Eau Claire High School - Beaver Tales Yearbook (Eau Claire, MI)

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Now has come another time for the men of the United States to show their colors. The world must be fed another year, large tracts of waste land must be reclaimed, new homes must be built, in fact 3,000,000 people must be given a new start in life and Uncle Sam must furnish everything to do this with. With this fact in mind everybody must do his best. It is just as important, if not more so, that we get a peace that secures our aims in entering this war than the fighting itself. This war has caused a great revolution along every line. In industry, commerce, agriculture and even education there have been important changes and still more important changes are to come. So it is up to every man to be prepared to answer his with the best and highest talent he possesses. Preparedness for work is a kind of preparedness that even Mr. Bryan will concede is a good thing. With these things in mind let us think wisely before we act, but having reached a decision, throw ourselves body and soul into the work and bring it to a glorious conclusion. Friends and schoolmates: We have met at an important milestone in our lives. Over the entire world, momentous things are taking place. The world has reached a great milestone on the road to Democracy and we have reached a great milestone on the road to success in life. It is the duty of eveiy one to be a success in life. By this I do not mean that every one must be a great financier or statesman. One can be successful along any line if he wishes. If day labor is his life calling, let him make a good day laborer and he will be a success. We, the citizens of tomorrow, have a great responsibility rest- ing on our shoulders. We must help meet this call for men. If Uncle Sam is to be able to furnish these sorely needed men, each and eveiy one of us must make ourselves ready, for, to be a pat- tern of success for anyone else, each must first be a success him- self. I close with this plea “Prepare.” LAWRENCE CLARK ’19

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VALEDICTORY AND CLASS PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS “The Call for Men” Uncle Sam has a big job. The whole world is in need of men for every kind of work and it is up to him to furnish them. The recently ended war across the sea has killed or disabled several million men. It has destroyed many million dollars worth of property. In France alone 6,000 square miles of terri- tory, the home of 2,000,000 people was rendered useless by the tools of war. It will take $5,000,000 to give these people a place to live and $8,000,000 more to start them at work. This is one phase of the reconstruction work. Another is along the educational line. Many soldiers are so disabled that they must be given a good education to be able to support themselves at all. In Europe many schools were destroy- ed and many instructors killed. All this calls on the man power of the United States. In addition to foreign aids we have a big job at home. We have a hugh war debt to pay and we must prepare for a great commercial revolution in the next decade. Germany also looks to us for aid, and if we are to remain true to what we fought for, we must give it. If Imperialism, the great enemy of Democracy, is to be no longer a “menace” to the peace and freedom of the world we must aid Germany in establishing a democratic form of government. This is not the first time the United States has needed men and she has always found them eager to help. During the “Critical Period” which followed the revolution the United States had great need for statesmen and Washington, Hamilton, Patrick Henry and many other no less noted patriots stepped forward and showed their great statesmanship, thereby saving the nation. Again in 1861 our country was in grave danger and President Lincoln called for 75,000 men and they offered themselves three fold. This is the same country that answered Lincoln’s call and we proved it by putting 3,500,000 men where Germany said it was impossible to do so.

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SALUTATORY Once more E. C. H. S. is sending out a class. We, as gradu- ates, welcome you here this evening, and wish to express our grat- itude for the interest you have taken in our activities. During our four years of High school life, we have had a chance to observe the wonderful growth, which the school has made and we feel confident that with the coming of the new building, the old school spirit will become even greater, for the students who have stuck to the school in spite of fire and sickness will be better able to appreciate the conveniences of a new and up-to-date building. We also wish to thank the community for the splendid spirit shown at the time of the fire. Had you not stepped forward and helped us by lending your books, furniture and personal aid we might not have been able to complete our courses after three years and a half of work. As we leave the pleasures and toils of High school life, we feel more keenly what it has really meant to us. And as we come face to face with the world we will be thankful for the many practical lessons learned in school, without which we would be all but helpless in the great struggles for existence. As a class we have learned by experience that school work is anything but play, and that during the school term study is our business and should be conducted as such. But as in any other successful business there is always a certain time for recreation, which is as essential as the work itself. This is obtained in var- ious ways, depending on the individual. Athletics have become an important part of the school and whenever the local school has been represented here, they have always found the people backing and supporting them. For this and the many other courtesies extended to us, we thank you. GEORGE BIRKHOLM ’19