Medina High School - Medinian Yearbook (Medina, OH)

Page 25 text:

Twenty-One MEDINI AN and the ability to meet the demands of our duties we owe to the schools, and the schools owe their existence to the quiet patriotism of citizens of our community. We feel that we can best express our appreciation to you in doing with cheerful hearts the work that citizenship brings, ' that our national ideals may remain pure and un- spotted and that we may bequeath to the generations which follow us, civic ideals of which we may be as justly proud as we are of those which you have placed before us and so well upheld — you, our parents and friends. Inheritor of a glorious past each generation is a trustee for posterity. To pre- serve, protect, and transmit its inheritance unimpaired is its highest duty. To accom- plish this is not the task of the few, but the duty of all. So may the ideals of the class and the nation be in accord. As citizens, let us make loyalty our controlling spirit, and in being loyal to ourselves, our class, and our school, we will of necessity be loyal citizens. With “Sincerity, Simplicity, and Service” let us carry still in our hearts, whatever life may bring, the same spirit of courage and resolution and high-minded integrity, with which we must bid each other farewell. And, in remembering the lessons of our school days, and in following the example of those good citizens who have made this night possible, may we transmit the rich heritage not only unimpaired, but better for our having been its custodian during the time alloted us. Class Picture By Alverta Munson I do not pretend to be an artist for I was never proficient in drawing any thing — except attention perhaps. In the lower grades when we were asked to show our skill in drawing I always labeled my efforts to save myself the embarrassment of further questioning. We have a Class roll of sixty-two boys and girls and I cannot hope to do justice to each one or to all of them in this outline of their good and bad features. To begin with — our Class of ’25 is of course a very remarkable one. Each member is a genius in some form or other; some at skipping school some at regular attendance some at their lessons and some at getting through without ever getting a lesson. We are all talented. Although the boys are in the minority their greater bulk offsets their lesser number. Just a few statistics to reveal our possibilities: Our ages range from sixteen to twenty-two years; our height from four feet eleven inches to six feet. Our six foot fellow is Neil Dickinson who plays baseball and a violin. Our weights range from ninety pounds in the person of Beatrice Huntley, the pianist for the high school orches- tra, to one hundred and eighty pounds. Taken as a group we would make an individual who should be very wise if he had utilized all his time and opportunity for he would be one thousand seventy years old, weigh over four tons and measure twenty rods in length, looking down from our vantage point of years and height the freshmen look unusually young and inex- perienced. Of this remarable class two are singers and they represent this phase of us in the persons of Alline Nettleton and Margaret Watkins. We are proud of Elizabeth Fretz, at all times, but especially when she plays her cello. Several play violins — five of the first violinists in the ' orchestra being seniors. The leading coronetist is Rolland Hoff, while the oboe is played by Ralph Wise. Alline Nettleton and Opal Snyder also represent the high school in debating. Thirteen of the senior boys were out for football, four for basketball and six for base- ball. This fully shows that there is no lacking in either enthusiasm or brilliancy in any activity. I am sure that each member of our class has a glorious future. From our ranks you can pick out the future presidents, ministers, statesmen, artists, physicians, judges, dentists, lawyers, and men of all professions of the world. It is not necessary to desig- nate them by studying our pictures you can judge for yourself. May we all live up to our looks and the great expectations society has for each.

Page 24 text:

MEDINI AN Twenty Our Schools and Citizenship By Dean Oatman Parents and friends it is my duty, and my privilege, to bring to you the greetings of the graduating Class of 19 ' 25, at this, their commencement. Accordingly, I extend to you the cordial welcome of each and every member of the class. I have nothing new to bring to you, for at every commencement and leave-taking of this kind the same situation obtains and the same thoughts and feelings are made manifest. Yet I feel that this institution and these occasions are far more dear to the hearts of our townfold, and much more pertinent to their lives than they ever actually realize. Were this custom of the commemoration of the completion of the high school course to cease, the people would miss it as something that had become a cherished part of their lives. Year after year, the older ones of the village see a group of young people come be- fore them to take their formal farewell of high school days : — -boys and girls whom they have seen grow up from childhood and pass through our schools; those who have grown dear to them, and have filled a place in their affections. It is true that some remain here to live peaceful lives in the community; but many pass away into other scenes of activity, and perhaps are lost to view forever. So, as we come to you tonight in that time-honored way, we hope that you may see the deep significance of it all; and as we go forth, each one to! his life-work, may the memory of this glad beginning abide with you, and be to each member of the class ever a source of renewed courage. It is, moreover, the sincere wish of this class tonight, that you may believe the significance of the completion of our high school career is not only for the older ones to realize, but that it is not denied the comparative carelessness of youth to understand, at least, to some degree. It is, then, with this thought in mind, that I feel I need make no apologies if I touch upon things which might be placed beyond the concern of high school students. Tho vague realities until the present, they become vivid when we find our high school days are over. It seems well for us, who are about to step forth into the arena of the world’s progress, to consider something of what our parts in life are, and wha t they should signify as citizens of this great republic, and, too, to ascertain what the relation of our now completed high school life bears to the citizenship which we are about to take upon us. We realize that we owe our preparation for citizenship to the wisdom, and the hope, and the labors of the people of our town. They have built the life of the community wisely. There is no greater monument to their wisdom, and their sincerity in attempting to make the grade of citizenship in this community high than the fine school facilities which they have provided. We who are now indebted to them for our diplomas do appreciate these things and especially this magnificent high school building which we have so thoroughly enjoyed the past year, and in which we are tonight privileged to celebrate our graduation. Good schools show the aim and the character of any com- munity. There is nothing selfish in the establishment of schools, that is more true than of any other enterprise of which we can think. There is no other institution which more surely determines what the character of the citizenship of a community, and of a nation is to be, than do the schools. There is no other institution which is so open to all, and in which can be developed an appreciation of respect, and even of at- tachment, between people of different classes to the extent which is possible in the schools. For the maintenance of no other institution is there more cooperation among all citizens. The strength of our nation lies in her schools, the ability of her citizens is due, in a large part, to her schools. To our schools, largely, we must look to help each citizen to live efficiently possessed of that civic and industrial intelligence, that skill to do a needed service, and that high moral sense Which the nature of our existence of a democracy is seen to demand. Dear friends, we who are passing out of high school life into more active citizenship tonight, feel that we have a place in national life. We must now take up the burden of service in our nations work, for each has a work to do, and we can all do our part in helping to make the nation better and nobler. The appreciation of what our task is, K

Page 26 text:

M E D I N I A N Twenty-Two Class History 1925 j By Alline Netteton It has been said that history repeats itself, but it is doubtful if the history of the class of ’25 could ever be equaled. Twelve years ago with high I. Q’s and eager to learn, we were ushered into the kindergarten department. Promotion followed promotion and after seven and one-half years we found ourselves 8 A’s. After a few finishing touches Miss Wheatley sent us on again to higher learning. It seems a long, long time ago that we entered the old high school, for the boys wore knee trousers and the girls were in short dresses, yes, even shorter than they are now. It was on a bright and peaceful September morning when we, with hands and faces lately washed and hair arranged in latest fashions ascended the steps to M. H. S. The Seniors intended that we should entertain them with our awkwardness and ignorance. We were arrayed on the platform and initiated by “Dutch” Hemmeter. Alas, for poor “Dutch” and the Seniors instead of finding us a bunch of dumb- bells they opened their eyes in amazement at our charm of manner and ready wit. We had entered a new world and found our surroundings most novel and interesting. At first we seemed lost and were unaccustomed to the new rules. Each teacher seemed uglier than each of the others and tried to see how unbearable they could make life for the Freshmen. After a time we learned it was not manners on their part but what They pleased to call discipline. The Sophomores, who had recently been the begin- ners now felt a superiority and paternal love for the “freshies.” They de- ceivingly tried to teach us the game of skipping classes, sliding down ban- isters, writing notes and gossiping in the hallways. But luck did not al- ways prevatt and as a result there were after-school parties in Professor Wagner’s office semi-occasionally. With what a different air we entered as proud, domineering, sopho- mores to that of the preceding year as humble and timid freshmen. There came into our midst a great number of freshmen whose greenness could never be discribed. We remembered our savage reception and therefore with untroubled conscience th ey were treated likewise. Then our spirits rejoiced and we were exceedingly glad. Many were our triumphs as sophomores. Our young nobles felt their muscles strengthening and went forth with brave hearts to the battle of “base” and “foot” ball. We felt society calling and with various teachers as chaperons we enjoyed several parties. We took an increased interest in all high school activities. As we entered the Junior class the world seemed to expand and our greatness enlarged in our estimation. We gave only the most pitying glances at the poor freshmen and barely nodded to the “sophs” as we be- longed to the upper ten. It would take a volume to write the history of that junior year. We edited the “Medinian” the annual year book of Medina High School. We contributed bright and shining stars to the or- chestra, glee club, ball diamond, debating team — in fact we entered every field of intellectual endeavor and won laurels beyond all calculation.