The Mail-Journal, Volume 16, Number 18, Milford, Kosciusko County, 23 May 1979 — Page 20
THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., May 23,1979
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Full text of Principal Henry Smith's challenging commencement address
(EDITOR'S NOTE Following is the full text of the remarks mode by Wawasee High School principal Henry Smith at the Sunday graduating exercises We thought it o good talk, worthy of duplication here in its entirety ) To prepare and deliver an effective commencement address, a challenge, a charge, or whatever title you want to give the speaker’s message to the audience, is not an easy task. It has to reflect the importance of the occasion, has to focus attention on the graduates and, last but not least, not be lengthy. I have tried to keep these things in mind and, hopefully after finishing, the comments I have made will have meaning to you. Oftentimes, in our society, we cover up or hide reality. I wonder why? Perhaps it is because we fear admitting our own personal weaknesses; perhaps we fear becoming involved in trying to help others resolve their problems; perhaps we fear facing life itself. We can be sure of one thing; graduation does tell most young men and women that their present sheltered home life is about to end and they are about to become an active participant in the adult world. What kind of participation, what kind of world, are we really talking about? Perhaps hearing what others have to say about today’s world, the one our Seniors must accept and, hopefully, change will provide a little insight for us this afternoon. Pittsburgh Steeler Middle Linebacker Jack Lambert was walking out of the men’s room at a downtown Pittsburgh disco late last Friday night when he said one of the patrons hit him over the head with a beer glass. In the barroom fight that followed, he duked it out with two or three men (the accounts vary) and received enough injuries to require emergency room treatment. The story took awhile to surface in local newspapers, but it finally broke last Wednesday, about six hours before Lambert was scheduled to address the Riverview High School Senior
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Award Banquet. He arrived late for dinner and left early. While he was there, he spent little time in his seat, pacing around as if he was getting ready for the Super Bowl. Then came a speech that stunned the 488 in attendance. Going to the point of even snapping at occasional laughter, to let the audience know he was indeed serious, Lambert voiced his concern about a lot of things. "I don’t want to appear selfrighteous,” he said. “Anybody who read tonight’s paper knoWs I’m not that. But through some distorted sense sos values, you young people respect me and will listen to what I have to say or you wouldn’t have invited me to speak. “However, tonight I’m not going to tell locker room stories and banquet jokes.” Assuming what he called “an awesome responsibility,” Lambert spoke with the intensity that has marked his play at middle linebacker in recent years. Following are some excerpts from his speech about the real world. On Energy “I’m concerned that oil companies and my government are making shady deals...” On Justice “ . . . You go into a courtroom, and I bet you can’t tell the criminal from the victim. You have guys walking the streets with rap sheets as long as your arm. All you need to do to get off is to have a good attorney and some cash — What about the guy in Nevada who raped a little girl and cut off both her arms? That’s sick. That’s about the worst thing you can do, right? Well, he got 14 years, and in seven years he’ll be up for parole..." On Nuclear Power “ . ... If you have a meltdown, you could wipe out a state the size of Pennsylvania. But don’t worry. “It depends on which way the wind blows.” About President Carter "... He came into office promising to bring faith in God back to our country, which is good. Then, a senator from North
Carolina introduces a bill to return prayer to the schools and our President says, “No, we can’t have that. We have to have separation of Church and State.” About Politicians “ ... Who ready calls the plays and makes the decisions; When people like Lincoln and Kennedy are elected, somebody shoots them...”
Fithian will not seek Governorship in 1980
Indiana Congressman Floyd Fithian will not seek the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1980. In a series of press conferences Friday, the 2nd District representative ended several months of political speculation by pledging to work actively for the Democratic Party from his congressional seat in coming elections. “If we do not succeed in November of 1980, our chances of seriously addressing the issues which I see as Indiana’s agenda for the 1980 s will be impaired,” Fithian said. “I want to work on those problems, and I believe that I can best do that by keeping the 2nd District seat in Congress, while assisting in every way possible to help put the Democratic Party into a position of leadership in the 1980 s.” Fithian, the only three-term Democratic congressman in 2nd District history, has been testing the political waters since the first of the year in meetings statewide with community leaders and party workers. He said that he had been “urged by many people to make the gubernatorial race" in those meetings. “The warm encouragement of these people, many of whom I Milford post office to close May 28 The post office at Milford will operate on the usual holiday schedule in observance of Memorial Day, May 28. There will be no regular rural or business deliveries, and normal lobby window services will be closed along with lockbox service. Normal mail service will resume Tuesday, May 29. Matthew Gray graduates from Ball State Matthew M. Gray, son of Col. and Mrs. Joe Gray, Syracuse, graduated Saturday, May 19. from Ball State University with a bachelor of science degree in Art. He studied architecture for three years and his final two years he majored in art and photography. Gray is a 1974 graduate of Wawasee High School.
