Belmont High School - Blueprint Yearbook (Belmont, MA)

Page 13 text:

e DONALD MOORE J N March, 1943, the people of Belmont voted to establish and maintain state-aided vocational education in the Town of Belmont. The followng September the Belmont Vocational High School was established, the primary purpose of which is to fit pupils for profitable employment and for good citizenship. The school is set up on a general vocational basis offering diversified shop training in the following fields: automotive repair, cabinetmaking, electrical wiring, radio work, welding and sheet metal work. The school day is divided between shop work, related work, and aca- demic work. Fifty percent of the day is spent in the shop on productive work. Approximately twenty-five percent of the time is spent on related subjects and approximately twenty-five percent on academic subjects and physical education. A work experience policy has been approved by the schoolboard whereby a student in good standing may enter industry upon approval of his parents and at the discretion of the director during regular school hours for a maximum of fifteen days (three weeks) per school year. While training on the job, a student may receive compensation for this experience. In his senior year a boy mav enter industry as early as April 1, provided that he is in good standing in his class. Vocational courses are not necessarily terminal. After graduation from the Vocational High School, advanced training may be received in Evening Trade Extension Courses offered by the Massachusetts State Department of Vocational Education and various engineering schools. For the student who is industrious, sincere, and willing to work, his future possibilities in the vocational field are unlimited. 9

Page 12 text:

incipu r. m GEORGE HIGGINBOTTOM J F you are to get the most out of living and at the same time contribute your maximum to the welfare of others, you should develop aims or goals in life that are designed to accomplish those ends. Those goals will serve to direct your efforts and to lay the basis of your appreciation of the good in life. The formulation of goals, there- fore, is the intelligent way for you to direct your efforts and, hence, your life. It is well to remember that the ability or inability to attain your established goals does not necessarily mean success or failure. We are all victims of circumstances over which we have no control and which play an important role in the materialization of our plans. Nevertheless, you have control over your attitudes — the ability to make necessary changes, determinations, enthusiasm, ambition, initiative — which, when controlled, appraised, and properly redirected, provide the momentum essential for the plans outlined. More particularly, happiness is a goal which can be realized by any individual; for it is accomplished by show- ing a real interest in others, acquiring friends with genuine sincerity, participating in activities as a worthwhile citizen — ever cognizant of the ideals which have made this country great. Therefore, the highest pur- pose in real living is then, to discover and develop yourself and to find happiness and satisfaction in the contribution which you can make to the general welfare of mankind. 8

Page 14 text:

SENIOR CLASS OFFICERS Millard Stevens (Vice-President) Ruth Brown (Secretary) Byron Taschioglou (Treasurer) Paul Redmond (President) PRUDENCE I. MATHEWS enior To the Class of 1950: School has given us opportunity to increase our knowledge and broaden our experience ; its challenge has encouraged us to mold a sound basic pattern for life. We must strive to realize our ideals — and that takes courage and perseverance. PRUDENCE I. MATHEWS Class Adviser 10