Middletown High School - Chestnut Burr Yearbook (Middletown, MD)

Page 7 text:

2i)cdiculicii We, the Senior Class of Middletown High School, dedi- cate the 1953 Chestnut Burr to the first staff of this year- book, which had its beginning twenty-five years ago. To the staff members — Madeline Harshman, editor-in- chief; Josephine Toms, secretary; Meredith Flook and Emmert Bowius, associate editors; and Lewis Lamar, Max Smith, Fran- ces Ahalt, Fred Hutzell, and Pauline Grossnickle, assistants — we extend our sincere appreciation and thanks for the:r un- tiring efforts and courage in publishing for the first time the Chestnut Burr.

Page 6 text:

A MESSAGK TO THE SENIORS ih It is my task and privilege to write a word for the 195 3 Yearbook. 1 say task, be- cause, as 1 gather experience, it seems increasingly difficult to know what words will give direction to the lives of you who leave our schools for endeavor in other fields. When one thinks of the possibilities of youth in this great age, it is little Vk onder that oldsters should become awed and unpretentious. As one realizes your potentiali- ties and your possibilities, one should be profoundly humble. Doubtless some of your names will be eligible for Who ' s Who, while your former teachers are picking daisies in the Elysian Fields. HERBERT F. DAVIS, Prmcipal Much is required of youth in this atomic age. Much can be and must be accomplished if our civilization is to survive. Your thinking must be done in a channel that promotes the betterment of man. You must not have a distorted vision such as Fuchs or Hiss possessed. It is often more important to move steadily and unrelentingly on the right course rather than to move with such haste that one loses sight of its proper direction. Pin your faith to a force outside yourself, a force that causes all of us to make our reach exceed our grasp, as Browning once said. Early in our lives we must begin to build a way of life or philosophy which helps us to steer a straight and steady course always in the right di- rection. Do not be wishy-washy, willy-nilly, tossed about by every little breeze that blows. Upon life ' s voyage set your sails for the course and steer your vessel w ith a steady hand. They tell a story about a fellow down in Tennessee. He plowed the field with a pair of oxen. He would holler gee and haw at them but they paid no attention to him. Then go wherever you please. The whole field has got to be plowed anyway. Our philosophy should harmonize in our lives in such a way that it enables us to get on well with our fellowmen. It keeps us on our course. We are not susceptible to the lure of the imaginary and the artificial when there is calm and poise within ourselves. My wish for your future is that you may always possess a fair mind, a well integrated personality, and a steer in the direction of bettering the world for mankind.

Page 8 text:

The Chestnut Burr was pubUshed for the first time by the Senior Class of 1928, whose officers were president, Elea- nor Weag ley; vice president, Madeline Harshman; secretary, Evelyn Young; treasurer, Meredith Flook; historian, Catherine Hauver; and poet, Lewis Lamar. At that time, R. E. Kieeny was principal, and other faculty members were Wilbur Devilbiss, William Hauver, Edna Lighter, Charles Remsberg, Mary Rhoads, Lillian Stalling, and Lorraine Thomas. To this faculty, who helped so wonder- fully with the first publication of the Chestnut Burr, the first yearbook was dedicated. The first Chestnut Burr contained snapshots and write- ups of the faculty, classes, clubs, and sports, as well as snap- shots of class rooms and familiar scenes around school; the class ode, history, poem, will, and prophecy; programs of graduation exercises; a record of those receiving medals awarded at graduation; a copy of the Senior Class Play, Cyclone Sally ' ; and nevs ' spaper clippings concerning school activities. Until 1950, there was each year only one bound copy of the Chestnut Burr, all the work being done by hand. These copies are kept in the school office, where the alumni are welcome to come and look through them. In 1950 the School Photo Service, Inc., Kansas City, Mo., published the Chestnut Burr as we now know it, making it possible for each student to purchase a copy. TTie annuals of 1951 and 1952, as well as the present edition, were published by the Valley Register Publishers. Each year, a marked improve- ment can be found in our high school treasure. To the class, yearbook staff, and faculty of 1928, we owe the ever-growing yearbook which is dear to all our hearts. They were the pioneers of the Chestnut Burr, which will always be cherished by students of Middletown High School.