Ionia High School - Ionian Yearbook (Ionia, MI)

Page 22 text:

IONIAN 1931 Herbert Tafei Band ’28-’29-’30- 31. Orchestra ’28-’29-’30-’31. Basketball ’31. Track ’30-’31. Course — Aianual Arts. Richard Hodgkins Glee Club ’29. Operetta ’30. Course — Commercial. £ 18]

Page 21 text:

1931 IONIAN Royal Osborn Course — Commercial. Ida Mae Kennedy G. A. A. ’29. Course — Commercial. Norene Gemuend G. A. A. ’29. Course — Commercial. Victor Schipper Band ’28-’29-’30-’31. Orchestra ’28-’29. Course — Manual Arts. Audrey Wortman G. A. A. ’29-'30-’31. French Club ’30-’31. Course — College Preparatory. Lionel Normington Track ’28-’30-’31. Operetta ’30-’31. Course — General. Florence Leach G. A. A. ’29-’30. Course — College Preparatory. Eldora Storey Course — Scientific. Gerald Comer Band ’28-’29. Baseball ’28-’29-’30-’31. Orchestra '28. Basketball ’30-’31. Course -— College Preparatory. Reva Covert Chorus '27. Course — College Preparatory. Francis Higgins Operetta ’28. Chorus ’28-’29-’30-’31. Course — Commercial. Sarah Jane Bloomer Glee Club '27-’28-’31. French Club ’29-’30-’31. Senior Play. Course — College Preparatory. [17]

Page 23 text:

President's Address mi IONIAN FRIENDS: Tomorrow, this large group of young people before you will receive their diplomas and enter the portals of the Ionia High School Alumni Association. In thinking of this fact, I cannot let it pass from my mind without reminiscing a bit of the past, and also wondering what lies before us in the future. We have spent four years on this campus and it has naturally become a part of us and has grown to mean a great deal to us. Here on these grounds we have had many en- joyable times and also have had our little problems which at the time seemed very monumental, but at a moment like this seem very small indeed. I believe that our class in its four years as a part of the Ionia school has made as good a record as any class graduated before it. Tomorrow, we shall take separate paths and each one will go his or her own way in life. Some will go to college, others in our group will enter other lines of work. We are all standing on the threshold of life, and what we do in the next eight years will determine our contributions to society. If there be any failures in this march of life, there will be those who will say that they were decreed by Fate or Destiny. I cannot agree, for it is my firm belief that we can make our lives whatever we want them to be. Of course, the road may be rough at times and it may seem very dark ahead, nevertheless, if we are sincere and persevering in our efforts, we can succeed. These two qualities, sincerity and per- severence, spell success in every walk of life. There are thousands to tell you it cannot he done, There are thousands to prophecy failure, There are thousands to point out to you one by one, The dangers that wait to assail you. But fust buckle in with a bit of a grin. Just take off your coat and go to it, fust start into sing as you tackle the thing That 'cannot be done,’ and you'll do it.” If we remember these words, and when failure appears ahead, just repeat, fust start into sing as you tackle the thing That 'cannot be done,' and you’ll do it.” fewer disappointments in life will occur. Already certain members of our class under the handicap of a poor high school building, which we well know, have made splendid records. Our Valedictorian, Mary Piper, has a one hundred per cent record which has never before been equaled in the history of the school. Our Salutatorian, Pauline Schied, has a record as high as the average Valedictorian. Arthur Riven’s splendid work as manager of the Annual has made its success possible. In athletics, Albert Kowatch, the last of the Kowatch brothers, has followed in his brothers footsteps by showing outstanding athletic ability. I also wish to mention Helen Kirshman, whose outstanding work in typewriting has brought honors to the school. In 1930, she won the district con- test held at Kalamazoo. To these comrades, I extend my heartiest congratulations. I could mention others, but time will not permit. In closing, I wish to thank the members of the faculty for their assistance in bringing our high school career to a happy ending. I personally wish to thank the members of the class for your splendid cooper- ation in carrving on the numerous activities which has taken place in the past year, and extend my sincerest wishes for success in whatever walk of life you choose to enter. Philip Faude [ 19]