Auburn Adventist Academy - Rainier Vista Yearbook (Auburn, WA)

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PRESID ENT’S ADDRESS Dear Parents, Board Members, Faculty, Fellow Students, and Friends: It is with pride and happiness that we, the Senior class of Western Washington Academy, are gathered here on this memor¬ able night of our lives. But mingled with our emotions of pride and happiness there is also a feeling of lingering sadness which, though undefinable, yet exists on all occasions like this. Pride and happiness, because the prize for which we have struggled is now ours. Sadness because we realize that our sojurn here is almost ended, and we must leave our schoolmates, and the teachers whom we have learned to love and who have been a source of inspiration to spur us on to a nobler life. Perhaps we may never meet again on this earth, but we are made very happy in the thought that if we faithfully follow our great Example and live according to His will, we will spend eternity together in that land where none shall ever say “Good bye!” We have chosen as our motto “Our Guiding Star Leads Upward,” with the thought that our guiding star should be that great Example, Jesus Christ. May the principles of character here guide us in the right channels and bear fruit as we pursue our life’s journey. Only as we keep our eye on that Star can this be possible. As the North Star points out the way for ships on the ocean, so we will look to our Star to point out to us the way on life’s stormy sea. As we leave this school, which will always linger in our mem¬ ories, and come in contact with the stern realities of life, with its struggles, trials, temptations, defeats, and victories, then we will realize fully what this motto means to us. Then we will be thankful for havin g had the opportunity of attending Western Washington 1 “ Academy. We have completed one step in the preparation of a life of A service in God’s vineyard. It is good to feel that we are a necessary V part of the Divine plan, and that every one of us, no matter how J humble of origin, is placed upon this earth in a particular sphere, 1 for a definite purpose with an individual mission that no one but ourselves can perform. We know that God holds our destinies in the hollow of His hand and shapes our paths according to His own all-wise design. Tonight we dedicate ourselves to a life of “Service.” Our calling is sacred. Our path is safe, whatever it may be, for we are assured of divine leading as we step forth from the happy environment which has surrounded us at this Christian school. John Peterson, ’27. Page twenty-one

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CLASS POEM Our guiding star leads upward, And may it lead afar, While we through work are plodding, With eyes upon that star. While wisely seeking knowledge Through knowledge getting wise, Forever pressing onward And striving for God’s prize. Although we love our schoolmates Ambition’s goal on high Is challenging our courage To work until we die. The teachers in their kindness Have helped us on our way; Now we are loath to leave them On this Commencement Day. We aim to be of service To God and fellowman, To do our duty humbly In ev’ry way we can. Who would be great in heaven A servant here must be, With truth upon his standard Through all eternity. All those who serve with pleasure Shall twice reap their reward, On earth, a life of virtue, In heav’n, God’s great regard. In struggling for perfection No idle hours we’ll spend; With God as our great Helper We’ll work until the end. Olive Maritta Hunt ’27 Page twenty CLASS SONG Oh, here’s to a school that appeals to the heart, And it stands on a beautiful hill, Each schoolmate we love, and our teachers so true Ev’ry heart with deep gratitude fill. Four years in thy classrooms have taught us some things Which through life we shall never forget, And as we continue to work toward our goal We will cherish the friends we have met. So lead us, dear Savior, as upward we climb Toward great heights which to us are unknown, That when Thou dost come at that great judgment day Thou wilt claim each of us as Thine own. Chorus We leave thee, still loving thee, school on the hill, We regret we no longer can stay; But loud we will praise thee and scatter thy fame, Dear old W. W. A. Olive Maritta Hunt ’27

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VALEDICTORY This is the day. Our last day in the Academy. The day we have been looking forward to ever since we first appeared for matricula¬ tion four years ago. We have come to the forks of the road. For some time our paths have run parallel. They have been united in a broad road that has been leading us over Hills of Experience. Just now we have reached the Half-way House. Here we stop to rest before climbing farther. As our ways divide, we pause to say farewell. We cannot help looking back over the well-worn path which we have traversed. Now all its obstacles seem dim. Those which were hardest to surmount were really steps chiseled out of the rocks which helped us upward. At times the way seem ed hard and long; but here we are. We have reached our last day in academic training. A swelling of pride and a sinking of heart tells me so. But shall we stop here? Ah! no. We have merely reached the threshold and are about to assume heavier responsibilities which life holds. The call of the hour is for service and there is a sacred obligation resting upon us to respond. The appeal of suffering humanity should make the strongest of all demands upon us. Dear Parents: To you we owe most. But for your sacrifices we would not have had the privilege of spending our school life at j Western Washington Academy. But for your unselfishness and 7 love, most of us would not be graduating from a Christian school. But for your prayers, and your confidence in our making good, the untiring encouragement which you have continually expressed when the miles separated us, we might have fallen out by the way before this goal had been reached. May God continue to answer your prayers and richly reward your labors. Members of the Board: We know something of the long hours that you have spent in patiently wrestling with the many perplex¬ ities and problems connected with the development and maintenance of our school. It is by your untiring efforts that it has been possible to have such a well-equipped institution where we might come to fit ourselves for God’s work. Members of the Board—we do appreciate your faithful, unselfish efforts in our behalf. To the Members of the Faculty: It is chiefly because of you that we have reached this Half-way House. Your prayers have accomplished much, but the influence of your lives, far more. No higher tribute can we give than to say, “You have lived up to your ideals.” Our hearts are bound to yours by cords of friend¬ ship and love. Though these cords may seem to lengthen as distance separates us from you, their strength will increase. To our Friends: We express appreciation for the interest that you have taken in our welfare, as evidenced not only by your presence here tonight, but all along the way. In that word, friend, are bound the elements of loyalty, service, and love. You have given us all these. It was Emerson who said “My friends have come to me unsought; the great God gave them to me.” Thus we feel that it was not by chance that we met you. Dear Students: Without doubt the hardest part of the road lies before you. There will be signs promising short-cuts to the summit. Heed them not. Press on, believing the wise man’s words, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom.” To you, Juniors, especially, we address our parting words. To¬ morrow you step into our places and pick up the burdens that we lay down. Your lives will be factors in upholding the influence and reputation of our Academy. Where we have failed, we know that you will succeed. Our lives have been far from perfect—but where we have left crooked paths—we beg of you to straighten them. And now, Dear Classmates: We too must say farewell. A few more hours and we shall be separated. It is with sadness that we part. It is hard to say farewell to this school and to the faculty and friends here who have come to mean so much to us; but if there were nothing beyond to beckon us, if we could feel no inner urge to action, if we could hear no voice bidding us to come and take up our burdens, it would be sadder still. Although we are reluctant to leave, we are desirous to better prepare ourselves for service. For four years we have been associated with one another and we have many pleasant memories to carry away with us. Whether we shall ever meet on this earth again, we do not know. And now as we are about to enter our various schools of preparation for larger activity, may our Heavenly Father guide us, may we ever work for Him and prove true and faithful to our aim—To be of Service. Christine Fredrickson, ’ 27 . Page twenty-two