Philadelphia High School for Girls - Milestone Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 20 text:

Philadelphia High School for Girls Qnlntatnrg THE TASK AND THE DREAM. Today, our day, is here! It marks the realization of a dream-a dream interwoven with the tasks of four years. Dear friends, we happily and gratefully greet you this morning, for we know that without you, our dreams of long ago would not have come true. We have found during these last four happy years that all our visions have resulted in tasks. However, we have not only accomplished these tasks, but have dared to conceive greater dreams, dreams which will eventuate in the tasks of our lives. Now, as we enter into that vast joy of beginnings-that immeasurable joy of renewed hope, faith and courage-let us remember that our happiness lies not in a life merely of dreams, nor in a life of work alone. As we count and weigh our time in the careful measuring of the hours of our lives, so we must count and weigh the dreams and then the tasks which will fill these hours. Then, to find happiness in our work, we must discover the true relation between the dreams and the tasks, for one without the other will be of no value. This thought is crystallized in the words of Adelaide Procter: Dreams grow holy, put in actiong work grows fair through starry dreaming, But where each ilows on unmingling, both are fruitless and in vain. Dear friends, today you have come to wish us happiness, as, looking into the distance, we prepare for new tasks, made far fairer by our dreams. We are ready to go on, eager to follow that lure of the turn of the road, of the crest of the hill, beyond which we cannot know what awaits us. In all the happiness and joy of this occasion. we turn to you, dear parents, teachers, and friends, whose love and sacrifices have made our place here today possible. Since both your wishes, and our dreams of long ago have been fulfilled, it is with an equal joy that we all share this day. With the very heartiest greeting, we, the class of February, 1921, welcome you to our great festival. KATHRYN M. Brcxizr.. Pnge Fourteen

Page 19 text:

Class of February, 1921 there is nothing quite so strong and comforting as the grasp of the out-stretched hand of the guide ahead. Some of the best things about a mountain path are that it is not too easy, that it brings the thrill of danger, and that it gives the opportunity to help a weaker one. Even when human companionship and strength fail the heights are not truly lonely, for there we come face to face with God. The going is buoyant and joyous and there are many things to sustain one on the way, the Cathedral aisles of hemlocks, where one feels the breath of peace and finds coolness and shelter from sun and raing the vision of beauty found in one perfect blue aster resting against a grey rock covered with soft green geraniumg the glimpses, growing more frequent as we ascend, of the val- ley below with its tumultuous river, or its peaceful settlement sending heaven- ward prayerful smokey the tumbling waterfall with its cooling sprayg and the grey cliff, its crannies full of ferns, beneath which one rests, gaining strength from its strength. Finally one reaches the top and looks out on a fair new world. May- hap, sometimes the things which one would see are veiled in mist. Then again, one must have faith and wait until the fog lifts. VVhile it shifts and settles, wavers and parts only to close again, one waits in hope and watches the strange magic wrought by its fantastic power. W'hen it breaks-I can never hope to give you the thrill of a mountain top. Night or day, it brings a sense of exaltation and power, of confidence and desire,-and always it shows a greater height beyond. Hills or mountains-with what a different spirit we approach the journey. Mountains mean glad effortg hills, toil g mountains mean courageg hills, discourage- ment and lack of vision, mountains mean a reaching out and upg hills, a shutting in. To every man there openeth A Way, and VVays, and a Way. And the High Soul climbs the High way And the Low Soul gropes the Low, And in between, on the misty flag, The rest drift to and fro. But to every man there openeth A High Way and a Low, And every man decideth The Way his soul shall go. If you heed the call of the mountain top and choose the High Way, if you take the challenge of danger, you will find your life transformed. Courage and faith will grow in you and all of your experiences will become invested with dignity and beauty. It is not the easy way, but it is the satisfying one. Some- times it will be cold and steep, but it will never be dreary and irksome, and upon it you will discover the strongest and most helpful of companions. Because you climb, the mean and small will first sink into their proper size and finally fade into nothingness and the big and noble will grow ever more real. Today as my message to you I know of nothing better than to tell you of the wonder and joy of the High Road. I can wish for you no more beautiful wish than that God may give you mountains to climb and strength for climbing. And when you have reached the height may you be able to say with Markham, I have found my life and am satisfied. It is with pleasure that I think of the hours we have spent together and realize that I really know you every one. I thank you for your loyalty and co- operation in the last year and I wish you, for the Faculty and myself, a joyous climb. Come back sometime to share with us the beauties you find by the way and to strengthen our faith in the heights beyond. A. W. MATHEWS. Page Thirlnl

Page 21 text:

Class of February, 1921 Halrhirinrg ' Time has at length brought us to the goal for which we have long been working. The dictionary, with its customary lack of emotion, sets down a goal as: the end, or final purpose, the end to which a design tends or which a person aims to reach or accomplish. Then, it sums up the meaning we have in mind, when it says: any starting post. The latter definition is distinctly the one to be applied to our goal-Commencement. The goals we have striven for previously, have terminated active efforts in a certain direction. This one differs from the others, in that it is both an ending and a beginning. It finishes one race and starts another. VVe, on this Gradua- tion Day, complete a race which has covered four years of high school work, and are pausing awhile before starting the bigger race. It is well to consider deeply the commencement of any worth-while enterprise. That the life we lead hereafter is to be worth-while, we are all fully agreed. To the best of our ability it will be creditable to the training we have had. The consideration of an enormous undertaking is apt to confuse one's mind. We all know the panic-stricken feeling that accompanies thoughts of Gradua- tion. It is really a doubting of our own ability. Up to this time we have, to a great extent, had our plans made for us, and in carrying them out have been carefully supervised. While we have been taught self-reliance and independence, we have not yet tested our powers of initiative. We are now facing the time when we must be the directors of our own lives. We can no longer rely upon others to make plans for us. The first step we take, free from another's aid, is in choosing our life-work. It is a decision which will make or spoil our whole lives-and we hesitate. There are so many paths, so many bends and twistsg and not a few turnstiles and cumbersome gates. Facing this bewildering maze, we might do well to recall the directions of Helenus to the Trojans: There, having set out you will approach the Cumean city, the divine lakes and Avernus resounding with woods, you will see an inspired prophetess in her home under a deep cliff, who sings the fates, and consigns the omens and symbols to the leaves. The maiden arranges in order whatever verses she inscribes on the foliage and after hiding them in the cave, she departs. They remain un- movedg nor is their order in any way changed. However, as the door turns on its hinges, to permit the entrance of someone, it disturbs the tender foliage and a gentle wind blows the leaves. Then, she neither troubles to catch them flutter- ing about the cave, nor to restore their places, nor to put the prophecies together. The people go away unadvised and hate the seat of the Sibyl. We have approached our Cumean city and find before us many omens and symbols. It is not plain what they prophesy nor into what they would lead us. Numerous vocations seem to be attractive and splendid, monetary offers await us. The real value of each is hidden. We see as through a prism and our own point of view, distorts the objects viewed. However disguised the many phases of work may be, they are ready for us to make a selection. The choice is for our own lives and only we can find and fit together our destinies. We are young and so are not likely to become impatient because, instead of a beautifully planned work, a baffling puzzle is presented to us. In lfact, we rejoice in the fitting together of our individual puzzles. There is a thrill in the task that appeals to us. Even the danger of making a mistake attracts us and we welcome the struggle necessary to avoid blundering. A worth-while battle leaves its imprint upon the participants and makes their characters strong and big rather than weak and mean. Page Fifteen