Bobcat Treasure: Pearls .... of Wisdom ... and Giants and Windmills ...

As Nicki has touted on the blog, I have indeed come across a "treasure" which we intend to put to good use, incrementally, in the weeks ahead. The "treasure" is the May 19, 1963 final (for that school year) edition of our school paper, The Corral. I was Editor-in-Chief of The Corral that year, and as the school year wound down, I gave much thought to (and discussed with the Senior associate editors and reporters) just who in the faculty we would like to write the final editorial, a black-and-white valedictory to our high school years. Not surprisingly (then or now, given that he has been mentioned and has already graced this blog himself), we chose Mr. Morris.

Nicki and I thought that some of you might be interested in reading what Mr. Morris wrote for us, almost 45 years ago, and if you do care to read it, it follows. In later posting increments, I also plan to share what the Senior Edition had to say about us, vis "1963 Seniors Will Be Remembered By ...," what some of our achievements in high school had been, and what our stated plans for the future were. We are hopeful that when you see your name (or the name of a friend) in future " Bobcat Treasure" postings, you may take a bit of time to update us as to what has happened to you or your friend(s) since those days. A few other memories would be greatly appreciated, as well. So, noting its complete relevance to today, as well as its pre-Internet perspicacity, without further ado, I give you in its entirety (I wouldn't dare edit Mr. Morris!) pearls of wisdom.

E D I T O R I A L
by Darryl Morris

Don Quixote was the title of a novel and also the name of the hero of the novel, which was written in the early 1600s by the Spanish author, [Miguel de] Cervantes. Since it was written, Cervantes' masterpiece of burlesque has entertained people of all places and all times.

The book was written to ridicule the absurd stories of chivalry which were so popular at the time of Cervantes. Throughout the tale, with its wealth of comedy and its faithful picture of every class of society in the 16th Century, runs a strain of sadness and keen human understanding. The brave, courteous old gentleman, Don Quixote, his brain filled with the deeds of knights as pictured in the books he had read, ventures forth to seek adventure of his own in a world where knight-errantry is no longer known. With him goes the simple, faithful Sancho Panza, a squire, and together they pass through dangers and many comical episodes until Don Quixote falls ill and dies, after being the object of a great deal of sophisticated ridicule during his life.

One of the most prominent episodes in the book involves the "tilting of the windmills." Don Quixote, in his feverish state of mind, sees large windmills ahead of him and envisions them to be giants who threaten the countryside. Knowing it to be the duty of any knight-errant to slay dragons and/or giants, he charges full speed at the windmills with his lance lowered murderously and his home-made armor clanking resoundingly. There is no need to narrate the outcome of this venture. It was embarrassing - and comical - to say the least.

Each year at commencement time I take my own recollections of graduation day, through college and other sundry involvements, to my present state. And, each time I consider my own graduation, as well as the graduation of the class of 1963, I cannot help but think that Don Quixote rides again.

The seniors of 1963, like myself as a senior of 1956, envision great things to come in the future - great opportunities, great attempts, great achievement. And they, like I once did, leave the safety of the high school classroom to venture out and "tilt the windmills of the world" with their Quixotic lances - the high school diploma.

Thank goodness that the spirit of Don Quixote still prevails. Thank goodness that high school seniors still venture out into the world, confident and unafraid to try the seemingly impossible. Thank goodness also that the majority of our seniors know enough to search for a longer lance after being unseated in their first jousting match.

What is the longer lance? Where can it be found? Will some Lady of the Lake rise up from the waters and present it to the young squire desiring to become a knight? No, the longer lance - the stronger lance - is increased education; an increased education which can be gained in many ways. One's education can be furthered in college, a technical school, or at home. If you do not desire to attend four years of college, there are numerous trade and technical schools which offer short but numerous courses in numerous specialized occupations. Correspondence courses can be obtained, and these offer a wealth of information and opportunity to the student who desires to study at home. Then, too, there is all the world in reading. "Send me a man who reads," say all the successful employers, and they have set about to prove that people who read more, achieve more.

Yes, all of the knowledge of the world has been set down in paper and bound in books. Use it! Sharpen your lances with a higher education and you, unlike Don Quixote, will know the difference between a windmill and a giant.