Oak Grove Coburn High School - Oak Leaves Yearbook (Vassalboro, ME)

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OAK LEAvEs Qld AY J I - l . 1,53 4-1,5 I Ll l R I ' dmiigwx irtgagmlvign U - pug.. vang' -'I A LATO roam - :inet tonm BANK mum V- uni -.,.,- .-. . . E-- ,N lQvo:'W?'.'a'R!- llf O A ' -sg! Q O NIMH!!! 'N Q - W QOH - ADDRESS TO UNDERGRADUATES In a recent biography of Jane Addams, there is a delightful story of her childhood when she was dreaming night aft-er night that she was the sole person in the world and that some day she would have th-e responsibility of starting a wheel in the affairs of the world. In her waking hours as in her dreams, Jane Addams always felt her responsibility in life as sole. She never stopped turning wheels in her efforts to make the world a hap- pier, finer place. As we, the graduating class of 1936 come to our Commencement exercises, we should like to leave with you, dear Undergraduates of Oak Grove, something of the philosophy of lif-e that we have gained from our experiences as we have lived here together. It is the task of us who are graduating to help make real advances in establishing a better world. It is the task of you dear Undergraduates whom we leave at Oak Grove to carry on the work of making this school a wonderful example of under- standing and friendship. There is no limit to what can be accomplished if you, as Undergraduates, begin the new year n-ext September with the real Oak Grove spirit. Loyalty is one of the first prerequisites for fineness of individual character and of helpfulness in a group. There can be no traitors in your group if it is to realize its finest and happiest possibilities. As we go on through life, we find that there are many influences that determine our successg but today I should like to speak to you of three that have a special influence during your boarding school days,-your attitudes towards your studies, your recreations and your friends. It would help us all very much if we could only realiz-e early in our student life that our studies are not something designed to punish us or to keep us from other activities we might prefer, but rather that th-ey are to provide the informa- tion and the training necessary to fit us for greater success, happiness and service. 6

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OAK LEAVES There is something in the very fibre of our being that thrills to the majestic glory of a sunset, to the harmonious chord of a great symphony, to the rhythm of the unfathomable tides, to the delicate grace of a snow- fiake. These draw us, because in some intangible, inexplicable way, they find a spiritual response in our spiritual selves. Experiences like our re- sponse to b-eauty in all its varied forms are spiritual realizations and once experienced, are ours forever. There is littl-e that We are capable of saying about these unsought experienc-es in the realm above th-e material, where our real selves find their true expression or response. Both friendship and spiritual experiences are closely linked and friendship may often be a stepping stone -to a greater power in living abundantly. F. W., '36. ANOTHER VOLUME FOR THE OAK GROVE CASE When Briggs Hall was built our Principals with prophetic vision and proud confidence in th-eir girls insisted that the architects include in the library a special bookcase reserved for volum-es written by Oak Grove Girls. One of the newest to arrive is Solo Flight by Beatrice Hussey, '32, who has just sent us a copy of her first edition With a dedication to her Alma Mater. It is a charming little volume and We extend our congratulations with the hope that she may have many others in the bookcase of Oak Grove. WHEN IMAGINATION FAILS Anticipation, they say, gives a keener s-ense of enjoym-ent than realiza- tion. If this is tru-e, it is because our imagination paints the future with such rosy colors that when the event really happens, it seems faded and uninteresting by contrast. There are some experiences in life, however, which are completely satisfying, and because of the subtle spiritual way in which they reach our lives, it is impossible for us to anticipate them, and therefore, their realization is always more joyous and satisfying than We could have imagined. A kind word, an und-erstanding smile, the clasp of a friendly hand, a moither's love, and all spiritual adventures make life more beautiful, more dynamic, more joyous. 5

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OAK LEAVES There are countless persons who feel that the real quality or lack of it in a girl is shown as quickly in her recreation as anywhere else. If she takes unfair advantage in a game, is sulky when an opponent wins, or exults when a victory is hers, we know that her nature is selfish and un- lovely. A Good Sport is considerate, unselfish, and absolutely fair. It is very likely, dear Undergraduates, that th-e sam-e qualities which you d-evelop in your hours of recreation will be those qualities which determine your success or failure in later life. There are some students who are honest and faithful in regard to their studies, who will play a game with fairness and yet do not get along amiably with their associates. Unless we can rejoice as much in the success and happiness of a friend as we can in our own, th-en there is a jealousy in our natures which should be eliminated. If we could only cultivate generosity, if we could just remember that we have faults as well as our roommate, then we would be more forgiving and less critical. Some of the greatest inspiration and most lasting joy in life comes to us through our responsibility to be just that type of friend to somebody else. In one of his meditations, Kagawa says, Nothing lifts us upward except the power which comes from within- If this philosophy is true, then we must realize that much of our success and happiness in life depends upon our own attitudes or the spirit in our hearts. You who are Juniors will be studying Ruskin's essays next year and in King's Treasuries, he tells you who is advancing in life. We cannot wish anything finer for you than that as you continue at Oak Grove you are truly advancing in life so that your school is a finer place in which to live because you are a part of it. And now, dear Undergraduates with whom we have worked and played during these months that have sped by so swiftly, we leave Oak Grove in your care, 'believing sincerely that you will give careful thought to the profbl-em of human relations as it conc-erns you individually, as it concerns Oak Grove, and as it concerns your contri-bution to the world. A magnificent personality is the one that is really advancing in life and is the one tha.t can reveal as fine a spirit of service as Jane Addams did. May each of you feel the same responsibility that came to her to make the world better because you are a part of it. FLORENCE WORTH, '36. 7