Fairmont High School - Maple Leaves Yearbook (Fairmont, WV)

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DEDICATION HREE years ago, there came into our midst one who has since shown to us in many ways his true ability, bj his leadership, help, suggestions, and en- couragement. He has strived in every way to improve our school system and to make our work a more pleasant task. This man whom we now know as our super- intendent of schools, was educated at Dickinson College, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he re- ceived his Bachelor of Arts degree, and at Co- lumbia University, in New York City, where he was awarded a Master of Arts degree. He served faithfully for twelve years as the superintendent of the Parkersburg schools, before coming to Fairmont. During the time he has been with us, his help has been silently administered, without being realized by the students directly; yet always his guiding presence is felt. This year, more than ever before, we have .noticed the many contribu- tions of this helper, for he has been in closer contact with us continually, since the offices of the board of education have been moved to our own school building. We of the junior class think of this adminis- trator as the knights thought of Merlin. The knights did the actual deeds, met the foe and received the glory, if the winners; but back of the act was the steady, unerring direction of Merlin, who, sure of his action, expected no par- ticular attention or praise, and did not receive it. It is, therefore, with great pleasure and pride that we, the 1934 Class of Fairmont Senior High School, respectfully dedicate this pictorial record of our junior year to Mr. Harry E. Odgers.

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PROLOGUE HE SWORD is proffered for your hand! Seize, take it! It is the key to this, the book of golden memories. Do not grasp harshly with view to criticism. We, no matter how versed in erudition, possess the all too human faults. We lay this, our edition of the end of the second stage of life, full of youth- ful fancies, tinged with stark realities, before you. May the Gods dismiss all ponderosity. First we must mount our ethereal steeds, the clouds of fancy and sentiment, and drift back- ward to the days of chivalry—backward to the court of King Arthur, the monarch with arable mind, unimpeachable ethics, and abstemious opin- ions. Fundamentally, the adventurers of old were divided into three classes; namely, Kings and noble Lords, Knights mounted on fiery steeds, and Squires who aided the Knights with ever- ready spear. The classes in this order corre- spond (as we have arranged) to seniors, mighty Lords who hold dominion over sea and land; juniors, adventurers, studies of knightly grace; and sophomores, squires, aspirants to knighthood and nobility. King Arthur was ever surrounded by good and faithful knights. These knights personified Loyalty — Arthur, Purity. He won his lands through this Loyalty and through this Purity, guided by Merlin, the wizard. Today, by these words we do not wish to assert egotism, we are guided similarly by our faculty. In our everyday life they advise us, whether they realize it or not, to discipline our minds and prepare us for life’s solemn dance. But enough of this! We are robbing you of your share of burnished remembrances while you are filled with depths of contented melancholy, and a symphony creates tender, wandering thoughts. We have accepted our challenge; on high is held our torch. The diminishing vigor or blindness of youth shall keep alive this flame until we shall toss the torch dimmed by the dis- appearing power to our posterity to leap again to its full height. The power will someday wane so low that grasping hands, craving for the flame of Youth, will clutch in vain and slipping, will fall into the misty depths from whence all repe- tition springs. The Great Certainty will once again have obtained its prey. Thus with a sound mind and a youthful body did Arthur grasp the sword from the Lady of the Lake, starting his career. Thus do we begin our reminiscence.

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CONTENTS ADMINISTRATION CLASSES ORGANIZATION ATHLETICS FEATURES ADVERTISING