Hartsville High School - Retrospect Yearbook (Hartsville, SC)

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VALEDICTORY Dear Friends, Teachers and Classmates: Tonight the little boat bearing the Class of 1927 rests at the bending of life’s stream, and we pause awhile to draw in a deep breath for the task that lies ahead. We have come thus far together, enjoying the smooth waters, struggling in the rough weather, laughing with the sunshine, sorrowing with the rain. As we reach this bend the deep and unknown channels of life’s voyage loom suddenly before us, frightening us so with their windings and turnings that we are almost resolved to drop the oars and to let our bark drift whithersoever it may. But if we only look back we can see that the distance we have come is short, and that the banks are still close. It would be pleasant to linger here where the waves are calm, where wc are still together. But larger waters are calling us, and tonight we turn our faces toward deeper streams of active life. Before we go from this quiet channel, we must stop to thank our friends and our teachers who have striven so earnestly to make our journey easier, and to turn out real men and true women from the raw material handed them. To our teachers especially we wish to express our heartfelt appreciation for their patience with us, their interest in us, and their kindness toward us. They have shielded us from rough winds; they have warned us of the evil rocks and shoals. Our thoughts of them shall ever be filled with appreciation for their thoughtfulness. Mr. Thornwell, and members of the Board of Trustees, we realize that it is your silent influence at work that has laid the foundation for this hour and has made it possible for us to stand before you tonight. You have given us our compass and our chart and have piloted us through fair and stormy weather. Though we are going into deeper channels, we feel your eyes will follow us ever. May .you see our colors wave ever high as signals of promise and grateful resolution. Classmates, tonight we seem to have reached the end of our course. We have paddled together through the school-waves behind us, but eacli must row forth alone into deeper channels to come, wherever and into whatever they may lead. Let us, as the billows of life force us apart, keep our green and white, with all that they signify to each of us, ever flying at the mast-head; and so, let us face every duty of the unknown waters bravely and boldly, the principles of honor ever turning the pilot-wheel as we sail to success. Our pilots have striven to impart to us some of their high ideals. Now we are going forth to sign our pames to life’s promissory note, “For value received, I promise to pay.” The value we have received in classes, in lessons, in our associations with our friends. Now life is demanding our promise to pay—not in dollars and cents—but in service, in faithfulness 27

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Here’s a big picture—Opal Powell. If size makes volume, that accounts for this great opera singer who startled the world with her depth of volume. This vision shows Margaret McDonald and Mary Stewart occupied in their work in the Deaf and Dumb School. This is characteristic of their actions in High School days for even there they never opened their mouths. This picture is a sporty one! Sara Parrott is continuing in her many sports. But this snapshot was taken at her favorite one—she is the American Suzanne of the day! It has become fashionable to make attempts to break world’s records and this picture shows that a member of our class is making this attempt. Dorothy McDonald, a world-famed hiker, is passing through on her way to California. Now, that these pictures we have seen, Content with the future, we rest serene. Miriam Gandy, ’27. (This Prophecy was read, Class Day Exercises, Friday morning, May the twenty-seventh. As the names were called the pupils appeared dressed in the costumes they represented in the Prophecy.) 26

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to duty, in the uplift of our neighbors—yea, sometimes, perhaps, in unavailing pain and heartache and tears. There is no limit to the possibilities of our attainments. Let us put our best into life and the best will come back to us. “They say that life is a highway. And the milestones are its years; And now and then there’s a toll-gate Where you pay your way with tears. It’s a rough road and a steep road, And it stretches broad and far; But at last it leads to a golden town Where golden houses are.” Mildred Miller, ’27. 28