McAdory High School - Yellow Jacket Yearbook (McCalla, AL)

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1926 THE YELLOW JACKET 1926 Salutatory Ladies and Gentlemen: The Class of Twenty-six extends to you a most cordial welcome. We have reached that goal toward which we have been striving for four long years, yet. in a way. short years. We must now enter upon a broader field of life which lies before us; we must cast away our high school pleasures only to hold them within our memories and assume those graver burdens which beset us as we leave high school. Our equipment is good, our armor strong, so let us meet our future battles with courage and determination, remembering that a nation looks to her schools for brainy men and women. The time has now come when it is necessary for us. dear classmates, to part: but we can defy those circumstances to arise which can weaken those ties of friendship so deafly formed during our high school days. May confidence and truth abide with us forever. During the exercises tonight I bid you listen to our representatives as they project before us the various pictures of our high school life, as they prophesy into the distant future. To such scenes we again bid one and all a welcome. Louise Martin. Saluiahrian, '26. Valedictory Mr. President and Fellow Students:- It has devolved upon me as a member of the Senior Class of 1926 to give expression to a few thoughts appropriate to this occasion. I do so with a keen appreciation of the relations we have so long sustained with each other, with the faculty of this high school, and the world of affairs into which we are about to enter. ' A world with which we are henceforth to mingle not knowing what is before us. but hoping in the ardor of young manhood for the best. Fellow Students, we have been companions for four years four years to some of us. of diligent application to our studies, four years of light and shade to all of us,—four years of social fellowship and pleasant recreation, four years of mental and physical improvement. We have sympathized with each in trouble and sorrow: have lightened each other's hearts in time of sadness and have enjoyed high school life in each other’s society. We go hence with our diplomas, which the world looks upon as the keys that are to unlock the doors of science, art. literature, theology, physics, and merchandise for us: and open the avenues of wealth and honor to us. We go hence as we are. to the battle of life. What success we shall have, what victories we may win. the future alone can tell: but we go forth with strong hope Twenty-foe

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1926 THE YELLOW JACKET 1926 (I lass Ufistor? Four Years ago. one night, weak and ueary Thinking, thinking as walked the floor.’ And there came strangers tapping. Some one gently rapping, rapping at mv door. Who should it be but a gang of boys and girls, fourteen in number, who had completed grammar school at various places and were now on their way to enter as freshmen at McAdorv High. They said they needed another member in order to have a lively bunch and solicited my membership. Of course, I was delighted and was immediately initiated. The first year we were very shy but having been taught how to conduct our meek selves we were not so timid and began to lay a foundation for future life. We became so wise by the end of the year you could see brilliancy in every face. We were very ably guided this first year by Professor B. E. Lee. as principal. After a very happy vacation, we entered in September as Sophomores. This year with thirteen in number, having lost John Harmon an aspirer of electrfcity rather than a student. Professor H. H. King was principal during our second year. Another September brought us back as Juniors feeling as if we were about to take our places as dignified Seniors, only one hundred and eighty days more. During these days we had as principal Professor R. R. McAdorv whom we had already learned to love while a former teacher. This year the following new pupils joined our band: Lael Miller. Phillips High School: Lorene Caffee, Edna Killian, Rubye Herring, Olan Holdsenback, W. A. Money. Louise Martin, and J. E. Reaves, of Woodstock High School. We lost Percy Parsons, who went to work. Jennie Pickens, and Irene Howton. who were fortunate enough to become Mrs. J. F. Reaves also left to enter Pickens County High School. We now numbered only seventeen. The biggest event of this year was the banquet given at the close of school in honor of the Senior Class. We reappeared as Seniors in September. '25. fewer in number than as Freshmen. These Seniors have faced courage and determination as never before but with the help of our able principal. Professot R. R. McAdory. and our faithful teachers, we stand tonight ready to receive our diplomas and to bid our dear old Alma Mater goodbye, wishing for her. all the success that any high school may enjoy. John Harmon, ’26. Ttrtnty-fottr

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1926 1926 THE YELLOW JACKET and abiding faith that all will lie well with us if we perform our duty faithfully in whatever calling nr sphere that fate mav assign us. Where will fate or fortune place us in the great sea of the future? I see in imagination this class all scattered, many the heads of families engaged in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture and trade, others on the rough sea of political life: some of whom will doubtless reap honor in state and national affairs, bestowing benefit upon their fellow man while they hold high and responsible positions in official life. But as we go forth, each to fulfill his destinv. let us forget all our childish prejudices if any we have against each other, and througli our lives be helpful friends to each other as opportunity mav offer. For myself—and I believe I speak all- these high school friendships are too sacred to he lightly broken and forgotten, and in our farewells and final handshakes let us renew the bonds of fellowship in our Alma Mater. Members of the Faculty: We go lienee with the profoundest esteem for the wisdom, forbearance, and uniform justice and kindness that vou have ever manifested toward us. We have often been hasty, heedless of 'vour feelings and of our own best interests, and have at times caused you great annoyance by our folly: but in all these things you have proven yourselves our true friends. In our hearts we have cherished no hatred toward you, we carry away with us a heartfelt gratitude for all the many favors we have received at your hands. Fellow Students. I take a backward view as I look into vour youthful tacts and see the members of this graduating class as thev were four years ago a handful of inexperienced Freshmen, the sport of the Sophomores, and unheeded by the Seniors. What we have experienced and endured half discouraged bv-our outward circumstances and our inward fears, you now feel and endure: but look up. look forward. T he Freshmen will soon be Sophomores and the Sophomores will be Juniors, and the troubles of the present will fade awav in the future like a morning dream. On your part you have youth, good intellects and capable teachers: and if you fail, you will have only your want of attention to your studies to blame for it. The four years course is not a bug-bear that you fear it is: and your difficulties will dissolve before the energy and application that you are now determined to exercise. We lea e you here to so maintain may depart from it with its blessing. the honor of this institution that you I he hour of departing draw's near. In spite of hope and faith in the future tliere is a tinge of sadness in the present, which I. for one. do not fear to cherish’ and confess, for it testifies to the genuineness of our human svmpathv and heartfelt friendship. ' K Lee Burchfield. 2 . Twuts hi