Jón Bjarnason Academy - 01.05.1936, Blaðsíða 42

It will be a particularly unwelcome necessity to take leave
of our teachers, for our associations with them have been ex-
ceedingly agreeable. Their worth of character, extent of ex-
ertions and depth of kindness can be praised only in super-
latives. They have consistently poured their energies into their
work in a very unselfish manner. They have ever been ready
to help us in any difficulty, to encourage us when we were dis-
heartened, and in general to display their sympathetic interest
far beyond the point of obligation. Of their unflagging zeal and
their unstinted expenditure of time and energy my feeble powers
of expression can convey no just impression. Somewhere I have
read that character is mainly moulded by the cast of the minds
that surround it. If this he true, then, by virtue of our contact
with these teachers, there is good hope that our characters will
turn out well. Through their influence we are better fitted for
our task of making this a better world. They are well worthy
of comparison with the great schoolmaster Thomas Arnold of
whom his son wrote:
“Beacons of hope ye appear!
Languor is not in your heart,
Weakness is not in your word,
Weariness not on your brow.
Ye alight in our van! At your voice
Pain, despair, flee away.
Ye move through the ranks, recall
The straggler, refresh the outworn,
Praise, re-inspire the brave!
Order, courage, return;
Eyes rekindling, and prayers.
Follow your steps as ye go.
Ye fill up the gaps in our files,
Strengthen the wavering line,
Stahlish, continue our march,
On, to the bound of the waste,
On, to the city of God.”
We students owe and do feel similar sentiments of grati-
tude and respect to the school itself. We are sensitive to and
appreciate the inestimable boon it has conferred upon us. We
realize that it has raised our educational standing, strengthened
our moral character and formed the basis of priceless associa-
tions. What it has done for us it can do for others. I am
certain that we all sympathize with its struggle and will always
do our utmost to encourage its continued existence and well-
being. Let us then join in wishing long life to the Jon Bjarna-
son Academy.
One frequently hears the question: Of what use is an
education? It no longer ensures its possessor with profitable
employment. Why then do people go to the trouble of acquir-
ing one? We students naturally would like to present a defence
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