John D Bassett High School - Timber Tints Yearbook (Bassett, VA)

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We wish to extend a warm welcome to our parents who have helped us reach this important milestone of our lives. You have been our inspiration when days were hard and tasks were difficult. You have given us encouragement when we needed a boost to help us over the ruts in our path. We know you will follow us and keep a watchful eye on our progress after we leave Bassett High School. To our teachers we also extend a gracious welcome. You have been our guiding light — the beacon on the hill. With tireless patience you have struggled to instill in our minds the traits of character which will make us fine men and women, to impart to us the knowledge we have so eagerly sought at Bassett High School. To one and all assembled here we extend a hearty welcome. Elmead Turner Valedictory Address Parents, Teachers, Classmates and Friends: T T APPINESS is the requisite of a successful life. It is a virtue which all people desire, and a quality for which everyone strives. It is the goal toward which all eyes are turned, for happiness is one of the greatest assets a human being can possess. Man cannot endure the trials of the world without some joy and happi- ness to which he may look forward. There are many brave souls who struggle valiantly on, even though the way seems dark and narrow, but through the dark clouds they see a ray of hope. Their trust and faith that they will receive the reward of joy and peace in the end makes these souls strive courageously on. Although many have to put forth great effort in order to gain happiness, this state of bliss is a gift with some people. Those who are fortunate enough to have this good disposition should help others in their struggle for it. People with the gift of an optimistic nature could help greatly, for happiness is very contagious. Association with a genial person always puts one in a better frame of mind and revives his spirit. Joy shows in our faces, for happiness always shines through our eyes and leaves a smiling visage. A pleasant countenance is one of the greatest ornaments one can have; it is to be desired more than riches and fine clothing. A smiling visage wins for us many true friends, as every one likes to be near a happy soul. Although one may have much wealth, triumphs, and honors to his name, his life is not successful unless he acquires happiness. Riches do not make happiness, for this quality cannot be bought nor sold. The wealthy people

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Salutatory Address Fellow Classmates, Teachers, Parents and Friends: r I A 0 ME has been given the honor of welcoming you here tonight. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you here, parents and friends — to this, our graduation exercise. This is an occasion we have eagerly anticipated for four long years; for ton ight we are on the top of the hill looking into the wide expanse — the future. It thrills us to know that you, our friends, are interested enough in us to wish to share this memorable evening with the Class of ’37. Again, let me say, we extend to you a hearty welcome! If we wish to succeed in life we shall need the qualities of leadership which are most essential, namely: Courage, initiative, and dependability. If we win life’s battles we must strive to be good leaders, to have courage, and push on. Courage is a characteristic trait of any great leader. General Pershing, who was commander of the American forces in France during the World War, is a good example of a successful leader who possessed this trait. Courage, initiative and dependability are the essentials of leadership — Pershing lacked none of these. His courage and dogged determination to see things through has been the saving grace in many crises faced in his life. He was not regarded as brilliant, but as one destined to succeed through hard, earnest work. Pershing’s youthful ambi- tion was to attain a superior education. He succeeded in doing this. He won a scholarship at West Point. When he graduated he at once became active in war service. Courage was, indeed, the answer to General Pershing’s success. Initiative is a second important quality of leadership. The ability to take the lead and keep the lead will bring any one to his goal. Several boys and girls of the Class of ’37 possess the ability to lead. For four years they have shown their abilities as presidents of various organizations in the school. They have organized several new clubs and have labored earnestly to make them successful. There are others who have made fine followers. They have contributed to the success of these organizations by their whole-hearted cooperation with the leaders and other members. As we enter into this new life we are sure that each will become leaders in their community. A third quality of leadership is dependability. If a person is faithful and reliable he will win popularity with every one. Faithfulness and reliability help to establish a reputation which will mean success. This trait will aid one in secur- ing a good position. These traits have placed several members of the Class at the head of its activities. Because they could be trusted to work hard and do their best, certain students have been placed in charge of important projects. I assure you that every member of this class wants to be and can be trusted to do his or her part; for each has shown in his school days that he wants to accom- plish something.

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are often the most discontented, while the poor are the happy ones who find joy in simple things. Those who see the gloomy side of every picture are not the ones who usually attain success. The optimistic person is the one who climbs steadily on to his goal and reaches the highest mark. Occupation is a necessity. The mind must be occupied, the hands must be kept busy, or we cannot have contentment and peace. Those who rise and watch the day pass with no work to do feel only wretchedness. But the ones who can sit down at dusk with the thoughts of a day well spent and tasks well finished have the blissful feeling of utter satisfaction. The old adage, “The devil finds work for idle hands,” shows the absolute necessity of occupation if a person wishes to make a good name for himself. The man who has no purpose for which to work in life is lost. A definite goal must needs be set up so that he can look forward and work steadily, or he may stray from the path. The idle person spends his many leisure hours thinking of some quick, but usually dishonest means of obtaining what he desires. Most wickedness and discontent breed in the idle hours of the unemployed. Our tasks can never be accomplished by shirking them. Although the job may seem difficult, we must not be discouraged. The larger tasks cannot be accomplished unless the little, tedious labors are first well done. Those who don’t weaken under failure’s weight, who shrug their shoulders at despair, who never cry at fate’s blows, are the ones who reach the heights. Hard work makes men and women out of us. The person who is always depen- dent on others never learns to stand on his own feet. If his way is made smooth by friends, if cares and tasks are kept from him, then he will never know what to do when trouble comes and there is no one near to help him. Going to bed tired from honest labor and fighting our own battles will serve to increase our perseverance and make us resolute. Emerson says: “Every man’s task is his life preserver.” Work should be every man’s watchword, whether it may stand for the simple labor in the fields or more distinguished employment in the cities. We must not demean labor as if it were only efforts which the poor must put forth in order to live. Neither should we think of work as a means only of earning a livelihood. We should enjoy our labors, find happiness in work, joy in our well- accomplished tasks, and pleasure in our achievements. Work will not ask any one to sell his pride. The man whom we see with his head erect and his shoulders thrown back, who walks with an elastic, independent step, had some honest job with which to earn his living. He has a clear conscience; he is not afraid to face the world. If a man is willing to labor, then he need not ask any one for small favors, nor does he hold his place at any man’s kindness. He gains his position through his toiling, and it is then his undisputedly. The energetic worker has