Putnam patriot., 1930-06-19

meeting was held at the petition of over 200 far-seeing and self-sacriiie- ing citizens for the purpose of estab- fishing an institution of learning high CT than a grammar school. At this meeting A committee of no more than five was Co be appointed to purchase A lot and erect building, the cost of which should not exceed Sl3,OOO. A lter many delays the town decided, by vote of 72-60, Co erect high school building.
 In June of 1877 Putnam High l School held her first commencement week. during which she sent out into ] the world her first class of four grad uates.
 Therefore. it seems hardly neees- sary to mention that Putnam High School was created by it's founders in spirit of intense loyalty and self sacrifice.
 ] What pride. love, and loyalty for our high school must have stirred the hearts of that first graduating class of long agol
 On that June day the first link was forged in a chain of graduating elas- ses whose loyalty to Putnam High School has been SO genuine that l am able Co expand my metaphor and call the chain a golden one. Tonight We of the class of 1880 are about to add the 53rd link to this golden chain so well begun in 1873. Juniors of Put nam High School. my charge to you can be summed up in two words Be l Loyal It is not necessary for you ! to sacrifice as the founders of our school sacrificed. but the loyalty and love for Putnam High School which they manifested and which fifty-three i classes have tried faithfully to initiate you must continue Co show. Why should you be loyal? Let me answer this question by an illustra- tion.
 Tn ancient times certain Roman named Cestius built himself a tomb 1 outside of Rome. About 300 years 1 later this tomb was included in wall erected around the city and served as part of the barrier which the Romans had built around their city to protect 1t from invasions.
 AfWunu NMf hAA 0A hAhAAN ftAAA Ah fact around every city of our land a wall has been erected. Not wall of brick and mortar as the wall of an eient Rome but a wall of commercial ism and industrialism has been built as fl were Co the very sides of our beloved high school So that today figuratively speaking our high school occupies place in this wall of trade and machinery similar to that place occupied bv Cestius' tomb in the wall of ancient Rome.
 But there is the difference. Juniors. between the tomb of Gestius and the Putnam High School. Cestius tomb served as part of the barrier erected between Rome and the outside world; Putnam High School is the only gate in the wall of commerce and machin- cry by which you and are able to escape from a world of dull routine and monotonous machinery to a world of thought and culture.
 Consequently. Juniors. you must con tinuallv strive to preserve the noble ! traditions that are the proud heritage of our high school. Should the link be weak which you will one day add to the golden chain of our high schools alumni. it would take many other links to repair the damage caused by your weak one. In a certain sense the damage of weak link could never be repaired because every chain is no stronger than it's weakest link.
 Juniors. you are not responsible solely for the integrity of your own class but the lower elassmen also look to you for leadership. They have a right to their leadership and you must not disappoint them.
 Our work as students of Putnam High School is almost done. It Is your precious privilege by the ex- ample of everyday conduct, which is always more effective than words. to teach your fellow students what loyalty to Putnam High School really means
 In this glorious task we of the class of 1930 wish you all success.
 nurtYTrF Nr saFFNrHH~N