South Philadelphia High School for Girls - Portal Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 83 text:

7 O I I T0 0RROW Seventy-u ine Beyond the rows of damp-eyed parents Beyond the teachers, seats, corridors Beyond the open door I stand, Beckoning . . . waiting. Above the salutations and rustle of programs Above the music and heavy breathing I am Calling . . . whispering . . . Come, I am brutal and ugly, and I challenge you. Colne, I ani beautiful beyond comprehension, and I welcome you. I was here before you came. I shall be here when you are gone. Subdue me, train me, bend me to your will. Take one last look, and come! Bring your curiosity, your common sense, your fresh, young vitality . . . enrich all with a sense of beauty, fairness . . . charity . . . Come, eager . . . unafraid . . . come to me laughing under the burden of destiny . . . And I will love you!

Page 82 text:

DE.Ali Guns: Do you recall the lines of Rahindranath Tagore:M UTl1e flower fades and dies, hut lie who wears the flower has not to moiwn for it -f0TC'l'C7'N? If you have had your first corsage, you will know how unhappy one may feel to see flowers fading. Of course the poet had in mind more significant flowers of life. The happy times you've had in school will cause tears on the part of many of you when you see them fading on Commencement evening. Tagore wants to warn us, not against weeping for what we lose, hut against keeping our faces turned to the past. To love life and live it richly will mean that we shall see many flowers we prize die, and we, having loved them, will mourn-hut not, let us hope, ever ! There is such a temptation, after a few disappointf uforf ments to think of the past as a golden age, and to expect little of the present. For your own sake, and for the sake of each other, keep your faces turned forward, the memory of lost flowers strengthening, not weakening, you to live richly and fully in the present, working for a more glorious future! With all good wishes, tb Nl l'1'llf'll-l'i!l'If

Page 84 text:

MARIGN ANDEIISIDN MARION ANDERSON was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While still very young, she showed definite signs of a love for music. At a very early age she became a member of the Junior Choir of the Union Baptist Church where she was known as The Baby Contraltof' At the request of the director of the Senior Choir, Miss Anderson filled in with that group also, very often singing soprano, alto, tenor, or bass, if one of these soloists happened to be absent. Miss Anderson was educated in the Philadelphia schools, was gradu- ated from the South Philadelphia High School for Girls, and later studied in the various musical centers of Europe. In 1937 she sang at the White House at the invitation of the President and Mrs. Roosevelt, and in 1939 was again invited by President and Mrs. Roosevelt to sing at the reception given at the White House in honor of the King and Queen of England. Marion' Anderson holds an honorary degree of Doctor of Music from Howard University, Washington, D. C., and was also similarly honored by Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 194-1 Miss Anderson was the recipient of the Philadelphia Award. Eighty