Extracts from the Diary of a High School Principal

Monday, August 31 of a certain year -- Thousands of Freshmen registered today. Poor, bewildered looking children! One asked about "bus" English and thought she would like to take it. Soon she will become sophisticated and know much more than her teachers.

Wednesday, September 2 -- No lunch today! Conflicts! Conflicts! Everyone has changed his mind since last June. Camp cookery is popular.

Thursday, September 3 -- Ditto.

Friday, September 4 -- The skies are clearer. Lunch today.

Monday, October 9 -- I spoke feelingly today to a charming girl who thinks she must be more colorful. It is hard to draw the line when even old ladies are dolling up. I wonder what kind of rouge she uses.

Tuesday, October 10 -- A hectic day. Telephone messages; letters; state reports; bills; questionnaires, and echoes from the outer office, "Too many are late from gym. You will have to see Miss Romaine." Mumps victims are increasing. Miss Porter is distracted. Drove her car into a ditch this morning.

Wednesday, October 11 -- Bean Shooter Day - much slaughter. The preliminaries were tame compared with the finals staged in the office.

Thursday, October 12 -- In the dumps!

Friday, October 13 -- Things are looking up. Had a call this morning from two kind parents who came to add a word of encouragement and to say how much they liked our school.

Monday, October 23 -- Rebuked several students and a faculty member for not reporting to detention period.

Tuesday, October 24 -- Found a lovely bouquet of wild flowers on my desk this morning from the Camp Fire Girls. Feel much happier.

Wednesday, October 25 -- Asked Jack why he reported to the Oakland Hippodrome instead of the Mt. Diablo High School and why he denied his parents the privilege of explaining his absence. (Thoughtful children these days have many labor saving devices for their parents.)

Thursday, October 26 -- Mrs. B___________ came in today to see what could be done about J.'s work. I told her that we find him bright enough, but that he is suffering from a bad case of radiatoritis. Mrs. B___________ and I had a nice, friendly talk about him and diagnosed his case rather thoroughly. When she left, I found that R___________ had waited patiently through his history period to ask if he might be excused next Wednesday to play tennis at Richmond.

Thursday, April 12 -- The Girls' Cabinet served tea today in the girls' rest room. Our girls were lovely hostesses.

Friday, October 27 -- R___________ came in today to tell me that he had lied to me and that he was sorry. I was hoping that he would come. I think I like them all best when they are sorry.

Monday, April 16 -- Last night the beacon was kindled on Mt. Diablo. I went out to look at it. It suggests the spirit of Lindbergh. I hope it will kindle in students of Diablo the will to accomplish much that is worth while and the determination to follow in Lindbergh's steps.

From the 1928 yearbook, The Diablo, which was dedicated to Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh.