Wisconsin School for the Deaf - Tattler Yearbook (Delavan, WI)

Page 10 text:

VALEDICTORY By Harold Larsen To the friends gathered here, to the teachers and to our classmates, I wish to say farewell for the class of 1928. For a number of years our little boat has carried us safely down the stream of school life. We are glad to reach this part of our journey, but our hearts are heavy at the thought of leaving the scenes and surroundings that we love so well. Tonight we pause for a moment at the bend of the stream. We are reluctant to leave those calm pleasant waters. I know wo shall never forget the good times we have had here, nor the friends we have made. The memories of our school days will be the brightest and happiest of all. We do not know what wc shall find ahead of us as we reach the deeper channels, but we hope we may always press forward even though we must finish the course alone—without the help of faithful teachers and advisors to guide u». To the Member of the State Board of Control: 1 wish to extend the thanks of this class for your interest in our education and welfare. We feel very proud of our school and appreciate the improvements that you have made from year to year. We are about to sail out of your lives but no matter where our course takes us, we can never sail entirely away from the memory of happy days here. To our Superintendent: It is hard to find words to express our gratitude for all that you have done to make our school life happy, comfortable and worthwhile. As we have had your help and encouragement in all our problems here, so may we have your blessing as we leave. To Our Teacher and Supervisor : You have our most earnest thnnks for the help you have given us: the interest and patience you have shown throughout our days here. We shall miss your encouragement nnd guidance, but 1 am sure your efforts have not ncen in vain. The waters nhead of us may be rough but we shall remember not to be easily discouraged, and I trust you will never hear of one of us being shipwrecked. We bid you farewell, and we thank you. Fellow Schoolmates: We are soon to leave this school, and you. The thought of parting brings a lump into our throat hut the memories of our good times together will never leave us. As we look back, we shall recall the many happy times we have hud together in this assembly hall, on the athletic field and in these institution buildings. We would urge you to continue your studies here, doing your best until you finish, and remember that the happiest days are your school days. Farewell, dear friends. And now, dear classmates,—when we meet again, it will not be as pupils of this school but a« Alumni. We have seen ench other almost daily for a number of years and now our ways must part. What does the future hold for each of us? We have chosen for our motto, “Ever Higher.” Higher education for those who are about to enter college. For those who are to stay at home, this motto will also be a guiding star. Let us seek the highest things in life. Let the noblest thoughts be ours nnd the cleanest men and women be our companions. We want our Alma Mater to be proud of us. Now—“with steadfast loyalty to one another, with a heart bent on high things wc go forth— and Godspeed.

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ARTHUR LEON SZABLEWSKI Milwaukee Foot Ball Banket Ball Shoemaking Carpentry Phoenix Green CUu Motto Etvr Higher Clan Flower Pansy Claaa Officera Claaa Colora Royal Blue und Silver Gray Harold C. Larsen Howard Fisk . .. .. President Secretary ( Treasurer

Page 11 text:

SALUTATORY By Howard Fisk Slat Board of Control, Superintendent, Teachers, Classmate and Friends: In behalf of the clan of 1928 I deem it n privilege a well a a pleasure to extend to you a hearty welcome to these fifty-eighth commencement exercises of the Wisconsin School for the Deaf, which mark the greatest event of our lives thus far, one thut will he fondly cherished in our memories, although I feel sure the very utmos-phere of the place has already bespoken our welcome far better than I can do so in words. All through our school career we have been looking forward to this day of days; but now, that it is here, as we look hack over the path we have been trending und catch the fragrance of the flowers strewn along the way, we long to repose again beneath the shade of the sturdy oaks, that so generously offered protection. We are Mlruck with admiration at the golden sunoeums that have Illumined the way. True, now ana then n storm cloud hovered over our young heads, but It was soon dispelled. We now realize more fully than ever before that here we have been building Arm foundations for life's temples of learning, and we are grateful, indeed, to those who have so kindly aided us in this great task. Not only have we gained u working knowledge of the three R's, but we nave had the golden opportunity of getting well acquainted with various trades, therefore, we should with this adequate equipment prove thut we can go on with these temples for we have learned that the material for the erection of ench is double the amount of that which was gathered for King Solomon's. “Unto him who sees aright This life is opportunity. Our class is smull consisting of only five members, one girl und four boys, the former having entered the full of 1926. Previous to this she had attended the Iowa School for the Deaf since early childhood. It is not often there is such n scarcity of girls in a class but this particular one has been thus ever fated, for, from the Primary department up to our Junior year the class has been entirely composed of boys. We regret that they are not ull sitting here on the platform tonight, sharing with us the joy of this occasion; but ere their foundations were completed, they »onsed such an earnest desire to start in on the construction of their temples that they left us. Our motto Ever Higher was chosen tie-cause it is our honest intention not to stop here and allow these foundations to be hidden in ruins beneath the tull waving grass and creeping mosses of indolence, apathy and discouragement, but to work on laying one stone upon the other, daily endeavoring to faithfully perform the tasks set before us. The pansy, our class flower, was chosen for its modesty and humility, two precious stones we very much need in this character building if we would have it express beauty and sublimity. Royal blue and silver gray, us you doubtless have already observed, are our class colors. The royal blue urging loyalty to the high ideals implanted in us by our dear old Alma Mater and the gray symbolizing the gray dawn of tne new day now rising before us. And if we live as (Jod has given us power; No blind fatality can shut the living soul From its high power Of building up a glorious destiny. So my friends, one and all, we ask you to join with us with gladsome hearts in the celebration of this hour and to hold in thought as we are doing, the optimism that the best materials possible for these individual temples we are going to build are ever obtainable and that, we, the workmen under divine control are fit. Again I welcome you, however, not I but the class of 1928. for whom I am speuking.