gold, student control will be so firmly entrenched in the Santa Barbara High School that it cannot be dislodged. There has gradually developed among high school students a desire to gain more than merely scholastic attainment, to do more than follow a path laid down for them to tread. They wish through Student Self-Government to gain that power of self-control which is the foundation of American Democracy. Thoughtful students are willing to do their utmost for the promotion of this project as they believe it of infinite benefit to themselves. An interest in Student Self-Government has always been strong in the Santa Barbara High schoolg many times in years past it has sought for a hold in student affairs. But never have its advocates been so united in cooperating for its establishment as during the past year. All branches of the existing organization have worked hard in order that it might become a permenant institution of the school. Whatever was attempted under the system prospered. Student management of the study halls under the Welfare Committee met with success. In some periods the faculty members remain only to take the rollg in others they are absent the entire timeg never are they there to interfere with student discipline. In the Santa Barbara High School, student-control is but in its infancy. All that has been achieved is but a beginningg yet all that has been accomplished stands for advance. Even the most ardently enthusiastic advocates admit that there are still many flaws in student-government as it now exists. There are many thoughtless and self-centered students who have failed to fall into line. But however far from perfect the system may be, its hold upon the students is strong. It appeals to their inherent love of liberty and democracy-the ideals of the nationg it is in sympathy with the ideal of their school- a square deal. The energy of all serious minded students of the Santa Barbara High. School is now directed toward the perfection of the system. Public opinion will force the non- conformists into line. The conspicious offender will find himself an unpopular minor- ity, and cease to obstruct the progress of self-government towardi its goal. It is to the success of this undertaking that we dedicate this magazine. A RECORD YEAR ' 1921-1922 has been a record year in Santa Barbara High. Significant stages in our internal progress are shown by the incorporation into our system of such advanced educational projects as classification by mental testsg segregation into groups for voca- tional guidanceg the inaugration of an Honor Scholarship Societyg the establishment of a Spanish Clubg revived and enlarged interests in oratory, debate, and dramaticsg and many minor advances along the line of socialized education. Our material progress

Page 12 text:

L61 OLIVE AND GOLD Sbislh uf injiurrha Reflections on the E-ve of Graduation MARGARET BARR, '22 Inscrutable Minerva! On this great eve We stand before thine altar. Great Goddess of Wisdom! Immortal One! From thy grey eyes, deep and wonderful, Let shine thy great soul in all-enveloping light, That we may stand clear in the spirit which thou: dost symbolize. Athwart thine undimmed shield, Whose surface has caught up the altar fires, Cross shadows of the universe, the choices of this life: The five great roads that lead us to the heights- Honour and Love, and always with these two grim ' Courage, with Strength and Obedience hand in hand. Now Hashes on the shield the world-conquerable illusion Of cities, rivers, mountains, plains, and seas- The busy life of towns, the sylvan homes, i And pastoral scenes of fields and herds. There likewise wheel the countless planets, Elusive sparks of light: The stars and' rushing comets- The infinite dark blue dome that stretches far away- Eternally away, and ever beckons with that secret Which mortals ne'er can grasp. And now behold! The Muses nine With chant and strain in a circle wind: Art, and Science, Song, and Dance Call Devotees on to road of fame. Choose ! thou sayest. Lo! the glowing embers leap and die. The incense curls around in a heavy-scented kiss. The choice is sealed.

Page 14 text:

L81 OLIVE AND GOLD finds its summation in the projected new high school which is now a certainty. Our total enrollment for the year has been 928. Our graduating class numbered 112. VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE I In an effort to guide students in the selection of a suitable occupation for thir life- work, an original system of vocational guidance has been evolved and adopted by the faculty of the high school. 4 Many young people have been forced to give up thd work they have chosen after th-ey, by actual participation in it, have learned its real nature. As a consequence, the years of specialized study along the chosen line bring no return and a new start is necessary. It is the purpose of vocational guidance to eliminate these false beginnings by giving the student a knowledge of the occupations he is considering. The lectures under this system given monthly throughout the year to a selected group have proved exceptionally valuable. Only people who are authorities are requested to speak, to the end. of an unbiased and authentic view of the character and possibilities of the given trades and professions. THE HONOR SCHOLARSHIP SOCIETY With the hope of arousing a greater and more general interest in scholarship and of raising the already high standard of the Santa Barbara High School, the Student- body recently voted to join the California Scholarship Federation. The aim of the Federation is to encourage a higher standard of all around attain- ment as well as of scholarship. This is accomplished indirectly. The society deals with scholarship alone, but credit is gvien for outside activities-such as glee club. orchestra, and athletics-which in turn counts in the scholarship record. The all round attainment is thus encouraged without unnecessarily complicating the Scholar- ship system. Joining the California Scholarship Federation has been a big step ahead for the Santa Barbara High School. It has given the students a chance to compete in scholar- ship, upon an equal footing, with the most advanced schools of the state. There are further possibilites and advantages in the Scholarship society, which makes it, even now in its first? year, a valuable asset to the High School. I THE SPANISH CLUB La Tertula, the Spanish Club, is prominent among the innovations of the year. The advantage and practicability of such an organization in the Santa Barbara High School has long been feltg but not until this year hasg any suggested plan materialized. Interest in the project was strongly evidenced among those who wished to gain a practical and conversational knowledge of Spanish. This interest has been retained and augmented by clever use of the dramatic and oratorical material in the club. The unusual success of the club is due to the unlagging enthusiasm of Miss Gower, teacher of Spanish.