Grant High School - Memoirs Yearbook (Portland, OR)

Page 31 text:

“The memorial of virtue is immortal because it is known with God and with men. When it is present, men take example of it; and when it is gone, they desire it. It weareth a crown and triumpheth forever, having gotten the victory striving for undefiled rewards. Honorable age is not that which standeth in length of time nor that is measured by number of years.” Since the final arrangements for installing the murals and the first large contributions toward the fund to purchase them were made in our freshman year, and since it was during our reign as seniors that the murals were finally completed and dedicated, our class feels an ineffable sense of pride in them — almost a sense of ownership, which can be experienced by neither previous nor subsequent graduating classes. We feel a more fitting memorial to Mr. Fletcher could not have been erected. We believe that every class that enters our portals will derive the same enjoy- ment from them that we have this term and profit by the same principles which we have found so clearly and nobly set forth in these murals. These principles will never become anachronous; the beauty and truth embedded in them will endure forever: the upraised arms of the youth will never be lowered, and the torch borne by the maiden will never be extinguished, but they both will forever symbolize truth. “Beauty is truth, truth beauty,” and “a thing of beauty is a joy forever.”

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“In memory of William Thomas Fletcher. Born March 28, 1876. Died July 9, 1928. First principal of Ulysses S. Grant High School, 1924. Teachers and students were his friends. He trusted them, and they trusted him. By precept and example he taught that good citi- zens are the nation’s strength and that life itself is a sacred trust.” These murals were painted by Carl Hoeckner, who was born in Munich, December 19, 1883. He has studied in Hamburg, Cologne, and Munich. Mr. Hoeckner has painted murals which are now in many of the principal cities of Europe and America and has been the recipient of numerous awards made by the most notable art societies of the world. The composition of the murals aims by the means of line and color, as well as by the subject matter, at an interpretation of ideals in education. The chain of young people, rising step by step, and hand in hand, striving toward ideal conceptions of manhood and womanhood, is intended as a symbol of all edu- cation. The other parts of the murals are representative of Mr. Fletcher’s background as related to the early pioneer life of Oregon. These murals are dedicated to William T. Fletcher, first principal of U. S. Grant High School. By example he showed that our lives should maintain a balance of all things worth while. All truths of God and man were vital to him. As an individual he radiated charm bom of his intimate knowledge of all phases of life. In spirit his ideals will live forever.

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W II o ? V II E It E ? W II Y ? lUy knees were knocking; my teeth were chattering; my hair was stand- ing on end. I was harassed with every known affliction that attends would-be actors before they enter upon the stage. No, this is not an actor’s autobiography; it is just those little remembrances of trying out for the senior class play. I wonder what this all avails us? Can it be that we are minute playthings for some great unseen who juggles us in and out of life? (Burr! These are cold thoughts, but they at least take my mind off this tryout.) What will become of these seniors? Will they be swept out into humanity, the dazzling world, and be lost in its whirlpool, or will they ascend the heights to fame and glory? It is said that “Life is just a bowl of cherries,” and possibly our seniors take this attitude, kissing goodby to Grant without any feeling other than that of leaving any building, forgetting it almost instantly. But can we forget Grant so soon? Do we consider it a real stepping stone to enlightenment and a place where enlargement and expansion of the mind takes place? I hope we do have this view somewhere in our mind. Some of us will step out and set our aims and ambitions for high attainments, such as science, medicine, banking, history, law, education, and many other fields of expression. Will we go through life riding Fords, learning contract, playing with “yo-yos” and other general nuisances? Gaining experience from these various activities may enlighten our minds to such an extent that we shall wake up and realize that all in all our high school studies are attainments towards true education. To most of us Grant and its teachers have been a perceptible influence that will attend us through our lives and will be a real milepost. This class has acquired a background that at least will better the world to some extent. Whether we shall be doctor or lawyer, our goals will be the same: to better mankind whether for our own benefit or for someone else’s. Tish, it is now my turn to be the tryout goes on. the fool. I feel that sinking feeling again, but —Warren Burton Walker O Y V I i: W I U M T. II O O II The majestic peak, Golden in the rays of the setting sun, Seemed to symbolize the awfulness Of Divine power. The city, With its noise and bustle and triviality, Was lightly covered o’er With a veil of white nothingness. So are our petty cares, When considered with the eternity of nature, Extinguished. At that moment I understood Why men are content to spend their lives In meditation. —Byron Kitching