Merrillville High School - Merrillvue Yearbook (Merrillville, IN)

Page 18 text:

OPPORTUNITY H ISTORY furnishes innumerable ex- amples of men who have been equal to occasions and have accomplish- ed results which seemed impossible by those less resolute. Often they have been common occasions but they have been made great. Quick action deter- mined by decision at once sweeps the world before it. Let us not forget the advice of Garfield who said, “Things don’t turn up in this world until some- body turns them up.” You can judge the strength or the weakness of individuals by what they make of opportunities. Weak men wait for them, strong men make them. The best men are those that have made opportunities. Opportunities come to everyone but it is only the real man who takes opportunities and im- proves them to good advantage. Every task in school is an opportunity. Ev- ery time one meets a man is an oppor- tunity to make a friend. “There is a tide in the affairs of men. Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life. Is bound in shallows and in miseries; And we must take the current when it serves. Or lose our ventures.” Opportunities do not come to a drone but to the industrious and ambitious. These people make common chances golden opportunities. There are opportunities coming to the whole human race but he only is great that will take these opportunities and serve the world with them. Lloyd Schnabel.

Page 17 text:

AMBITION A MBITION is an onward march and an upward look. Any hardships, ridicules, persecutions, toil or sickness are no obstacles to a soul throbbing with overmastering ambition. With this flaming fire within one’s breast one be- comes unconscious of the external world and becomes wholly engrossed by the thing to be accomplished. “Ev- ery great and commanded moment in the annals of the world” says Emer- son, “is the triumph of some ambition.” lethargy never commands conquer- ing armies, never makes music speak, never harnesses the momentous forces of nature, or moves the soul to aspira- tion. The most alluring forces of youth are its flames of ambition and enthus- iasm. Youth sees no defeat or failure, but he believes the world has been wait- ing for a heralder and liberator of truth, justice and beauty which he announces. Never before in the history of the world has youth, which is driven by ambition, had such a challenge to up- lift and better society as now. Ambition gives weight, power and glory in old age. It brings miracles to pass, turns the wheel of industry and makes an ignnorant man educated. It will transform and broaden a charac- ter and make him master of the fort of his own life. Man was marked A friend in the creation, to himself, And may with fit ambition, conceive The greatest blessings and highest hon- ors Appointed for him, if he can achieve them The right and noble.” By being ambitious one embraces ev- ery opportunity, therefore keep your eyes, ears and minds open. Hear much but say little. Weigh matters before you take action. Spare no labor, nor shrink from any task or danger for as Montros says: “He either fears his fate too much Or his deserts are small. That dares not put it to the touch To gain or lose it all.” You can make up your mind to do anything, but it all depends upon your- self, therefore be resolved and deter- mined to reach your goal and ideal. Marcella Franz.

Page 19 text:

EDUCATION A N Education is the lieritage this generation owes to the future generation. Many people “feel” that an education is valuable, yet do not know ' exactly w r hy. An education gives us a better esti- mate of life, and enables us to under- stand and appreciate people and things al out us. With an education we are better equipped to face life’s battle and win that success for w ' hich we strive. Without an education a man’s life may be one of drudgery, without much compensation: a life of only limited en- joyment of the best in the home and in business: a life shorn of its greatest usefulness and influence among his neighbors and friends, a life of only limited opportunity and ability for ser vice. The aim of an education is to teach us how to use the finest of tools, our minds. It enables us to co-ordinate the intellect and emotions, so they may work together harmoniously, for the greatest good of mankind. Education starts in the home when the child is under school age, when the mind is plastic, when impressions can easily be made and are lasting. Next he is brought in contact with the school life where he receives the ele- ments of discipline, good-behavior, con- centration, and the like. Success in this school life depends mostly upon the child. You can make the child go through the motions of se- curing an education, but if he is de- termined not to learn neither the par- ent nor teacher can pour knowledge in- to his brain. From school he goes out into the world where he faces life’s grim spec- tacle. Many men receive splendid educa- tions by travel, associating with differ- ent types of people and reading good books. To-day there is equality between the rich and poor in the field of education. The greatest compensation that comes from an education derived from a school and from the world, is a sterling char- acter. This is the best diploma a man can receive, it adds value to himself and increases his worth to society. - Ray A. I oyce.