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

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AU REVOIR IORE than one hundred sons and daughters, endowed by bountiful provi- dence and trained by a thoughtful foster mother, have gone forth from this high school into the world to labor for their own and humanity‘s well being. Likewise we, the class of ’23, too, have completed our voyage through high school life and launch forth on the sea of real life to join the masses and to serve humanity. This voyage of real life may be through many deep and unknown channels with many windings and turnings. As we meditate upon this fact, it seems a long course to follow, for as we row through the rough and calm waters, we may often be tempted to let our canoes drift whithersoever they may. What a comparison!—A high school graduate entering upon the sea of real life to the launching of a ship upon the ocean. The ship in order to cope with the mighty waves of the roaring ocean is always and must be, built of the best and strongest material. Similarly, we graduates, ought to have molded our characters so strongly and firmly that we, too, may be able to cast aside all temptations to founder and brave an unknown sea of a future life. “For humanity with all it’s fears of future years is hanging breathlessly on our fate.” But, in order to gain this pure, noble, and spotless character which the world of today so much needs, we must choose a noble ideal, which we must strive to attain. No doubt these years which we have spent within these walls have fostered and placed higher ideals before our minds. The ideal, which is ours to strive for, is above our reach, but the efforts which we put forth in striving to attain this model of perfection shall not only make us a better person, but also promote the joy and welfare of our fellow men. As we look ove r the varieties of character, we discover that some are the result of physical conditions. The man who is morbid and melancholy, always looks at the gloomy side of life, and thus fails to have the right spirit with which to attain his ideal. On the other hand, the man who looks at the bright side, brightens even the dark side, and casts a beam of sunshine over other’s paths. Even if a disaster occurs, he is glad that it is no worse. For is it not true that the more hammering a piece of iron receives the more useful it becomes? Likewise the more difficulties that we encounter as we go forth into the world’s broad field of battle, shall make us the more nobler men and women. Therefore. Classmates, let us not pause but climb ever onward and upward though the rocks be rugged at our feet; and when we have reached the summit, we shall be able to look down and see how the very jaggedness of the rocks have been of assistance to us. We shall only by such means grow slowly into the rose of perfect character. I.iet us seek to have our minds filled with kindness, which shall be flowing while life is ebbing, instead of constantly advising and scolding our friends. This leads me to the only true ideal found in literature. The knights, the flowers of men, took an oath in which they swore to reverence Christ, redress human wrongs, speak nor listen to no slander, honor their word, live a pure life and love one lady. May I ask you to pause for a moment and gaze upon this ideal, in the form of Sir Galihad which hangs there upon the wall? What a beautiful character Tennyson portrayed for us, when he said, “My strength is as the strength of ten. because my lieart is pure.” Is there any reason why any individual, not only of this class but of all the classes past and those to come, cannot have such a monument, expressed about his or her character? This could be accomplished, if we would only strive for a higher plane in life. So, let us choose for our ideal, the man or woman we wish to become, and try to express such a character as this in our every day life. Without sUch an ideal we can never be the noble citizen which our country demands. Perhaps I can make you Pajre Thirty-one

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feel the extreme urgency of this demand best by quoting this prayer of James G. Holland. “God give us men, a time like this demands Great hearts, strong minds, true faith and ready hands: Men whom the lust of office cannot kill; Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy; Men who possess opinions and will; Men who love honor; men who will not lie; Men who can stand before a demagogue. And brave his treacherous flatteries without winking; Tall men, sunburnt, who live above the fog. In public duty, and in private thinking; For while the rabble, with its thumb worn creeds. Its large professions, and its little deeds. Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps. Wrong rules the land and waiting Justice sleeps.” The masters of every art of the world and in every moment of time, have been mastered by a noble ideal. They stemmed the current, tunnelled the mountains, and spoke around the earth, while others were mere driftwood moving wi»h the current. Do not these words prove that the wrorld is coming to believe in the ideal of service? It is worth while to give our time, our money, our efforts, and ourselves to the service of humanity. Thus, will our lives become purposeful moving in their orbits under the guidance of the stars. Classmates, let 11s strive to mold our characters so firmly, that we may be able to cope with all the difficulties which await us. Let us not take a human person for an ideal, but one of those painted in literature. My purpose is to influence you to always stand up so strongly for the standards of knighthood, namely, reverence for God, courtesy, kindness, purity, sympathy and service that you may radiate the same influence in the circles in which you move as does the little pebble which is thoughtlessly thrown into the water. Before taking our departure we, the class of ’23, wish to express our thanks to the Financiers and the Founders of this institution for the many advantages which we have enjoyed here. We sincerely hope and trust that the standards of our school will never be lowered, but that the past and future graduates of Eau Claire High School may always have occasion to proudly say, “We graduated from Eau Claire.” To our instructors of the present and the past we also extend our sincere thanks for the interest which they have taken in our welfare. Often, our thoughts shall travel back to them and we shall realize how many times they have helped guide us aright. Schoolmates and friends, we, too, must say farewell. It is not with joy alone that we bid adieu to our High School life, but with sorrow intermingled, since we shall never pass this way again. The time has come when we and all our dear friends must part. As a parting message. Classmates, I leave with you these words: Let us strive only to attain such noble heights, as will bring pride to our school, our parents and the people of this community, so that they may see that their money and efforts were not spent in vain. For now our boats glide out between The rocks that guard the shore. Bearing the Class of ’23 To be a class no more. But looking forward with a smile Of courage, strong and high. To meet in that glad Afterwhile, No more to say “Good-bye.” -E. L., '23. Pajre Thirty-two