Vandergrift High School - Spectator Yearbook (Vandergrift, PA)

Page 8 text:

8 THE SPECTATOR Looking Backward and Forward When we look back over our school days do we find that we have accomplished anything? Almost all of us have accomplished something if only that we have acquired the knack of doing certain things better. Our thinking power has increased through the continued use of our minds and our capacity for knowledge has been enlarged. When we were youngsters in the grades we though High School was a great thing and what a wonderful experience it would be to go through the four years. But when we became Frehmen some of the glamour wore off, and by the time we were Juniors much of our interest flagged. We thought our studies were becoming too hard and what was the use of school anyway? Yet when we get out of school and are asked what period of our life we considered the best we would answer, ‘‘My school days were my happiest most carefree of my life.” We wish our examinations w-ere over so we could go out into the world; but later, as we grow older we would be glad to give up our cares and worries and live again our carefree youth. It is true that age brings responsibilities, but if we have prepared ourselves by receiving a good education we shall be ready for these responsibilities when they arrive. We are always dissatisfied with the present. This is the greatest fault of mankind. When we go out into the world, and its storms beat and buffet us we shall not think of the discomfort and grind of our school days but of the good times we are having now. It is w'ell to consider college. This is the most important period of our lives. It helps to determine our career. Some of us say that Lincoln had no education yet became a great man but Lincoln made his opportunities. We say we can make ours too, but when we come to making them, it is not very easy. The slogan that opportunity knocks but once is untrue. Opportunity is knocking all the time. It but waits to be seized upon by some enterprising person. We are the hope of the world. Europe-has been deprived of almost all of her doctors, scientists and preachers, and the older ones are fast disappearing. In time Europe will call on the younger generation but it will not answer. Why? Because there is no younger generation. Then young America can step up and say, “Give me a chance. I am prepared and will do my best. Give me a trial, I know I can make good.” Our High School graduates are merely a beginning. They prepare for bigger things. But college gives a greater training. The average High School student has an earning capacity of a thousand dollars, while the college man’s education is worth at least five thousand. Do not think luck has anything to do with success. The lazy man’s slogan is, “Wait till I am lucky.” Success is marked by character, energy, initiative and confidence. Without all four qualities we cannot be permanently successful. The world asks the graduates:—“What can you do? How well can you do it and how long does it take you?” You must have speed, as time is a large factor in our modern industries. When the opportunity shows itself, seize it! We should be glad to have the chance of developing ourselves, to get ready for our battles in life, battles that do not depend on the kind of rifle but rather upon the marksman. It is up to every individual whether he is defeated or comes out on top. —Edwin Cravener ’26,

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THE SPECTATOR 7 HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY J R. Kurtz. Principal Frances Hespenheide .. Esther McDowell ..... Kenneth Thompson .... YV. A. Margraf ...... George Davis ........ Calla Stahlman ...... Martha J. Major ..... Dorothy Hogan ....... Bertha Ray .......... Alda Bain ........... J Wallace Foster .... I'orothea McKee ..... Vvinnifred Von Allman Mabel Baker ......... W. O. Wallace ....... Mary Wilson ......... Homer Grosvenor ..... Lulu Gwynn .......... Jessie V. Ferrell ... .......... Geometry .............English .............English .............English .............Science .............Science ..............Latin ..............Latin .....French-Spanisb ........Mathematics ........Mathematics .............History .........Commercial .........Commercial ...Domestic Science Industrial Education Physical Education Physical Education ..........Instructor ...............Music BOARD OF EDUCATION Harry C. Jack ...... Samuel J. Russell .. J. Q. Adams......... R. W. McNutt........ Ralph C. George..... Clark Hanna ........ Rev. W. A. Roulston. .....President Vice President .....Secretary .....Treasurer .......Member .......Member .......Member

Page 9 text:

THE SPECTATOR 9 The Seniors CLASS OFFICERS PaHh Hammer . Charles Mitchell Ruth Anderson Agnes Allen ..... ......President Vice President .....T re isurer ......Secretary Class Flower—Violet Class Motto—“The Door of Success if Labeled ‘Push’ ” Colors—Blue and White