Eisenhower High School - Lance Yearbook (Russell, PA)

Page 15 text:

We, the students and faculty, welcome Mr. Ralph Brown, as the new principal to our school. He is replacing Mr. Harold Guthrie, who has accepted a professorship in the graduate school at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It has been a pleasure to have served as your principal these latter months of 1972. Your many acts of kindness to me personally, your consideration for your teachers and classmates, and your vitality as a senior class--all have impressed upon me the memory of the Class of 1972. There are some who view their graduation with a certain sense of loss, an understandable viewpoint, for there is no turning back. Do you remember the experience of coming back to a familiar place after a long absence? Do you remember the feeling of separation, a certain sence of things not being as you left them? Graduation may be like that. None of you is ever really coming back to Eisenhower High School. Eisenhower could never be for you again what it has been. Graduations are sad for that reason. Fortunately, however, life is not a backward-looking but a forward-looking proposition; and people, especially young people, are resilient and resourceful. You have been prepared for this change in your lives. If we have done our jobs well, you face the future with hope, self-confidence, and purpose. It is my wish that you go boldly from this place; that you each determine to live a life fully and joyfully; and that you find meaning and happiness in your lives by freely giving yourselves to your fellow man. 11

Page 17 text:

The 1971-1972 school year was noticably different for both faculty and students as several days throughout the year were scheduled as partial days for students. This is one small indication of the change that is taking place at Eisenhower to improve educational offerings to students. We know that the mode of living is changing rapidly and that society is placing many new demands on its members. We also know that society expects its educational institutions to determine student interests and needs and prepare students to hold productive positions which contribute to the good of mankind. In an effort to operate the educational institution more efficiently and more in line with contemporary educational and social thought, the partial student days were used by the faculty and administration to launch an extensive self study. Our purpose was simple: To revise the existing program to better meet the needs of today's student. The Class of 1972 may not directly benefit from this specific study but they will benefit by having their secondary school experience in a school that was open to new ideas and was constantly searching for avenue of improvement. It may have been more expedient to resist change and to earnestly pursue the status quo. Doing the same kinds of things day after day without due regard to their educational and social merit is not in the true spirit of the Eisenhower High School, however. Be proud of the opportunities you have had as a student at Eisenhower to develop many of the skills needed for a responsible and wholesome life. As graduates of the school, each member of the Class of 1972 has a great responsibility to carry the spirit and tradition of the school always. DR. HAROLD D. GUTHRIE, Principal. The graduating class of 1972, graduates as one of distinction. You are the first to complete the cycle under the Eisenhower Plan. We have watched your growth, your maturation, your acceptance of challenge and responsibility given you by this school. You have done well, but it has not been without conflict. Our faith in each other as individuals has never been seriously challenged. This high school is better because you were here. You have helped this school mature because you were willing to work hard to make things better. Your graduation will mark another milestone which is a beginning and not an end for you. 1 have faith and pride in you because I know you will make this a better world to live in, because you will strive to achieve this end. Congratulations to you! May you achieve a greatness worthy of you and your ability as an individual. JOHN NEESE, Assistant Principal. 13