Weber State University - Acorn Yearbook (Ogden, UT)

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THe Acorn improbable. The members of the Board of Education who had borne the burden since the birth of the Institution were still struggling under the debt of the first building, and they could offer no encouragement. In spite of all this, he obtained their permission to assume the re- sponsibility, himself and commenced that Herculean task alone. When they saw his determination, the Faculty entered the work with greatest enthusiasm and have stood by him to the end. When his public work increased, those who were nearest him begged him to give up his school work, but he insisted that it was a pleasure and that he could remain until the completion. During the past year we have enjoyed the result of that labor, but only a few realize how much of the best of his life he has given for us and the New Building. Within its walls there is no tablet engraved to his honor, no stained window reminding us of his nobility, no bust or painting of him—the modest man would not have it so—but the hal- lowed and sacred memory of a life so pure, so full of sympathy, energy and faith will brighten throughout eternity, while monuments are crumbling to dust. Fortunate indeed are the students who have been in his classes; for when he taught religion he gave truths he believed and had proved by practice; his lessons in literature were interpreted in the light of love and charity for all mankind, and his moral teachings had behind them all the force of a perfect moral life. Now he is about to leave us, there is but one heart in the school and that’s sair,” but we are thankful that we shall ever be able to count on his love and interest, and wherever he goes, we desire him to feel that he has the admiration, esteem and prayers of every loyal heart in his school—the Weber Stake Academy.

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4 11 TKo Acorn PRINCIPAL DAVID 0. McKAY “The time has come, they say, for us to part; And thou, our dearest friend, art going away; Still know that thou shalt live in each one’s heart Long after we are free from mortal clay. The seeds that thou hast planted in each life— Some on rich soil and some on harder sod— Will help us live above earth’s care and strife, And lead us back with thee, our friend, to God.” With all the gratitude we feel for our unnumbered blessings, with all the happiness and satisfaction we enjoy at the close of another well spent year, there is mingled a feeling of deepest sorrow when we think that the year is taking with it the Principal who has become so dear to us. If the hand of Death had taken him from us, how quickly we should realize all he had done for our Institution, and how eager each would be to tell of personal inspiration received from association with him. Heaven has dealt, this time, more kindly and we are thankful; but let us be just as appreciative of his noble efforts for us, let us mingle our thanks with our good-byes and while he can see them and love them, let us strew our flowers along his pathway. He became Principal of the Weber Stake Academy when it was unpopular, when it could boast of but a handful of students, and most of them entered late in the Fall, and left early in the Spring. The pros- pect was not a very bright one, but he accepted it cheerfully and has worked untiringly and uncomplainingly from then until now. Surrounding himself with a faculty willing to work at the pace set by their energetic leader, he commenced planning for the future. The attendance increased rapidly and friends to the Institution were made on every hand. It is surprising to us, even now, when we think how quickly the old building became crowded and there was loud clam- oring for more room. When he first suggested a new building he was alone even in the hope of a realization of his plan. It is true he was surrounded by loyal men and women in the Faculty, but the New Building seemed so

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|Tho Acorn ) APPRECIATION When the day is dark and dismal, And the sun beyond our sight; Then we miss the golden sunshine, With its rays of radiant light. But we need the days of darkness, Need some days with lack of cheer; So that we might know the brightness Of the light, when it is here. Thus it is with all life’s blessings: We absorb them day by day. Never thinking of their presence, Till their brightness is away; Then we're sorry of their going, Then we think of what is gone. Then we’re better for the blessing; For we know what it has done. So in this our school we’re spending Precious time of priceless worth. Little thinking of the future, In our jovial, carefree mirth. Day by day we thus are getting, Moral lessons, truths divine, And our teachers nobly striving, In our way as lights to shine. Now we may see little beauty, In our daily lessons here, Eut in time, when school is over, Then their beauty will appear, And oftimes, when life gets dreary, Full of trials, grief, and pain, Words of truth, long thought forgotten, Then will give us hope again. Let us learn to look for goodness In each day as it goes by, And thus store a wealth of sunshine To be used when storms are nigh. We may store up gems of lustre, For we meet them every hour; And these gems of truth will sparkle, Through our lives to give us power. Ruth Larson.