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

Page 32 text:

Salutatory Thomas Bell F RIENDS, members of the faculty, and fellow students of Robert E. Lee High school, I consider it, indeed, an honor to welcome you here tonight. For four years, we, the class of 1936, have been striving to reach that to which we have now come, our graduation. Now, we must part. I am sure that every one of us will remember this splendid school and the excellent training it has afforded us, as well as, the friendships which we have made here. During our high school years we have been living in a sort of co-operative society bound together by common interests and subject to common laws. We have been members of a community within a community, working together for the good of both. Each of these communities in which we have lived has reflected or will reflect to some degree the lives which we have lived in the other. When we came into this school four years ago we had received a large part of our pre¬ liminary training in our homes. During our four years here, the train¬ ing which we obtained at home has come to light in our speech, in our morals, in our habits in and out of school, and in our manners. At the same time the effect of our training here has certainly been noticeable in our homes. This school has aided greatly in the building of our characters and, certainly, there can be no greater service. Here we have been prepared for professions and positions in terms of English, mathematics, science and history and also along many other lines. Here we have developed self-confidence and poise which are necessary at¬ tributes if we wish to make a success of life. I could talk for hours about the benefits we have received while attending this school. May it continue for generations to serve the community and may the com¬ munity, in turn, work for the good and improvement of the school. As each succeeding generation goes forth may it leave the school the better for its having been here. May they be proud of the school as we are, and the school proud of them, as we trust it is of us. May they be thankful for their benefits as we are for ours. It is with regret that we leave the teachers, whose enduring pati¬ ence and untiring efforts have enabled us to advance so far as we have. May they never have to feel that their efforts have been, at all, in vain. Class of 1936, I salute you, and on your behalf I extend to all our friends here a most hearty welcome.

Page 31 text:

Valedictory Palmer A. Ware W E, THE Class of 1936, have now reached the time in our lives when we must look forward and prepare for the future. Now is the time when we must lay plans and carry them out if we hope to become successful in later life. Only those who plan, succeed in the world of today. As a rule, opportunity does not come unsolicited, and those who wait for it to come, without personal effort, will, probably, wait a long time. We must not be of this type but must ever strive to better ourselves, remembering, however, to respect the rights of others. All obstacles which may hinder us must be overcome and by overcoming each hindrance we come that much nearer to success. In the life of today, if there is one thing that people need more than another it is education. Today is an age of specialization. Every industry and occupation requires special training in its line. Society today is modeled much like a factory. Each in¬ dividual does his part, in co-operation with the rest to turn out the finished product, a happy and prosperous community. In this age of almost universal education any person who lacks it will be hindered as at no previous time. We recognize this fact and are thankful for the education we have received and shall strive to better it. The standards of education are higher today than in former years. Wonderful opportunities, whidh have never been offered before, are now offered to students. In the development of our country all of our leaders have recognized the value of education. Benjamin Franklin, along with several of his friends, established the first public subscription library in America. Thomas Jefferson, prominent Virginian, founded the University of Virginia. Many other men have also done their part toward increasing the educa¬ tional facilities and making them what they are today. Not only the securing of an education but the application of it is one of the prob¬ lems facing us today. Each person has some special duty to perform in our society and the better he does his task the greater will be his contribution to progress. The day laborer makes as great a contribution to society as the oil magnate. If it were not for the simple laborer many of our luxuries and even our necessities would be lacking. There must be able men to manage great industries and there must be able men to carry out their orders. Any concern without a head is doomed to failure and without workmen its fate is the same. Now, as we leave this high school and go on in life we should ponder on these facts and ask ourselves what part are we going to play in life? Are we going to make any definite contribution to society or just aimlessly wander? We must realize that each of us owes a debt to society and should, to the best of our ability, pay that debt. To us have been given by those wfio have cared for us and had faith in us the oppor¬ tunities, which, if we have used to the best advantage should carry us far. We have studied and become familiar with the arts, sciences, and literature of the past, now let us look to the future. Let me again emphasize the thought that only by planning, and then carrying out those plans can we make progress. Let us keep this in mind and strive to effect it. From now on we shall be thrown more and more upon our own initiative and responsibility. We must build our own lives and in doing so we must be careful to eliminate all that will hinder or harm us. Some of the things which can hinder and harm us are irresponsibility, carelessness, lack of self-confidence, and dis¬ honesty. So if we are to contribute something worthwhile to society and if we are to win an enviable place among our associates let us shun habits which are harmful. Each of our group looks back with pleasure to the delightful experiences enjoyed here in high school and extends sincere thanks to those who have so willingly helped along the way. And now, the Class of ’36 says, ' ' Farewell.” us

