South High School - Oriole Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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eleven as I was big enough, my brother taught me how to play it. Although I played only by ear, I developed a love for music at a very early age. Consequently, when the music instructor asked all those who played musical instruments to meet him after school one day, I presented myself and volunteered the information that I could play an accordian. Suppressing a smile, he suggested that I join the instrumental class for beginners and learn to play a violin. I followed his advice and now I am a member of the orchestra and play on all special occasions. Shortly after I had entered the high school, the assembly was entertained by a play put on by a dramatic club. It was the first play I had ever seen, and I guess I sat in open-mouthed wonder as the action developed. That night I went home and announced to my family that I was going to be an actress. My father shook his head in disapproval, but my mother was wise enough to realize that child- hood ambitions are rarely achieved. Nevertheless, I went to school the follow- ing morning determined to begin my theatrical career. I inquired and learned that I might join a dramatic club at once. I joined immediately, but it was months before I appeared on the stage, and when I did go on for the first time, I was so thoroughly terrified that I completely forgot my lines and had to be prompted several times before I could continue. Since then I have participated in a number of plays, but I realize now that I shall never be an actress. My time has not been wasted, though, for I can now go before an assembly group and speak with comparative ease. In my third year I was invited to join a literary society. I also went in for knitting and newspaper reporting, so I was kept quite busy. At home my mother still cooked in Lithuanian fashion. KIatski, or potato pancakes, was our idea of a company dish. Our foods were heavy and not so ap- petizing as the meals I bought at school. I decided that it was up to me to help Americanize our family menus, so I enrolled in a cooking class in my last year. I soon learned how to prepare a balanced meal. Salads, nourishing soups, and dainty desserts began to make their appearance on our table. At first mother was prejudiced against my new-fangled ideas as she termed them, but grad- ually she, too, grew to anticipate them with pleasure. I can honestly say that I enjoyed practically every class I had, although, of course, some appealed to me more than others. The years flew around and I found myself a dignified senior. It was then that I took up civics, the course that was to mean so much to me. It was during this course that I realized what it really meant to be a citizen of America. I read in my lesson one day a reference to America, the Melting Pot of the World. Here was a new and strange idea to me. What was the Melt- ing Pot? How did it concern Americanization? I read on and a new thought impressed itself upon my mind. Here in America everyone united, regardless of color, creed or nationality, to labor for the great republic and look forward to majestic exploits performed for the common good. The American flag, the sym- bol of our independence, stood for honor, justice, humanity and freedom, not only for our ancestors, but for our descendants. Here while we work shoulder to shoulder with natives of other countries, opportunity beckons. No other country offers opportunity to the foreign-born as America does, here one can go as far as his abilities carry him. America will make good with you if you make good with her. These words, taken from some reference reading I did one day, made such a lasting impression upon my mind that I kept repeating them over and over for several days. What an optimistic note they sounded, and how true the meaning they conveyed. just as America is the melting pot of the world, so our high school is the melting pot of the city. To this great cruciblelcome representatives of twenty- eight nations. There is no limit to the heights we foreign born may attain. All we need is the will to succeed. Every path is open, every talent is called forth, and some day in the near future, when our diplomas have been handed to us, we shall be ready to take our places as true Americans in the melting pot of the world. ,

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a report room. My new friend, Anna, was sent to the same room. My cousins had told the principal about my preparation and he agreed to let me try out 9-B work. Anna had already spent two years in the building, so she was able to ex- plain the many bewildering things that arose the first day. We stayed in our report room until the bell rang and everyone hurried into the hall. At first I thought this must be the fire drill my cousin had spoken of, but I was reassured when I realized that no one was alarmed as the halls filled up with laughing, chattering young folks. Everything fascinated me that day, I was almost afraid I should waken up and find myself back in the plowed fields of Zuirblaukia- surely this must all be a dream. I had hoped to take both cooking and sewing, but I found I had to choose between them. I had always done more or less cook- ing, so I decided to sign up for sewing and learn to make the kind of clothes my cousins made. I