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rONORS DAY
PROFESSOR J. C. BONNER
When I think of Honors Day and what it is
supposed to represent, my mind wanders back over
the past eight years to the activities of young men
and women at this institution who shared the honors
here of former days. It has been my privilege to
know many of these people as they worked and
studied in various fields of endeavor, from athletics
to academic achievement. I find it difficult to keep
from thinking of them now. Young men from this
institution whom I know are marching on three con
tinents today with armed forces of the United
States. Others are standing watch in the Atlantic
and in the Pacific, and still others are earning their
wings that they may fly over all the lands and all
the waters of the earth. I knew a young man who
headed the Zeta Sigma Pi and took a prominent
part in the Debating Club in 1936 who is today
among the killed or captured of Corregidor. I knew
and appreciated a young man from a little farm in
Heard County, who in the waning seconds of a bas
ketball game scored the winning point with his left
hand and won the first basketball game that this
team ever took from Dahlonega. He is today pilot
ing one of our country’s flying fortresses. It was
a long jump from a one-horse plow to a 5,000-horse
powered bomber, but he made it in record time.
The young men who played on the first baseball
team at West Georgia are commissioned officers in
the Navy. One of the most thorough students that
ever came to this institution and one who made a
brilliant academic record is a junior lieutenant with
the Navy somewhere in the Pacific battle area.
One of our boys was at Pearl Harbor on December
7, and at least one is known to have been killed
in a foreign country thousands of miles from the
walks of West Georgia College.
These people, together with thousands of others
like them from other institutions in other states, are
helping to make it possible for you to march in
dignity and beauty and freedom here at this com
mencement. I should like to say here and now and
without fear of contradiction by intelligent people
anywhere that if this war is won, it will be won
by the brains, the education, and the skills of such
men and women as they have proved themselves
to be. If the peace that follows is to be preserved, it
will have to be preserved by the intelligence and
leadership of such people as you. If we are to be
permitted to teach and to study, to work and play
and to pursue our happiness in freedom and security
in the future it will be because scholarship and learn
ing have won the battle over ignorance and pre
judice and intolerance. It is such as you who must
preserve our freedoms against the demagogue who
would prostitute them to the ends of his own political
power. Ignorance is the only foe that democracy
ever had, and let no man belittle the role that
scholarship is playing in this war; and above all, let
no man criticize the war contribution of the boy or
girl who pursues the career of learning and scholar
ship in these times. You must stick to your books as
the soldier sticks to his guns.
Remembering Graduation
State placement exams were held several weeks ago
and the last round of state examinations was com
pleted during the last three days before graduation.
The final dance was held Saturday night and the
President’s reception was on Wednesday night, but
there was no time scheduled for packing. How much
time do people thing a graduate has anyway? The
last day, Thursday, was the date of the graduation
exercises. This is the day that any student dreams
of when he is in the middle of a trying examina
tion, but it did arrive at last —only there is not much
time to sit down and gloat over the achievement.
Dr. Wells delivered the commencement address, the
graduates sedately and calmly marched up the isle,
and the choir sang. It is a proud day to remember,
whether the sophomores plan to continue their aca
demic studies or whether they intend to settle down
in the world and end their scholastic worries.
Graduation from college is an achievement of
which anyone should be proud. It not only carries
with it a degree, but it also shows desirable traits of
character. To see a thing through takes determina
tion, and to master a subject takes courage. The
years leading to graduation provide training for
life. Yet, knowledge without ability to apply it is
of little use. Native ability without cultivated know
ledge will forever limit success. Therefore, with the
completion of graduation, a student has brought
himself up to a standard of which he can be proud.
West Georgian
THE WEST GEORGIAN, THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1942
* Y
„
By FRANCES RAY
FAREWELL TO SOPHOMORES
The end of the year has come, and
we must bid the sophomores good
bye. For many, this will be the
end of college. To many of them it
will only be the beginning, the first
two years. To still others it will either
mean work or the army.
Whatever the graduates choose for
their future career, the freshman class
wishes for them the best of luck, hap
piness, and success.
As the sophomores march down
the aisle to receive their diplomas
and certificates let it give the future
sophomores a determination to take
advantage of all that college can offer
them.
A NEW STAFF
The election is over and anew
editor has been elected and anew
staff selected to give you this last
issue of the West Georgian. The new
staff has pledged its best to main
tain the very high rating that the
West Georgian has received in the
past.
To the old staff who must give up
their places on the West Georgian
the new staff offers congratulations
on the splendid job you have done
in keeping the publication up in its
THE WEST GEORGIAN
FRANCES RAY Editor-in-Chief
RALPH TYSON Assistant Editor
MERRELL WADE Managing Editor
POLLY JOHNSTON A Business Manager
BETTY MCWILLIAMS .News Editor
ANNE INGRAM Feature Editor
MILES WILEY Circulation Manager
WALKER WHITE Sports Editor
MARY BURTON Faculty Adviser
Published Bi-Weekly by the Students of West Georgia College,
Genola, Georgia. Printed by Frank T. Thomasson, Printing,
Carrollton, Georgia. t
SUBSCRIPTION RATE Memb er 1942
50c PER YEAR _ M . , *
member g. s. P. a. Associated Colle6icite Press
high position of First-Class Honor
Rating, which is considered excellent,
by the Associated Collegiate Press.
