Granite City High School - Warrior Yearbook (Granite City, IL)

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4? iic it i tii ZILA BOBBINS, History Department. L. W. GOULD, Commercial Department. LULU WAGGONER, Art Department. BESSIE MORGAN, Asst. Art Department.

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faculty Hlh F. 0. PARISH, Mathematics Department. JULIA D. RANDALL, English Department. EMMA WEST, Asst. Principal. ANNA C. MARTIN, German Departmen t. W. H. ATWOOD, Science Department.

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iH ' ihttrttuvjj (Lhavnimi Once coo =111= OD educates men by casting them upon their own resources. Man learns to swim by being tossed into life’s maelstrom and left to make his way ashore. No one can learn to sail his life-craft in a lake sequestered and sheltered from all storms, where other vessels never come. Skill comes through sailing one’s craft amidst rocks and bars and opposing fleets, amidst storms and whirls andcounter-currents. Decision of character outstrips even talent and genius in the race for success in life. Take for example the life of one of our greatest American historians, Francis Parkman. llis life from childhood was a preparation for his future work. As a child lie was very delicate in health and roamed through the forests at will. Then he began to amass that wood-lore of which his writings hold such rich stores. Later in life he made a famous trip over the Oregon trail and learned by bitter experi- ments the privations of primitive life, llis health was permanently impaired by the trip and he was threatened with blindness, lie was thus compelled to have all his notes read to him and to dictate his histories. For years he was forbidden literary work. However he arose above every obstacle and with silent fortitude bore his sufferings, working whenever lie could, if only a bare half hour at a time. He was a half a century untiringly, at his work; as has been well said, “Nowhere can we find a better illustration of the French critic’s definition of a great life — a thought conceived in youth and realized in later years.’’ Let us then not wait for extraordinary opportunities but have strength and courage to make the most of what we have. Let us fight on with a brave heart although fortune may look dark. There is no defeat except from within. There is really no insurmountable barrier save our own inherent weakness of purpose. We need not go back into history to find examples of strong characters for we have them right in our midst. It is only through the influence of education that we attain this strength of character. In behalf of the class of 1914 I wish to express my thanks to the members of the School Board for the opportunities we have had of obtaining a High School education, and to as- sure them that we appreciate it far more than any other gift which they could have bestowed upon us, for we realize that, “Education is a companion, which no misfortune can depress — no crime destroy — no enemy alienate — no despotism enslave.’ We have many things to be thankful for;our new High School building, the privilege our parents have given us of taking up and completing the High School course and the splendid corps of teachers which the School Board obtained as our instructors. Although we had the trials and difficulties which all Seniors must endure we have, on the whole, enjoyed our work and we feel our-selves indebted to each individual member of the faculty for the careful instructions which we have received in their respective depart- ments. We feel that it is largely to them that our success thus far is due. Tin lessons which they have taught us have made impressions on our hearts that will last forever. Fellow Classmates, it is with pleasure that we look back to the years we have spent in the High School. We are exultant because we have overcome all the difficulties that beset our way. Yet this feeling of exultation is now mingled with one as to the certainty of future suc- cess. May we strive for success in life with the same determination with which we have fought our way through the High School. - 16