Robert E Lee High School - Leeway / Record Yearbook (Staunton, VA)

Page 26 text:

Valedictory Kate Drake T IS with a feeling of sadness that we, the class of 1930, meet this evening to say farewell to schoolmates, teachers, and school. Friendship is a precious, a tender thing; during the years we have been together, we have learned to know and appreciate the many hue qualities of those whom we are proud to call friends. The happy hours spent here at old Lee Fligh with them will ever be a sacred memory to us. To the teachers we express our sincere gratitude for their unceasing and tireless efforts on our behalf, their kindly encouragement, and warm friendship. When we go forth into the broader fields of life, as we shall soon go, what are our plans? Are we planning to become leaders in college, in business, or shall we be content to depend upon someone else? Content merely to follow the crowd through life? A view held by many today and gaining in popularity is that the world has too many leaders and too few well-trained followers. Be that as it may, we well know that in this great age of industry, and of rapid changes, situations and con¬ ditions are constantly arising which call for outstanding men, leaders who must have the qualifications of courage, honesty, and perseverance. Today, we hear much of the spirit of service to others, and rightly so, for if we are not useful to others, of what use are we? But can we all become leaders? you ask. Perhaps not, but if we aim high, if our vision is a worthy one, we cannot fall very far short; and those of us who fail to lead, will, at least, through the efforts made, be much better qualified to serve as followers. Let us not be content to stand still, for as has been said, “A standing still is a kind of descent.” We fully realize as we go out from our school here that we have been well prepared and equipped to assume the responsibilities which will confront us. May we look upon our responsibilities and difficulties as valuable opportunities to aid us in reaching the thing we most greatly desire. Remember that the man who reaches the heights and who conquers is the one who does more than is required of him. Today is yours, and mine, to do with it as we will. So let us keep ever before us these words of Phillips Brooks: “The ideal life is in our blood and never will be still. Sad will be the day for any man when he becomes contented with the thoughts he is thinking and the deeds he is doing—where there is not forever beating the doors of his soul some great desire to do something larger, which he knows that he was meant and made to do.”

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AUDREY MELBA POTTER Philomathean Literary Society; Glee Club “Music is the universal language of mankind.” Audrey is one of the steady dependable members of tbe class of ’30. Although very quiet and reserv¬ ed, she is ever willing to do her part We are sure that Audrey with her musical talent will be a suc¬ cess in life. WALTER KING “JACK” Philomathean Literary Society; Cheer Leader ’29-’30; Hi-Y Club; Mixed Chorus; Chorus “Kathleen”; Chorus “Pattie.” “Quality not quantity.” Although Walter is small he certainly can be heard when it comes to leading the cheers. He is one of the bright members of our bright (?) class and has won success as a short story writer. TO- W. M. Collins If all the flowers of May should fade. If all the beauty, God has made Should vanish in a flash away Like the light at close of day. If all things else I care about Should in a moment disappear 1 shouldn’t fret, I shouldn’t doubt If I were sure that you were near, For you are everything that’s dear To me.

Page 27 text:

Salutatory Kerlyn Baber R1ENDS, patrons, teachers, and fellow-students of Robert E. Lee High School, I consider it a great honor to have the pleasure of welcoming you here this evening. We are very glad to have you present at our graduation exercises. And what does gradu¬ ation signify, what does it stand for? It stands for the reaching of the goal which we set for ourselves when we entered high school, and toward which we have been working since that time. Our school has been growing and thriving too. Many improvements have been made since our entrance here, and it is with great pride and affection that we look upon our high school. Even though we have reached the goal which we set for ourselves upon enter¬ ing high school we have not completed, but only started upon our real work. In the future, as we go forward with our work, we shall take different paths. Some will pursue further their education, others will enter the business world to occupy different positions. Let us remember that life gives back no more than is put into it; therefore, let each of us give to our work the best we have to offer. I am sure that we shall all strive to be successful, and through this success bring honor to Lee High. In the different walks of life there are many, and great opportunities. Our desire and duty should be to find them and avail ourselves of them. Success comes not only through recognizing an opportunity, but also in grasping it and working long and faithfully until what it offers is ours. When success crowns our efforts, as it will for many of us, no doubt, let us not fail to look back to the years spent here and to give credit to the school which so well equipped us for the journey upon which we were setting out. Teachers, as we take leave of you we wish to express our sincere appreciation for your helpful advice and support during our high school career. We hope that we have conducted ourselves so that you may justly be proud of us. I salute you, class of 1930, and on your behalf extend a most hearty and sincere welcome to our friends here tonight.