Lee Academy - Crescent Yearbook (Lee, ME)

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8 THE CRESCENT is over, that she will rise from her desolation, and attain her rightful place among the nations of the world. VANCE HANsoN Lowi:LL. Qshhress in Qlliinirergrahuzrtes- NCE again the silent wheels of time, in their swift and ceaseless roll, have brought us to the close of another school This has been a year of marked activity in matters of world wide interest. The nations YCZII' . of Europe are engaged in one of the most san- guinary struggles in the worldls history, it is the year of the opening of the Panama Canal tothe commerce of the world, it marks the completion of the great Snoqualmie Tunnel through the Cascade Mountains-a giant bore of two and one-half miles through solid rocky but the one great event which stands out more prominently than all the others the gradu- ation of the class of 1915, Lee Academy. I ask the members of this audience to look on the solemn and judge-like faces of Page and Karl, also to note the clean-cut Grecian pro- iilesof Lester, Avon and Vance. When you compare the radiant beauty of the female members of this class with that of the ordinary, do you wonder that this group is the pride and envy of the undergraduates? Psychology teaches us that if a person lives on a skim milk diet, he will think skim milk thoughts: but it remained for the girls of this class to demonstrate that the humble 'ihiot dogw is the greatest beautitier of the age. They are to be eaten between the hours of nine and ten P. M., and, in desperate cases-like that of the Junior class-I would recommend a double dose to be eaten on Sundays. I am offering tl1is suggestion hoping that it will do away with the many useless experiments with bleach- es and red ochre. Junior girls: Your number is small, but the number of boys in the class is smaller. I sincerely hope that, with this thought in mind, you will spend the most of your vacation in trying to induce some unfortunate lads to join your class. Sophomores: Considering the material you have to work with, you are progressing wonderfully in your earnest attempts to imitate the class of l15. Of course you girls can't ex- pect to become very beautiful, but if you have noticed the many new quirks the Senior girls have had on their hair this year, I think that you will agree that a little study on your part in the art of hair-dressing will help you out. There are only two of you boys in the class, and as I have watched the frequent changes in your vocations, it has aroused one of the deepest feelings of interest. Last year Claude thought seriously of establishing a smoke-house, but his tirst armful of cobs tCobbsi proved so green that they would not even smoke. Since then he has been engaged in several occupations, the most successful of which has been the transportation of scholars from Lee to Lin- coln. Claude, I think it is time you put on the emergency brake and steady down to some of the habits of stick-to-it-iveness which your classmate, Ivan, possesses. In the earlier part of his Freshmen year, Ivan undertook a diffi- cult and heart-aching task, but after two long years of perseverance, he is now able to make Carroll hills on high gear. Freshmen: Although you are constantly commiting careless acts, your ways are improv- ing rapidly, especially since two of your mem- ..q,