Page 33 text:

Class Prophecy T ONIGHT, June ll, 1951 marks the fifth reunion of our class, here, in Staunton, Virginia. The roll call just completed reveals the astounding fact, that for the first time in its history, the entire class is assembled. I, the president of this prosperous looking and intelligent group, extend to you warm greetings and a hearty welcome. In order that we may know what line of work each is engaged in at present, I suggest that the various professions and occupations of the members of this class, be revealed through giving a toast to each, and, to revive memories of former days, I suggest the heroic couplet” be used. With your permission, I’ll give the first: To Wilson Sterrett who has taken to the air, There are no policemen or speed limits there. Faye Shiflett’s a mountain home-mission worker, And as everyone knows she is no shirker. Frances Walters tho’ she hasn’t grown tall, As a bacteriologist has surpassed us all. Rebecca Knopp as in her high school days, Does everything well, always worthy of praise. Fdere’s to the chemist Lauriault, given name Bruce, When he made his discoveries, the enemy called a truce. Harold Thomas is the world’s best When it comes to a radio test. Billy J. Davis, police chief of New York, Ffas just found a way to make criminals talk. Ruby Bragg in her try for fame, Added, notary public,” after her name. A great instructor is Betty Barr, Always her golf game scores par.” Next is a man of world wide fame, Ingle, football coach of Notre Dame. Hounihan, a real estate man of repute, Flas an honesty that one can never refute. Edward Larner our excellent math student As a contractor, now, is very prominent. Mary Doak Hawpe, of three husband fame, Is once again changing her name. Katherine Fdcmp went to teachers’ college, About Home Ec, she acquired much knowledge. Billy T. Davis the noted airplane designer Has completed his plans for a crack” airliner. To Alex Valz, who has just confessed, He made his fortune in a pie-eating contest. Virginia Holliday has given up monopoly, Now she’s raising pretty pansies” properly. Judith McCue as excellent in Math As in her school days; when she aroused our wrath. Gladys Lackey is quick and temptingly slim, And she rates first class as a teacher of gym I drink a toast to our friend, here William Hassett, famous athlete, known far and near. Chain stores flourish in every town, But Walter Reed’s have the greatest renown. In military affairs there are few wits sharper Than those of the great General Claude Harper. Ben Harvey’s name we see on every page A famous expert of the gasoline age. A power in Wall Street have we here, Willis Early, the well-known financier. Palmer Ware, as a chemist has gained great fame, His discoveries are quite a credit to his name. Walter Wilson, famous bantam weight champ, Is now in training at a military camp. Good luck to Kitty Agner in her happy married life And those who know her, know she will make a dandy wife. Dorothy Dudley’s found happiness and fame, The world’s most noted artist, whom we now acclaim. Lillian Forsyth teaches Home Ec. at Lee Hi, We hear she will have her own home, bye and bye. Of kindergarten teachers I think we may say, The best of them all is our own Jane Day. Remembering the thrill that a uniform carried, Helen Coiner is now to a captain married. Here is to Robert, of the Morrison clan, Who plays the trombone in a famous band. Bette Anderson, the poet, who has won the world’s acclaim In her last poem brought her alma mater great fame.