Fredericksburg High School - Rapahanoc Yearbook (Fredericksburg, VA)

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innate of tfje Class of ’25 VERY pansy takes life from a tiny, rough seed, very insignificant in appearance. So every graduate must begin High School life as a Freshman. The cold, damp earth seems very strange to the little pansy seed, at first, just as the High School is frighteningly unfamiliar to the “P reside.” However, as time passes these surroundings become more and more familiar to both the pansy seed and the Freshman, until they begin to love and honor their foster home. When we, the class of ' 25, entered F. H. S., we were all seized by that feeling of awe and wonder which possesses the soul of the pansy seed when it is buried in the earth. We, too, were frightened by the obstacles before us, but by courage and faith those obstacles have been overcome. In the place of the pebbles and hard earth which the pansy had to struggle against we found other terrors. We, from the Elementary School, were buried in piles of formidable books, entitled, Fatin, Algebra, History, and English. Just as the pansy seed received a drop of water to encourage growth, so we were given kind words of encouragement by our tender gardeners, the faculty of F. H. S. Then after many trials a tiny green sprout burst through the coat of the pansy seed. Thus we burst the bonds of our Freshman year and passed into the great unknown—the Sopho¬ more year at High. The second stage of its growth is the most difficult for the pansy, for the little green sprout must push its way up through the earth to the air. We, also, found our second year to be the most difficult. Most of us encountered as our first obstacle, the art of reading Caesar! But, behold, the tiny green sprout has pushed against a truly hard clot of clay. We, too, feel the effect, for there beside us stands Second Year Algebra — the horror of every Sophomore. Through the careful guidance of our beloved head gardener, Mr. Dickinson, most of us managed to break the clay and pass through. This brought the pansy sprout out into the open air and brought to it the first ray of sunshine, just as it brought to us our first real pride and happiness—for we were then Juniors. The pansy plant, now, really begins to enjoy life, for although there are still many difficulties to be met, there is much joy brought

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MARGARET E. WILLIAMSON. BETTIE BARBARA WINN “No magic can sever Thy music from thee.” “II onesi labor bears a lovely face.” Cum Laude ’22, ’23, ’24; Populus Romanus ' 24; Literary Editor “Spotlight” ’24; Art Editor “Cat’s Whiskers” ’25; Associate Editor “Rap- ahanoc” ’25; Athletic Association ' 25; Junior League ’25; Manager Junior Basketball ' 24; Wilson Literary Society ’24; Freshman Basket¬ ball Team. This is our little singer who helps us out on many a program. Margaret Eliza¬ beth has a beautiful voice, which does her much credit. We are all fond of her and enjoy ourselves chatting or quibbling with her. She does well in her studies, too, and we feel assured that she will win for herself a notable place in life. SENIOR K Kenmore Literary Society League ’25. ’24; Junior Bettie pays us a visit every morning from Stafford. She has been with the class only two years, but has made a place for herself by her willingness to help in any way, and her readiness to support F. H. S. She is very modest, it is true, but we know Bettie for the good friend that she is. CIAXX [ 39 ]

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to it by the sunshine and the music of the birds. As the third stage is most joyful to the pansy, so was our Junior year the jolliest for us Our class was well represented, in both the literary and athletic activities of the school. Our greatest literary achievement was the “High School Spotlight’’ published by the Junior class of 1924. We are proud to say that this was the only paper to be issued by one class during our whole High School life. But now, we see a tiny bud bursting forth from among the green leaves of the pansy plant, and this warns us that our Senior year is at hand. At the time when the pansy is bursting into full bloom we may truly say that it is rewarded for all its struggles by the beauty of its blossom. Our Senior year has also brought forth the fruits of our labor. Our studies this year have been made most delightful, and we have received the full co-operation of our gardeners in all our undertakings. Whatever successes we may have achieved have been in a large degree due to the careful guidance of these, our friends. And now, while the dainty pansy is proclaiming the joyful mes¬ sage of Spring, we, too, have a message to give. To our school¬ fellows we wish to say that in the four years of High School life, lies the opportunity which will never be offered again. Seize it! For school days come but once. And to everyone we say, in the words of Rabbi Ben Ezra—in life, “See all, trust God, nor be afraid.’’ —Margaret Williamson.