Baldwin School - Prism Yearbook (Bryn Mawr, PA)

Page 12 text:

To Mrs. Cross You had become a part of our lives. Your warm, under- standing smile lightened our spirits when responsibility seemed too heavy. You gave us confidence when all effort seemed futile. After a long, hectic day, your serenity and peace of mind comforted us. For all the many things you shared with us, although you are no longer with us, we wish to express our deep- est gratitude. 8

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To the Class of 1957: At no time in history has the world offered opportunities as great as those open to your generation. Mankind is beginning to realize that all men are created equal, that national rivalries are unprofitable, that from wars only Pyrrhic victories result, that if any group of the human race is depressed, ill-fed, ignorant, all mankind suffers. More and more we are bound to the fortunes of all men. The simultaneous advances and discoveries in scientific knowledge in various parts of the world are a further illustration of the essen- tial oneness of man. If the force of these truths is fully accepted, the possibilities of human progress are boundless. How then can mankind in this wonderful age find leadership and the right direction? I believe this exists in the power of indi- vidual character, the invincible force of high moral principles main- tained in every relationship. The man who does his best to live by these has an influence far out-weighing any human mistakes he may make. Basic to the development of this kind of character must be the conviction that honesty is the mainspring of all right human rela- tionships, whether personal, public, or international. In school the honest effort to do your best, to use the many and varied opportuni- ties, to achieve growth through correcting your mistakes, to persist under difficulties, to face the test of classroom and school respon- sibilities with the determination to give unstintingly all you possess to the undertaking—this is the beginning of establishing a firm character. You learn to avoid the snare of comparison with the results of others. What matters is that you yourself are growing, that you are gaining strength as a person who can use her powers, intellectual and personal, that you are striving to mould your character accord- ing to the highest principles, ignoring the temptations to do less than your best, to take the easy way of dishonesty, carelessness and selfish- ness. Many of you have come far along this road. As you leave sec- ondary school and start out on a more adult and independent phase of your life, self-appraisal is essential. How well have you laid the foundations of your character? Are you striving to develop moral courage? Upon your answer to these questions and upon what you do to strengthen the weaker links in your character will depend the happiness and success of your life. Rosamond Cross

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