Ranchester High School - Rustler Yearbook (Ranchester, WY)

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“AN OLD AMERICAN CUSTOM” One might go back into history many years and find that the giving of a welcome address began with the first graduation exercise which ever was held regardless of time or place. Although an old custom, the older the custom the greater is its conventional significance. For several years the seniors have looked forward to the hour of graduation. No doubt their parents and friends, have looked forward to the hour also. Yesterday has settled itself in their character and memory. Tomorrow is yet around the corner and out of sight and no one knows what it holds except that there will be the memory of what they have done today. Soon the doors of the school will be closed for the summer. The class- rooms so full of activity during the school term will be silent. The structure itself has no life. It is only dead material. The seniors owe thanks and apprecia- tion to the teachers and school officials. Their classmates and school friends are important influences in their lives. It is the people loved, enjoyed and re- membered and not the buildings. To extend a welcome carries with it a suggestion of liberty and independence. These words and the things they suggest are linked closely together all through American history. In New York harbor since 1885 stands the Statue of Liberty to welcome comers from everywhere. This colossal bronze statue is the figure of a woman bearing a torch aloft in her hand as though to offer to travelers on the troubled sea of life a home in which they may enjoy liberty and inde- pendence. The statue was designed to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of American independence, was placed in position in 1885 and unveiled in 1886, a gift to America from France. The Statue of Liberty stands at the entrance to the greatest American seaport as a symbol of welcome. Back of the symbol of welcome is a nation of people grown to greatness based on virtues of liberty and independence. The most important events in American history have served to emphasize that these virtues are more important in the minds of the American people of the present and past. To be welcome is to be free or willingly permitted to do, to have, or to enjoy anything. To have liberty is to be free from external restraint or compulsion. To extend welcome, with its implication of liberty and independence, is to offer a thing cherished most by American people. The senior’s welcome at graduation is a symbol of that spirit of liberty and independence for which principle they join the ranks of a nation willing to give its last drop of blood to defend. It is a privilege to have been born into a nation of people emphasizing these virtues so important in the happiness of every individual. In 1775 the Continental Congress adopted the several articles of the now famous Declaration of Independence. This act took place in the State House in Philadelphia which became known as Independence Hall. The bell in the State House tower rang out this declaration and became known as the Liberty Bell. Upon that bell now are the following words, “Proclaim Liberty throughout the land, to all the inhabitants thereof.” The seniors of 39 at their graduation exercises could think of nothing more fitting than to ask that those present accept their expression of welcome as a symbol of their appreciation of the spirit of liberty, and the feeling of indepen- dence which characterize the land of the free and the home of the brave. Resume of welcome address given by Winnefred Rice, May 18, 1939,

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GREETINGS TO THE CLASS OF ’39 It is the wish of the School Board of the Ranchester High School that the future will hold for each one of the class all the success, happiness, prosperity, and satisfaction that this old world has to offer. It is also their wish that the background obtained during the years spent in the Ranchester High School will aid and guide them in their future problems. The School Board also wishes to extend greetings to all the other pupils in the high school and hope that in the near future they will be able to congratulate each and every one in the same manner as they now congratulate the Class of ’39. —The School Board. PATRONS, PARENTS, BOYS AND GIRLS OF THE RANCHESTER SCHOOL If education is to prepare for future life and happiness, then it is of universal importance that we submit all the knowledge, and experience available toward the development of characters that will be able to face the perplexing problems of tomorrow, with keen fore- sight, thoughtfulness, strong moral character, social stability, phys- ical well being, emotional and mental facilities capable of withstand- ing the load or burden placed upon them in the future. It has been with this intent in mind that we have carried on the extensive extra-curricular program that has given the pupils the opportunity to participate in radio programs over KWYO. athletics, publications, plays, etc., throughout the year. These opportunities were not available in the old school where the classroom was the theatre of education. So if we have been able to give our boys and girls a better oppor- tunity and chance in the practical experiences of life, we feel that we have accomplished a great deal. —U. J. Korhonen, Superintendent.