Fort Dodge High School - Dodger Yearbook (Fort Dodge, IA)

Page 17 text:

KENNETH DUANE MILLER S11pm'i:1z'rr1rlz'11l Pageant of Youth 'Y It is a real privilege to be associated with the schools and to have an oppor- tunity to watch the pageant of youth. Each particular age has its own peculiar charm. The kindergarten child astonishes us by his unschooled egoism, his love of action, and his restlessness under control. The grade child struggles to do what is expected of him and hungers for his teacher's appreciation and approval. The junior high school pupil is neither child nor adult, but is struggling nobly out of one into the other. The newly arrived freshman searches feverishly for his proper place in the larger environment of the high school, and hopes that no one notices the mistakes he imagines he is making. The self-conscious sophomore rattles his buckle and sword and thereby keeps up his cour- age while struggling after his ideal. The junior smiles hopefully and then bites his lip in his determination to play well his part and to manifest a nonchalant self- sufficiency. The senior walks carefully and works persistently to justify his ex- alted position, and to cover the ever- present misgivings tugging at his heart. The college student strolls carelessly about in his new-found freedom but with a burning desire to be worthy and to appear collegiate. The whole pageant of youth is de- lightfully refreshing. Fro-in childhood to maturity it hurries along naturally and hopefully, manifesting an ever increasing group of fine qualities such that we older ones take courage about their individual and collective safety. Their rapid develop- ment in every direction stimulates our faith in them and in the successful out- come of their efforts. To each of you who helps to make up this pageant of youthf' I bring greetings. I have respect for you, hope in you, expect much from you, care a lot for you, and wish you Godspeed. Sincerely yours, K. D. Miller page nine