Western High School - Westerner Yearbook (Washington, DC)

Page 10 text:

COLONEL GEORGE ALLEN HAWKINS, JR. 1897-1951 lin ilillemuriam HlVlAY 1 say that tradition is a priceless thing, if it is the proper kind of tradition. It can be secured only by years of constant struggle and perseverance. It can be maintained only at the cost of everlasting vigil- ance. You and I have that asset here at Westerri. Let's dedicate our- selves to guarding and fostering itfl The preceding paragraph was written by Colonel Hawkins when he came to Westerii in 1938. He pledged himself therein to constant perseverance in upholding the traditions of the Westerri Cadets, namely excellence in drill and military science. lt has been evident to all who have known him that the Colonel not only preserved these traditions, but also greatly expanded them. During his eleven years of service here, Western placed first in nine annual battalion drills and seven company competitives. This is a record without parallel in the history of the Corps, and it is direct evidence of the extreme vigor and efliciency of the Colonel as a military instructor. He has left an impression of sincere admiration and respect on all who knew him, and it is with deepest regret that we mark his untimely passing.

Page 12 text:

TO THE GRADUATES OF 1952 YOUR X'VESTIiRNER staff has asked me to write a few paragraphs on the topic, How Vtfestern Contributes to the Making of the Mfell- Rounded Individual, which is, I understand, the general theme of the 1952 edition. This, it seems to me, should not be very dif- ficult. Let us start by look- ing at the school's basic educational philosophy. You have studied, I am sure, about The Human- ities and how, during the Renaissance,theI-Iumanists revived the ancient learn- - l ings, embellished them, 1 preserved them, and passed I them down to modern H V Q V V A tilncgi chu. Colleges accept- NAlHANIl'.L A. IlAlNOHSlxY, PTlII!'1f1Ill ed them, included them in their curriculums, and de- manded from the preparatory school graduates a basic knowledge of the fundamentals so that they could make an easy transition from the lower school to the university level. About this time, between hfty and seventy-five years ago, the standard, four-year, secondary school course was developed. lt contained the study of onc's native tongue, foreign languages, science, history, and mathematics. XVestern accepted this philosophy upon its founding sixty-two years ago, and through the long years of its illustrious history, has held to the premise that the doctrine is sound and that it contributes to the well-rounded individual. Through the intervening years, however, the school has added many possible electives-art, music, mechanical drawing, speech, military train- ing, physical education, home nursing, printing, sewing, and cooking. Despite this moderniza- tion, Western has always emphasized strongly its academic training and recommended only a judicious mixture of the newer subjects. ' Regardless of how short such a write-up must necessarily be, it cannot be complete without some mention of extra-curricular activities. No conscientious and ambitious student should be without some training in the democratic self-government that is given in these eminently worth- while, school-sponsored organizations. To overlook this field offerings is to be like a prospector who fails to Hnd the nuggets about him because he is always looking beyond the hills, or at the far horizon, for the fabled pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Yes, the well-rounded indi- vidual will have some experience in the various student clubs where a trained Faculty Adviser is always ready to help, counsel, and direct the thinking of the group. This, the school's doctrine and philosophy, we believe is sound. About thirty-five per cent of you will enter some kind of gainful employment immediately after graduation. Approxi- mately sixty-Hve per cent will enroll in colleges or other institutions of higher learning. That you are well-grounded in the fundamentals of learning, and well-rounded as individuals, will be attested by your success. Fortuitous events also will help. But wherever you go, the Spirit of YN'estern will follow you, will be proud of you, will welcome you back. Hitch your wagon to the Stars! Some one has said, 'Alt is better to experience high failure than low successf, Do not, there- fore, ....... lose 1116 good you of! nziglif win, By fearing lo nflcfnptf Sincerely yours, NAT'HANlEL A. Daxowskv