Ionia High School - Ionian Yearbook (Ionia, MI)

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VALEDICTORY Friends: We, as graduates, are leaving our school days behind us and facing a vast and challenging problem. In our high school training we have been prepared to meet this decisive test. Like the ancient Greek hero Ulysses, we are starting forth on a trip of adventure and exploration. Although not looking for new lands and people to conquer, we shall be seeking wisdom and experience. The elusive phantom, understanding, is captured by so few that he who succeeds is considered one of a select group. We may take either of two attitudes toward our task—a weak, resistless one, or the dauntless attitude of the unconquerable Ulysses. Our whirlpool of Charybdis will not be a visible one, but will be rather the depths of despair, into which it will be easy to fall if we lose our bearings and wander off the course. Achieving a broadening education is not a pleasure trip. Many have found, to their dismay, that learning and hard work go hand in hand. We must not expect to receive only the one and to escape the other. Perhaps many of us will have difficulty in choosing one field of life work when so many interesting ones lie open before us. The idea that we must limit ourselves to one course and live only one life has its disturbing and irksome side. If we find it necessary to wander from one study to another before a definite plan is elected, we should be like the famous philosopher, a part of all that we have met; we should gain some value from every experience with which we are confronted. Then, when we finally achieve the goal of success, these periods of indecision will not have been in vain; they will have added to our growth and development. We must not continue to experiment with different vocations and never finish the task of perfecting ourselves in one. The dilettante’s way of hinting at his great potentialities does not actually deceive the clear thinkers. They realize that he is only trying to fool them, and perhaps himself also, into thinking that he could have achieved wonderful results if he had really wanted to. Although few of us realize it, energy must be expended in order to fail. It is natural for a person to want success. Now if this desire to make the most of ourselves is overcome, that is, if we allow ourselves to be failures, a powerful struggle must be waged against the forces of life. Let us, instead, use our will power towards gaining an honorable place and achieving that which all of us desire. Success is usually in only one line. To counteract this narrowing atmosphere, much of our leisure can be spent in broadening our life through literature and through our imagination. Reading acquaints us with many peoples and lands, and our imagination allows us to visit them, thus breaking the monotony of our regular existence. A motto that seems appropriate for us now is one from Tennyson given through the lips of the invincible though buffeted Ulysses: To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.” John Lombard 19

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SALUTATORY Friends, the class of 1936 extends to you a most cordial welcome. With pleasure and with sadness, we approach the goal toward which we have been striving for four years. We are indebted to our parents and teachers who have given us guidance and inspiration. Now we must enter a larger field; we must make decisions for ourselves. For many of us the lessons learned in classrooms, on athletic field, and in school activities will be our only real capital. The time is at hand when we, as a class, must part. We may tread different paths, but we will always be bound by common bonds of friendship. We are one family, ready always to help each other, and always faithful to our Alma Mater. To me, the friendships formed in school are of greatest significance. When we realize that each parent, each teacher, each classmate, everyone who has made this day possible, is our friend—we are strengthened and encouraged to face the future with confidence. During our exercises today I bid you listen to our chosen representatives as they review the past, take part in the present, and peer into the distant future. Parents, teachers, friends—who do us the honor to be present today —we salute and welcome you. William Webster 18

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PRESIDENTS ADDRESS Parents, Teachers, Friends: Today marks one of the outstanding events of our lives. For four years we have looked forward to this goal with enthusiastic eagerness. We are proud of our attainment and yet we realize that only your encouragement and cooperation have made it possible. It is difficult for many of us to realize the type of education which present social and economic changes are demanding. We have reached the point where a man’s success can no longer be evaluated by mere possession of dollars and cents. Experience has taught us that education must be regarded not as a means of securing a high salaried position, but as a social attribute intended to prepare us for world citizenship. We are no longer confined to our own local communities, but are fast becoming world neighbors. There are state, national, and world problems, which can only be solved by the combined efforts of individuals. Therefore, I believe that the major role of our school today is to prepare us to meet these world problems and to render intelligent solutions. I feel confident that Ionia High School has done its part in preparing us for this task. We, the seniors of ’36, are indeed grateful to all of you for the opportunities you have offered us. To you, parents, we wish to express our sincere appreciation for your encouragement and support. It has been through your sacrifices that we have reached our goal. We are genuinely grateful to the faculty for their splendid help and cooperation. Their attitude and willing suggestions have been an important factor in awakening within us a desire for knowledge. We wish to thank the business men for their whole-hearted backing of our school activities. To the tax-payers and the Board of Education, we wish to express our thanks for making it possible for us to attend school. On behalf of the officers, I wish to compliment the members of the class on their cooperation in backing the various senior activities. This spirit has made each and every one of these activities a success. To each of you, I wish continued advancement and happiness in the future. 20 Elwood Brake