On Discipline “ ... You couldn’t pay me any amount to be a teacher. Armed guards are patrolling the hallways of our city schools because the students and teachers alike fear for their lives . . . you need discipline. You’ve got to have it.” About Senior Citizens “ . . . There are people in the
K ■ * ■roF*’* \ r&n FLOYD FITHIAN had never before met personally, was quite gratifying, as was the widespread support I found for a Fithian candidacy,” he said. “I was also pleased by the results of a statewide poll by the Gannett Newspapers, which showed me leading all other prospective candidates in the Democratic Party, with the exception of Larry Conrad, by a margin of three to one.” Fithian’s declaration of noncandidacy included a call to action on a variety of issues which he said must be on the next governor’s agenda, including road improvements, school financing, oversight of utility rates, alcohol fuels encouragement and employment
JK- -t r * ■ U ‘-x > * / ~ :■ - r r'A -J’ ' f I w- , 17 JM,- -“"gT -*A ur ™ PRIVATE PROPERTY POSTER WINNERS — The sixth grade winners of the “Private Property Week” poster contest were special guests of the Kosciusko County Board of Realtors at their recent meeting. Emily Haywood. Claypool, on the left, placed second: Renae Grass, Mentone, in the middle, placed first. They are shown with Doris Bloom, chairman of the public relations committee of the Kosciusko Board of Realtors, on the right. Mary Amador, the third place winner, was not available for the picture. All sixth grade studentsan the Kosciusko County were eligible to participate. Posters were judged on the interpretation of the theme “This Land is Your Land: Preserve it. Enjoy It, Invest in It.” “Honorable Mention” recognized: Sandi Bowman — Syracuse; David Morrisey — Sacred Heart: Trisha Rhoades — Lincoln. Judges were Peg Wells. Joan Murphy. Julie Geberin. Sue Rosebrugh and CheriJKline. f Super Y ¥ Flea! / — Super Big Flea Market — Y • Antiques • Arts & Crafts • Collectabfes • New Merchandise \ Memorial / ] Day I 1 Week End L Sat., Sun., Mon. - May 26, 27, 28 V f FLEAMARKET - FREE TO ALL! 1 I FREE PARKING! 1 ■ x Special Reduced Price for. . . W- "PRE-CIVIL WAR HOMESTEAD FARM TOUR” X o„Xl 00 £ Jb Demonstrations: Candle Dripping • Spinning • Weaving Daily Wlk 10 To Dusk CLARKSVIIU Log Cabin Village Highway 13S "The Indiana of The 1830 s" North Webster Call 834-4111
City of Pittsburgh who are eating dog food. An old woman buys a five-pound bag of dog food because she doesn’t have much money after paying the rent and her doctor bills with the Social Security check...” On Cancer “Sitting next to a person who is smoking isn’t the only way to get cancer. They’re putting junk in
for Hoosiers. Fithian noted that several “fine candidates” for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination already were in the field and that people in the 2nd District had encouraged him to continue his efforts to fight deficit spending, to encourage gasohol development and to combat domination of the oil companies in shaping federal energy policy, by remaining in Congress REAL MENU May 24-30 THURSDAY — Grapefruit juice, chicken vegetable casserole with potatoes, tossed salad with dressing, dinner roll, margarine, fresh apples, milk, tea and coffee FRIDAY — V-8 juice, veal steak with castino sauce, buttered rice, spinach with vinegar, apricots, wheatgerm bread, margarine, milk, tea and coffee MONDAY - Closed for Memorial Day TUESDAY — Tomato juice, beef patties with gravy, parsley buttered noodles, peas with margarine, fruited gelatin, rye bread, margarine, milk, tea and coffee WEDNESDAY - Grapefruit juice, spaghetti with meat sauce, cheese slices, cole slaw, garlic toast, peaches, milk, tea and coffee
