Grand Ledge Academy - Ledge Lore Yearbook (Grand Ledge, MI)

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Valedictory Tonight this graduating class finds itself on the threshold of a new life. We are now realizing the hopes and desires that we have cherished for many years. We have waited for this night so eagerly and yet we dreaded it, because from this time on we will be called upon to face new conditions and ways of life strange to us. Never before, however, have there been such opportunities for young men and women. Scientists have made discoveries that have opened new fields and with a large demand for skilled workers the older industrial businesses are experiencing a boom which will create many new positions. Whatever course we follow-whether we go to college or whether we immediately try to get a start in life--we can enter upon it with the knowledge that we have been helped in every possible way to meet these changing conditions of life. The years spent in high school are meant to develop your social instincts as well as your educational ones. Your success in life will probably depend more on your personality than your wisdom. That is why one per- son may rise higher in life than another with the same degree of intelligence, and why club activities and social relations are stressed by the instructors. The friends you make may be one of the greatest things you can get from high school. It may mean more to you later than all the knowledge you gleaned from textbooks. To many, the breaking of these friendships is the saddest part of graduating. But I believe that they are not past friendships but future friendships. The foundations of a real friendship will not be broken because you do not see that person every day. After grad- uating, one should build upon these friendships, not to forget them. l would like to say this to the students who have yet to graduate and to the parents who will have sons and daughters still to go through high schoolg participation in extra-curricular activities is one of the most important things in school. What they take part in, whether athletics, dra- matics, or different clubs is not of special importance, but these activities in themselves help one make friends and learn how to conduct himself in society. A student may be among the highest in intelligence but if he does not take part in group activities he has missed half of what school holds for him. Marks alone are not a true standard by which to tell how well a person will succeed. A student may have interest in only one subject and go on to excel in that particular field. A good scientist or singer does not have to know a lot about history or language to succeed. But any person with the right amount of intelligence, sociability, and industry will make a success in any walk of life. l know that college is one of the uppermost questions in the minds of the seniors and of our parents. Perhaps we don't feel that our average marks justify our going to college. But if a student has just one subject in which he shows special ability, l think he should be sent to col- lege to develop that ability. ln any case, if a person really wants to go to college, he will undoubtedly benefit by the experience. ln speaking for the other students and myself, l think we should express our gratitude to all the people who have helped us, especially Mr. Sawdon and the teachers who have been our advisers. At times we have felt we were not treated as seniors should be, but now it is easier to admit we were wrong. We will surely profit by the advice you gave us and use it later on to better ourselves. l know that all the students here have great plans for their future life, and what success we may achieve will have its foundings in these years we have spent in high school. -WALLACE HOLMES. Fifty-three

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Fifty-two Salutatory Fellow Classmates, Members of the Faculty, the Board of Education, Parents, and Friends: This is an outstanding event for us, the Graduating Class of l94l, and we cordially greet each and everyone of you-you who have helped to make our high school successful. Much of our success would not have been possible had it not been for the cooperation and continuous effort of the faculty and Mr. Sawdon. Also, many thanks go to our parents who have done so much to make our high school worthwhile. Some, it is true, will be able to continue our education while the rest of us will undoubtedly be seeking employment in various fields. Of course, some will follow the careers chosen when in school while the others will select new ones, perhaps far different from those previously considered. When we entered high school as Freshmen, we had our hopes and dreams of what we believed the future held in store for us. It seemed an interminable time until our graduation days would arrive. Now that they have arrived, in far less time than we believed could be possible, we are wonder- ing what the future really does hold in store for us. We discover that we, too, are facing the same old question that generations before us have had to face- What will tomorrow bring? just what will it bring? No one is certain, but whatever our lot or our destiny, it is our duty to be honest and worthy American citizens so that our friends may feel that their trust in us will be fulfilled. Many of our friendships formed in school will be memories after we leave these halls, diplomas in our hands. These memories will remain, however, when in later years we think back to the activities of our school days. We sincerely hope that we may face the future with confidence. l..et's keep looking forward with hope and faith! The future starts tomorrow! lt is for us to step forth and realize new achievements. --VIRGENE LIETZKE.

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HARRY O. CULP INSURANCE -:- SURETY BONDS -:- NOTARY PUBLIC YOUR PATRONAGE APPRECIATED 332 EAST JEFFERSON STREET PHONE 224J Grand Ledge Lumber Co. Hats Off! TO THE CLASS OF 1941 COMPLETE gglggngc Phone l57 GEO'S TEXACOASSERVICE WEST JEFFERSON ,STREET O Compliments of COMPLIMENTS Grand Ledge Produce Co. The COAL and COKE R S DOTY Mgr. Ph 60 INDEPENDENT O Compumenfs of COMPLIMENTS OF RAIMER BARBER SHOP CLARK and SPEEDY MABREY'S GRILL C mplimems of CONGRATULATIONS TO GRAND CLASS OF l94l CHAIR -- SUN - COMPANY T H E A T R E COMPLIMENTS OF -- - - STUART W. DOTY -- INSURANCE