Page Eight
T H E PILOT
Childhood Ambitions
By SARA BALLARD
As a child I was inclined to daydreaming about the different
aspirations for the future, which were fleeting to my childish
mind. All of them varied from day to day just as the colors
of the rainbow change with each succeeding appearance. The
order in which the most enduring ones occurred was some
thing like this: from the age of about two, I desired to be a
“Mommie”; upon the arrival of my twelfth birthday, being a
famous writer was “the thing”; during my teen-age years I
had visions of being a ballet dancer. All these ambitions were
brought about by some particular event that came into my
life.
In my innocent infant’s existence, my mother was my perfect
example. She was constantly at my side; soothing me in
illness, tucking me in at nightfall, and smiling tenderly at my
genuinely tot-like mannerisms. In my unsophisticated manner
I tried to imitate her when I played “house” with my “babies.”
Just as a true mother, I went through the regular processes
of feeding, bathing, and dressing my little ones. As I grew
older this idealistic attitude toward my mother did not dimmish.
Reading became one of the greatest pleasures of my life
at the age of twelve. All types of writings appealed to me;
however, novels had a special attraction for me. My idea
was that I, too, had the gift of writing novels. Several times
I started writing stories as outlined in some of the magazines,
using my friends as the characters. One time I even went so
far as to write a literary society who advertised for aspiring
young writers. They sent information telling me how to
write and giving topics on which to write stories to send in.
Just about the time I got through reading the instructions,
the extent of my ability seemed to be as deflated as a punctured
balloon.
On one of my excursions to the movies a short time later,
I saw the performance of one of the greatest ballet dancers
of all time. Her gracefulness and charm seemed the height
of perfection to my star-filled eyes. Love of rhythm and
co-ordination of movement needed for dancing had always
been a natural inborn part of my being; consequently, it was
no extraordinary longing for me to have. Everytime a ballet
company came anywhere near, I could always be found on the
front row of the audience. Just as most of my other childish
ambitions, I outgrew this one as time went on.
All of these things which I desired as a youngster have
played an integral part in my developing into a mature, well-
rounded person. Through each one I have acquired a deep ap
preciation for the finer things of life. Though I shall never
be famous in either of the latter two fields, I shall endeavor
during the years to come, to be as much as possible like my
first ideal—my mother. I have found in her, through the
years, the things I would like to become, no matter what
vocation I choose to follow.
Movie Calendar
For Co-ed Theater
Should Colleges Abolish
Intercollegiate Sports?
The college student needs to spend the majority of his time
studying if he is to learn the things available to him. To
participate in intercollegiate sports, a student must necessarily
neglect the greater part of his studies. These sports call for
long and arduous training; with the acute competition involved,
it is a strain physically and mentally. Sacrifice must follow
these things, and studies seem to be of least importance to
those who would participate.
The students usually feel that winning a football game is
more important than passing the English test which is coming
up the next day. They think they are fighting for the glory
and honor of their school, but they do not seem to realize
that high scholarship is rememberd much longer than athletic
achievements.
This urge for competition and strenuous exercise of youth
can be given outlet in intramural sports. The teams would
then have more time for the other activities of the school. They
could develop a good sense of fair play as well as keep in
good physical condition. They would not need to go on the
long, extended trips necessary for intercollegiate sports.
There is usually an enormous expense involved and some
times there is a distortion of values. By the elimination of
intercollegiate sports, most of this expense could be saved
and could be spent for better educational facilities. The right
value would be placed on scholarship and those who come to
school only to participte in athletics would re-evaluate their
motives.
Intramural sports would bring out the same qualities in
youth as intercollegiate sports; they would be less expensive;
the strain would not be so great on the student; and they
would still have an outlet for their overflowing energy.
“NO”
Competition is the very core of youth; it is the natural
impulse that leads young people to compete with others for
the higher and nobler things later in life. Pleasure from
the finer things in life comes from taking part in sports
between rival teams. If having friendly competition between
colleges helps the student to reach his ultimate goal in life,
then it would be unthinkable to abolish the intercollegiate
sports which promote it.
College students are usually thought of as being lazy and
indolent, seeking to take the easy way out. They really prefer
the hardships demanded of them by sports. This is shown
by their spirit when they spend long hours drilling and train
ing without complaint. They learn that to win a game they
must work hard and put everything they have into it, even
though it may mean failure.
The participants learn sportsmanship in its highest form
on the athletic field. They do this not only in practice games
but in games with rival teams. The players have a sense of
fighting for the glory of their institution. They feel a sense
of duty to uphold the tradition of their school. When they
do lose the game to a rival team, they c
alma mater by being good sports.
1 still honor their
Thursday-Friday—March 24-25—MIGHTY PORTRESS—BiUy
Graham; PLIGHT OP THE WHITE HERON — World Tour
of the king and queen.
Our keenest rivals are the ones we remember the longest.
In later years we remember the close rivalry and still root
for our former school. Not only does this intercollegiate com
petition excite and thrill the student, it interests the alumni
and the public.
, part of the