Avoca Central School - Avocan Yearbook (Avoca, NY)

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18 THE AVOCAN SALUTATORY Members of the Faculty, Classmates, Ladies and Gentlemen: To you all who have assembled here to witness these exercises, it is my privilege to extend the greetings from the Class of 1925. Especially those who by word and deed have manifested their interest in our educational progress, I heartily welcome in the name of my classmates. We are indeed delighted to find among you, Ladies and Gentlemen, such a large number who have always advanced the cause of secondary education: who have realized that it is nigh useless to lay a foundation unless they provide for the magnificent edihce that is to be erected on the work of the elementary school. You have made it possible for us to pass through this high school course and tonight to appear before you as the Class of 1925. It has been said that some students seek an education in order that they may get on, but the true student seeks an education in order that he may help on. That is the reason why we have spent four long years in this high school: why we have endeavored to become an educated force: why we have sought training and education. We can scarcely believe that you will blame us, if today we hold our heads a little higher than usual. and rejoice in the achievement that is ours. NVe feel justly elated that we are members of the largest class as yet ever graduated from the Avoca High School, and that we are considered worthy to receive a diploma from this institution. We think that we have every reason to feel proud that our efforts have not been in vain and that today we are headed in the right direction-toward the goal. I now take great pleasure in inviting you, Ladies and Gentlemen. to the program of the evening. VVe trust it will please you. We have made the best possible preparations, but. as the poet says. to err is human. It is for this reason that we beg your forgiveness for any error that may occur, or any de- fects that you may discover. VVe shall endeavor to give you the best that is in us. May we, the Class of 1925. ask you for your kind attention. ' -Rodney O. Newman.

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THE AVOCAN 17 In the spring our class was again depleted in numbers by the loss of Loleta Davis, who also entered Miss Howell's School and is doing our class credit as stenographer in a business office in North Cohocton. VVe also gained a member, Miss Leah jones, who came to us from the Sophomore Class. At the beginning of the school year of 1924 our class consisted of an even dozen of studious HJ members. Much to our delight not a single member has been lost this year. Our class is under the able supervision of Howard A. Smith, Principal of the Avoca High School. This year our work has been more difficult than the previous years but we have satisfactorily completed our work under the competent supervision of Howard A. Smith. Principal: Miss Mary Bentley. Englishg Marian Chaffin, Languages: and Lillian Rosenfeld. Physical Education. One of the most delightful events in the year was the party given to the class by the Juniors. XVe would also not wish to omit the play The Village School Ma'am which was successfully given three times. This was not only a gain financially but also afforded much pleasure, particularly at play re- hearsals. Last but not least we would not fail to mention the trip to Washington. under the supervision of Superintendent and Mrs. Carter, enjoyed by part of the class. The remainder preferring to wait until the close of the school year before taking any trips. In conclusion we must.say that we are sorry that our days of good times together are about over. NVe have formed many helpful and lasting friendships among the student body and the faculty. But nevertheless we are eagerly looking ahead into the future years hoping that they will bring fame and pleasures to us all. -Mary Shults.

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THE AVOCAN 19 VALEDICTORY Tonight the class of 1925 stand at the conclusion of one cycle in our ex- istence and the beginning of another. Perhaps you who are far out on the sea of life may regard graduation from school as a minor incident in comparison with the vital things which are to follow, but to us it is a milepost that marks a dehnite stage of the journey through life. i This walk of life has been compared to many things, but as I was musing today, it occured to me that it is like an artist playing complicated and sweet music. He must keep time and read the notes correctly, and to do this he must be ever alert and watchful. There is a page of life written for us, and the extent to which we keep in tune with our fellow men will determine whether we are a help or hindrance on this stage called life. So far the music has been sweet and simple, and we have played with eager hands and joyful hearts, but tonight we turn over a sheet, and lol a page of life in the world of action lies fresh and clean and untouched before us. VVonderful visions, ambitous plans, and limitless possibilities rise before us as we contemplate this new page of our existence. VVe go forth armed with knowledge,-and not merely that sort of knowledge which begins and ends with the accumulation of facts and information. The training we have has given us these, but more than that, it has developed in us the faculty of thinking and reasoning for ourselves, of applying the facts and principles to the problem at hand. VVe have achieved our goal at last! XVe are graduates! The happy years We have spent together in work and play are ended. Yet, the influence of these delightful years will remain with us forever: we shall carry it away with us no matter where the diverse paths of life may lead us, or how far the varying winds of fate may scatter us. The memory of these school years will be a bond which will ever draw us together in thought. As we have shared each other's joys and sorrows in the past, so shall we always share them, and the success of any one of us will bring happiness to us all. Tonight, in this last school exercise, we are gathered here to wish one another the very best of fortune and all the happiness that life can offer. And with mingled feelings of sadness at the breaking of cherished ties and joy in anticipation of the great things that lie before us. we speak a fond farewell to our dear school, our beloved teachers, and each other. -Ruth French.