Batavia High School - Batavian Yearbook (Batavia, NY)

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THE BATAVIAN-NINETEEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOUR ming Cfuflin Glnllrgr? A young man goes to college for one of three things. First, decorative: the fact that he will be able to say that he attended college. Second, market- able: he thereby will be better equipped to make a financial success of life. Third, in order that he may become of greater service to his fellowmen. The first reason to the average person appears foolish and indeed it is. Fortunately, however, very few seek a college education with this purpose in mind. But it is certain that some of our young men go to college in order that they may come home with a couple of good stories, one bright necktie, and a kiss for every fair maiden, left behind in this God-forsaken country. On the other hand, no doubt it is a great advantage for a young man embarking upon the sea of life to have the backing of a degree, of whatever kind. The second reason which impels the majority of young men to enter our higher institutions of learning is of turning their education into money. At first thought this may seem to one a selfish motive and unworthy of the consideration of true American youth. To be sure, money is not everything and, when im- properly used, is the greatest evil that may befall a person. But, on the other hand, let us remember, properly administered, it can do equally as much good for humanity as any other factor. This incentive to taking up a college course is much superior to the first. Thirdly, and best of all, the cream of our youth continues its pursuit of knowledge into the universities of our land for the noble purpose of some day better serving his fellowmen. Indeed, it is to be lamented that this lofty impulse stirs the hearts of too few young people. There is no greater satisfaction that comes to one than to know that his life has been one of service. Choice of pro- fession or occupation has very little to do with it. In the present day it is possible for anyone to make his occupation a medium through which to serve his com- munity and nation. We can do something no matter where the need maybe. The agencies of human helpfulness now reach in an encompassing network over all the earth. These are the words of a great writer. Our colleges and univer- sities must keep true to this preparatory function, which is of inspiring into the souls of those who come within their embraces the one idea-that of Service. And 'to this end alone may many of this Class of 1924 make the prescribed knocks upon the -doors of our colleges. 9 D . 71 , GBM Lllrfr mark A great many of us who are graduating in the Class of 1924 would like to know just what we are fitted to do. In other words, we would like to know what we are going to do and be in life. This is the greatest problem confronting most young people today. Many of us envy the fellow who knows what he is going to do, and who on -the day of graduation will set out in a straight course to his goal. Most of us will have to drift in uncertainty for a while, but let us hope that eventually we shall find the niche that we were intended to Hll. It is ' 11

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THE BATAVIAN-NiNE'r1zEN HUNDRED AND TWDNTY-FOUR gif T J f . mf' Cyl! knit? N J illnur Petra We have reached the completion of four years of study in preparation for the diplomas we are soon Q?j to receive. AS we 3-I'1'iVC HT 'ChiS Yf1i1C'St0ne m our lives there is a mingling of happiness and sorrow. We are happy that we have succeeded, sorry that our high school days are over. Probably we would not be saying too much when we say that life has not in store for us any happier days than those we have spent since that momentous moment when we were Hdignihed an' dubbed freshmen. Who of us will ever forget that thrill of heart which we experienced that first morning when we arrived at High to be enrolled among the ranks of the verdant. How important we felt ourselves only the freshmen of today can fully realize. We thought we knew a great deal more then than now. The strange thing about high school is this: the more one advances and the more knowledge one is supposed to have acquired, the less he thinks he knows. The freshmen of today are wiser in their own conceits than are the seniors. But we can not blame them for this. It is the natural process by which we grow. They will become wiser as they advance. just give them time, for they will need it. But we have had our day and it has been a good one. We ask for no happier moments than these have been. They have been profitable, too. Our teachers may be skeptical, but we believe that we have done fairly well with this wonderful opportunity. Even though we admit that we have not accumulated much knowledge, at the same time we think that we are worthy of our diplomas. We have at least laid the founda- tion. Upon this we shall now begin to build, and, as the structure is being added to from year to year, we shall then appreciate how well the foundation was laid during these four years of our high school life. ,N pp H S., 10- ' Q . A , f5'1.1'i5f 'A . , . . V '.-24.31, 1'i '7'-'U-'i ff 4 I 5' 5 , . ,, J. f .f- yy. ,. Tal I ,er , ,'.. if , 'i ff' T' ' gi X 234.51 I5 di fi f-1- 4- ' vf',,:, ', -1 . Wgg.y.',4f1..'f ?f L. Lit.: .-W F?-5 Ji... , ,,. -:,j.,,.t,'f3.3,, ' -if-1 ,G-iff-. aa.

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THE BATAVIAN-N1NET1z12N HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOUR better not to decide too soon than to decide wrong. It is better to wait a fCW years than to make the wrong decision. Even after we have decided, Fate may decree that we have gone in the wrong direction. But if we are faithful to our- selves, we shall find the right way some day, for there is divinity that shapes our ends. Oliver Goldsmith graduated in medicine, failed as a physician, and became a great writer. He found himself in The Vicar of Wakefield. We are not to be discouraged if we are among the uncertain. Let us remember the words of a certain writer: Have your tools ready. Some day the light will fall upon our darkened path, the way will become clear, and we shall take up our calling. In the meantime, let us become equipped. A Qbualiig lllnrih Glultiuaiing Not long ago a man of mature years was talking about life and its infinite possibilities. He spoke of its privileges, its hardships and discouragements, also of its opportunities and joys. Then, after a moment's hesitation, he said: If I had my life to live over again, I'd be kinder. That's what I'd be-kinder. There is one thing we may all be sure of, and that is that we shall not be privileged to live life over again. As graduates of a high school we do not ask for that. All that we ask for is the privilege of living this life which we are just entering upon. All we ask for is the chance to live day by day down to the hour of the evening of life and the setting of the sun. Our life is in the making. We are at the east with the sun rising. just now our eyes are not upon the western horizon, but upon the zenith of the heavens. We can visualize the steps in the ladder up which we are hoping to climb. There is one thing certain, how- ever, we can not climb very high upon this ladder to success unless we take to heart and feel the importance of the Words of the old man. The life that fails to put a premium upon kindness will fail in itself, no matter how vast a knowl- edge the mind may have accumulated. Kind hearts are more than corouefs And simple faith than Nor-mah blood. , r . ' ibut, iiatrrnta This Annual of our class would be incomplete if we should fail to give credit to whom credit is due, honor to whom honor is due. We, the Class of '24, would come with our greatest tributes and lay them down at the feet of our fathers and mothers. If we have succeeded, if we have attained to a degree, if we are worthy of being graduated from B.I-I.S., it is because of the sweet, patient, and benign influence and help of our parents. We can readily recall the lessons which they have helped us master, the problems they have helped us solve, the book or the tablet which in the rush of the morning hour they helped us find. In a thousand Ways, some of which We remember and some we have forgotten, they have helped us up to this triumphant hour. On the day of our graduation, when we shall receive our diplomas, we shall be glad to dedicate them to our beloved parents and to say to them: Fathers and mothers, these are yours as well as ours. N12