Castle School - Drawbridge Yearbook (Tarrytown, NY)

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THE DRAWBRIDGE Nineteen-Twenty SENIOR SPEECH Miss Mason, Nlembers of the Faculty, Alumnae, Fellow Students, and Guestszc All is peace! Tonight as we sit around this cheery board our thanks go up to God that the great war for Democracy has been fought and won, and Democracy should herald peace. We hear the word Democracyfon every side. the greatest men of the greatest nations have fought for it, suffering untold agony, shedding their life blood in a glorification for 'hat one woisd alone, which signifies Justice, Right and Freedom for All. Yet we must carry on the fight to maintain the principles which have cost us so heavily and to perpetuate them in a living form. ln this big family assembled here, as in the great world outside, our watchword is Democracy. Do we not have to face the problems of the day only in a lesser measure than the bigger family and are not we some day going out to take an active part as crusaders for the cause? Miss Mason, you are the Well loved President of our Castle Democracy, always responsive in our time of need, ever spurring us onward to attain the universal spirit of Brotherhood. Your influence will be more far reaching than you know, for as each of us go out'we will carry the deep imprint of your leaching upon all that we may accomplish in the future. Faculty-as Miss lVlason's Cabinet you assist in directing and 'governing both wisely, sincerely and with untiring efforts much to our distress at times, guiding our faltering footsteps along the thorny paths of learning. F Alumnae-and the much beloved President of 1919, we wish to assure you that we are doing all in our power to follow your illustrious examples. All classes are equal ina true Democracy, but because of our years, we Seniors have assumed the heavier responsibilities of the big family. VVe have the few privileges, which you soioften envy us, but these privileges mean a corresponding number of responsibilities S Miss La Ross--our Class Advisor, our sincere helper, urges us on to victory, cheers us in defeat and to her we can hardly express our appreciation for her never failing loyalty through four long years of service to her class. Juniors-your are in the majority and have shown yourselves strong in many ways but even though large in numbers you have yet a year before reach- ing the dizzy heights of our wisdom and our experi- ence. We wish you all success and good fortune in your happiest and most active year to come-your Senior Year. Sophomores--as our younger sisters how can we express our deep gratitude to you for your helpful support at all times. You have proved yourselves true comrades indeed and how We wish it might be possible next year for us to look behind Castle doors and to see you in the process of fulfilling- all this year's promises. Freshmen and Forms-we donlt know you as well as we'd like to but nevertheless We envy you your long years yet to be enjoyed at the Castle. Good luck, beginners! Our dear tiny sisters how little you realize what a cheering factor you are in our family life nor how your bright laughing faces help us throughout the day. It is the earnest wish of the class of IQZO to so live and to so serve our fellows and to render such as- sistance to our honored faculty that our influence may live after us and that this influence may ever urge toward a better and a stronger Democracy. . 9 JUNIOR SPEECH . ' 11-. 1 To bliss Nlason, her guests, and the Faculty Wise, And to the Girls, with pleasure l rise A toast to propose. and in various ways To offer advice, thanksgiving, and praise. ,Q F