was rather disappointed to learn that I must begin on something very simple before I could hope to make a dress. However, my teacher assured me that I could go ahead just as fast as I was able, and I felt fully confident that I would be making suits before the end of the semester. I went from class to class as one hunting new fields to conquer. At noon my friend introduced me to the cafeteria. This was my first experience in a cafeteria and I had gotten clear to the desserts before I could make up my mind what.to choose. When I turned to retrace my steps, I found what seemed to be hundreds of students behind me, so that first day I Iunched on custard, jello, and pie. My cousins had great fun that night teasing me about it. It didn't take me long to learn. though, and my mother was delighted to know that I could get a good nourishing lunch for fifteen cents. That afternoon I saw my first swimming pool. We weren't permitted to go in until later in the week. I wasn't at all certain that I wanted to go in. Surely with so many girls in the water, some of us would be overlooked. Most of the students already knew how to swim. Would they laugh at my feeble efforts to keep my head above water? Yes, I could think of lots of things nicer than a swimming pool that day. Time will not permit me to go into further detail about that epoch-making first day at school. In my estimation I had at least mounted the ladder of success and in my youthful enthusiasm I could already picture myself at the top. Day followed day, weeks developed into a month. Each day brought me new and interesting experiences. The impossible seemed to be coming to pass when one day I opened a savings account at school. I who a year before would have rejoiced over possessing a single skatikas was now receiving money regularly from my father to put into the school bank. Nothing could have persuaded me to draw out any of that money either, for I now had a secret ambition-so secret that I didn't even share it with my mother. Perhaps some day I might go to col- lege. In my idle moments I dreamed over the possibility, for had not our teacher said that money was our best friend? Yes, with money, everything was possible. By the end of my first year I could number many pupils among my friends. A few, like me, were born on foreign soil, but most of them had been born in America. There was Stanislov Slovinska and his brother Michael, both of Polish descent, Katherine C-eletko, a Slovik girl who lived beside me, Hulda Burgraff, who had been born in Leipsicg Maria Piazza, whose parents had crossed from Sicily two years before her birth. No one, however, was quite so dear to me as Anna Mindek, for I had met her when I was most in need of friendship. I found the extra-curricular activities interested me almost as much as my classes. Such fun as one can have in an American school! I joined the World Club and opened up correspondence with Frances Michalouskis, a girlhood friend of mine back in Zuirblaukia. I was quite thrilled to be able to write as an American student. As far back as I can remember my family had owned an accordian. As soon ren

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FEBRUARY CLASS OF l93Li , CLASS OFFICERS FOR FEBRUARY President, Arthur Geisey V.-President, john Grad Secretary, Helen jackson Treasurer, Alma Siegfried O. Rep., Mary Miklas CLASS CALENDAR SEPTEMBER l.-Back to school for the grand finale, yes, this is our last semester. Pouring in from vaca- tioning rendezvous come South's new Senior A's. 2.-Ah, Ha. Something new in the way of a fraternity, This date marks the organization of the Zilch Club, on the third floor, by Miss Davidson's room. l5.-To-day the Student Council assembled to have their first meeting and, with the election of the officers, we find Ruth Groenert President. l8.-Each man has his masters who help him to form his life. Dr. Griggs, in his impressive speech, brought home to the students the fact that every person meets someone whom he follows as his ideal. l9.-Two of the most important clubs of the school to-day met to organize. Of course they are the Ayita and Philo literary societies. I 22.-Football season is again in progress, especially at South. A game was played at Wash- ington, Pennsylvania, to-day and maybe the South men didn't show their true colors! We won the game by an I8-7 score. 23.-Do the Senior A's love fresh corn on the cob? I'll say they do. What is nicer than a picnic at South Park? Do you agree, Seniors? 27.-We're a little wiser than we were when we went to assembly. We now know the purpose and the objectives of the N.R.A. Charles H. Lehman is the man to whom we are indebted for our enlightenment. 29.-We certainly have some team. South walloped Schenley by a score of i9-O. Who thought we'd have such a pleasing climax for the month of September? OCTOBER 2.-Were you ever in the Chocolate Town? All the students present at to-day's assembly had this rare privilege. Luscious, creamy choc- olate. Mmmmm! what could be sweeter? And it was Hershey's representative who showed a movie about the candy. How we longed for a sample. 7.--There was nothing rrore to say than, Every good team is tilted now and then, when South lost to Altoona, i9-14. l3.-Reports were given out, and woe to those who didn't study. Even report cards, W Miss Edythe Davidson however, failed to dampen the spirits of those R. G' Dean My twelve