Medina High School - Medinian Yearbook (Medina, OH)

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THE MEDINIAN If we follow the teachings of this famous philosopher and make self-reliance a personal characteristic, we are bound to triumph, either materially or spiritually! It is not difficult to achieve material triumph— Henry Ford, John D. Rockefeller, Charles Schwab, James Pierpont Morgan — and there are many more! But we must remember that there is a spiritual triumph which is of greater importance to the indi- vidual. Because this triumph is not always visible we are inclined to regard it as unimportant. Frequently the mere struggle of selecting some definite goal and attempt- ing to reach it, produces a growth of character in an individual which is a decided triumph for him. And the fact that it may remain invisible to the world at large, does not lessen its value! We may call this spiritual triumph a personal satisfaction as well as a satisfaction in the eyes of God. Great deeds are not necessary — the living of a clean, honest, Christian life may bring that sense of triumph which is it’s own reward. We, of this Senior Class, have reached a definite triumph after twelve years of work and study — we have reached one of the first goals in our development and are now ready to select others toward which to strive. Let each one of us adopt this slogan. Try, Trust and Triumph and put it to the test. Let us remember the words of the philosopher, Emerson, the greatest advocator of the doctrine of Self-Reliance — “Accept the place the divine providence has found for you. Great men have always done so, and confided themselves childlike to the genius of their age, betray- ing their perception that the absolutely trustworthy was seated at their heart, working through their hands, predominating in all their being. And we are now men, and must accept in the highest mind the same transcendent destiny; and not minors and invalids in a protected corner, not cowards fleeing before a revolution, but guides, redeemers, and benefactors, obeying the Almighty effort, and advancing on Chaos and the Dark. Valedictory By Helen Gable To us who are now leaving the school days of our life and entering upon a new phase of it, comes the thought of what are the best things of this new world intijn which we are entering. Van Dyke has said in his poem, “The Three Best Things,” that they are Work, Love, and Life. So according to his idea if we wish the best,j these are the things for which we should strive. During our High School days our instructors have tried to prepare us for our work of a later time. They have attempted to teach us how to work, how to accom- plish the most, how to make the best of our opportunities and a number of other ways of ' gaining success in our following life. We all dream of great deeds and high positions, away from the pettiness and humdrum of ordinary life. Yet success is not in occupying a lofty place, or doing conspicious work, it is being the best that is in you. Rattling around in too big a job is much worse than filling a small one to overflowing. Dream, aspire, by all means; but do not ruin the life you must lead by dreaming pipe-dreams of the one you would like to lead. Make the most of what you have and are. Perhaps your trivial, imme - diate task is your one sure way of proving your mettle. Do the thing near at hand and great things will co me to your hand to be done. Most of us fail or go astray in one fashion or another, at one time or another. But we need not become despondent at such times. We should resolve to reap the Twenty