V
Also as this time of the year rolls
around, we must say farwell to the
members of the faculty who will not
be at West Georgia next year. We
wish to thank Mr. Turner, Dr. Hod
ges, and Dr. Clark for their splendid
leadership and for what they have
meant to West Georgia College.
And surely we must not forget
those third year students. How we
envied those priviliged girls that were
able to leave the dormitory at night
and stay out until 11 o’clock. But
on the other hand we must give them
our sympathy. These future school
teachers had to remain in class until
nearly six o’clock practically every
day.
V
Although this is not my first ex
perience in editing a paper—it is my
first attempt at writing a column and
also at being able to say just what I
please. I want to express my appre
ciation to you who have elected me
editor of the West Georgian for
1942-43. I pledge to you my best ef
forts.
Campus Spotlight
Focused by ELOISE HELTON
Dedicated, to outstanding students on the cam
pus who a/e worthy of receiving special recognition
for the way they carry out their school and per
sonal activities.
Martha Striplin
House President of Mandeville Hall, Secretary-
Treasurer of “W” Club, Alpha Psi, Four-H, Officers’
Club, West Georgian Staff.
One bright June morning (the 3rd to be specific),
1922, a little girl was added to the population of
Roopville, Georgia, in Carroll County. This little
girl is now a dizzy blonde with blue eyes (Ah-mmm).
Weighs (She didn’t want to tell 1) 135 lbs. Reaches
the 5’ 5 3-4” mark by tip-toeing. When registering
for her share of sugar, told Uncle Sam her name was
Martha Jean Striplin. West Georgia calls her “Strip.”
Rooms in Mandeville Hall (Room No. 204)
with her shadow, Margaret Turner (or is it the other
way around?) “We both like Romans,” Strip said
with an impish grin.
Strip is the second of three children so she couldn’t
be spoiled. Doesn’t smoke, drink, or “cuss.” One of
Her Majesty’s court May Day. Hobby: playing
tennis. Likes—steak and frosted malteds! (Now
you’re talking) Doesn’t have to diet—exercise. No
dream man —any man will do (the Go Signal, Tyson.
You better stay ahead of the others!) Dislikes:
Flies, Stooges (who doesn’t?) and corny slang. Am
bition: to have a good time. Pastime: courtin’
(campus style) when she’s not talking over the
’phone. Favorite flowers: Orchids (hint, hint) and
(of all things)—sunflowers! Hates horse operas but
likes to go see them.
Goes around calling everybody “Kid.” Loves
French (She must—she’s taking two courses this
quarter!)
Has banged away many a day on the typewriter
for the West Georgian—and loved it!
Thinks West Georgia is a wonderful place. Hates
to leave. “I love it all—especially the fun.”
Elizabeth Fannin
Sophomore Editor of the Chieftain. News Editor
of West Georgian, Press Forum, Social Science Club,
Officers’ Club.
On March 20, 1923, a little bit of humanity came
to earth in Polk County, near Rockmart, Georgia,
bringing part of the blue sky and bright golden sun.
This little bit was a girl, christened by the proud
mother and father—Elizabeth Narcissia Fannin. Now
weighs 120 lbs., is 5’ 4 1-2” tall. Still has blue eyes.
Never has been able to decide whether she was a
blonde or brunette (Hair is really light golden
brown).
Went to school like all good little girls. Came
to West Georgia in 1940 to prepare for her career
newspaper writing. Her reporter’s nose last year
earned her the position of News Editor this year.
Resides in Mandeville Hall with Mary Jenkins.
Hobby: reading (when not working on West Geor
gian). Loves: Sunbaths and walking alone (what
about the song she goes around singing—“I don’t
Want To Walk Without You” and those pictures
she has on her dresser?) Likes to listen to mystery
stories after 11:30 P. M.
Her present interest is in the Navy and Army
Air Corps. Is even haunted by airplanes in her
dreams.
But she’s a career woman. Does not like men!
(?) Never has (??) And definitely isn’t going to
get married (???) Her ambition is to be a newspaper
woman in Washington.
Sorta down in the dumps when giving the inter
view. Probably gloomy atmosphere that is settling
around—exams. She believes in cramming. Says it
really works.
Parting words: (Sigh) “I kinda hate to leave.
You know, I’ve really enjoyed working on the West
Georgian.”
Many Thanks
In behalf of the WEST GEORGIAN staff I
would like to express heartiest congratulations to
those who terminate their careers at West Georgia
today. Many thanks for the contributions you have
made toward the betterment of this institution.
RALPH TYSON, Assistant Editor.