Leominster High School - Magnet Yearbook (Leominster, MA)

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16 THE MAGNET in France today represent fully to what extent the country has sacrificed, and there are hundred of thousands more in the cantonments, preparing to do their bit in making the world safe for democracy. There is hardly a home in America that has not been called upon to give some one of its own in democracy’s cause. Besides these, there are many who are sacrificing their time, brains, and energy with the same spirit as those who go “over the top,’”’ but whose fame is not as loudly heralded. Nevertheless, all this sacrifice has been of tremendous value to our nation. It has aroused and stimulated our slumbering patriotism to the highest degree. It has taught us to practice economy and to eliminate waste of all kinds. Before the war we were the most wasteful nation in the world, but we are learning a great lesson in the hard school of necessity’ We are approaching National Prohibition, many States having already rati- fied the amendment. Asa nation we have been awakened, we have be- come more keenly alert, and have attained an efficiency hitherto un- known to us. Would that we might retain these things that harsh sacri- fice has taught us, and may we stand firm in the present crisis, so that, ac- cording to the words of the immortal Lincoln, ‘Government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth.” Friends and pupils of the Leominster High School: It is my duty and privilege to say a few words of farewell to you. Wehave come to the crossroads where our paths separate, and as we part from one another, we know not what to say. We have a strange feeling of mingled joy and sad- ness: joy, because we are looking forward to fresh fields and pastures of achievement; sadness, because we are breaking forever the chain of school ties and affections. To you, teachers, I bid a fond farewell; you who have guided and taught us so patiently during our high school years. We thank you sincerely for your devotion and kindness to us, and we shall always remember you with deepest gratitude and affection. Clasmates: As we stand on the threshold of our school life, striving to look into the Future, we are a bit doubtful,—we hesitate for a moment. “For who knows the future? Who has turned its pages, Reading its secrets with divining power? We can look backward through the reach of ages, We may look forward not a single hour.” Though we know not what Fate has in store for us, let us all go forth bravely to meet it, and wherever we go may we uphold the standards and teachings of our beloved Leominster High School. Some may say we are unfortunate to graduate in such a dark hour of our country’s history; but I say to you, classmates, we are most fortunate, because opportunity for sacrifice and service such as never was given before lies open to us. Nine members of our own class have already given them- selves to their country’s service. All honor to those boys who so gallantly

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THE MAGNET 15 of their dear ones. It is the love of country that causes a man to offer the supreme sacrifice of his life in battle. It is the love for his fellow-men that impels the missionary to leave his home and perhaps a brilliant career to give his life in the service of others. In the strengthening and upbuilding of character, sacrifice is of infinite value. Whenever we deprive ourselves of something for a good cause, we unconsciously lay another stone in the foundation of that intangible thing which we call character. Anything that one gains by sacrifice is thereby prized and cherished infinitely more. Does not a college education mean much more to a young man who has had to work hard to pay his expenses and who has sacrificed time and personal pleasure for the acquirement of knowledge, than to one who perhaps has had his diploma handed out to him on a golden platter? The sacrifice of parents for their children is a fine example of true, unselfish sacrifice—unselfish because they ask nothing in return but the love and respect of their children. And then there are countless other sacrifices being made daily in all parts of the world which, though unknown to men and hidden in obscurity, are not lost, for each one sends forth its ray of light for the good of humanity. : “ Think not because no man sees Such things will remain unseen.” Thus we see the value of sacrifice in the developing of character. And the power of a nation lies in the strength of character of its people. The only thing which affects a nation as a whole is war, and so national sacrifice is made primarily through war. We Americans are proud to say that our country has always shed her blood for a principle and great ideals which, when attained, were all the dearer to us on account of the sacrifice that had been made. Do we not have a higher esteem for our liberty and freedom when we remember that our ancestors fought and died for those very things in the Revolutionary War? Think of the hardships undergone by that brave little army of Continental soldiers. Poorly fed, raggedly clothed, and even at times unsupported by their own Congress, they sustained their courage even throughout that terrible winter at Valley Forge, cheered and inspired by the exemplary conduct of their great commander, George Washington. Those men sacrificed dearly for one idea—a principle; and when liberty finally came, the fresh remembrance cof the bloody sacrifice of the Revolution was the means of uniting the exhausted colonies into a weak but single nation. Today we often see the inscription, “ E Pluribus Unum,” one from many, expressing in a simple manner that great event in our country’s history. The sacrifice of both North and South in the Civil War, more recent in our memory, welded another link in the chain of National Unity. Not only was a disgraceful stain removed from our country’s records, but also the hazardous question of State rights was settled forever. ‘“We are now engaged in a great world war, testing whether the Ameri- can nation,’dedicated to democracy, can long endure.” The country is making the greatest sacrifice in its history. The million American soldiers

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THE MAGNET 17 volunteered in the hour of need. Let us pray reverently for their safe re- turn, and if the call comes for us to make sacrifice for the welfare of our beloved country, may each one count it a privilege to lay his offering upon the altar, and let it not be said that any one of the Class of 1918 was found wanting in doing his part to bring peace and safety to the world. RoBertT J. Hutt. Class Song We are gathered here, my classmates, On this graduation day; For tonight begins our journey, And each one must go his way. Though we may not reap the harvest That we once had sought to do, Let us all go bravely onward With a higher aim in view. Cuorus—’'Tis our night of graduation; Tis a sad, but happy night; But we’ll always stand united By the Purple and the White. From our ranks nine faithful classmates Have obeyed their country’s call; They have left their home and country To win freedom for us all. We will hail them as true heroes And honor them alway; And, like them, we'll all stand loyal To our dear old U.S.A. CHorus—So we'll honor them and praise them, Our classmates tried and true. And like them we'll all be faithful To our dear Red, White, and Blue! CHARLOTTE SAWIN.