SUNY at Fredonia - Fredonian Yearbook (Fredonia, NY)

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Class Poem 1926 Our school life's meant much more to us Than lessons we have learned Than knowledge that we've stored away Or letters we may have earned. It isn't the honors or classmarks That welve gathered along the way, Nor the petty dissolutions That we remember to-day. But, the things that will stay with us And each year grow more dear Are the happy times, and the many friends That we have gathered here. Life after all is far too short To learn all we should know But there's always time to make a friend Or enjoy one as we go. Our school has given us her best, We'll carry her good work thru' And when others claim her we will say She's my Alma Mater, too. May our school day book of memories Harbor all the truths we're taught And the future that's before us Hold the treasure that it ought. OLIVE L. TANNER 27

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President's Address Classmates, Members of the Faculty, Fellow Students, Guests: As we are about to complete our work in Fredonia Normal School the future begins to take on an aspect of reality and we are led to speculate as to what service we may be to society and as to what our present equipment is. As I was considering a theme several ideas occurred to me which seemed worth While for us to consider. Each had possibilities of its own but all were conducive of one in common, that was thought, and its relation to ourselves. It we can get people to form the habit of thinking they will be enabled to gain more pleasure and profit from life for themselves and they will be useful to society instead of being hindrances. Everything is conducive of thought if we Will but stop in our rush for material gain long enough to think. It is true that today we have more things to do with and to amuse ourselves with than ever before and our time is quite well taken up, but it seems to me that thought offers about as great possibilities for constructive gain as anything which is possible for every one of us. Through thought we increase our appreciation of the higher and better things of life. For example: I believe if we would all spend twice as much time on one book and read only half as many, and think of what we read, that we would get more value from our reading. We have examples of thinkers here with us at all times, and I am sure we all admire them. All people do not think the same, but if one will only take the time, thought has possibilities of being a pleasant and profitable occupation. Good, clear thinking is a necessary attri- bute in performing the duty of a teacher. Muddled brains cannot teach others to think: Another idea that seems worth while is cooperation. I want to thank the class for this spirit which has been shown in matters per- taining to class activities. I also want to thank you for the privilege and honor of being class president for three years. I want to thank, in behalf of the class, the members of the faculty for their kind and helping attitude. It will be a long time before we forget the many pleasant experiences and friends we have met in our three years in Fredonia. In closing I hope we can continue to carry out the spirit of con- sideration for others which is present here in this school and I hope this Senior Day will be pleasant to you all. JUDSON PIERPONT, Class President. 26

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History of Class of '26 PROLOGUE Three years of work and play, and then There's life to face, we'll face it glowingly, But ah! these three swift years will be well filled. Then we'll look back knowingly Upon ourselves as Hrst we entered here, The portals, Alma Mater, welcomed gladly, We were untried, unproven, hopes and fears. To realize half joyfully half sadly. CANTO I. Three years ago, the old refrain is told. We were so young, but felt so old. VVe tested all that Norn1al'i life could hold, Those first strange days at Fredonia. We were proud of our colors, so new and bright. Entrusted to us so solemnly one night. The blue and gold to us were just right. That first glad year at Fredonia. CANTO II. Juniors! with soberer tasks to be done, A harder stretch of the race to be run, But we played and we worked, and we had our fun Tlwas a happy year at Fredonia. We planned and we toiled, our marks to raise, Some brought us censure, some brought us praise. There were social events, many happy days, Which hastily fled at Fredonia. 28