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ANKSGIVING SCHOOL PRESIDENTCS SPEECH lNlost of you probably know the story of the little boy who was in the habit of doing unkind deeds. You know, his father told him that every time he did something that was unkind he should pound a nail into the newly whitewashed gate-post in the yard. The number of nails grew and grew, until the boy discovered that almost the whole post was cov- ered with them. Then he repented and asked his father what he could do about it. His father said that every time he did a kind deed he could pull out one of the nails. Soon they were all out, but the boy sadly noticed that the scars still remained. That is the way it is in Lifef' said the father, Unkind deeds always leave scars. lt seems to me that the years of the war were driving the nails into the gate-post of the World. I ast year at this time, in our enthusiasm and relief, we thought there never again could be a day more worthy of being called Thanksgiving than that one. But we find that this one is just as worthy as we real- ize more seriously our causes for thankfulness. VVith the signing of the armistice the Allies began pulling the nails of despotism out of their gate-posts by be- ginning to make retribution for the wrongs done. So this year has passed and each month has shown us some efforts put forth toward straightening out of affairs, some strong national pulling as each rusty nail has been drawn from its place by great men of great countries, until now on this day we are thank- ful to notice that the World-post is slowly being freed from the nails of Teutonic crime and of a national selfishness. But the scars still remain and will re- main as long as there is that desire for selfish gain among the peoples of the nations. Selfish retribu- tion would only serve to fill in the holes with the varnish of unworthiness, keeping the post in a weak- ened condition. Do Ufe lVa1z! That Kind of ll W0z'ld? But if selfishness is forgotten and brotherly love of man for man, of nation for nation, is substituted, we will have a whole new world-post, built on the Hrm foundation of high purpose and built of such strong materials that the nails of low standards, selfishness and personal gain will not be able to pene- trate. Perhaps this is only an ideal, but ideals are the .impetus to Progress. just as there is a world-post, there is a national post, a civic one, and even we have a Castle post, which it is our duty to preserve intact and to make inpenetrable. So even while we are making a festive occasion of this enjoyable banquet, l am sure that down deep in the heart of each of us there is a serious thankful- ness and a prayer-thankfulness for the world and national blessings, thankfulness for the opportun- ities the Castle affords, for the understanding help and encouragement given to us by Miss Mason and the faculty, for friendships we form, and a prayer for the welfare of Our little Castle world in years to COIHC-

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THE DRAWBRIDGE' Nineteen-Twenty ln these happy surroundings, we dream about peace, Though Senators squabble, the hope rays increase When we see once again in triumphal march The gallant defenders of Liberty's torch. Wfith faith in our country now kindled anew- Thoughaliens and strikers are dangerous, they're few- l et loyal Americans solemnly vow To stand by the Hag-to begin here and now. By most serious work along with their fun, Remembering that powder is to use in a gun, That tresses unshorn, clean faces we find lndicate to the world a clear and sound mind. lVhile nations are quarrelling, weld like to suggest That we have a league which has withstood the test Of twenty-Eve years, and a leader so strong VVho has drawn a clear line ltwixt the right and the wrong. Had she and her able colleagues been consulted The ratification would have early resulted, And the fourteen sharp points, which caused such commotion - W7hen our President, armed with them, sailed 'cross the ocean - Would long since have been settled, and amendments been made Which like our rules, would have proved such an aid, Although bound and hung in a sombre black book VVhich no one finds time to remove from the hook. lf we'd make for Democracy safe the whole World, lTwere well that that banner of blue be unfurled H And carried aloft, as the standard of right, By this small band of Seniors, to bring the world light. VVe toast now your President, gentle and true, And, golden-haired mentor, herels a toast now to you! Our hearts 'gainst the next class 'twas hard to keep steeled, As in orange and black, they marched down the field. Always our rivals, so dauntless and keen, V But a bit of advice--on the Seniors don't lean. See the cheery young optimists, so splendidly led, Of their spirit and courage there is much to be said. We love their bright blithesomeness, laughter, and fun, - And by just such morale life's battles are won. Though steadfast in friendship, and still a free lance, From banner to banner, Forms merrily, dance. 'Mongst the kiddies where shines more than one brilliant mind . It wouldnlt surprise us a Daisy Ashford to find. And as to the Juniors-they speak for themselves By their number and brains-but shyness compels Me to modestly hide my own personal view And as to public expression-leave that to you. , But one thing we will say, though boastful it be, That we have a comrade who brings us to see That spiritual light, with its radiance, smothers All but the most noble actions of others., And now we ponder on the year that has passed: Though dangers have threatened, the blessings fell fast. . We give thanks for a President, fearless and wise, To uphold his ideals, he patiently strives. We give thanks when we see on Pacific's far coast A mayor enforcing the law at all cost. And thanks when Massachusetts a governor returns Who stands for the union, and compromise spurns. And here looking ,round on our much increased ranks, That SunnyvieW's ours, we most heartily give thanks. While miners are striking, and Bolshiviks plot It makes more apparent the peace of this spot. We look at the coal pile, and study its size And think of the forethought that back, of it lies. We're thankful we're cared for, from morals to coal, And among minor blessings, a full sugar bowl. But why should I try now to name them at length For it takes of your time, and taxes my strength, But the .thing we're ,most thankful for, donft you i think, friends, I'm right? Is that welre Castle Girls, and it's Thanksgiving night.