Coopersville High School - Zenith Yearbook (Coopersville, MI)

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The Battle for Character IN' rill- construction of a building, tin' main essential is to pro- cure a good architect. After an architect lavs out his plan for the building, the carpenter and the mason must carry out this plan. Before the building can be constructed, a foundation must be laid for it to rest upon. This foundation is made ofi cement blocks. The carpenter then begins to build the framework of steel. Other materials beside steel and cement used in the building are glass, heating and lighting fixtures, and all conveniences necessary for this particular structure. .lust as this building was planned, so are our lives planned by the Great Vrchitect. But we must tlo the constructing in order to carrv out our Architect’s plan. Let us lay our foundation with blocks of honesty, loyalty, perseverance, unselfishness, chastity, and kindlv actions, so that we might have a good moral character. But we must begin to lay these blocks in our youth. What a large part honesty plays in our lives. How far will a man or woman suceed in getting work if he or she has been found dishonest. People respect and trust those who are honest! What if we do have to work hard for these material things, we shall have that satisfied feeling of having received them honestly and not de- ceitfullv. A clear conscience is worth more than mere wealth. And, too, we must be loyal to our work through perseverance. If we are loyal to our work, then we shall be loyal to our country and to our fellow-citizens. We may also show that loyalty to others by keeping our promises. But we may best show our loyalty through toil. A man once said, “Work is the foundation of genius; it is the foundation of our democracy. What a self centered place is the world Men consider their own welfare and not their neighbors, and therefore selfishness usually results in pride. Can a proud person expect a successful career? Will he endeavor to make the world a better place in which to live? For after all it is the duty of each one w hen he passes from this world to leave a truth or a lesson by which others may profit. If he has both of these characteristics, selfishness and pride, he will not make an ideal citizen of our country. It is true that he needs personal pride, but an excess of it harms his charac- ter. Let us create unselfishness within us so that we might not alone “take” but “give.” Chastitv is also a block which we must lay in our character building. We must free our minds from impure thinking, for often a thought leads to an action, and we must train our mouths to speak clean langnage. Sow a thought, reap an action, Sow an action, reap a habit, Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny. Page Twenty

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History of the Class of ’30 FOl R years ago a group of thirtv-one Freshmen entered the Assembly room at Coopersville lligli School. This group of Freshmen was in the due course of time initiated by the Fpper Classmen. The Freshmen vigorously opposed the initia- tion, but of no avail. Four of these Freshmen had gone to school together ever since they were in the Kindergarten; the four are: Violet DeCan, KI In Hahn, Imogene Mosher, and Edith Westover. At the end of the first year there were only twenty-three left in the class. This is accounted for by the fact that some of them quit school and some moved away. The next year only twenty-two sophomores returned. One of these, a new member, FITie Beukema, entered from (irandville Avenue Junior 11igh School. It was also during the Sophomore year that Mr. Brevi tz. began teaching at C. H. S. and became our class adviser. During this mile of our pleasant journey through High School, Isaac Ginsberg began his famous career as debater, and it is unnecessary to state here the satisfactory results of this event. Another interesting fact about our Sophomore year was that there were only three boys in the class: Isaac Ginsberg, Ken- neth Wolverton, and Virgil Warren. As the year drew to a close our class numbered eighteen. We were looking hopefully forward to “enlisting a large number of recruits” from the neighboring ten grade schools, the following year. Our hopes were fulfilled to some extent, although the next year a considerably smaller number entered from other schools than usual. Among those who entered were Marvin Luben, who has had the leading role in the operetta two years in succession and w ho is our very capable Athletic President, William Kennedy, w ho takes the comic part in any performance, and Earl Fairchild, our Valedictorian. As Juniors we put on a successful play and a very beautiful and enjoyable banquet. This banquet was the first to be given outside of Coopersville, and William Kennedy proved to be a very interesting toastmaster. The school year drew to a close all too rap- idly lor us and after another summer vacation, we found ourselves at our desks again. William Kennedy was re-elected Class President during our Senior year. This last year has been very successful, and we feel that our few years of high school work w ill be of much benefit to us. Page Twenty-five

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I hen I ;mi sure, il we lay our foundation with these blocks, our hearts will contain kindness and respect toward others. I he result, therefore, will be a harmonious character. Not only th it, but a character that w ill stand every temptation that may come to it. The w indows of our structures should be the outlook we have on life. One window must portray pleasant thoughts toward our fellow' creatures. Another must radiate love toward every human being, for love lightens the tasks of life, and prompts us to do our best. And we may show that love by helping the needv, cheering those that are discouraged, and even love our enemies as ourselves! To love our enemies we must practice this true statement “A soft answer turneth away wrath .” Have you tried it? Then I beg of you to try it! Helping the needy and cheering those who are dis- couraged weaves into our lives an eternal happiness. What a great thought Brooker T. Washington expressed when he said, “Helping someone else is the secret to happiness.” If you ha vent one of these characteristics, then may I ask you, do you expect your life to be a success in this world? Are you battling for a better character? If your structure is a failure, tear it down and remodel it! Perhaps you may say, “Well, I haven’t any education, and surely knowledge is the main foundation of character.” Remem- ber, my friend, “Something worse than not having an education is the desire not to learn.” In the language of Bushnell we may say, “Take your duty and be strong in it, as God will make you strong.” Understand also, that the great question here is not what you will get, but w hat you will become. I he greatest wealth you can ever get w ill be in yourself. Take your burdens, and troubles, and losses, and wrongs, if they must be yours, as your opportunities, and know ing that God has girded you for the greater things than these. Oh, to live out such a life as God appoints, how great a thing it is! To do the duties, make the sacrifices, bear the adversities, finish the plan, and then to sav w ith Him, “It is finished. fage Twenty-seven