our food and contamination in our air.” On Pride “There is a lack of pride in our country. We have to have a return to pride in our families, our schools, our jobs and ourselves. ..” And Drugs “You young people — it isn’t cool to smoke dope. Don’t do it because you're afraid of what somebody will think if you don’t . ” “Right now you probably think I’m whacko,” Lambert said. “What does Lambert think this is? A political rally? This is a high school Awards banquet...” He received a standing ovation when he finished. Then, Jack Lambert gave his S3OO speaking fee to the high school and walked out of the hall. Another side of the coin — called “the real world.” By graduation, the average high school student will have viewed 18,000 hours of TV and attended only 11,000 hours of formal classroom instruction. Their TV education up to now has been one of the most unique in the existence of civilization. They know how to unclog drains, shake up your mouth, aid indigestion, clean an oven while sleeping, deal with all types of physical and mental irregularities, and fight cavities. Regarding violence — they have seen it all on the tube. Riots — war — assassinations — terrorists — rapists — murders — and cities burning. What each graduate needs to realize today, from both of these examples, is what the real world would and could provide, if they want it; A means to do something about the problems in a positive, constructive way. Above all, while seeking the answers to these problems, love and compassion for others is most important and should not be forgotten. I challenge our seniors to stop observing the world and start living in it. The task is great, but it can be done and it is up to you to do it. Be patriotic, respect virtue, do not be afraid to express your belief in God and maintain a high sense of personal honesty and pride. Good luck — and much happiness to each of you!! In conclusion, to the audience, thank you for coming to Wawasee High School’s eleventh
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graduation program. Our reason for being here is so simple, yet so important to all of us: To bring proper/r ecog nit ion to these 224 graduating seniors by honoring them as they are assembled together for the last time at our high school. Presently, each senior will be presented with his or her diploma. I honestly believe some of these young people thought this moment in time would never occur, but like many other things that eventually happen in life’s continuing cycle, diploma time has arrived. This is a precious moment to them. It is, and should be, recognized as a very special event in their lives. It is a time, an eyent, a special occasion which never again will occur. Make the most of this important day, audience, as you gather together as friends, as relatives, as parents, as graduates. I hope each will make a special effort to tell the graduate, your son or daughter, your friend, your loved one. how much he or she really means to you. Parents, that is best expressed by 3 simple words — “1 love you.” It is an occasion to remember the good times — an occasion to be happy, and if just for today, an occasion to forget your problems. To each graduate — Do a deed of simple kindness Though its end you may not see. It may reach, like widening ripples, Down a long eternity. Class Os 1979 Honors Section Many schools have a
state bank of Syracuse FDIC NOTICE The State Bank Os Syracuse Will Be Closed Memorial Day — Monday, May 28
Valedictorian and Salutatorian represent the graduating class. We at Wawasee High School believe there are more than just two individuals in a class of 224 who are deserving of academic recognition Therefore, the concept, and now tradition, of the Honors Section was established at Wawasee. All students who achieve an academic index of 3.5 or above are included in the Honors Section. I am pleased, on behalf of the school faculty, to present the Class of 1979 Honor Students to you. The student names will be called in alphabetical order and not by grade rank. Please hold your applause until all names are called. All students named are requested to please remain standing until all are identified Honors Section — Amos, Nancy; Arnold, Scott; Baumle, Martha; Baumle, Mary; Beer. Phillip; Bice. Kathryn; Counts. Vicki (Kreider); Dieterly. Deborah; Glassley. Linda; Glon. Jackie; Haffner. John; Haney. Lynn; Henderson. Lori; Johnston. Mischelle; Keen, Laura; Kirkpatrick. Kay; Lantz, Mark; Price, Kelli; Silveus, Mary Susan; Slabaugh, Michael; Sliger, Lori; Staley, Darsee; Stiffler. Mark; Troup. Kathy; VanLue, Doug These students standing before you were presented with a graduation honor trophy and an honor cord, which they are wearing today, at our recent Honor Awards Program. It is with pride that we have them represent the class of 1979 in outstanding academic achievement.