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THE MEDINIAN President’s Address By Jeannette Wait Try, Trust and Triumph This modern age of ours is one which may best be called an age of Experimen- tation and Progress. If we were to select a slogan, one which would include those qualities most necessary to each individual who lives in this age, the slogan, “Try, Trust and Triumph” would he a very apt one. We can easily see that these three words play a most important part in the lives of each one of us, from the very begin- ning. Even a tiny baby, in learning to walk, must first try before it can take one step; after that first step it must trust itself to take another, and another, until the triumph of walking results. This act of trying means that one must have a definite goal in mind — one must have something to try for. The baby makes its first attempt because it wishes to reach its mother’s outstretched arms — when this baby becomes a pupil, in school, it continues to try, because it wishes to pass from grade to grade — when it becomes a man it continues it’s attempts in the world of business, because it wishes to rise higher and higher. There have been definite goals in the minds of all famous men, (who have attempted anything.) Edison, in his first unsuccessful struggles with electricity, had, as his aim, the production of the electric light bulb. Admiral Byrd, in his many “trys” at aviation, had, as his aim, the exploration of unknown regions. While we cannot all have such magnificent goals, in mind, we do all have some goal, no matter how small, toward which we are striving. If this were not so we would not be here, tonight. The act of trying not only necessitates that we have a definite goal in mind, but also that we strive toward that goal with a feeling of trust. Trust means trust inself, or self-reliance, as well as trust in God. Our entire lives are based ' on trust, of some kind. If we did not have trust in ourselves we could not undertake even the simplest tasks, from day to day. You women could not carry out the daily routine of your’ housework — you men could not carry on your various occupations. Practically every human act that one could mention is based upon one’s trust and reliance in oneself. There are many famous names that I could mention, to illustrate this truth. All the innumerable attempts in the field of aviation, made by Colonel Lindberg, would have been in vain, had he not possessed complete trust in his own mental, spiritual and physical powers. Sir Herbert Wilkins, would never dare attempt the hazardous trip to the North Pole, which he is planning, if he lacked confidence in himself. And self trust alone is not enough! Admiral Byrd not only needed self-trust, to make his Polar expedition worthwhile, but trust and confidence in his fellow men, as well! No great explorer, scientist, preacher, poet, teacher, inventor, writer, or anyone else who has aimed toward a definite goal, has ever reached that goal without self trust. Emer- son, the famous American author, realized the vast importance of that which is mental, spiritual and physical, when he said — “A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the luster of the firmament of bards and sages. Yet he dismisses without notice his thought, because it is his. In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts; they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty. Else, tomorrow a stranger will say with masterly good sense precisely what we have thought and felt all the time, and we shall be forced to take with shame our own opinion from another. “Trust thyself; every heart vibrates to that iron string.” Nineteen

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THE MEDINIAN full benefit of the discovery of our weakness and our folly. These obstacles will be necessary spurs to our development. Our success will be measured not only by our achievements but by our unsure purposes and unfulfilled aspirations as well. In our Class Prophecy many occupations have been listed as the future work of the members of this class. Some of these may be a bit fanciful and high sounding, but why should we not have a high aim and work to do our best in the little things in order to at last reach our goal? Our school day associations with our classmates, teachers, and friends have often formed friendships which we hope will continue to be in existence throughout the days after we have bid the school and all its holds, good ' bye. We trust that they will think well of us, and remember us as a class which did its level best to uphold the fine traditions and standards of Medina High School. In speaking for the class I am sure ' that I am correct in saying that we think the whole high school is very, very fine. Although after we leave here we may form dearer friendships, we will always hold in our hearts little remembrances of our school mates and teachers. The third and last best thing, but of course not the least, is life. It is a paradox of life that by hoarding love and happiness we lose them, and that only by giving them away can we keep them for ourselves. The more we share, the more we possess. We, of course, find in other people weaknesses and sins, but our best means of curing these are through a wide and sympathetic understanding. We are quick to notice obstacles, grudges, and affronts. Are we equally as quick to recognize the kindly inflm ences that speed us on our ways? The truth is we are each of us a debtor to life and as honest men we should do all we can to discharge the obligation. It is necessary that we must put something back into life for the next person, something good and fine, not bad. We all like the good sport — the one who plays fair and courteously and with every ounce of energy even when the game is going against him. Throughout scholl our teachers have been aiding us to fit ourselves to face life, in which as Browning says in his poem, “Rabbi Ben Ezra” — “Man is the clay; life, the wheel, and God, the Potter, who shapes us according to his wishes.” We now bid you fare ' well, with maybe a bit of sadness but we know that you and we are glad to have succeeded this far. So let’s be happy for it is the commence ' ment and not the ending. Living for the Fun of It By Alice Ec er (Second Honor Student) When we have become older and some one was suddenly to ask us,“ What was the thing about your early home life that made the deepest impression on your memory, and perhaps, your character?” What would be the result? The answers would be of many varieties. Some might answer some event con ' cerning their animal pets, others of family celebrations where each person did his utmost to make the other person have a good time, and in consequence, had a most enjoyable time himself. There would be numerous others, but I think the main reply would be some factor of simple life that would not be too serious. A few generations ago the children were brought up with the strictest rule against anything which resembled “play,” for their elders said, “Those who play when they’re young will play when they’re old.” This is exactly what most of us are aim ' ing at today, but with the provision that we get the most out of our “play.” TwentyOne