West Philadelphia High School - Record Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 16 text:

ft HE poet Wordsworth mourned that the H celestial light with which we see the earth and every common sight clothed when we are young fades into the light of common day as we grow up. Shades of the prison-house begin to close upon the growing boy, he lamented. Beautiful things, in nature and human nature, in art and act, all become dulled and dimmed to us as we get used to them and grow to take them for granted. Pity 'tis, 'tis so. But we need not let it be so. We can, if we will, keep free of this prison-house of adult boredom and drabness. Many adults do, and all young people have the chance to do so. VVe must keep our sense of wonder, says the philosopher. We need not lose our feeling of the magic and majesty of things while we lind out more about them. We must keep youth's enthusiasm, youth's intensity and dauntlessness, if we would keep truly alive, says David Seabury, the psychologist. Youth, be it in the unspoiled young person or in the person of years who has preserved the spirit of youth, believes in an eternal and eventual rightness underneath all things, isfull of eagerness and earnestness to uncover and keep uncovered this rightness, burns with admiration for order and harmony wherever it is shown, possesses cheer and courage in the face of problems and difficulties and troubles, knowing there is a way through every one of them to triumph if he will use brain and heart to find it. All these qualities every young person can keep to the end of life if he will keep on expressing and using them in every relationship and situation. BEATRICE R. RICHARDS. Page 8 THE RECORD OF THE CLASS OF JUNE, 1933

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o THE MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF JUNE, 1933: I am glad that the theme of your record is music. All peoples of all the ages since primitive man first danced to the rhythm announced by striking two sticks together or by the beat of a drum, have had some kind of music. In music the individual, from the lulla- by of his babyhood through his whole life, gives expression to his emotions. As a child, song accompanies his play, as a lover, he has his love song, as a warrior, his battle song, he voices his reverence for his God in hymns, he sings or whistles to keep up his courage, in music he finds relief from the tension of daily life, an influence to lighten his sorrow, an outlet for his joy. We should not forget that music is not today as it was yesterday. It has not stood still, but, on the contrary, has gradually developed. The music of one age is not the music of another age. We love the product of the masters of the past but the masters of today are giving us a different kind of music. Some of the older folk of our time shake their heads and wonder why we call the dissonance and atonality of modern composition, music. Yet it is music and an expression of our age, whether we all may learn to appreciate it or not. Music does develop, it does grow. Certainly in choosing music for the theme of the class book of growing individuals, you have found something of universal appeal and something that too, is growing. Can you imagine a world without music? What a dreary, sordid place it would be! May you all, today and in the years to come, appreciate and enjoy this wonderful gift to man. Our best wishes for success go with you as you leave us on your Commencement Day. Ilost sincerely yours, WALTER ROBERTS. CQWEW THE RECORD OF THE CLASS OF JUNE, 1933 Page 7

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MQ.. ,,,, - . 1 we o YoU, THE CLASS OF JUNE, 1933: Another four years has passed. You young men and young women who came here as boys and girls seeking knowledge, are going forth with confidence to meet the duties and responsibilities of life in the larger World-a world at this time struggling with serious economic and social problems. W'e have seen you grow in body and in mind and have faith in your ability and character to stand hrmly for the right in Whatever your lot may be. As we think, so we are. May you be given the strength to live up to your convictions and never to be ashamed of what you have done. Sincerely, AARON S. LONGACRE. THE RECORD OF THE CLASS OF JUNE, 1933 Page 9