Spottswood High School - Spotlight Yearbook (Spottswood, VA)

Page 15 text:

SALUTATORY Dear Parents, Teachers, Classmates and Friends: Tonight, we, the graduating class of 1951, wish to welcome you to a great event, our final commencement exercise. For the past eleven years we have fought many a battle and faced many hardships, but tonight we gather here to receive our reward. Tonight we are proud and happy, but yet deep down inside there is a sadness, because from now on we shall have only a memory of school days that are past. We realize, that at times, we were only a foolish group of girls and boys. We have reached the climax of our high school days, and now we must look into the future. We see a life that is full of trials and respon¬ sibilities, and we also hope, one full of happiness and success. Our Parents, if it were not for your tears, worries, cares, and interest we wouldn’t be here as the graduating class of ’51. From the bottom of our hearts, we wish to express our appreciation for your love and guidance, which has made tonight possible. We hope that you are as proud as we are. Teachers, we wish to thank you for helping to make tonight possible, for the faith¬ fulness you have shown, and for encouragement you have given. Again we wish to thank you. Underclassmen, we wish you the success and happiness in life. The memories will always linger in our hearts of the most happy days we spent with you. And now, dear Classmates, the time has come when we must part; we know not the time, or the place in which we will ever meet again, but we wish each other a very success¬ ful life, We shall never forget the happy days we spent together. Salutatorian: Terry Brooks.

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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

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MS HISTORY In the early fall of the year of 1940, the boys and girls entered Spottswood school ' s door to begin their education that would prepare them for the life ahead as an American citizen. They were not sure of themselves and this life frightened them for they did not understand this change at all. Of the original group that started their education in that year only seven remain. Eloise Ramsey Allen, Mary Helen Gorden, Margie Deaver, Mary Alice Robertson, Bobby Sorrels, Terry Brooks and Verney Fitzgerald. Our director was Miss Helen Huff. At the end of our summer vacation, we were proud of the fact that we were second graders, working our way up in the field of education under the guidance of Mrs. Carl Hays. Our next goal was the third grade, under the directorship of Miss Mary McClure. One of our most important achievements was the Operetta in which the grades three through seven participated. The next fall found us on our way through the fourth grade. We began to believe that we were grown-up by this time. We were joined this year by Alice Holbert and were under the guidance of Miss Frances Fulwider. Back from our summer vacation we entered the fifth grade. Mrs. Jack Bryant was our teacher. We presented another Operetta; of them all this was the most successful. The next session we entered the sixth grade under the leadership of Miss Helen Cline. We had come a long way since 1941 and were anxious to continue our work. We were joined this year by Maxie Allen, James Fitzgerald and Roy Ayers. At this point in our history we pause in loving remembrance of Jo Ann Harris who passed away February 8, 1946. It had been a long climb but at last we were in the seventh-grade, soon ready to enter high school. . We were joined this year by Bill Harlow, Bobby Gorden, and Beryl Luns¬ ford. Miss Margaret Ramsey was our teacher. At last we were freshman, our first year of high school. We were joined this year by Adair Austin, Robert Groah, and Arthur Smiley. Mrs. Gorden Ramsey was our home room teacher. After our summer’s vacation, we began the ninth year of building our education under the direction of Miss Helen Swotzer; Mr. J. T. Horn was our Principal. Another summer vacation and we were Juniors. We were very proud of this long jour¬ ney in the field of education and next year we would be the Senior Class. Our Junior Play was a success. Seniors, we can hardly believe it possible; but it is true. This is our last year at Old Spottswood High School. Our home room director is Mr. G. T. Perron, and our principal is Mr. J. T. Horn. He has been our principal since our sophomore year. Now that the end is here, we are sorry to leave Spottswood High School, for it has been our home for eleven years. We, the Seniors, as the graduating class of 1951, wish to express our sincere thanks to our parents and all the teachers that have helped make our education possible. Maxie Allen Historian