Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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14 HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL Calendar of Commencement W eek May 17 to 22, 1908 Sunday, May 17, 10:30 a. m., BACCALAUREATE SERMON at Christian Church, By Rev. Bruce Brown Thursday, May 21, 8:00 p. in., COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES at Memorial Opera House ; address by Dr. George Vincent, University of Chicago Friday, May 22, 8:00 p. m., ALUMNI BANQUET, High School Building Program for Commencement Exercises March High School Orchestra Invocation Rev. E. A. Oldenburg Music, Selected .... High School Glee Club Address, “ Fads and Fashions” . Rev. George E. Vincent, University of Chicago Music, Selected . . . High School Glee Club Presentation of Diplomas . . Prof. J. E. Roessler Benediction . . . . . Rev. S. I. Long

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HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL 13 Class of 1 908. In a large, square room we sit, But for us, ’tis none too fit; We are Freshmen What care we? In ’08 we’ll Seniors be. On the Honor Roll we stand, A full half dozen, hand in hand ; We are Freshmen, What care we? In ’08 we’ll Seniors be. Proud of our good standard, we Hope a better one yet to see ; We are Freshmen, What care we? In ’08 we’ll Seniors be. Fifty in our class enrolled, The highest in the school we’re told; We are Freshmen, Don’t you see? In ’08 we’ll Seniors be. Some from Market, some are not, Some from mansion, some from cot; We are Freshmen, What care we? In ’08 you’ll Seniors see. In second credit soon we’ll be And other Freshmen then you’ll see; We are Freshmen, What care we ? In ’08 we ' ll Seniors be. First as Sophomores, Juniors then, We’ll earn our way with voice and pen; We are Freshmen What care we? In ’08 we’ll Seniors be. BESSIE NOLAN PARKS.

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HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL 15 A Backward Step. MARGUERITE TOFTE. COMMONWEALTH,” says Cicero, “ought to be immortal, and A forever renew its youth.” Is this statement correct, or must ]) every government in time perish? We know that nations of the past have been progressive and then have failed, and that many nations now existing are in stages of rapid decline. Some historians attribute the decline of Rome to changes in her form of government, to too rapid expansion, and to the lack of armed forces. But, by a closer study, it is very apparent that there was no limit to her expansion as long as her men were vigorous ; that her strength was not diminished, either as a kingdom, as a republic, or as an empire, except as her men became materially weaker. Her armed forces ceased to be powerful only when her men lost their virtue and patriotism. This, naturally, goes to prove, as Mr. Wood says, “that men, high-minded, virtuous men constitute and perpetuate the nation, and as long as men retain their manhood, so long the nation will live.” Now, possessing this knowledge, can not we avoid the awful calamity which has befallen the empires of the past? No nation to-day can boast of men of mightier intellect than our own country. No nation affords more opportunities. Look about you. Through- out the whole country are scattered colleges and industrial schools. Free schools are established both in the East and in the West with compulsory educational laws recognizing neither wealth nor title. There is every chance in this direction for our country to produce high-minded, virtuous men, who will elevate our moral standards and bring our people into a higher spiritual life. I said a little while ago, avoid the awful calamity which has befallen the empires of the past. What must we avoid ? What is the great foe of men and nations? For your answer go to the jails and penitentiaries and learn that seventy- five per cent of our criminals owe their downfall to drink ; or go to the asylums and see the thousands driven mad by intoxicants; or look about you and see the millions of homes made desolate by the blighting curse of intemperance. It is intemperance that is threatening American manhood, and therefore the life of our nation. Each day brings us face to face with the appalling liquor problem, and we are forced to recognize it as the supreme issue of the day. The principal cause of intemperance is the legalized saloon, its ultimate accomplishment being ruined manhood, ruined homes, ruined nations.