Hamburg High School - Echoes Yearbook (Hamburg, NY)

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Halnhirturg By RUTH ECKHARDT This evening will be a most memorable occasion. VVe fully appreciate the importance of this event as we are about to begin that growth which will make us like our symbol, the tree, deep rooted in those things which make for strength of character in men and women, and ever desirous of stretching outward and upward toward that which is highest and best. The years which we have spent in our Alma Mater under the able and efheient tutelage of our instructors have, we believe, well Htted us for such growth. It will now remain for us to so develop that those under whose charge we have been in the past few years may feel that the nurture which they gave us was not in vain. However, we cannot now fully View the sky of our future. Deep rooted in the earth of early training we shall push upward and still higher as a tree stretches through the storm and sunshine toward the sky. VVith courage and determination we shall strive to gain a clearer sky and a broader view and if we do not reach our highest ideals, we shall have known the glory of aiming high. And now classmates, fortune may so dictate that we may never again be privileged to all meet face to face. But in bidding you adieu I would say to you in the Words of the poet: A small seed planted from an unknown tree Such is the future, friends, To you and me. How the seed upgroweth God only knoweth. But plant the seed: What's done in faith, is done in deed. Page lzvenly-s'r'ven

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Salutatnrg By IEYALYN E. Rmcn Teachers, Classmates, Friends :- In the great Book of Books we read, And the people brought gifts unto the house of the Lord-of their substance brought they-each man according to his ability and the temple of the Lord was buildedf, WT, the Class of '25, stand tonight in such a temple-the finished product of years of toil and sacrificeg made possible by the gifts of the people and the skill of the builders. It is a privilege granted to us and it is fitting that we not only pay tribute to this marvelous fulfillment of hope and dreams but also from this, draw a lesson of achievement and sacrifice. For four years we have builded together and we trust we have builded well. Now we must be ready to face the future-fearless and unafraid. Tonight we are gathered together for the last time as a class. But let us not be sad-let us look into the land of the tomorrow and confidently salute what the future may bring. VVe ,have builded our lives upon a firm foundation. God grant that, when the storms of life beat upon us, the structure may stand. 'As in a building stone rests upon stone and stone, and wanting the foundation, all would be wanting, so in human life each action rests upon the foregoing event that made it possible but is forgotten and buried in the earth. --We, the class of nineteen hundred and twenty-five, welcome you tonight to review with us the past, to share with us our joy in the present and to anticipate with us the hopes of the future. Page flvenly-sin:

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Zliiterarg 2-Xrhieuenwnta nf 1525 fThis oration won scco-nd prize in the Express contest, May 25, 1925, for uf7CStI31'1L New York Districtj Qbur Glnnztitutirm- Uhr 1-Inpe uf the worth By Nancy Brown Yates Thick black darkness-torn by the wavering light of the moon-and patched again with gray Heecy clouds-the vastness of the ocean-the splashing of the waves as the prow of the boat cleaves the water-one lone star in the deep blue vault of heaven, and quiet, deep, silent quiet. At the rail of the boat a crowd of mute, khaki-clad figures peering, searching through the night with eager eyes-There! away to the westward! a tiny spot of white light! It wavers and casts a shaft of brilliance over the entire sky. Liberty! Home! A mighty shout and then a sudden hush, tears on their cheeks and silent prayers on their lips in thankfulness to the Almighty for His guidance in their long struggle for the right and for His care in their long journey. Why is this Statue of Liberty such a stirring sight to the weary traveller, the alien or the American? lVhy is it that when his gaze first rests upon it his heart swells to bursting and his blood runs riot through his veins? Men have been drawn from every race and from every clime because of an irresistable longing for the attainment of the American Ideal. They have thought of America as lifting, like this great statue in the New York harbor, the torch of Liberty to light the pathway of men to things which they most desire. And men of all sorts and of all conditions have struggled toward this light and have come here with an eager yearning to realize their Utopian dreams. It is symbolic of America's offer to mankind, the right to live and to be happy in the freedom of worship, of speech, of action. It is the symbol of the land of opportunity and the protection of the individualls rights. As the immigrant gazes at this figure a question slowly formulates in his mind and it is: VVhy can America offer this to me which no other nation under the sun offers? Wherein lies America's unquestioned greatness F Some one hundred and thirty years ago, in a certain time-worn, little old hall in Philadelphia was born a new conception of government. There in that diminutive chamber met fifty-five men of rare ability, superior intellect and unselfish character. They were men who understood men and governments, their weaknesses and their virtues. And on that memorable spring morning in 1787 each keenly felt the seemingly hopeless task that faced him but was determined, with the help of God, to give to America a government essential to the needs of her people. For four exhausting months they toiled, argued, pleaded, threatened, and finally their patience was rewarded. They came out of that battle, the greatest they had ever fought, with a document which' was the future Constitution of the United States of America ready for presentation to the states for ratification-now our Constitution. It put old Page twenty-eight