Turlock High School - Alert Yearbook (Turlock, CA)

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THE WORTH WHILE LIFE J. Perry Ratzell, Principal There are many echoes but few voices, many islands but few continents, many mountain ranges but few great towering mountain peaks, many parties but few leaders, many captains but few generals, many politicians but few statesmen, and millions of people but few strong, outstanding personalities. When the truly great man arrives, we have no difficulty in recognizing him-he creates criticism. The test of a personality lies in its power to create and conquer criticism. If you can create criticism and then conquer it, you become a hero. Thus heroes are born and thus we become hero worshippers. Tenny- son remarked in his grand old age, 'When I heard that Byron was dead, I thought the world was at an end! He was a hero worshipper. Behold Robert Burns in his youthful enthusiasm kisses the grave of Robert Bruce. Even Alexander said: 'If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes! Personality is everything. One great Scottish philosopher has said: 'History is nothing more than a handful of brilliant biographies! The above is from the pen of Dr. .Iames L. Gordon. It is true of the world of men. It is also true of the little world of the Turlock Union High School with this difference, that here we are developing pesonality while in the world at large personality is already largely developed. Here we are-students, mature and immature, ambitious and indifferent, energetic and listless, neat and slovenly, determined and careless, purposeful and drifting, but all in the great school of Democracy and equal opportunities,-some few to make their mark and shine, others to be but echoes, some few to lead, others to be led: The difference is largely a matter of personality. Success in life depends on personality-the brave and heroic development of the God-given powers which lie dormant within the sacred confines of every soul. Failure in life is due to the lack of personality, the lack of the development of the innate powers of the individual. High school is the testing time-'ithe fork of the divide? Here we must develop convictions strong and feelings deepg here we must learn to think clearly, judge wisely, and become world-wide in our sympa- thies. These things we must do to live the abundant life. These are the things that make life worth while. 0

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But so supreme is music and art, That far and wide the call was made, Mr. Williams responded with song and lyre, And also Miss Reston with brush and palette. Who enters? Miss Johnson, who knows the tongues Of sweet senorita and mademoiselle, And Mr. McCready, physician of cars, The pal of the fellows, the friend of them all. There are others besides, and equally fine, Mrs. Ambrose, Miss Meyer, and also Miss Schmidtg Miss Badgely, Miss Hunt, and yes, Mr. Ray, Most dearest in heart, most lofty in mind. Then still Miss Shaffer, her smile ne'er forget, And last, but not least, Mr. Ericson keen. 551 5111 Pl? ITB The chief now retreats-he has told us his tale, Our beloved professor-Mr. J. P. Ratzell. They stand !-a worthy group, indeed- A group that's sought, and loved-revered, That list the joy'd, the pained, and which The acme of all knowledge keep. S

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SENIORS---1920 We are the liveliest, snappiest, most progressive senior class in the school world. We have done everything we could do, and every- thing that others said we couldn't do. Our parties, entertainments, teas, banquets, carnivals, stunts, surprises, 'n everything have gone over the topu like a whirlwind. We gave a tea to the faculty, and won their loveg the feminine members of the class gave the boys a banquet, anw now they are o11r everlasting friendsg at Christmas time, we sweetened the hearts of the faculty with candy canesg we amused and entertained our fellow citizens at an old-fashioned car- nivalg on April Fools' Day, we appeared in costumes that only clever and original minds could evolve. On that day, we were the objects of much ridicule, interest and wonder. I might add that among our numerous abilities, we can out-yell, out-talk and out-wit any other class on earth or elsewhere. When we go out into the whirling, dazzling confusion of a bigger life, we will go with a firm step. We have been well guided during our school life, and when our turn comes to do the guiding, we will be prepared. Our teachers have assisted us over the rough places, and helped us with the tyranny of little things, things that are old in the way of years, but ever new to the eager student. Men are made, geniuses are found, sleeping talents are awakened during high school days. Our good points of thought and character are strengthened and broadened and lighted, so that when we leave high school we are morally and mentally strong. It is in high school that we form habits which last through a life time, and influence our associations during life. We are all reluctant to leave our high school days behind us. We have been happy, and sad together, we have struggled and played together, and we are the better for it. Our big struggles are about to begin, and each one must face his own alone. Can we do it? Are we strong enough? . Ask Turlock High about us!! MARGARET A. HARDER, '20, 10