The Miami times. [volume] (Miami, Fla.) 1923-current, 1949-06-11

erciseS on Friday, June 3 at the ST.
James Methodist Church Rev. j.
b. Blackwell, pastor). Mrs. Gill de-
livered a most inspiring message.
The subject was Children Our Chal-
lenge." 1t follows:
CHILDREN - OUR
CHALLENGE
Thousands upon thousands of
children hold the destiny of our
people in their hands. Shall we
stand idly by and see them tossed
like a refused pith of an unwanted
fruit upon the ground to be trodden
under the feet of men, or shall we
come forth like gallant soldiers and
guide that destiny so that coming
generations shall call us blessed?
This is our challenge. Consider with
me this assertion for we have much
to anticipate. Chiluren are our great
est resource. If left undeveloped, I'M
trained, unnurtured, we are sure to
be affected. Affected morally, spiri-
tually, socially, intellectually, and
economically. We shall never rise
above the tides of an undesirable
future if we woefully neglect our
most precious possession - Children.
Then we should begin now to pro-
L, 90 10 OF
with the home, with the parents.
There we must spend every effort to
know and to understand children;
strive to satisfy their most essential
needs; give them correct training in
their formative years. This requires
thought and preparation. Training
and education from mothers and
fathers. This, too. is our CHALr
LENGE.
Educational leadership in the
community and the school must join
hands with the home in recogniz-
ing direct implications found in
problems of social Embellishments
and delinquency. 1t must find new
and enlightened approaches To parent
and teacher education with extern
sion and basic revision of school
programs for children and adults
alike. Communities must realize the
urgency and social economy of more
generous provision for child welfare,
A broader Interpretation of the fun
ction Of the school must become sig
nificant with provision for growth
and development of our children in
to more worthy citizens.
All children need opportunities
and experiences which will challenge
the best in them, which will bring
to the forefront their most desirable
to see that these needs are met.
Children need UNDERSTANDING,
GUIDANCE, and To IDENTIFY -
identify through literature; through
play; through someone to love;
through finding a hero. Children need
PARENTS. May I pause for you to
think of my last statement? Yes,
children need PARENTS. But not
just any kind OF parents. But pa
rents who will inspire and guide,
encourage them, and help them to
develop into well-rounded, worthy
citizens. Above all, children need pa
rents who can give them wise af-
lection and companionship, encour-
age them TO be self-directing, but at
the same time able to cooperate |
with others in a manner that viii |
bring happiness to themselves and |
their associates.
The concern for our children must |
not stop at the home, but must ex-
tend to the school and the communi-
ty. The social upheavels of today |
have made everyone aware Of Inc |
needs for HOME -SCHOOL-COM-
MUNITY cooperation. II defensive
ness and fault-finding are discarded
the future offers much for the edu-
cation Of parents, school, people, and |
alike, and the correct |
are the interests Of Mankind.
And 10 on this Commencement,
may we resolve anew TO think more
seriously of, and plan and work
carefully with our children - for
the interests Of children and youth
are the interests Of Monkind.
To the Graduating Glass: You are
a group Of unique passengers. You