Florida Memorial College - Arch Yearbook (Miami, FL)

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Zke Mantle Oration (Delivered by Avernell C. Clark) It is my peculiar privilege to hand over to the class which now ceases to be Juniors and automatically acquires the dignity of Seniors, the Mantle which we, the graduating class of 1944, of the Florida Normal and Industrial Institute, have worn with such pride, and I trust dignity, during the past nine months. At first, this Mantle proved to be a little large for us — a little full about the shoulders and long in the skirt, and realizing that a youngster can never look dignified in its father ' s boot ' ; which are too large, and trousers which are rolled up at the bottom, and sleeves turned back at the elbow, we in our zeal and increasing wisdom, set out im- mediately when we received the Mantle, to grow up so that it would be a perfect fit. Naturally we had to eat of the right things. So after grave contemplation and a number of conferences, we decided to exercise our will power and our wits, and to cut out everything which would in anyway give us physical indigestion or prove injurious, as well as habits of any kind known to be deleterious and likely to stunt as and prevent the highest possible type of physique. We soon found that the Mantle was becoming just right in size, and we commend our method of securing a perfect fit, to the erstwhile Junior Class of this school. Then along with the Mantle — for special state and formal occasions, we inherited the Senior ' s cap or mortar-board. It, too, was much too large in the beginp : ng, and it caused us grave concern, how we were to increase our head size to just the right extent and not go a fraction of an inch beyond, so as to be endangered by that serious disease known in the common vernacular as swelled head, or bigheaditis. After consulting some of the greatest specialists of the ages, we were advised to go to the ant. to consider her ways, and be wise. We appointed an Ant Hill Committee, and after due and proper exploration a suitable Ant Hill was found. We discovered many things — that ants are industrious, a hichly organized community, strictly obedient to law and authority, respectful to their elders, tender and protective to the weak and young and particularly considerate of the female of the species. After pondering upon these and a number of other things which we perceived upon that memorable occasion, we returned to these Halls of Learning and proceeded to put our findings into operation. When, lo and behold, the next time we tried the mortar- board on it literally fitted like the paper on the wall. • At first we were a bit careless of this precious Mantle, and we left it hanging any- where that we happened to get through with it. Before long we discovered that it was taking on a shabby look, and great was our grief. Then as a result of what we had gathered from our contemplation of the Ant Hill , we discovered that all that ailed the Mantle was dust. We took it into the sun- shine, shook it gently and firmly brushed it and had it nicely pressed. When, Presto! it was restored to its former attractiveness! But we knew (for our wisdom was great by this time) that we could not afford to take any chances as to further neglect; and we also drew the deduction that a Mantle of dignity is a precious thing, and, like a good character must be kept clean and never permitted to be tossed about carelessly. We should indeed be loath to hand this Mantle over to a youthful and immature class. But we trust that the special advantages which have been given the Junior class will help them to measure up to the lofty plane to which they are now advancing that of Seniors in this glorious institution. Out of respect to the school and all it stands for, the Board of Trustees, the mem- bers of the Faculty, our parents, the community and even the great American republic itself, we, the retiring Seniors adjure you upon whose shoulders this Mantle is now falling, to remember that you are the connecting link — and that term implies more than just having anything to do with evolution — but the present, visible, connecting (Continued on Page 29)