Le Roy Central School - O At Kan Yearbook (Le Roy, NY)

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THE oA r KAN 1912 Class History Edna Albee HOULD I attempt the entire history of the Class of 1912 a volume could scarcely contain it- You have surely read numerous accounts of the exploits of this class, for many and success- ful have its ventures been. It was on the 24th of April, 1911, that we first came into prom- inence, when we organized as Juniors with the following oliicers: President, Fred Walkley, Vice President, Vera Rogersg Secretary, Winifred Philleog Treasurer, McKie Donnan. Purple and white were chosen as class colors and the Fleur de Leis as class flower. Our first stunt was the placing of a dummy representing a Senior, in a tree in front of the new H. S. The Seniors allowed it to remain till noon when one of their number removed it. From this time on the class was busy planning for the Junior Prom which was held in the gym- nasium April 28 and pronounced by all a success socially and financially. On May 8th the class, at the request of Mr. Whittaker, signed a treaty with the Seniors and as a symbol of friendly feel- ing the classes met and hung their banners together. Our next problem was the choosing of one- of our number to deliver the Junior reply. Louis Bauer was selected because of his oratorical ability and convincing qualities. The last evening in May the class enjoyed a ride to the home of the President, Mr. Walkley, where we were delightfully entertained. Later the rival classes and members ofthe faculty accepted the invitation of Mr. Artman and his sister to spend the evening at their home. After the examinations, Commencement week with its gaities followed. On class night we attended in a body and did our best to make the program interesting. Friday evening the banquet which our class gave to the class of 1911, was an event of sadness as well as pleasure. It was the last meeting of the classes with our beloved friend and leader, Professor Whittaker, and two of our esteemed teachers, Miss MacRostie and Mr. Frost. The latter, as toast- master, by his genial smile and humor did much to make the occasion more enjoyable. Satur- day we were entertained by the Seniors at a picnic at Horseshoe Lake. This ended our Junior year. We organized as Seniors Feb. 7th., 1912 with 24 members and the following ofhcers: Pres- ident, Vera Rogersg Vice President, Franklin Bundy, Secretary, Agnes Woosterg Treasurer, Fred Walkley. The same colors were retained but the flower was changed to the White Rose. March lst the class and guests enjoyed a sleighride to Batavia where skating was the enter- tainment ofthe evening. Previous to this the Juniors had selected as their motto We lead, others follow, but instead of leading us on this night they followed, and before the evening was over arrived at the rink. March 23rd a meeting was called at which time the editors of the year book, The O-at-kan, were elected, and sales were held at various times for the purpose of raising money to help. The motto, We Finish, to begin, was adopted. May 3rd the Senior play, The Freshman, was given to a well filled house and it was pronounced a great sucess. Two of our most enjoyable spreads were, one held at Buttermilk Falls and another held at midnight in the new high school, the first ever enjoyed there. June Sth, the Junior class, as a reward for their treatment of our class, were invited to a joint spread at the home of Mr. Artman, one of our members. And so I might continue. By this brief outline one would think that the Class of 1912 had done nothing but have a good time but this is not true. Several completed their high school course in January. Others gained sufficient laurels to warrant their victory in june. One evi- dence of the ability of the class and of the hard work done by it, is the year book, The O-at-kan, the first ever published in the history of the school. -ia'-fill' Class ration B. Franklin Bu ndy' F the various elements that make for a good man there are none 'of more importance than Perseverance. Webster defines Perseverance as the act of persevering, persistence as anything undertaken, continued pursuit or prosecution of any businessgor enterprise begun. The word Perseverance traces its origin to the Latin word Perseverp, which meansjto

