Coopersville High School - Zenith Yearbook (Coopersville, MI)

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to succeed. These characteristics must develop and become stronger by overcoming all difficulties. It will, indeed, be difficult and requires Help from above. Still, we may be assured, that with determination and a cheerful out- look we will surely succeed in the end. We are all aware of the fact that it is going to be difficult. It has been suggested and spoken of at nearly every occasion. As we are about to go into the world, leaving our many friends and much that is dear to us behind, we are going to remember that Life contains but a Single Standard as shown to us by Edgar A. Guest:— There are a thousand ways to cheat and a thousand ways to sin; There are ways uncounted to lose the game, but there’s only one way to win; And whether you live by the sweat of your brow or in luxury’s garb you’re dressed, You shall stand at last, when your race is run, to be judged by the single test. Some men lie by the things they make; seme lie in the deeds they do; And some play false for a woman’s love, and some for a cheer or two; Some rise to fame by the force of sk'll, or great by the might of power, Then wreck the temple they toiled to build, in a single, shameful hour. The follies outnumber the virtues good; sin lures in a thousand ways; But slow is the growth of man’s character and patience must mark his days; For only those victories shall count, w-hen the work of life is done, Which bear the stamp of an honest man, and by courage and faith were wron. There are a thousand ways to fail, but only one way to win! Sham cannot cover the wrong ycu do nor wash out a single sin, And never shall victory come to you, whatever of skill you do Save you’ve done your best in the work of life and unto your best were true. JEWEL LIEFFERS. TPage Twenty-on6

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• DWjognjfl hNI ' Salutatory S YEAR after year passes by and class after class appears upon this platform, we realize that this is practically the last time we come together as a Class. It never becomes a reality until we have be- come Seniors ourselves anti appear here tonight. And so we are very glad to welcome you, for we also realize that it is you who have made this evening possible for us. So, in the name of the Class of ’23, I extend a whole-hearted welcome to you. We’re glad to see so many Moth- ers and Fathers here. It makes us realize more than ever before the oppor- tunity they have given us. Tonight, we are actually appearing as graduates of Coopersville High School. We have looked forward to this night as one of victory, after which a great battle has been won. If only we could graduate we would have completed our course! It w’as our one aim. And now we have reached that goal. I wonder if our battle is actually won? If the crown of victory has already been placed upon our brows? Yes, we are graduates, but it is only one of the smallest battles. Greater struggles and battles loom up before us. This is indeed Commencement! Each one begins his journey through life. Each one with a different aim. Each one on a different ro2d But we all struggle for something, we all have some object in view—and we truly believe in “DEEDS, not dreams.” We have had our dreams in High School, and now’ wre are going to carry them out. Deeds,—just a small, insignificant wcrd and still what a wonderful meaning it has! A person is known by his deeds. His reputation depends on his deeds. His character depends on his deeds. Each one of us going out into the world, must perform deeds. Deeds that will make this world a better place in which to live. Deeds that will be looked upon with pride by the citizens of Coopersville. It’s the deeds that we will do after leaving here tonight, that we will be remembered by. Graduation carries with it a great responsibility. Each one has talents and must use them to the best cf his ability. Use them in lifting mankind to a higher level. We can do great deeds in this world—deeds that will be called honorable and great in years to come. We will also, meet with diffi- culties but must struggle to rise above them. We must be determined, and overcome them, thus we become stronger. Our glory at the end will be that much greater. If we journey through life on a path strewn with roses there is no glory in the victory. But things fought for and won stir our hearts with a feeling cf pride and create in us greater determination to succeed. We should be prepared to meet these responsibilities. It requires a char- acter that has been built with labor and care. A character that reveals these strong points—determination, courage, fearlessness, and an earnest endeavor Page Twenty

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 svllb JJljjh 5c|v o!| history of the 0lass of ’23 S THE Senior year is rapidly drawing to a close, and each one is about to launch his boat on life’s stream, our thoughts dwell on those happy days nearly over. One nice morning in September, 1919, thirty-three, insignificant, little Freshmen climbed the stairs for the first time to enter upon that school life they had heard so much about. Were we scared? Just ask us how we liked to go past the upper classmen to the encyclopedia. How like great oaks, which keep the sunshine from the acorn, were the Seniors to us. We finally overcame our scared feeling, for the Seniors let us use the drinking fountain and the hooks without much complaint. Having overcome these difficulties, we organized our class and entered into the school activities with a great deal of pep. Some of our girls joined the Hot Lunch Club, others organized the Ta Ta Pouchon Camp Fire, and quite a few of our members joined the orchestra. We were also interested in athletics although not many took part, we helped support them by paying our dues. In the track we contributed some good material. There were also a good many social events such as Freshman Reception and Girls’ Gym Party. Our first class event was a marshmallow roast, where the boys received their initiation. We also had some other parties, the most notable being the sleig’h-ride party and St. Patrick or Leap Year Party which was held at the school. Our last event of the year was a picnic at Wolf Lake. Our next year, v.e were nearly as strong in number as when Freshmen. There were thirty members We now took it upon ourselves to give the Freshmen the same treatment as we had received the year before. But this soon wore off for we became too much involved in the mysteries of Geometry and the Wars of Caesar to bother with such insignificant things. We in- dulged in the usual round of parties. Our class also showed their true spirit and cooperation by raising more money in the Armenian fund than any other class. When the orchestra was reorganized ten of our members joined and we boasted of members on basketball, baseball and track teams. This year, v e gained possession of the cup in the track meet with Ravenna and Hudsonville, for first time after seeing Ravenna run off with it the year be- fore. Cur class picnic was-held at Wolf Lake, as usual. We were forty-three strong at the beginning of our Junior year after be- ing reenforced by members from Aller.dale, Nunica. and elsewhere. We were now upper classmen with only one more step up the ladder to that highly honora-ble place occupied by Seniors. What a joyous year we spent, for along with our studies there was much time for pleasure. As usual we had our annual Freshman Reception and v.e journeyed to the homes of Richard Conrad and Walter Omlor for social times. Then the Junior and Sophomore girls gave a Gym Party and how queer the girls appeared in their funny Page Twenty-two