Saginaw High School - Aurora Yearbook (Saginaw, MI)

Page 25 text:

PRESIDENT’S FAREWELL ADDRESS. Throughout the four years spent by the Class of 1906 as students of the Saginaw High School, it has always been their custom, whether purposely or by chance to follow a course peculiar to themselves. Therefore I as their repre- sentative will not follow the example of some former class presidents, and dwell upon the sadness of the occasion, for we know well enough, that the ending of old associations and old duties, and the taking on of new responsiblities, brings the feeling of regret, and no doubt, some of the happiest days of our lives have been spent within these walls. These are days of great educational advantages, and throughout the entire country there are many excellent schools, but few have greater advantages, both mechanical and educational, than those afforded the pupils in our Saginaw High School. The Class of 1906 has the distinction of being the first class to be graduated since the opening of our fine Manual Training School, a school of which Saginaw is justly proud. Our only regret is that this school had not been founded three years sooner, so that we could have received its full benefits. It is interesting to compare this school as it now stands, with the first High School of Saginaw. The High School as a separate branch was first established in 1867. The first class to be graduated was in 1871, there being six in the class. In 1880 a new High School was built, on the same ground that this school now occupies,this location being chosen against the wish of a great number of citizens, who claimed that it was being built on the outskirts of the city, since at that time nearly all south of the school was woods. The faculty of the school at that time consisted of the principal 21

Page 24 text:

CLASS POEM. I XTR )I)l'CTl( N. I've tried to rhyme in eou])lels. and I've tried to write blank verse. The difference was that one was had. the other one was worse. I called the Muse unto me to help me with an ode The uselessness of that attempt the very first line showed. 1 tried a nature poem next, and though I'm no criterion I realized it was pretty bad. and tried the scheme Spenserian. You'd have thought I might be weary, but I stake my word upon it, I produced a new concoction, which I have called a s nnet. O ye thoughtless ones! who really think to rhyme is any fun. Let me tell you that the poet's lot is not a happy one! S X XET. () coming Years! It is to thee we frame Our prayer for friendly omens on that day ( )n which our playtime we must put away To enter life with higher, nobler aim. The past is gone. We cannot now reclaim I'he years that have flown o'er us. We but pray Thy yoke upon us thou wilt lightly lay. Our follies are of youth, and have but youth to blame. Then, kind+v“Future, give us of thy store -Such- n: .1 as seems best in thy good sight; But c-fit none off untimely, e'er he find The jrlaiV and task that is to him assigned. —‘ Grant. jf. ix seem in thy fair judgment right. Wbat ye strive after, that to gain, no more. Dorothea Prall. 2t) •»

Page 26 text:

and four or five teachers. Then the instructors had to teach a variety of subjects; now all our faculty are specialists, skilled in the course they pursue. From such a small begin- ning our school has gradually grown to its present large size. As the school has been constantly changed, so also has the world, and today presents a great many more tempta- tion than those of thirty-five years ago. Then since the young men and women of our country may come in contact with these tribulations, the consequent need for a high and noble standard of action is very great. We hope that the good influences with which we have been surrounded in this institution may have their effects in future time, and enable us to withstand the temptations that may beset us on ever side. For many of us this is the last week of school life, and we wish to express our gratitude to the faculty for their untiring efforts in 'directing us during the past four years. It is the hope, we know, of our instructors and of the class, that each individual member will follow the highest ideals and prove worthy to be graduated of the Saginaw High School, and an example to future classes. Ralph E. O’Brien. 2 a