Draper High School - Draperian Yearbook (Schenectady, NY)

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Page 8 The subject and objectives of education and plan of life is of vital importance to all high school pupils. This war must be fought and won. During the struggle we must keep alive the vital institutions of Democracy to insure a worthy civilization in the decade to follow. Many who graduate will immediately go in the service of their country as war industrial workers or in the combat organization. Your life will be changed but you must maintain high ideals and strive to improve your physical, moral, and mental well-being and prepare yourself to shoulder the enor- mous burdens of reconstruction when the days of strife are over. The bitterness of war must then be forgotten and a feeling of helpful understanding direct your behavior. Education will help you to comprehend the complicated maze of world affairs and prepare you for a fuller understanding of life, as an individual, and direct your relationship with the social group. Our best wishes will be with you at all times. EARL B. ZIMMER, Superintendent of Schools.

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As we hear our footsteps echo in the halls, we slowly begin to realize that our last few days in school are rapidly diminishing. The time ap- proaches for us to enter a new world v e r y different from our school world. The days we spent in school will resolve themselves into pleasant memories of the happy times we experienced there. Cur ideas concerning high school have changed considerably since we left grade school. There we saw visions of homework piled to the ceiling and teachers who were ready to pounce upon us every minute. We expected to turn into machines producing homework so we could pass our courses. As we began our Freshman year, the ideas soon proved to be wrong. Our super- visors and teachers were more than willing to help us get started on the right foot so that we could get the best out of school. To be sure, we had homeworkg but only enough to make us appreciate our leisure time. The various clubs and organizations gave us a chance to work with others and enjoy life. We gained experience in living while we studied our lessons. As time progressed, we gained a broad- er view of life and we began to realize that our school years are the best years of our lives. It is with this realization that we leave the familiar classrooms and halls for a confused and estranged world lx -ss,, '-till S5 i QE Page 7

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All of us are concerned today with the war and its effect on us. Our school has already felt its pressure. More than five hundred of its former pupils are now serving our country in the armed forces. Most of the boys in the graduating class will be in one of the services soon after graduation. All other graduates will in some way contribute to our war effort. Our country needs you and your ability. Meeting the requirements for a diploma is an evidence that you have done your part so far, and that you will be better Htted for work or for advanced training. I wish you success in whatever field you work. HOWARD E. BAKER, Prinfipal. Page 9