The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-06-15
CLASS MEMORIAL.
Presentation Address Delivered By
Alvin Stallmann.

It has been the custom in the city
Of Watertown that each class being
graduated from the high school pre-
sent to the school, on commencement
night, a memorial, by which gift that
class may be remembered for all time
to come. We, the class of 1917, have
followed this custom, not because we
did not wish it to be said that we broke
a custom of long standing, but we
have followed it because we really
wanted to leave something which
would be Of benefit to the school and
at the same time keep us in memory.
traditions vary according to locali-
ties. In many places senior classes
have done likewise,-have presented
memorials to their Alma Matters, in
order that their memories may not
cease with their passing from the
school walls. Again, in other COM
munities, senior classes have deemed
1t wise to appropriate to their own
pleasures money acquired by their
efforts in athletic, dramatics and liter
| airy activities and in class dues. Pic
MICS may have been INDUCED in,
trips to points Of interest enjoyed, and
social life emphasized.
Where memorials were given to the
schools the tendency has been, in
most cases, to leave them for senti-
mental reasons largely, with little or
no thought to the practical use Of the
object.
In all ages men have thought to
preserve the memory of their own
transitory lives and deeds by the erec-
ton of mounds, pillars, tombs, and
| other structures capable of defying
the destroying power Of time With
the progress of art such monuments
took Oh forms of greater elegance and
completely. The Roman pride of con-
quest and love of grandeur led to the
development of two forms of memoir
lals which have continued to be used
or initiated down to modern times
the arch and the column. The Roman
triumphal arches were erected to
commemorate victories Memorial col
umns were erected for like purpose.
and were OF imposing size, sometimes
In reality towers in the form of col
umns, as the columns of Trojan and
Aurelius at Rome, covered with re-
liefs in ascending spirals depicting
their campaigns.
Both these kinds of memorial have
been Initiated in modern times, but
have gradually been replaced by
churches, hospitals, chapels, homes,
and libraries which are built as mem
orials. In this way the idea of senti-
ment is being united with that of SER
vice, which has been the growing
tendency in our broader school life.
Service, we believe, is the watch
word of our spiritual, social and COM
mercial life. Service to the world. SER
vice to the immediate community. SER
vice to himself is the end and aim OF
the successful graduate This idea OF
efficiency must be fostered in the
class room, in the cooperative social
work of the school, such as music
dramatics, debating, or athletics
where the spirit of self-forgetfulness
and concurrent helpfulness is all i'm
portant, and in the everyday personal
relationship of the students with each
other. Every phase of school life
should emphasize service, from the
lowest class to the event of present.
ing the class memorial, at which time
Especially, service should not be for.
gotten.
Our high school has for long time
been in need of new piano, but never
has this need been so noticed as II
was during the past year. Because the
Musical club was organized for the
first time, more solo work was done
and that necessitates the possession