Lafayette High School - Oracle Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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I. .: i:i. - f' . -. . s 'Vfz B 3 i lI1-.llllll 5 0 A as -were al, R , - ' 1 f '- Q. ,A 1 Q : . it ' r' , ' a I7 J' YN Valedictory The world's great age begins anew, The golden years return. Heaven smiles, and faiths and empires gleam, Like wrecks of a dissolving dreamf' A new spirit is shaking the children of men, a spirit which breathes into them a desire for light and a thirst for knowledge. It is spurring men forth to the destruction of old, enfeebled institutions and to the establishment of new, experimental ones. This spirit is a wind which sweeps the dust of ignorance and timidity from men's eyes, a wind that reveals new vistas of courage buoyed by certainty of purpose and strength of conviction. The world today is a changing world, the result of years of political, social, and economic revolution. Each day it witnesses a further change in which each man has a part. We too have a part in this changing world. Ours is the change of transi- tion from a familiar place to one a bit more strange. We have completed four happy years at Lafayette, now we must leave these pleasant halls and become a part of the changing world. Until now Lafayette has been our own small world, we have all had our place in it. But now we must advance into a greater world in which we shall hold smaller places for a time at least. These places, however, are ours to make of them what we will. We are leaving behind the dissolving dreamf' Whether or not we attainguheav- en's smilei' depends entirely upon our own powers. In the powerful sway of the world, one cannot maintain his balance unless he have the power of resistance and the courage of his convictions. Had not these essential characteristics been instilled into us here, we should surely find our goal quite unattainable. The strength and the courage which are the very essence of the Lafayette spirit will steer our course. The aversion for dishonor which has been so irrevocably instilled into us here will lead our footsteps always through the very center of the path. May this attitude evidence to others the principles of Lafayette. To us these principles have been exemplified in the character of Captain Mellen Whose goodness and true fineness will always iniiuence us. Because that which he has given us is too great for thanks, we cannot offer him mere words of apprecia- tion. Our gratitude can be shown to him only by the constant application of his fine principles and by perpetual respect for the school he loves. For many years he has gone about that school, endearing himself to all those who have had even the smallest association with him. There is not a single one of us who has not been the recipient of his good will and kindness. The Captain has become an ideal in himself, so vast is his inHuence and so universal are the respect and affection which he commands. It is our great privilege to be graduated from Lafayette with Mr. Mellen. The fact that we are the last class he will graduate brings him very close to us, closer were it possible, than he has ever been before. Ever changing as is this world of today, it yet contains much that is permanent and unchanging. Of this permanent quality are the ties which bind us to our Alma Mater. Our loyalty to her and our memories of her shall be as everlasting as the aged tra- ditions and lovely green ivy which cling to her walls. Now, because we must, we, who are about to leave her, bid farewell to Lafayette. EDA ORTOLANI The Lafayette Oracle, Page Nineteen

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QL iii ,Aff ,,, , +jt!i.i 2iP II-as 0 Q. Q ,, .c 'N N is A ll ,LI f 7 ,sshd lm To the Seniors Be strong and of a Good Courage. Tl1is is a noble motto, full of significance and expression. There are few passages in the English language more sublime than that, and we sincerely trust that as you have been sustained in the past by the strength of the words, you will be guided in your future paths and pursuits by them. You have ever been loyal and noble in your dealings with teachers and classmates and have shown a decided willingness to serve in any capacity. The members of the faculty are mindful of your generous enthusiasm and willing cooperation for common ends, and we deeply appreciate all of these kind and thoughtful acts. We have tried to show you the value of honesty, perseverance, punctuality, ac- curacy, and fidelity to responsibility, virtues that cannot be stressed too strongly, and we believe that we have impressed you with the fact that the new world into which you are now entering will demand a high percentage in these qualities. Does the product justify the old plant? We are firmly convinced that it does, for the reason that Lafayette graduates through their splendid spirit are making enviable records in the state of life in which they have been privileged to be placed. I add a personal word. I have had conferred upon me the title of Honorary Presif dent of the class of 1934, and I appreciate this tribute most deeply. I fondly call this class my classu because at your commencement I shall be graduated with you. Naturally I regret that I shall soon sever my active connections with this choicest of schools, a school in which I have enjoyed the closest friendships among the teach- ers and students for the past twenty-eight years. Keenly do I cherish these memories. To be graduated with such a loyal, loving, and devoted class helps very greatly to assuage the feelings of sadness at taking my departure from these scenes of happy companionships. I have maintained on many occasions that friendship is one of lifels greatest assets? May 'these precious friendships formed here under our standard of Loyalty, Honor, Service, be of a lasting and satisfying nature. lNIay God bless you and give to you strength to carry out successfully the ideas and ideals of your Alma hfater. The Lafayette Oracle, Page Eighteen

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J' f a - . 3 if35gsi?IIllMQ ag wt 0 ., il nlhi so: in The Class Poem Aside Timeis turbid stream Youth turned for pause, Dismayed, though Life thus far was gentle. Enshrouded in a grayed and musive mantle Apprehensive he stood, knowing the cause. Could he surmount the secret of the stream, Dread enigma of his fate? Gold and gray The future rose as he sought the way Allotted to him in the Moerae's scheme. Vliould awful Atropos, grim and fatal, Send with fearful shears his soul unknown To depths obscure or, with reluctant moan, Sever a life forever made immortal? In grief tumultuous he sought the sun, Drowned in a haze of turbulent hue, When soaring swift o'erhead a blithe bird flew. Darting unruffied through the waters dun, It wheeled and dipped its scarlet pinions pureg Then winging fast followed the stream of life. Thereon emboldened Youth crushed his heart's strife And plunged deep into the swirling future. THALIA PHILLIES The Lafayette Oracle, Page Twenty