Middleburg High School graduated three students on Tuesday, May 4, 1905: Elmer O. Heath, Clara Patrick (valedictorian) and her sister, Florence. The local newspaper reported the event a few days after, as follows:

Grabiel Delivered a Fine Address at Middleburg.

The graduates acquitted themselves admirably at Commencement.

Middleburg, May 9, 1905 — Threatening weather prevented many from attending the commencement exercises last Thursday evening, yet a large audience assembled in the town hall to enjoy the exercises.

At 8:00 pm, the class came upon the stage and after two selections by the Ladies’ Quartet of Ada, Miss Florence Patrick compared the position of the class to that of an observer on the renowned citadel of Athens. She dress the lesson that as statesmen and warriors profit from the study of the past, so we draw lessons from a review of the past and inspiration for the future.

Miss Davis rendered most acceptably a violin solo after which Elmer O. Heath delivered an oration entitled “The Five-Pointed Star of Destiny.” He, in a forcible manner, pointed out that destiny is the result of ability, industry, education, opportunity, and determination. Mrs. J. W. Denny then sang a pleasing selection after which Miss Clara H. Patrick delivered the valedictory oration, “The Parting of the Ways.”

She urged the importance of following the natural tendencies in the education of a child. A good farmer has often been spoiled to make a poor clergyman and an excellent minister to make a common place artisan.

The class address was delivered by the Hon. J. W. Grabiel, of Bowling Green, Ohio. His subject was “the American citizen” and he spoke of the relation of education to the questions that present themselves to the citizen for solution. His address was replete with good practical thoughts for the control of civic duties. The speaker paid his former pupil, Supt. Liggitt, a high compliment in the course of his address. Note: J. W. Grabiel, born in Logan County, Ohio in 1868, ran for Governor of the state of Arkansas in 1922 and 1924. He died in Arkansas in 1928.

The music furnished by the Ladies’ Concert Company of Ada was most acceptable and thoroughly enjoyed by all.

The Alumni banquet was held Saturday evening in the I. O. O. F. building and about 80 graduates and friends spent a most enjoyable evening together.

—

Elmer Heath’s speech is below. The full text is wordy in the Victorian style of the time. This version is edited to make it bearable for the 21st century readers.

The Five-Pointed Star of Destiny

From the earliest records of the human race, men have sought to fathom the mystery of the stars and their influence on those who live on this Earth. Volumes have been written on this topic, yet the great discoveries of science only deepen the mystery; the silent stars in the night sky retain their secrets.

Human intelligence reaches its prescribed bounds, and at the borderland of the finite, gazes upon infinity and recognizes the existence of a power beyond human and universal law that harmonized and controls all that has form or life.

We fancy that somewhere in the dim distance there is a star to guide us and, as we ponder the mystery of life, there arises over our mental horizon as start that our inner consciousness believes will lead to success. It is the five-pointed star of destiny: ability, integrity, perseverance, education and opportunity.

As the symmetry of the star is destroyed by the elimination of one radiating bar of light, so will the symmetry of our lives be lost by the omission of any of those essential elements of success mentioned earlier.

• Ability without opportunity is of little value. Opportunity cannot be made, but it can be recognized when presented. Yet, ability alone does not insure success — years of preparation are sometimes required for the work of a single day. The long years of our school life may seem bothersome and unimportant but the future will give us proof of their value.
• Industry, perseverance, and education are essential to success. The power of using the opportunity comes to the man who has faithfully readied himself and his weapons for possible need. Pay attention. Be prepared.

The secret of success is being what you have within you to be and, to quote Confucius, “Not in never falling but in rising every time you fall.” The man who tries and fails is to be more respected that the man who does not try at all. The crime is not in failure, but in low aim.

A wise man assures us that the rare favors of fortune do not come to us with a clear label. Our success lies in careful preparation and the ability to recognize opportunities and seize them. We must have faith in ourselves and in the unseen influences by which God is directing the interests of man.

When one marches to the music of the beating heart of God, he is a member of that orchestra that fills the heaven and earth with music. We are tuned in to the infinite, and in fullness of time may wear a crown gleaming with many stars, the brightest of which is our own five-pointed star of destiny.

###