Coopersville High School - Zenith Yearbook (Coopersville, MI)

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Valedictory OrEST FOR HAIM’INESS () MAI I ER what nationality we have, no matter what creed we profess nor work we have chosen, and no matter what social rank we enjoy, there is one thing we all desire. Regardless of the extent fortune has favored us with wealth, health and abilities, this one thing is within the reach of all. It is happiness. What makes for happiness? Is it the possession of beautiful homes, costly automobiles, or even health that is essential to happiness? Undoubtedly the hap- piest person today lives modestly among his family, friends and flowers. He may, perhaps, be even an invalid or cripple. Today we are living in an age of luxury—searching, laboring, striving for money. Are we any happier than our forefathers who years ago lived without the conveniences w hich we now enjoy? Anxiety and care may be read on nearly every American face, telling the story of our too serious civilization. “The world is too much with us, late and soon. Getting and spending we lay waste our powers.” Is it fame and honor that makes for happiness? No! About two months ago Thomas Edison celebrated his eighty-second birthday. On the occasion he delivered an address over the radio. One of the most impressive statements he gave was: “I do not know anv happy people.” This world-famous man who, himself, presented the radio and many other valuable inventions to human- ity, says he knows no happy people, himself included. Happiness comes from within, not without. And that is w lu- it is within the reach of each of us, regardless of nationality, creed, profession or rank. A man may be surrounded by the best that life affords but he still cannot enjoy happiness without thinking that he does. How sorrowful we all would be if our lives were in- fluenced by external things. All the sneering, faultfinding, the bitter things said about us —if we took them all to heart, surely there would be no happiness for us. There are certain essentials that make for happiness. It takes sell esteem and will-power to be happy. It takes courage to arise on a dark, rainy morning and face the day w ith a smile, and to make the best of things when friends disappoint us and plans fail. No one can make us happy or unhappy unless we allow him to. Page Twenty-two

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LUCEAL WILDEY “Thorough yet silent.” Entered from Grand Haven 4 RICHARD WITHAM (Happy) “We look before and after, And pine for what is not.” Entered from Nunica Glee Club 4 Operetta 4 Basketball 4 Track 4 Junior Play Senior Play A. A. 3, 4 Baseball 3 ARTHUR WOLBRINK (Mutt) “In every work that he begun, He did it with his heart.” Entered from Allendale A. A. 3, 4 Glee Club 3, 4 Operetta 3, 4 Football 3, 4 Baseball 3 Track 3, 4 President of class 3 President of class 4 Junior Play Senior Play Basketball Captain 4 Sec’v.-Treas. Boy’s Glee Club 4 ELEANOR WOLVERTON (Elnora) “Gentle in manner Firm in action.” Glee Club 4 Vice-Pres. of A. A. 4 A A. 4 Sec’y-Treas. of class 3 Operetta 4 Campfire 2, 3 Campfire President 2 Girl’s Club I Snapshot Editor of Rodeo

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Service is necessary to he happy. Service in the home, the of- fice, the school—everywhere we hear the slogan “Service.” That’s why we are here, to help our fellow men. We are glad in the knowledge that we have done something worth while. We are re- paid with happiness. There can not be a truly happy man unless he lias rendered some service to the human race. No man has ever enjoyed true happiness who has not felt in some degree that his life belongs to Ins fellow men and that which God gives him, He gives him for mankind. Optimism is also essential to happiness. It’s the person who lives to find the best in life under all circumstances that is repaid with happiness. The homliest lives may become purest crystals and gems of beautv bv drawing to themselves the coloring of truth, sincerity, charity and faith. Some people are like the bee: “They seem to gather the honey from every flower, w'hile others, like a spider, carry only poison away.” One person finds happi- ness everywhere and in every occasion. Through his tears he sees rainbows of Hope. Another is blind to beauty. The lenses of his eyes seem to be smoked glass, draping the whole world in mourn- ing. One man regards a sunset as a common occurence, another finds beauty and glory in the splendor of its blended colors. We get out of life just what we put into it. The world gives to us just what we give it. And then we must have an ideal—some aspiration in order to be happy. Every hope is a possibility of its fulfillment. A high ambition so greatly transforms a man that he will cast aside all ease and laziness in order to accomplish that aim. If an aspira- tion attained is pure and good, it will bring joy. Members of the Class of 1929, this evening marks the ac- complishment of an ambition, an aspiration, a hope. For four years we have aspired to reach this height. Its attainment reveals courage, perseverance and pluck. We shall follow different lines of endeavor—but regardless of what we choose we shall all seek the same thing—happiness. An ancient philosopher once asked his pupils, “What is the best thing to possess?” One answered, “Nothing is better than a liberal and contented disposition.” An- other said, “A good companion is the best thing in the world.” A third chose a good neighbor. Rut Eleazor said: “A good heart is better than them all.” “True,” said the master, “thou hast said in two words all that the rest have chosen, for whoever hath a good heart will be contented, will be a good companion and a good neighbor.” He will be happy. And so, classmates, let’s not strive merely for fame, wealth and honor, but let principles of happiness be our guide. Margaret Schillinger Page Twenty-three