Wakefield High School - Oracle Yearbook (Wakefield, MA)

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n Tpvmntion The Debater feels that it is a great privi- lege to pay a tribute to the memory of Miss Elizabeth F. Ingram, our friend and teacher, whose death soon after the beginning of school this year occasioned deep sorrow among the many who knew her. It was Miss Ingram who sponsored the school publication from the very first, and it was her guidance which made the Debater , year after year, representative of the best work of the English Department and creditable to the school. Therefore, since it is indeed her paper, it is eminently fitting that it should now be dedicated to her memory. Miss Ingram early gave her life to teaching. As a girl of seventeen, she was appointed a teacher in the Center Grammar School Number One. As her ability became better known, she advanced step by step, first to the position of instructor in the eighth and ninth grades of the Lincoln School, and thence to an appointment as English teacher in the high school. Ever since 1902 she had been in this department and for many years was head of it. Always devoted to the study of the English language and of the world ' s literature, she took a constant interest in the work of the Beebe Memorial library of which she was for nine years a trustee. When the plan to build a new high school was first discussed, it was through the earnest appeals of Miss Ingram and Mr. Howe that provision was made for a school library. It is pleasant to think that Miss Ingram lived to see her wish realized and to rejoice with us in the beautiful Charles H. Howe Memorial Library. Miss Ingram felt the sacredness of language to a degree which few people attain. She loved our mother tongue and respected it. Not only did she herself not abuse it, as far too many do, but she always worked in her classes for perfection of speech as well as spontaneity of expression among the students. Only those of us who were in her classes can realize what a complete mastery of English she had and how particular she was that each little thing be done right. With a view to further study and cultural enrichment. Miss Ingram took several summer trips to Europe. She became greatly inter- ested in the restoration of France after the World War, and particularly in the problem of providing support for war orphans. It was due to her interest that the school began its correspondence with two French boys and has from time to time sent them gifts. When she was with us, she was a great inspiration to us, tireless, patient, always ready to help a pupil out of any difficulty. To those who took an interest in their study, she gave freely of her time and energy. Now that she is gone, let us still be inspired by her life of service and let us try to work for those ends to which her life was devoted. E. D.

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Dedicated to the memory of our dear friend and teacher Miss Elizabeth Frances Ingram

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SPRING The daffodils are coming Down a shining golden path. The pine trees whisper it, And the pussy willows laugh, And a thousand tiny heralds Cry, Old Winter has passed! COLORS What is the color I like best? Yellow of daffodil, messenger of spring, Tlie gleam of blue-bird on the wing, Bed of l)uds on maple trees, The delicate green of opening leaves, Violets springing from moist ))rown earth. The lilush of anemone, trembling with mirth, But the color of all I like the best Is the silver-gray of mother ' s Wedding-dress. THE WAY Through the crowded streets of the city. On past the haunts of busy men. Where unceasing toil knows no pity, For hearts it must crusli in the end; Out into the vast silent places. Where sorrow walks with veiled eye. And calling shapes and sweet memories Stir liearts that may utter no cry. Thus onward to seek new endeavor. To fight, perchance fall, and then rise With unfailing courage, that ever Hath beckoned men on to tlie skies. THE HEART OF A BOY Waywai-d, storm-tossed and spent V ith passions, fierce and unknown ; Feeling the pulse of life. Beating a rhythmic tone. Hasty, unmoral, bold — - Loyal to foe as to friend; (living a IjIow for a blow. Faithful until the end. Tender, loving and kind Beneath the mask of the wild — Strong and steady and true Beats the heart of a man-child. THE FIRST SNOW-FALL Gently thiough the darkening night Tinj ' fairies in garments In-ight Had woven a web of purest white. It lay in hill and valley deep. And veiled the river down the steep. It covered the trees, row on row With a shining gossamer of drifting snow. Till hill and vale and slumbering river Seemed a wondrous elf-l.and of long ago. CLIMBING All the tumult and the strife. All the passionate in life; Days of sunshine, evening ' s shade, And the effort that is made; Sorrow for another ' s pain, Patient sacrifice of gain ; Courage when defeat seems near, Hope triumphant over fear; These are steps by which we rise, Out of darkness to the skies. LIGHT The snow had fallen through the night On meadow, lake and hill; Tlie trees bent low in garments white; The dreariness of city sights Was veiled in beauty, pure and still. O magic snow ! O vision briglit! Over our sordid human lives Thy radiance spread, Till something of transcendent light We, too, shall know. STAR OF THE EAST star of the East, Bright Star of Hope, Shining afar in the licavenly blue, Guiding the Wise Men Laden with gifts Fiom far-off lands Unto their Lord. Bright Star in the East, Star of Hope, Sliining for us through the darkening clouds, Illumine our faith. Dispel all doubts. Guide us from far Unto our Lord.