Spottswood High School - Spotlight Yearbook (Spottswood, VA)

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SENIORS ROBERT GLENN GUFFEY “The best way to get through life, is to work together. ’’ F. F. A. 1,2, 3; Track 3. RAYMOND OLIVER HAYES “Live and Let Live. “ F. F. A. 3, 4; Baseball 2; Bas¬ ketball 4; Track 4; Glee Club 4; Football 2, 3. PHYLLIS NADINE HITE “Never give up. F.H.A. 2,3,4; Glee Club 1,2,3. WILLIAM BOYD HARLOW “Learn not for school but for life. “ F. F. A. 2, 3; Baseball 2,3,4; Basketball 3,4; Track 4.

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SENIORS CECIL GASTON PAINTER “Words do not make great men. ’’ Baseball 2,3,4; Track 3,4; Basketball 3,4; Vice President Class 2; Advertising Manager of Spotlight 4; F. F. A. 2, 3,4. ROBERT PERRY GROAH ‘‘Friendliness will open the door when other keys won ' t, ’’ F.F.A. 2,3,4; F.F.A. Secretary 3; Base¬ ball 1,2, 3, 4; Basketball 3,4; Track 3,4; Athletic Club 4; Athletic Club Treasurer 4; President Home Room 2. JAMES FRANKLIN FITZGERALD “It’s not the name that makes the man, but the man that makes the name. “ F. F. A. 2, 3, 4; Basketball 3,4; Baseball 3,4; Track 3,4; F.F.A. Forestry Team 1st in District. ARTHUR LEE SMILEY ‘ ‘Smile your tr ouble s away. ’’ F.F.A. Reporter 3; Baseball 2,3,4; Basketball 3,4; Basketball Captain 4; Track 3,4; Athletic Club 4; Athletic Club President 4. BERYL GLENWOOD LUNSFORD “A man can’t always be a hero; but can always be a man. ’’ Class Play 3,4; F.F.A. 1,2, 3,4; Class Trea¬ surer 2; Baseball 1,2,4; Basketball 2; Track 4; Glee Club 1,3,4; Vice President of Class 3. EDWARD THOMAS EARHART “Don’t do anything today that you can put off until to¬ morrow. ’’ F.F.A. 2, 3,4; Class Play 4; Glee Club 2.

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VALEDICTORY WE INHERIT A GREATER DEMAND Classmates, Parents, Teachers, and Friends: We are gathered here tonight as the graduating class of 1951. On this occasion sadness is mingled with happiness. We are happy because we have reached our journey’s end as far as high school education is con¬ cerned; we are sad because after eleven years as a group, we will be on our own to face the vast unknown future. We realize, however, that the time has come for us to face the new and heavy problems that will arise, but the painstaking efforts of our teachers and parents have prepared us to make our own decisions and to take on our share of social problems. This is not a time for weeping; rather we should be rejoicing. We feel that we should rejoice because of the opportunity of being this graduating class of ’51. We feel that our efforts and the efforts of those who have stood by us through the years have not been in vain. We, this class of ’51, are certainly facing a “foggy” future. The way ahead is not clear, because of all the complex problems that the world must face. These are times in which we have to live and have been helped greatly to understand them. We are probably facing some of the most critical times in our history. The question is; are we prepared or are we willing, if need be, to endeavor to share our country’s efforts and to be of greater value to our democratic way of life by supporting courageously all the ideals that have made America great? We should not be satisfied at reaching this point in our lives. This event tonight is only a small frac¬ tion of the things we want from life, and is only the beginning of things that are stored up for us, if we are but willing to avail ourselves of the material, intellectual, and moral wealth that spells U. S. A. We are sometimes prone to handle our opportunities for an education carelessly, and seem to think that a high school education is the highest goal that can be reached. We find today that one’s training continues indefinitely. There is always so much room for improvement in the development of all individuals. The very fact that we refer to graduation as commencement, is a strict reminder that we have not as yet achieved, we are just beginning. Our contributions to the world around us and abroad; our cooperation with the forces of progress-physical, intellectual, or moral; the application of our training to society of which we become full-fledged members tonight; are all heavy responsibilities that we hope to shoulder un¬ flinchingly. You, our elders, will question our dependability and our trustwor thine s s. “Do they rate high in us?” you may ask. We hope we never forget that these qualities are more important today than ever before. “The sum of individual character makes national character. ” Since society can not be better than the individuals that compose it, we hope to become real assets that we may share in making this world a better place to live in. Dependability means honesty-honesty to the ideals we now believe in, honesty toward our fellowman, honesty in recognizing right from wrong, and honesty of action. Trustworthiness is a result of the proceeding two. May we never stray from the path we know to be right; and may we never flinch in our obligations to God, man, and Country in tasks large or small. As Henry Van Dyke once said, “We may have to live in a crowd; but we do not have to become a part of it, or be influenced by it, nor subsist on its food. ” Many of us are prone to be followers today instead of leaders. Our opportunities to become leaders are ever present. “Opportunity knocks every day of the year. ” Why aren’t more of us good leaders ? Is it lack of moral fortitude or apathy? We hope to have enough convictions to justify the trust in our generation at all times. We do not know what the future holds, but we hope to, “Always be Prepared. ” How is our attitude toward others? We know we are living in a fast moving world, where too many people have forgotten others exist, and are only looking out for themselves in a selfish manner; not stopping to think of their fellowmen. It is time for all to realize that we cannot live in this world just by ourselves and with selfish ways. Happiness will be attained when we have taken time to learn to live with others without wanting toforce others to live as we do. We might well remember this motto, “Do the greatest number of things to please the greatest number of people, ” that would be for the greatest good. At this point we also think of courtesy, a natural derivative from a proper attitude toward others. Cour¬ tesy is, “Like the eye of the person that looks beyond the friend’s broken gateway, and sees the rose blooming in his garden. ’’ All of these things might seem un-important now; but we hope never to forget they are very important factors in anyone’s life, and are some of the things we will need whether we plan to continue our education or not. The road ahead may be rugged, but we are thankful we have had a small bit of experience with it al¬ ready. We will not give up now; we will continue to struggle for the important things in life rather than the less important things we desire, without becoming prey to easy discouragement; and we must remember all along that: “Nothing worthwhile without great labor; and where there’s a will, there’s a way. ” The curtains are now falling on this graduating class. We feel this much of our life has been a worth¬ while endeavor. Thanks to the efforts of all those who have shared in the molding of our character; we hope to let no one down. As the unknown future is unveiled to us gradually, we will give it a smile to show that we are not afraid of it-that we are willing to contribute to it. May we say not goodbye, but just farewell for now. Alice Holbert, Valedictorian