Natick High School - Sassamon Yearbook (Natick, MA)

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lei- 'l'll li SASSA MUN there is always room for a good man. ll' we wish to have a great world of tomor- row, we must train ourselves today lor the duties wlneh will present themselves. Ir has been said that the schools of today do not teach children the philosophy nor the vocational skills which are necessary for growth in the con- temporary world. 'lihis in a sense is true, but the modern trend is changing. Vocational schools are increasing which train the students to use their hands. It is up to us to further these attempts. 'lien years ago there was no streamlined train, no television. no trans-oceanic passenger air service, no polarized glass. 'l'oday, for those who cannot go on to college and who have not been trained to use their hands there are still apprenticeships which will teach them these trades. .Ks long as the country has ambitious young men, business enterprise will never stand still. 'lihus it can he seen that we do not lack opportunity. Opportunity has come halfwayg let us go to meet it. As long as there are brilliant men, determined men, hopeful men. imaginative men, their problems will be vital, and from them truth will expand. A thirst for knowledge and a willingness to work are the basic foundations for the leadership of this democracy upon which our freedom rests. . May American youth accept the ideals so well expressed by Bryant in his closing lines of 'lhanatops1s : So live. that when thy summons come to join The innumerable caravan, which moves lo that mysterious realm, where each shall take His chamber in the silent halls of death, Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night, Scouraged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave, Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.

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THE SASSAMON 13 LEADERSHIP Today, more than ever, American youth must produce the leaders of the world. For many years it has been evident that there has been a great lack of outstanding men in positions of social, political, and economic importance. ls it mere chalice that we have privation in the midst of plenty? 1s it necessary that we, the richest country on earth, should have one-fourth of our population in want? Should we be passive to the industrial and agricultural wrongs surround- ing us? To be sure, we have made some strides toward the correction of these nationwide problems: but to obtain real success we must have men who have the moral courage and honesty to lead the people toward a better way of living. VVe do not expect a Utopia, nor do we believe that all of us will become author- ities on any subiectg but we do believe that the educated people of America can all becomeileaders at least in thought and consequently will select men who will not be motivated by self-interest but who will have for their goal the happiness and prosperity of all the people in all the states. Soon, 1 hope, the world will look to us for guidance: and this time we cannot say to the old world as we did in 1919 and 1920, take care of yourselves, for if Europe is allowed to be plunged into anarchy, chaos, or worse, they may successfully try to involve us. Therefore we must look to the future when America will be recognized as the center of culture, finance, and power - the last haven of peace and hope. Yvith lfurope again in such a precarious position, disintegration has already begun in its educational system. According to statistics given in the Rockefeller Foundation Review for 1939. we learn that the University of Wlarsaw has ceased to exist with its faculty either killed or in concentration camps. During the recent Spanish Civil Vvar the books from the University library at Madrid were used by the Moors to line their rifie pits. The University of Prague has been closed by the German government. For reasons of economy and because their students are in military service, more than half the universities of fnierniany are closed. The University of London has been uprooted and scattered over a wide area in southern England. 'lihe 20 OOO student population of the University of Paris has shrunk to 5,000 ln China the war has swept practically all the uni- versities off the map and those remaining are badly,crippled. Many public and private libraries which housed rare manuscripts and some of the earliest printed works have been destroyed. lfrom these institutions came many of the leaders of the past. If we are again called upon to accept the leadership of the world after this war is over, let us be prepared to receive it. Anierica must produce the leaders of tomorrow Vile must be humble about the question of our intellectual leadership, lf, as the result of the present cataclysm on the other side of the Atlantic, lfurop: freezes into an Arctic night, we may DOY easily keep the fires lit in the universities and laboratories of Kmerica. It was a Frenchnian, Pasteur, who discovered the process of purifying milk. Ir was an lfnglishman. Lister, who furtherezl develop- ments in sterilization. lX 1arconi, an Italian, invented the wireless. ln many ways we have been dependent upon the great minds of lfurope for the cross-fertiliz-a- tion which is necessary for scientific and social growth. The last great war found us no longer a debtor nation in economics. The present sacrifice must fizixl us a leader in all things intellectual. Still, we cannot all be scientists. ln this America of ours there is room for all the varied talents which can be offered. There are the professions of law, social science, and religion. There are designing, engineering, and teaching which reuuire college training. It may be said that these occupations are crowded, but

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THE SASSAMON CLASSSONG We're smiling through our tears And we think of those long past years. We'll always remember our school so good and true To labor and honor for dear old Red and Blue. Our parting begins today, But we'll meet in life some other Way. Let's forget all our fears, and ring out with cheers Thou we-'re smiling through our tears. VVords by Vincent Grupposo Music hy Ralph Florio CLASS POEM DIiDlCA'liION VVe the Class of 19-10 Face the parting of the ways But we won't forget you, Natick, Here we've spent our happiest days. You have helped to mold our future, Helped us to decide our fateg You have counseled us and taught us How our trouhles to ahate. VVe-have loved you, hailed you, cheered you, All your praises we have sung. If at times you've found us wanting, Please forgive, for we are young. Some of us go on to college: Some of us may luring you fame: But we'll eyermore he grateful, You have taught us to play the game. Geraldine Regan