East Hartford High School - Janus Yearbook (East Hartford, CT)

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Vision of Sir Launfal, a poem by James Russell Lowell, tell- ing how a knight of King Arthur's court sought a cup seen in a vision. However, people will say Times have changed, the age of miracles is past. Unfortunately so. But although we may not have a material vision guiding us, somewhere in our minds are stored up pictures of future success. That is our vision! With it we can succeed. We have a set goal and we will reach it for it is already gained in our minds. We have proof of this in the life of Abraham Lincoln, who , having a vision of the United States as a great republic to guide him, struggled and worked to preserve the Union. A more recent instance is that of Commander Richard E. Byrd, first to reach the North Pole by air, who probably had in his own imagination conquered the polar air regions many times before the actual event. If the objectives of this senior class could be collected in a composite picture, I believe we would have something both strange and interesting. Here, perhaps, we would see a great surgeon, an engineer, a lawyer, and many successful business men and women. No matter what the vision, I think success is bound to come when we' have the mental picture to guide us on. Tonight we wish to welcome the parents, teachers, and friends, who have thus far helped prepare us for our life work. I imagine that they too have visions, not of themselves, but of us as successful business men and women. The best way to repay them for their interest in us, I believe, is to bring about the materialization of their visions. JAMES FORBES. 23

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SALUTATORY VISIONS For almost everyone there is keen enjoyment in little anecdotes concerning the successes of great and noble men. Whether they tell of brave deeds, of lasting struggles, of supreme sacrifices, or of mental achievements, they are alike appealing. The interesting story of Constantine the Great's conversion has always been particularly attractive to me. Christianity had been slowly spreading throughout the Old World and by 300 A. D. had reached the Roman Empire. It had not been easy going, it was with difficulty that a foot- hold was established in any country. Every new movement, whether religious, political, or scientific, is sure to be opposed, and this new faith was no exception. It is almost impossible for us to realize the hardships endured by the early Christians. They were scorned, thrown into prisons, and in many cases killed. Therefore, when Con- stantine became Emperor of Rome in the early part of the fourth century, he was confronted with the most important question of the time, that of Christian toleration. He was uncertain. There seemed to be something in this new religion which drew men to its ranks, but Constantine could not alto- gether disregard the teachings of his fathers. Then one day there happened something which decided his course. While he was marching at the head of his army, he saw the image of a fiery cross in the noonday sky. Coming from a superstitious race, believing in omens, Constantine in- terpreted this sight as a symbol of the importance of the new religion. As to the reality of this symbol, we can say little. Some scientists claim that such a thing was possible, in that it might have been a flash of lightning, an optical illusion, or a deception in the Emperor's mind. The important part of this story is not the reality of the vision, but the impression it made on Constantine. That it was great is proved by the fact that from then on he tolerated the Christian religion in Rome. Moreover, having founded the city of Constantinople, he gave the right of building Christian churches there. Although Constantine's actions may have sprung from what some might be inclined to call a foolish be- lief in a dream, nevertheless through his work Christianity gained a foothold in the Roman Empire. Such was the im- portance of a vision. Wherever we look, we find similar instances: in history, fable, and song. In Virgil's Aenead we have the characters often governed by visions, real or imaginary. For instance, while the Trojan hero Aeneas was delaying in Carthage, instead of seeking his new Italian home, there appeared to him a vision of Mercury, ordering him to set out at once. Then, Aeneas, stopping at Sicily, was visited by a vision of his dead father, who advised him to leave the feeblest followers behind and to continue on to his new home. Let us note also The n 22

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SCHOOL SONG Tune: Lord Jeffrey Amherst Let us sing the praises of East Hartford High we love so dear, We will laud her heroes of the field and track, The remembrances of the four years we've spent together here Will shine brightly when thoughts turn back. Wealth cannot measure all we gain from her nor time deny That these four years are not in vain. So give a cheer, a rousing cheer, for dear East Hartford High And to her will our loyalty remain. Oh-h-h East Hartford, East Hartford, 'Tis a name full of fame as in the days of yore, May it ever prove more glorious 'Till the sun shall climb the heavens no more. CLASS POEM We entered here as graduates From lower grades of school To advance ourselves in knowledge, But not to over-rule. Through our four years of study It was our constant aim To reach an ever higher goal ' That would lead on to fame. We're now to leave you, teachers, having Learned what you have taught, But first we want to thank you all For the knowledge that we sought. And now our class of '27 Of the East Hartford High Will leave this school with high ideals, For higher ones to try. And as we say adieu to you We know your wish will be, God bless you all-the best of luck And great prosperity. To those of you who take our place, To each and every one We wish the very best of luck, And the success that we have won. CLARA CROSBY. Tune: The Quilting Party 1. It is here that we are gathered In the school we love so dear, Now it is for us to bid farewell To the happy days spent here. Chorus: To the happy days spent here, To the happy days spent here, Now it is for us to bid farewell To the happy days spent here. 24