The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1916-05-29
VALEDICTORY
By Miss Marie Burnett, at Closing
Exercises of the Ocala High

/
1t has been the experience of all
those who have lived in this world,
that even the most pleasant associa-
lions are removed, the happiest times
pass surely away; and also the best
of friends must part And, tcnight,
we, who have come to the place where
our paths divide, feel that this is in
deed true. For twelve years we have
toiIed up a path beset with difficult
ties which have seemed smaller be-
cause there were so many of us to
meet them together. The joys which
we have known have been sweeter
since we have shared them with one
another. But, henceforth, we must
meet our troubles and our pleasures
alone. To be sure, the new paths
stretch ,invitingly before us with all
the appealing mystery of an unexplor
ed country. But we feel that no joys
which they can bring can lessen our
regreat at parting with those whom
we leave behind.
Before starting our travels in the
new life, we review in our minds the
experiences of the past and turn to
look with longing gaze down the road
over which we have just come; mingl-
ed emotions overwhelm us as we
stand characterization over victories
won, regret for duties left undone, and
hope for the future. But. perhaps, the
deepest feeling is one of gratitude.
We have been aided from so many
debt which we can never repay.
The first is to our parents who have
given US those advantages, and to
them / wish to say word. Oh, you,
who have worked, and hoped, and
have taken pride in our achievement
during all these years, we feel that
aothing that we can say will suffice
to express our gratitude to you. In
words. we cannot say thank you"
strongly enough, but we hereby pledge
ourselves to deeds in the future which
will show you how deep is our graft
tude to you.
Dear teachers, to you is our next
largest debt and just now we catch
a glimpse of its greatness. Only by
the kindness, patience, and wisdom
which you have devoted to our aid,
have we been able to climb to the
heights through difficulty and we are
intensity grateful to you. But we
will leave it to the future to prove
that your efforts have not been in
vain and that you have introduced us
to a world of learning through which
we will travel on to better things.
We thank the trustees for their in
terest in us, for the excellent teach
ers they have selected for us, and
for the fine school building and de-
partments of learning they have Sc
cured for our use.
Auu last VI oil, Dut Dy uO mcduS
least, is the debt we owe to the peo-
pie of Ocala, whose sympathy and in
terest we have felt through all the
years. We are thankful to you since
only by your aid and cooperation
could the school board have worked
so efficiently.
Now, to you undergraduates, I wish
to speak. / fear that there is just a
trace Of envy in our feelings toward
you as we depart, for next year some
of you will occupy our places; you
will be learning the lesson We have
learned, and the teachers we love
will be devoting their interests to you.
But this feeling does not in the slight
st degree lessen our good will and
friendly wishes for you. I can make
no greater wish for you than this:
Nav vaIIr school life ha az hannv aS