Woodward Prep School - Log Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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Message to the Graduating Class from JOSEPlI S. ll00K ACH YEAR when I am asked by the Editor of the Loc to write a few words to the Graduating Class, I am always a little puzzled. I am not puzzled because I don,t know what to write, but because there is so much I would like to write to you . . . to all young men who are being graduated. I would like to tell you the importance of going to College, of persevering in your work, of having faith in God, of being loyal to your country, of being humble, of being successful. There are many other topics which I should like to discuss with you. But time and space do not permit it. Of all the subjects mentioned above, being successful stands out most in my mind at present. Success, according to our popular conception today, is the attainment of fame and wealth. Most of us, perhaps, dream of achieving fame and wealth, and will feel that we have been successful if we do so. Let me caution you here. Success is more than renown and fortune. You may be a success without gaining either. I could cite you numerous examples down through the ages of men who were successful but never attained fame or wealth. , Success is doing your job, no matter howularge or small, the best you can, and through it contributing something to mankind. You may recall that Marcus Aurelius, the great Roman wrote: Forward, as the occasion offers. Never look around to see whether any shall note it .... Be satisfied with success in even the smallest matter, and think that even such a result is no trifle. Frequently we see advertised books, pamphlets, course of study, etc., which are guaranteed to make us a success in a short length of time. Pshawl There is no such thing as a short cut to success. Beware of such folly. The English writer, Alexander Pope, put it aptly in his translation of Homer's 'fllliadf' when he said: mTis man's to fight, but heavenis to give success. Hard work is the only real short cut to success. It is the prime requisite of those who seek success. You cannot escape it. The British statesman, Disraeli said: The secret of success is constancy to pur- posef' My word to you is learn well your work, be prepared and be proficient in your job at all times. - To be successful, you must have faith in your task and yourself and in God. Without it, you will surely fail. Think what would have happened if the handful of farmers at Lexington had not believed in themselves and their task when they fired on the British, if the men and women who trekked despite savages and wilderness to our far western plains had not had faith in themselves. Remember, if you have faith in yourself there is no problem you cannot solve, no obstacle you cannot conquer. Whatever type of work you enter in life, learn all you can about it and you will gain faith in it and in yourself. If you fail in the beginning, don't become discouraged. Many great men have failed, many times, before they became successes. Lincoln, for instance, was defeated for every office that he sought except the last one . . . the Presidency. The poet, Samuel Smiles, has written: '4We learn wisdom from failure much more than from success. We often discover what will do by finding out what will not dog and probably he who never made a mistake, never made a discovery. I hope that you have learned in some small part during your years here at W'oodward to labor, to have faith, and confidence in yourself, and to carry on against obstacles. I wish you, the Class of nineteen hundred forty-nine, Godspeed. U81

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Senior Class Advisor RICHARD ti. Jiimizsoiy. RA. Senior Class Advisor Mr. Rivhard lf. Jameson. our youngest fuvulty memher. hails from Fallstou. Maryland. Coming to Woodward last year. he taught mathemativs and directed the Dranlu Cluh. Wherever si-hool spirit is lagging. one may he sure that Waldo. as he is uflec-tionately called, is there to build it up and cheer wholeheartedly for the Xvoodwurd teams. 'l'hrough his good humor and helpfulness. Mr. jameson has yyon thi- loyalty. respex-t. and friendship of all who have rome in 1-ontaet with him. i We. the Seniors of nineteen hundred forty-nine. are happy to express our gratitude to this good friend and teacher who has meant so much to us. t 19 l 5