The Beacon Of Dillingham

SUCCESS

(Reprinted by popular request is the graduation address by Dr. D.F. Andreas son of the A.N.S. Hospital, Kenekanak Alaska, at the Dillingham High School Commencement Exercises of May 13, 1954.)

Class of 1954; Faculty Members, and friends:

Graduating class,--this is your evening's GRADUATION NIGHT.
As students, you have looked forward each succeeding year to the time that you would be finished. I trust that the aspiration has been based on the desire to begin something greater.
Your parents have helped and encouraged you, and possibly occasionally prodded you a little as you progressed in your program.
We, your friends, have hoped that you would not become discouraged ere you reached this goal tonight. All--your parents, teachers and friends join together tonight to say "CONGRATULATIONS"

For years, as children you have looked forward to this time that you would be adults.
People who are always wondering that time is now here. The days are over that mother and dad will provide everything. should reflect upon where it came from.
Your future henceforth will be dependent upon yourself, your ambition, and your energy.

A complaint once was made to Tom Edison about the laughter of one of his top executives, which sometimes sounded all over the office. Edison listened to the beef with a smile. Later on he sent the executive a framed picture of a laughing jolly friar, with this note: "Please hang this in the entrance hall - Let it be a constant reminder to everyone that good business is never done except in a reasonably good-humored frame of mind and on a human basis."

As young people about to assume the responsibility associated with being grown up, your primary concern is and will be to make a success of the various things you may do; in fact, to make a success of life itself.
Yes, that desire to be successful will be stimulus to spur you on to greater activity and greater achievement.
Success is an accomplishment that everyone desires, but can not be bought nor received as a gift. Life is not a gigantic Santa Claus. Slogans, cleverness, and even a college education will not insure any easy.
Good looks, good clothes, charming personality are desirable but the fact still remains that success is not a happenstance.
It can only be attained by a planned program and determined effort.
So to you, Class of 1954, as individuals ask yourself, "What do I want to do in life, what do I want (Continued, Page 7)"
MORE SUCCESS, Continued:

to accomplish; what do I want to be?" Then set a goal for yourself toward which you direct all activity directly and indirectly. A ship at sea will not make safety unless it has a port toward which it is constantly directed. It has been estimated that roughly 10% of the people have some definite aims while 90% are just drifting.

A college professor once finished his lecture with these words: "When you whistle whistle something, and when you think, think something. Doing nothing, going nowhere in particular puts value on your life of zero." As you decide on your goal in life, let me invite you to consider seriously the basis on which you make your decision. Is it a desire to make money? This is usually the first and predominate question asked by young people. But a good financial return is a poor basis for determining a goal in life. It is well known that there are many more suicides among the wealthy than the average population. These with means also have more stomach ulcers than the average. Many have been driven by passion to make money yet are most unhappy people. Thus though financially prospered many are unsuccessful as regards the overall program of life.

Happiness and contentment would be high on your list as a basis for a goal. Ask yourself, "Does this goal that I have set for myself challenge me and my abilities. Will it bring out the better part of me and make me a greater individual? Also, if I achieve my anticipated goal, will it cause me to make some contribution to the lot of others easier and more pleasant. When I leave this world will it be a little better place because of my little contribution. Then last, but not least, will the attainment of my goal provide me a measure of financial security?

In other words, in order to be successful you do not only need material security but also the inner satisfaction of being happy and contented in your goal and aim.

Thomas Edison was asked what he considered his greatest invention. He replied "I have perhaps made the most money thru the growth of the moving picture industry and I have made more fame through the phonograph, but I consider the incandescent light to be my greatest invention. I have never made much money from it, still, I call it my greatest invention because it has brought the world so much happiness."

After determining the proper goal, and aim for yourself, go forth to obtain and secure it for yourself by exercising a modern and useable Trinity of Faith, Courage and Grit.

You will need faith. Many times your next move may not be clear but you will need to act by Faith. If you always must wait for clear horizons, you will make no progress in your behalf. Faith, in the final analysis is a willingness to venture forth on a reasonable hypothesis.

If Columbus had failed to act by Faith he would still be sitting on the decks of the Santa Maria in Genoa's harbor. Also, if our forefathers had failed to act on a reasonable hypothesis the Indians would still be chasing the deer over the open spaces.

The teacher was looking over the shoulder of Henry as he wrote in the fly-leaf of his textbook, "Henry F. Ashurst, Senator from Arizona, Flagstaff". After he was thru school he became a clerk for a while, then he worked as a lumberjack. Later, after more education he was admitted to the bar to practice law; then following an election, Mr. Ashurst went to Washington D.C., as Senator from Arizona. Faith had paid off after many years.

When a soldier deliberately draws fire to himself to reveal the enemy position and save his buddies, we know that courage is not gone, but the type of courage you will need in attaining your goal is of another type. Courage to try again and again in the face of the most discouraging disappointments.

Abraham Lincoln decided to devote his life to his country. He ran for the legislature, was defeated. Tried for Congress, and again failed. He applied for a position in the Land Office, and was turned down. Yet he was not discouraged, and came back to be President of the United States; and will never be forgotten. That is the type of courage to incorporate into your program for success.

Associated with Faith and Courage you will need Grit. Grit is a quality with a high price. It requires setting yourself against the easy course in life. The tramp had called at the house, and as he left the lady of the house engaging him in conversation asked, "How do you know which way to go when you leave here." "That's easy, Ma'am, I always put my back to the wind." This is an illustration of one who is unwilling to pay the price of Grit.

Julius Caesar ruled the world, yet, this was in spite of being an epileptic. George Washington Carver, the negro scientist who did so much to make the world better, not only for his fellow people but all of us was once traded for a horse.

George Westinghouse was called a fool to think that he could stop a train with air.

Many a man has succeeded in life just because he would not accept defeat; in other words, by sheer Grit. He lost his job but secured another. He lost his money but earned it back again. His friends lost faith in him, but he won new friends. He lost his health but by careful living he regained it. He did not have formal

(Back to Page Six, Please)
STILL MORE SUCCESS,
Continued:

education but pulled himself up by his own boot straps. When storm clouds gathered he managed somehow to see the silver lining.
He just kept on keeping on
So, Class of 1954, I set before you, SUCCESS. It is available to everyone at a reasonable price.
We, your friends, will encourage you, but you must select your own goal. the realization of which will provide not only financial security, but a personal challenge and an inner satisfaction as well.
then bring this goal to a realization by the untiring application of Faith, Courage and Grit.
Tonight, my friends, you graduate.
The world is before you.
SUCCESS to you!
Thank you.