Coopersville High School - Zenith Yearbook (Coopersville, MI)

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Salutatory WE, THE Class of ’24, have now reached Commencement, and as we appear to-night as a class for the last time upon this platform, we begin to realize just what it means. We are glad to see here so many of the mothers and fathers who have assisted us in attaining this goal, and wish to extend our whole-hearted thanks to all who have helped to make this great opportunity possible. To-night is Commencement —commencement of the Voyage of Life. We have looked forward to this great night with eagerness. Our one aim in high school life was to be graduated, and we have labored to that end, expecting a crown of glory when it was reached. And now victory is at hand; but I wonder, now that we have completed our course, if we have won the greatest battle in Life! We have indeed won a victory—a small one, only a beginning —but it shows we have taken our first big stride for- ward in preparing ourselves for the future, and we are determined to make life a success. To-night we launch —where shall we anchor? All the preceding years have been developing and preparing us, not for this event alone, but for life. Slowly, each one of us has been constructing a craft, in the ship-yard of Education. We have been given the essential materials—reading, writ- ing, arithmetic, and the other school subjects, and our teachers have daily shown us the specifications for construction, but it was up to each of us to build our own craft. If we have put it loosely together, we shall meet with ruin and disaster, but if we have builded wisely we shall be carried safely over the shoals throughout our voyage. We are launching out confidently on life’s vast ocean, secure in the knowledge that our previous work has been well done. We are now cap- tains of our own destiny, and as we assume control, we feel that we can guide our craft safely to the harbor. We know there will be difficulties to overcome and that storms and hardships will assail us, but each victory will increase our powers and wisdom and better fit us for the future. And as we near the shore, we’ll anchor not among the rocks and sand- bars, but keeping away from the reefs and wrecks, and guided by help from above, we’ll reach the sheltering harbor where we may rest, know- ing that we have accomplished things worth while in life. BERYL GLEASON, ’24 Page Twent

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Class Poem “You can’t slide through on roller skates,” Was a warning we heard the first day. And we found, indeed, ’twas (rue as the fates. For there was much more work than play. As freshmen, we thought it would be nought but larks. Where we whiled away the gay hours, Hut, alas and alack! fate played havoc with marks. And compelled us to rebuild our towers. Our first High School year, too soon was done, For we knew much less than we ought. When for us, the Sophomore name had been won, Many battles were still to be fought. A frolicsome journey, as Juniors, we had. In which no care ruffled our sail. Whatever the word of the teachers might be, Our own thoughts of wisdom were sure to prevail. The fourth year has dawned so bright and clear, And we blazen the Seniors’ name, We had hoped and longed for our last year But not yet can we boast of fame. Thus we reach a bend in the winding road. Through the vista, we long have run. We pray that success may lighten our load, In the many long years to come. M. M. M. ’24 Page Nineteen

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Mother She was only a lonely mother, Feeble and gray and old, And the furrowing wrinkles round her brow Their story of heart aches told. The sunshine stroked her silver hair. With colors of golden hue. And lighted her kind and patient face, And her eyes of heavenly blue. Gently she smoothed the golden star, That in the window hung; Reverently she kissed the emblem, As its folds to the breezes she flung. Sadly she thought of her soldier boy, And bowing, a prayer she yields For the lonely grave and the wooden cross, ’Neath the skies in Flanders fields. With murmurs drawn and weary, She breathed a last long sigh; Shrouded with golden sunset; Celestial with amber sky. Pallid and silent and peaceful; Calm with ethereal joy; Her last long prayer was answered, For she was indeed with her boy.