Class Mottoes & Old Yearbooks

by Dessa Rodeffer
Quill Editor/Publisher

2 June 1999

This year, I've been listening to the class motto of the graduating seniors from La Harpe, Southern, and Union. The classes of 1999 have some very good mottoes:.

"The key to happiness is having dreams. The key to success is making them come true." - LHS class of 1999

"Do not follow where a path may lead. Go instead where there is no path,and leave a trail." -UHS Class of 1999

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." - SHS class of 1999.

Do you remember your class motto? I had to get out my old "Beacon" yearbook to find mine. I decided to look up some from other years and found also found other interesting things in old yearbooks.

I found: "Only those who risk going too far can possibly find how far they can go."

- LaHarpe Class of 1998

"We judge ourselves by what we believe we can do, others judge us by what we have done." - Union Class of 1998

"We'll find a way, or we're make one." -Southern 1997

"For a better tomorrow, youth leads the way." - LaHarpe Class of 1969.

"Future obligations will be met only when we look realistically at ourselves and our world." - LaHarpe 1968

"Your future is what you make it." - LaHarpe 1966

"The key to happiness is having dreams. The key to success is making them come true." - LHS class of 1999.

"The Greatest conqueror is he who conquers himself" - Stronghurst Class of 1963

"Strive to Conquer the Unconquerable" - Stronghurst Class of 1947

I especially like this last one from SHS Class of '47.

The late Russell Davison of Stronghurst was from this rather amusing class.

Russell's family were Ford dealers in Stronghurst and in the Senior Wills he willed his interest in Fords to Dolly Howell. Dolly eventually married Bob Ford which must have been the inspiration for Russell's bequeath.

It was interesting to read of his prom where he was Master of Ceremonies.

At his 1946 Junior-Senior Banquet, SHS had a Dutch theme in which 400 tulips donated by the residents of Stronghurst were used.

The Christian Church from Hamilton served a delicious turkey dinner and carried out the theme by serving in quaint Dutch costumes. The dinner concluded with a vocal solo and a piano solo before the orchestra opened the program with soft music.

The Prom was held in an upstairs ballroom at the lovely old Riverview Country Club near Hamilton. Margaret Nolan was announced Queen of the Prom at 11:00 p.m. sharp and walked to the throne with her attendants Charlotte Opie and Patty Sanderson. The queen and her attendants were given flowers while the orchestra played the school loyalty song. Ronald Stamp and the Queen led the dance.

The ballroom was beautiful, decorated in bright colored streamers hanging from a drop ceiling of lattice, bridal wreath and candle light, the article said.

I enjoyed looking at the LHS yearbook showing Jay Jones from the Class of 1971 and Gary Corzatt from the Class of 1969 . Both Gary and Jay had sons in the 1999 graduating class that look much like their dad's yearbook photos. Corzatt was President of his senior class and voted as MVP in baseball his junior and senior year as their pitcher and in centerfield.

Jones as a Sophomore and Corzatt as a Senior led the batting averages with Corzatt at .385 and Jones at .383.

The yearbook also showed Jerry Latherow as MVP in football and basketball, Student Council President, Homecoming King, yearbook editor and many other honors. Phil Mueller and Cathy Markey were voted most likely to succeed. I was surprised to read that this year's Jr-Sr. Prom was climaxed with some merriment of a hilarious, high-fashion parade of junior boys serving as models of women's clothes. Such as the girl with the million dollar legs (not). Queen of the Prom was Joyce Eppley.

Of course, we get carried away when we start looking in our collection of yearbooks, photos, and accomplishments. It is good to see that we have traveled well since our school days.

Russell Davison became a successful business man and community leader at Stronghurst after his graduation.

Jay Jones and Gary Corzatt have not only been successful in their own careers, but have also succeeded in raising another generation of achievers within their own families.

Jerry Latherow, a successful lawyer in Chicago, has been strong in many endeavors in the "windy city".

The stories go on and on as parents, teachers, and friends continue to give us the tools we need to achieve.

We may not remember our class motto, but it and other lessons we've learned become our silent partners in life. We have learned in school that it takes hard work to become achievers, the mottoes are part of our background. Rest assured, accomplishments will continue.