Germantown High School - Record Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 12 text:

UNE AS THE TWIG IS BENT SAMUEL N. BAXTER President-Germantown Horticultural Society Arboriculturist-Fairmount Park Commission REES! What a splendid symbol to characterize the Yearbook of the Germantown High School Graduating Class of 1940. Tress, typical of service to mankind, grace, poise, beauty, contentment and ruggedf ness. And what school in our great land is more entitled to symbolize trees than Germantown High? Was it not on the very site of the school, as com' rnemorated by the tablet facing Germantown Avenue, that Christopher Witt possessed one of the first gardens in the Colonies, antedating even that of the historic Bartram's Garden on the Schuylkill River? Four years ago you came to Germantown High, transplanted from the seed beds of your respective elementary schools. For four years you have been growing in this nursery, watched over and trained by your faculty that on this, your graduation day, you might be straight, well rooted and well branched, as you are today transplanted again to other soils to live your life in society. In these four years, some of you may have grown stronger than others, but all of you have been nurtured, pruned of superfluous branches, staked, as does the nurseryman, to correct any defects in the habit of branching. Today the faculty presents you to the world, proud of their product, as would be any nurseryman who takes pride in growing firstfclass trees. 10 NINETEEN FORT

Page 11 text:

UNE NINETEEN FORT To the Class of june, 1940: Your Committee has done well to invite Mr. Samuel N. Baxter to be its guest writer. You have chosen the tree as the symbol for your book, and no one could be better fitted than Mr. Baxter to write in keeping with this symbol or emblem.. For many years he has been interested in our parks and public squares, and all of the trees on the property of the city are in his care. No one could better know or more fully appreciate the significance of trees in the lives of men, nor the qualities which they portray. For many years also Mr. Baxter has been interested in this school and the boys and girls whom it serves. A loyal resident of Germantown, he has been vitally interested in its young people. Read his message carefully. ' la Principal. 9

Page 13 text:

JUNE -.NINETEEN FORTY And, personified as such a tree, you possess the ability to bring happif ness to mankind and an abundant life for yourself. Shun the barren soil of temptations which, though attractive on the surface, makes for a stunted growth and decay. Let the roots of your efforts seek the fertile soil of rightf eousness, that you may experience the joy of a healthy growth, long life, fruitfulness, and a character, the shade of which mankind will seek for council, comfort and courage. Great as may be the faculty's interest in your success and future growth, even greater is that of your parents. Today they fondly watch your passing of a milestone along this great highway of life. Your mother and father are proud of you. To some of them it has been a sacrifice to have you comf plete these four years. Your graduation is their reward and how they cherish this event! You owe it to them to seek the fertile soil of high endeavor and become a healthy tree, for a healthy tree is better fitted to ward off the evil of insect pests and disease and to bear fruit more abundantly. .... every good tree bringeth forth good fruitg but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Do not be discouraged if you do not attain the height of a redwood. A spreading oak gives more shade. If you cannot be a rugged pine, rememf ber there's grace in a hemlock. There's a place in this world for every kind of a tree. Select the kind of tree that you admire the most and resolve that it shall be your inspiration and ambition to be a tree that men will look up to. And remember, by your fruits shall you be known! 11