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

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As the evening hours of this day come to a close, and we are reminded that only a few brief moments of school remain, we find ourselves confronted with new and strange sensations. Try as we may to avoid them, they will not leave us. Through all the hap¬ piness over the successful completion of our four years of academic quest for knowledge we are experiencing a touch of sadness and home-sickness at the thought of leaving these familiar halls and classrooms, and more than all else of separating from the friends with whom we have associated so long. We think of the kind advice and patient help of the teachers. We think of the high standards of Christian living which have been held up before us. These things will not soon depart. We have become so attached to this place that we feel as though we were leaving a stronghold for character building, and are going out where we shall need more than common strength to cope with the problems of life. Dear Parents, Board Members, Faculty, Fellow Students, and Friends: We extend our heartiest welcome to you all. We are inspired by your presence, not only because you thus show an interest in us, but also because your lives are a convincing testi¬ mony to us of the power of God to give victory to those who trust Him. Many of us have been able to continue our school work thus far only as a result of your prayers. We thank you from the depths of our hearts for your efforts to hasten our progress, but we shall not depend alone on words TORY which we speak tonight to express our gratitude, for we well realize that actions speak louder than words. We trust that the future days will prove our appreciation for your sacrifices as we give our lives to God ' s work in the earth. We want to serve others, not for self-profit, but because we love God and man. This, we hope will repay the untiring effort of the faithful teachers and bo ard members, and the sacrifices of our parents. Like an oasis in the desert, this academy has afforded us a refuge from the burning sand and anguishing thirst of worldly pursuit. Our memories are filled with occasions of helpful associa¬ tion here which have brought to us a joyful Christian experience. Often as the temptations and trials confront us we shall be reminded of the Christian armor to which we have been pointed in these class-rooms. We want ever to keep before us the fact that it shall profit a man nothing if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul. Teachers, we want you to know that we have appreciated your kindly help and instruction, and though we look forward with pleasant anticipation to our college work, we sincere¬ ly regret that we must now leave this dear school. We are of good courage, and with the closing of this day we pledge anew our allegiance to God and to His work, and in the strength of Him who knows no failure we will conquer the powers of darkness, and give to the world the knowledge of a soon¬ coming Savior. Again we welcome you all, and thank you for your presence here tonight. Archie Bentz ’27 Page twenty-three

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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

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