Coopersville High School - Zenith Yearbook (Coopersville, MI)

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Salutatory AS the curfew tolls the knell of parting day, so do tonight's exercises toll the knell of our High School days. We, the class of 1929, welcome you—parents, teachers, friends—as witnesses to this final event, feeling that you who have helped to make this triumph possible should enjoy our last evening with us. For we appreciate what has been done by our parents in their sac- rifices for our benefit, by our teachers who have faithfully instructed 11s throughout our school days, and by our friends who have given us advice and encouragement when we needed it most. Four years we have spent to make this evening a reality, and now that it has been reached we cannot help but have a feeling of satisfaction, for we realize that, had our time been spent in idle playing, dreaming and drifting, we would not have been truly satisfied. We have had hard work to do and loads to lift, but we have faced the struggle, nor have we followed the path of least re- sistance. And now we see that our faithful and persistent efforts have been crowned thus far with happiness and success. Perhaps, as we look back, we can see where we have fallen short of the goal we raised, but let us hope that as we go on in life these mis- takes will not go unheeded. We should profit by our experiences and strive to better our lives through them. Tonight is the beginning of another step in our onward and upward climb. We will not find our pathway strewn with roses, but a steep and rocky one with only now and then a shady resting place. Then we will begin to feel and know the significance of our class motto: “Honor Lies at Labor’s Gate,” for rewards will not be given to us unless we earn them. Along our chosen path- way some of us will be apt to stumble and fall but we will arise and begin again knowing that: “It’s nothing against you to fall down flat Hut to lie there—that’s disgrace.” It is not possible for all of us to be leaders but we can at least be helpers. These little deeds and kindly actions will help to shape our characters. They will help us to see others’ needs and l e ready to come to their assistance. They will prepare us for the greater tasks which will be ours to do as we go forward in life. We can set our aims high and do our best to overcome the numer- ous obstacles and disappointments and be a success in whatever course we choose to follow. But even though our road be hard and our troubles many we will not despair. There must be a song after the tears, and a sil- Page Twenty-four

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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

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vor lining no matter how had the storm and black the clouds. Let us remember Lincoln’s words: “Having chosen our course without guile and with a pure pur- pose, let us renew our trust in God and go forward without fear and with manly hearts. Rut to follow our course we must Re strong! We are not here to play, to dream, to drift; We have hard work to do, and loads to lift; Shun not the struggle—face it; 'tis God’s gift. Re strong! Say not, “The days are evil. Who’s to blame?” And fold the hands and acquiesce—Oh, shame! Stand up, speak out, and bravely, in God’s name. Re strong! It matters not how deep intrenched the wrong, How hard the battle goes, the day how long; Faint not—fight on! Tomorrow comes the song. Elsa Mae Vannatter Page Twenty-five