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THE CRESCENT 7 the present ruler, has been called the most democratic King of Europe. On the 19th of April 18357, a treaty was signed in London by the King of Belgium on one hand, and by the Emperor of Prussia, the Emperor of Austria, the King of Russia, and the Queen of England on the other. One of its articles made the declaration that Belgium should form a separate and perpetually neu- tral state. The consignatories promised for themselves and their successors, upon oath, to fulfill and observe this treaty in every point. The world was greatly startled at the out- break of the great European conflict which has already, in lives lost and money expended, surpassed any war that history has ever known. All eyes were fixed upon Belgium to see if Germany would violate Belgium's neutrality. Germany, bent on invading France. at once rushed into Belgian territory. The act was an evident violation of Belgiuni's neutrality, however tl1e little country was entirely justified in taking up arms against a foe, entering with- out giving any explanation of the act. At Liege the Belgians displayed great bravery, holding back the enemy for days at a time when Germany wished tobe invading France. From here the Belgians were driven slowly out of their country, but not until they had inflicted terrible losses upon the enemy. Love of their beautiful capitol, with its priceless art treas- ures, caused them to abandon it rather than expose it to the horrors of a siege. Fighting bravely, the Belgian army was foreed back into Antwerp, where a furfile attempt was made to check the enemy. Forced almost to the bor- der of France, the Belgians rallied aml with the help of their allies, stopped the tide of in- vasion. War has to be paid for in money, but of far greater account, is the price of human life. Belgium has been practically blotted from the earth by the blight of war. A large propor- tion of her young men has been killed or wounded, her women and children are starv- ing, all because of war. Out ofa total popu- lation of 7,000,000, it is estimated that 1,000,- 000 have lost their lives. No people have shown such fortitude under such hard con- ditions as the Belgians. Under the power of an enemy, only a little strip of land in their possession, crops and homes destroyed, they are attempting to rise from ruin. We all recognize the pitiable plight of this little coun- try trampled upon by immense armies and with her fields soaked with blood. As soon as her condition came to the atten- tion ofthe world, the Fnited States, as the nation best fitted for the work of rescue, made plans to help the needy. Through the gener- osity of American citizens ship-loads of food- stuffs were sent to the stricken country. The so-called Belgian relief societies were formed and donations of money from private citizens were sent to relieve the suffering. Even our own state has responded with ear-loads of potatoes and other necessities. Belgium is a typical example of the destruetiveness of twentieth century warfare. Here started the great war that has made her the cemetary of so many soldiers. The world cannot but admire the way in which she has acted under such circumstances. P The question may be asked as to the future of Belgium. Knowing the conditions under which she has been placed, we all hope that she will continue in her untiring efforts to re- gain her independence, and when this great war

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THE CRESCENT 9 bers met with the shower-bath. Now that we have started you in the right direction, I think that by next year, the present Juniors will be capable of guiding you safely through your Sophomore year. Undergraduates: we are gathered here for the last time as schoolmates, and I ask you to look back with me over the years of our school life. While the picture, which we will always treasure, slowly unfolds before us, let us ask ourselves this question, 'iHave we made the best use of the great opportunities, and appre- ciated the many privileges which have been ours? Let us remember that they have been made possible only through the untiring efforts of our parents, teachers, and the many friends of this school, In regard to your school course, my advice to you is this: be thorough in your school work, and remember that the difficult problems are put in our way not to stop us in our course, but to call out our strength and develop our energy. Some people skip everything that is ditficultg and at last the habit of doing only what is easy and pleasant pre- vades the whole life. Such people accom- plish nothing worth while, and never rise above the commonplace. Mathematics may be hard for a certain student, and he seeks to evade the task of mastering them. By and by he comes to a profession in which mathematics is essen- tial, the door is shut to him. His one great opportunity is lost and he pays for an easy term of school work with the deep regret of a lifetime. Seheolmates, your duty before you is clear, make the most of the great privileges which are yours and remember that the best wishes of this class will ever be with you and your school. EVAN CECIL Conn. ...Y.-...g . ... . ilgrzsentzxtinn nf fgifts- sf OUR years ago there entered Lee Acad- ! emy a new class, our class, the class of L 1915. Early in our school life we and our teachers realized that we were no ordinary class. I think I am safe in saying that very few of the preceeding classes can boast of rank such as that received by seine members of this distinguished groupg and some of us have re- ceived marks that none would care to boast of. I doubt if anyone would question my statement if I said none could equal some of us in mischief-making. To help you remember your happy school days and your wonderful record, I have, after much work and careful consideration, chosen these tokens. Karl, since Helen informed us that she intended to go to Washington after graduation, you have read all the articles you could find written about that state. You are able to give people any information they desire concerning the climate, people and products. You have neglected one thing, however. It would bea terrible thing if you should get lost so far from home. So take this map of the United Statesg you will find Stella, Washington, and vicinity enlarged. This was drawn by Miss Trask her- self. It almost makes my heart ache to look at you, Avon, for it makes me think of that vow you made-never to marry. Many a fair lassie has knocked at the door of your heart only to Hnd it looked fast by that vow. To be sure,