Jackson County High School - Aiyukpa Yearbook (Walden, CO)

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AIYUKPA 0 I947 new generation. Before us are strange oceans of thought or achievements to be crossed. Each of us feels that he is a new Magellan looking out upon a 11ew world of possibilities and human relations to be circumnavigated. There is an old intelligence test which we would all do well to ponder. Suppose we 001110 to four cross-roads. Vile are without a map and the signpost is lying in a ditch. How are we to tell where the different roads lead? The answer is that since, persumably, we know where we came from we have only to raise the signpost and point the finger having the name of the place which we came from in the right direction and all the other three fingers will automatically come into place. From American history we have learned where the American way of life came from. Vile have learned of the basic importance of giving a good education free to every person and then let nature take its course among people who can read. write, speak, and go to church as they please. If times of turmoil and uncertainty come again we of this generation also may occasionally have to bring the signpost out of the ditch and point one finger back over the progress which has been made in America before our time in order that we may again see clearly where we want to go from where we are. As this graduation formality comes to its closing minutes we are overtaken by a complex mixture of feelings. VVe regret to be leaving this association, both pleasant and important in our lives. Vile look back over the years and find that our school days have been Hllappy days of golden treasure, VVork and play in equal measure. ' Vile resolve to be worthy of the training we have had. VVe are looking anxiously into the future. The Senior Class of 1947 says farewell. kf'N Mr. Lepponen: Can anyone tell me the definition of the word echo? Bill H.: The only thing that can cheat a woman out of the last word. Wilbur: Helen, do you know the definition of a hug? Helen Alice: No, what is it? VVilbur: A round-about way of expressing affection. Yesterday we heard the very last one about our absent minded professor. He slammed his Wife and kissed the door. Page Forty-two

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AIYUKPA 0 1947 VALEDICTCDRY IIELEN IIANSON Ladies and Gentlemen: lt becomes my duty to bid you farewell for the class of 1947 of Jackson County High School. To all those who have come to witness our graduation, friends, teachers, and fellow students, it is my privilege to give a last greeting. Commencement, so long looked forward to, will soon be one of the treasured memories of the past. Graduation from high school presents a unique challenge. lt seems we have suddenly stepped on the threshold that leads i11to a world of enchanting interests and mystic uncertainty. At this time let us resolve to be worthy of the training we have received in this school. This education in this school in this nation is the finest gift from you our parents and the people of North Park, to us. No class in history has ever looked upon a world so torn apart by its own destruction as the world we face today. No other class has ever faced such great opportunities to assist in creating a new world, a world in which there can be peace, prosperity, happiness and harmony. It is our impression that no other class has ever been able to see so clearly the difference between what is good and what is bad for man is welfare, at no other time in history has there ever been presented such boundless possibilities for useful careers. Some of us who graduate today have completed our formal education be- cause we are anxious to go to work. Others will continue their education through college. Regardless of the future of individuals, we are all aware that this is an extraordinary time to be graduating from high school. NVe are greatly challenged by the responsibilities and opportunities that lie before us. ln America we have always believed that education is the greatest gift of a nation to its youth, and that upon this gift depends our way of life. Thomas Jefferson expressed this view when he said, Ulf the people expect to be free and independent, and at the same time ignorant and il'iterate, they are expecting something that never has been or never will be. School life aims to fit youth to participate actively in community affairs, to cooperate and at the same time to tl1i11k independently, to assume responsi- bility and help solve problems, to take part i11 school government, to win honors and to suffer consequences of mistakes. Such training has been a basic element in the growth of our country and it constitutes the greatest gift of the people to the youth of any country. XVe cannot be responsible for events of the past, but we will be responsible for the events of our own generation. VVe are on the frontiers of thought for a Page Forty one

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AIYUKPA 0 up 1947 SALUTATCDRY Doms IIAKONSON To the friends gathered here, to the teachers who l1ave been our guides, it is 1ny privilege to extend a most cordial welcome. NVe greet you with lasting gratitude and high respect, for it is due to your toil and sustaining interest in our behalf that we are ready to graduate today. XVe leave in good hands the halls that we have known so long and grown to love so much, for the class that is to take cur place here is well worthy of the privileges that have been ours. The faculty who has worked to make this day possibe for us, we leave with a feeling' of appreciation and regret. VVe welcome our parents whose lasting faith in us reaches its fulfillment here today. Without their help and faith, this day would 11ot have been realized. There are many who believe that we who graduate today are stepping out into an era. which will witness greater changes in a shorter period of time than have ever occurred before. NYe feel that with the education we have had and that which we shall have in the future, we are prepared for these changes al- though we can not visualize what they are to he. YVe are aware, however, that in our lives and recent years there have been events so unbefievable as to rival myths and fairy tales. XVe face this changing' world before us not with cowardice but with eager- ness and we dedicate ourselves, our ambitions and our hopes to the task of peaceful living. ln this age in which we are to take our places, leadership must be based o11 ability to think of ways to maintain peace among nations. One of our hopes is to be such a leader or to follow those who ar-e. Our school life has taught us to think. to lead, and to follow. lVc who are to follow must think as clearly as those wl1o are to lead for it shall be our duty to choose an able leader. Our future world depends on the faith we have in each other, because only through faith and trust in our fellowmen can peace be achieved. Lack of faith leads to mistrust and that in turn leads to war. lVe must blot out hate and greed for our job is to add to the enjoyment and prosperity of all people everywhere. The future of all countries depends on the youth of today, upon our leader- ship, our ability to follow, our sense of responsibility and our determination to do good. NVe are stepping out of high school at a time when the world is facing revo- lutionary changes and this world awaits new men and new women. NVe must think clearly and have the courage of our convictions, for ours is a ,job of im- portance and it must be done to perfection if peace is to be our lot. As we come here today to graduate and to take up our burden, it is for us to dedicate ourselves to tl1e great task which is before us. The Class of 1947 invites you to participate in the formalities of our graduation exercises. Page Forty three