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

Page 31 text:

The Sword of Robert Lee I ' orth from its scabbard, pure and bright, b’lashed tlie sword of Lee! Far in the front of the deadly light, Migh o’er the brave in the cause of Right, Its stainless sheen, like a beacon light, l,ed us to Victory. Out of its scabbard, where, full long. It slumbered peacefully. Roused from its rest by the battle’s song. Shielding the feeble, smiting the strong. Guarding the right, avenging the wrong, Gleamed the sword of Lee. Forth from its scabbard, high in air Beneath Virginia’s sky— And they who saw it gleaming there. And knew who bore it, knelt to swear That where that sword led they would dare To follow—and to die. Out of its scabbard! Never hand Waved sword from stain as free. Nor purer sword led braver band. Nor braver bled for a brighter land. Nor brighter land had a cause so grand, Nor cause a chief like Lee! Forth from its scabbard! how we prayed That sword might victor be; And when our triumph was delayed. And many a heart grew sore afraid. We still hoped on while gleamed the blade Of noble Robert Lee. Forth from its scabbard all in vain Forth flashed the sword of Lee; ’Tis shrouded now in its sheath again. It sleeps the sleep of our noble slain. Defeated, yet without a stain. Proudly and peacefully. —AiiKAM J. Ryan.

Page 30 text:

RAMSEY CORDNER BOSSERMAN Plioenix Literary Society; Activities Associa¬ tion. HARRIS CLAYTON PETRY Pha’nix Literary Society; Debating Team ’32-’35; President of Senior Class ’33-’34; Activities Association. ROBERT ARMSTRONG BELZ Philomathean Literary Society; Circulation Manager of the Record.

Page 32 text:

Valedictory MARGARET KELLER T O THE CLASS OE 1934 the occasion this evening is a momentous one. Our high school careers are rtnished. We stand upon the threshold of new opportunity for development. The spirit of adventure fills our hearts as we go forth to try to improve this world in which we live. There is a great responsibility awaiting us. Every one is beginning to awake to the fact that the depression is not an economic depression but a character depression. The trouble we are now enduring is due to failure in character, therefore these are the times that try men’s souls.” The young people of today must strengthen their own characters and through them influence the characters of others. Take for example the great Virginians who stand as almost perfect examples of noble, sterling character in chaotic periods of their state’s history. Something must account for these wonderful characters for character does not reach such consummate flowering alone, and by accidental causes! At this time many important decisions must be made. In making these decisions we should not allow ourselves to swim with the crowd,” but rather we should form our own opinions and think for ourselves. Dr. Robert Wicks of Princeton University makes the following statement: Wherever we have learned new truth, sensed new beauty, improved taste or found new ways to live, it has never been by the vision of majorities.” C9ur great Virginia leaders withstood every shock of surprise or defeat without a tremor or a doubt. The greatness of their character was as evident in defeat as in the most brilliant victories. We should be prepared to adjust ourselves to varying condi¬ tions and to the supreme tests that are inevitable in life. Since we are launching in a time that tries men’s souls” we should formulate a creed, because a person’s beliefs determine his actions. The first point in a creed that will promote upright character is I believe in a God who is love.” Every one should strive toward that ideal of living which recognizes the supremacy of spiritual values. W ' hen th ere is peace of mind much can be accomplished.