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THE OAAT-KAN 1912 her name renowned, and to bring the greatest joy to ourselves and to our fellowmen. And now Farewell-a word that has been and must be A sound that makes us linger-yet-farewell. The Divine Touch Gertrude Murnan T the foot of the hill, and peacefully nestling in the valley, is the little village of Nazareth. The dwellings of the inhabitants are scattered here and there, and the children are run- ning to and fro. A number are playing in the mud, making images of animals, fish, birds, and some, more confident, attempting to mould statues of human beings. One little boy stands apart, and when he reluctantly compares his image with those of his playmates, he always finds their's superior. Still he works on, and finally he fashions a bird, almost perfect, he thinks, only to discover that the work of the others far surpasses his. Sad and disappointed, he slowly goes back to his solitary place. Soon they see coming toward him, in a golden halo, a slender youth with yellow hair, and a face filled with compassionate tenderness. He advances to the side of the silent worker. Laying one hand softly on the shoulder of the little fellow, He takes the bird with the other, pats it softly here and there, and lifting the image to his lip, blows into it. Immediate- ly it dies away amid the exclatnations of amazement of the little group. Delight fills the heart of the little one. His work is the chosen workp his work is the best, it is alivey it has received the Divine Touch. - As it was with the little child of Nazareth, so it is with us of today, so it has been since the dawn of creation. Only that is good which is so perfected. How many have attempted great things! How few have succeeded. We have many poets, but few great poets, many musicians, but few great musiciansg many artists, but few great artists. Hundreds of men have striven to wear the poet's laurel---men who have attained a certain eminence, as Pope with his poetic form, polished to monotony, a Southey, or an Austin. Each perfect in form, but calling forth no smile, no tear--lacking life and emotion. But our twelve centuries of literature are not without its treasures, for we have a Milton's masterhand upon the organ keys, Sha.kespeare's wondrous characters, a Tennyson to give us the very soul of the nine- teenth century, a Chaucer to brighten the dawn of literature in England, each perhaps no greater in meter, rhythm or rhyme than a hundred others, but their work, having received the Divine Touch, is filled with life and soars high, carrying us with them into a clearer, purer atmosphere. But it is not in poetry alone that we find there is something lacking. It is also true in paint- ing. Think of the numbers who have given up home, friends, fortune, yes and sometimes life itselii to try to gain a name for themselves in this careerg to be recorded among the great artists of the world, only to be doomed to failure in the end. But we have a Landseer, a Raphael, a Reynolds, a Millais, a Bonheur, a Rubens. One has but to look at Landseer's Peace to be carried out of one's self by the tranquility of the scene: the flocks dozing on the hillside, the child- ren enjoying their noon-day rest, the dog basking in the sun, the long, level stretch of land and sea. All are as similar things in other pictures, but a mystic silence broods over all, a light here, a shadow there-and the picture is a thing apart. So with the Sistine Madonnag so with Corot's unrivalled trees, and with Millais' work worn figures,---there is something, not in colon not in form, not in setting-it is the Divine Touch. As it is in poetry, music, and painting, so it is in all things. All that was lacking in the, bird, which the little boy of Nazareth fashioned, was the Divine Touch. So it is with the work of man. A chosen few achieve that which is almost perfect. They continue through discourage-- ment and the jeers of the world, and at last the Touch Divine sets a seal upon their work and we- say: Lo, he is a genius. Our part is to work, to strive, to grow, so that our work may be lit for the Master's eye,--and mayhaps He may give to our poor effort that which will send it soar- ing like the bird into clearer skies and higher places, and if we be so rewarded, at least, we may hope for that clear vision that will permit us to follow the flight of others,---the result of the labors of our fellowmen, and understand and appreciate the Divine Touch.

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THE O-AT-KAN 1.912 continue in a given course in spite of discourngements. The practical meaning of Perseverance is, that quality which aids in producing a man who does not know defeat. The foundation of Perseverance is optimism. No man is persevering unless he is nn opto- mist. Did you ever see a pessimist, a man seeing nothing in the world worth living for, who pos- sessed the smallest particle of Perseverance? The man who lives his life in the passive voice: intent on what he can get rather than what he can do, will never accomplish anything. To the persevering man the great problems of life have no terrors. He is undaunted by the difficult tasks that arise in his path. because the future, veiled to the procrastinator, is opened to his eyes and he can see success waiting to crown his efforts. Review our history. Do you remember how persevering Columbus was? For fifteen years he battled with many hardships before he succeeded in obtaining aid for his plan to find a new route to the East Indes. Though he did not find the route he was desirous of, he accomplished something far greater. he discovered a new world. Turn to the time when those sturdy Pilgrims landed upon that stern and rock bound coast of New England. Why did they not turn their faces from the hardships that confronted them? Fortified by Perseverance they came to America to stay, and in the long. fierce struggle that ensued they were victorious. Note the many other early settlers and pioneers. men who fought for Amer'ica's liberty, the men who conquered the great West. These were the men who laid the foundation of America as it is to-day, stretching in stately grandeur from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Ninety per cent. of all our inventions can be traced to Perseverance. Cyrus Field met all sorts of opposition in his determination to lay the cable across the Atlantic, but after five unsuc- cessful attempts, he accomplished this remarkable feat. Samuel Morse toiled unfalteringly for Efteen years before he perfected the telegraph and caused the world to recognize its efficiency. The Wright brothers labored eight years on the theory of aeronautics before their efforts were crowned with success. Such men as these are the men who make the nation. They have come, seen and conquered, until now there is no element that is not under the control of Perseverance. What factor has brought the class of Nineteen-twelve before you tonight? Perseverance. Twelve years ago these members began their first steps in fundamental education. We mastered the alphabet, reading and writing. And through the long struggle, through the district, the the union and the high school every discouragement and obstacle has been overcome. Now we are before you, twenty-two strong, about to launch upon the stormy sea of life. Some of our number will take up their favored professions at once, others will enter higher institutions of leaming, but no matter what our calling in Life may be, we are fortified with that great gift--- Perseverance-and are bound to succeed, for: What is worth Success' name But carrying out a noble project to a noble end. did!! Class Poem Winifred Philleo On the shore beside a sunny brook just four short years ago, Where the waves could roar and leap and the sand looked white as snow, Where ripples washed their faces and the sun could warm their backs, Lay twenty-two little pebblesg still, as if set there in wax. Not a passerby noticed or gave them a glance as they lay on the shore, But simply walked over and past them and tho't of them no more: Such insigniicant pebbles as they could hardly expect To be the center of notice or even have show of respect. ' One day as a lover of nature, an elderly gentleman passed, He stooped, and smiled as he did it, while a handful of pebbles he grasped. Now at last those same little pebbles, respected and cherished were they, For he found in their midst a treasure, a pearl resplendant and gay.