West Valley High School - Wimoah Yearbook (Yakima, WA)

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Principal' llesgege ,?VM, ttilfbfzv In the Ruins of Ur a room has been unearthed that was a school 4,500 years ago. Clay tablets of instruction used there still exist. Schools and education have been a part of every known civili- zation. Education today is an accumulation of all the things education has been in the past. The purposes of education are many and varied in America, where a high degree of freedom has prevailed, but some widely accepted purposes may be listed as follows: 111 To prepare the in- dividual to make a living and to make progress in his vocation, or to help in that process, Q25 To prepare the individual for mature and complete livingapersonal and family, social and civic-in today's world, and to help develop moral, ethical, and spiritual values which benefit both the in- dividual and society, and CSD To increase man's understanding of the arts and humanities and his appreciation of his cultural heritage. Education is responsible in maintaining continuity of thought, and culture and moral values be- tween the present and the past. The umain roadn of accumulated knowledge and fundamental cuture, leading from the remote past through the present and into the future, should be kept wide open and well paved. There is a great need in this confused world of today for better morals, more self-disci- pline, and a sounder sense of values. Possibly the greatest contribution education can make toward meeting that need is to give all who pass through its doors a deeper awareness of what we owe to the great artists and scientists, the teachers, thinkers, inventors, the explorers and statesmen, the poets and patriots of the past. The citizens ofthe West Valley School District have recognized, as people before them, the im- portance of education. These fine school buildings and facilities are a monument to that belief in education. It is our desire that the members of the graduating class, though attending only one year here, have been prepared in some measure to meet the demands of life. Some of you will be going on to college, some will take your place in the work-life of the community, others will join the armed forces of our country for her defense. ln any event our wish is that you will attain a great measure of success in your chosen field lar ga ecretar 4 I -rlf '

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Many people have recognized opportunity as it appeared. Others have allowed it to pass hy unnoticed. At the top of the list of ohservant people. we would place the people of the West Valley Community. Our people took a legislative directive, exam- ined it carefully in terms of the education of our youth, and hy vote, created the West Valley School district. It is proper that this year hook, our first, should honor these parents and patrons who had such vision and foresight. You students and your parents have converted a dream into a reality and made an actuality out of a foresight. You gave form, life and purpose to an idea as you wrote the Student Body constitution, cooperated with the builders, conducted class despite the noise of the saw in the hall, started an athletic program without a full complement of upper classmen, created an enthusiastic cheering section even when the score was lopsided against you, made new friends, organized the necessary cluhs and activities, wrote and mimeographed the school news releases, developed music and dramatics departments, displayed FFA and FHA accomplishments, and made policy decisions in the representative student council. Yes, each new situation de- manded adjustments to a new school and new standards. These were learning situ- ations. Student opportunities were unlimited. You have done well. A school is not just a huilding, hut a life, your life. Your aspirations, successes, your life. as lived in Vliest Valley High School make a school out of our building. This is what the parents saw as they looked to the fixture for West Valley. This is what you students have patterned for yourself. your school mates. and the hundreds of chil- dren now too small to rememher when there was no West Valley High School. They will some day follow in the traditions which you have. this year, created. The pattern is good. They will take up where you have left off. Words are inadequate to tell the story of West Valley, but no words are necessary to see that the future is secure if people everywhere can meet their challenges as our decisions are hased on what is best for hoys and glflg and youth of our community courageously as have the people in West Valley. We face the future confidently when Q ecretalje fs. Miss Evers L5 Mrs. Cherry 0 9 uperintenden Nlessa e

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Lay square the blocks upon the ship Left to right: Mr. C. E. Clasen, Chairmang Mr. Otto J. Cerhardtg Mr. Hubert C. Hullg Mr. Ira Wooding Mr. David K. Froula, Clerk chool Board The school board certainly deserves praise. These fine men have given many long hours of their time to carry on the business necessary for the operation of a school. From the first, they supervised the building of our school so that we might have the best facilities possible. lt is because the school board and the people who elected them have a sincere interest in the younger generation, that the West Valley High School became a reality. Their job is not all work and no play though. This fact can be evidenced almost any Monday night about midnight when the suspicious smell of coffee and sound of hearty laughter issues from behind those closed doors, where the school board is supposedly carrying on such solemn business. and follow well this plan of mine