Beverly High School - Beverlega Yearbook (Beverly, MA)

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TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 1951: I want to tell you a dramatic incident in the life of Abraham Lincoln which greatly influenced him. Lincoln's stepmother, Sarah Bush Lincoln, was a fine, understanding woman who recognized the great potentialities in the young Abraham. In spite of the life of grinding poverty which the Lincoln family had to endure, Mrs. Lincoln wisely encouraged her young stepson in every way to develop the great powers which were within him. When as a young man he prepared to leave home to go to the State Legislature where he was to begin his political career, she faced him in their rough, crude, frontier home, put her arms on his shoulders and from the depths of her heart cried out, Abe, be somebody! . Abe Lincoln never forgot this fervent wish, this great challenge. All too few of us ever attain the stature of Abraham Lincoln, but all of us have to a greater or to a lesser degree the powers and talents within us to lead useful and fruitful lives. Developing well adjusted, attractive personalities, establishing happy and satisfying family relationships, doing an honest day's work in jobs well suited to us, earning the respect and approval of those people with whom we work and play, and contributing generously of our time and money to help make a better world are ways in which each one of us can be somebody . My wish at graduation time for each one of you is this same desire which Sarah Lincoln had for young Abe so many years ago. Sincerely. WILLARD H. SMITH Principal 10

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