Natick High School - Sassamon Yearbook (Natick, MA)

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THE SASSAMUN Vifestern European countries who will cooperate to recover their pre-war econ- omies. The plan will not be able to reach its goal if the cooperation and assistance of all involved in it are not obtained. The Marshall Plan, or a similar plan, is essential to the whole world, including the United States. Unless international trade is again restored, our own economy will suffer greatly. On the Marshall Plan and on many other proposals, America is at odds with Soviet Russia, the great power of the East. The failure of the United Nations is due largely to the constant bickering between the East and the West. Communism, the form of government of Soviet Russia, relegates individuals to the unknown masses, to the state. lt insists on conformity and Party regu- larity. Because of the disagreement of the United States and Russia, some cynics believe that the world is not big enough for both, and that war is inevitable. But is war inevitable? War is not inevitable if human knowledge and advance preparation can possibly avert it. By preparation, armament is not necessarily implied. What is needed is education, knowledge of the world and its people, and of the times in which we live. The United States and Russia both know little about each other, and such information as each possesses is often distort- ed by mutual prejudice and fear. The problem of the East versus the Wfest is the most highly inflammable one of all. If our ideas are not strong enough to withstand contact with those of the Russians, then it is high time that we should overhaul our ideas and make them stronger. just a few of the major problems of todays world have been touched upon. What part do we play? What can we do? Getting down to the indi- vidual responsibility of each member of this class, there are several things we should do. First of all, help keep America strong by being good citizens and keeping as well informed as possible on current events. Youth today needs a little more of that old pioneer spirit. Nowadays, we are inclined to want everything handed to us on a silver platter, and when anything unusual hap- pens, we feel very insecure indeed. Today there is a great turning to govern- ment for security, and that feeling of insecurity has given the radicals and the communists, the theorists and the planners, great opportunity to upset all of the wise lessons in democracy and right living. The chief danger to America is right within ourselves. We need to be more self-reliant and yet, we should turn also to one another, toward cooperation. XX'e need to consult together, to think together to fortify our self-conhdence. The world, although tattered and broken, is not yet a complete loss. Now is the time for America to set her house in order, to show the rest of the world the true strength of democracy. Youth will play a major part in ironing out our many problems. Out of the ranks of youth will come the leaders of tomor- row. God grant them the power and the foresight to salvage the world from destruction and make it a ht place in which to live, so that someday every man, woman, and child will obtain his true heritage of the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. jaivm' CORBET1'

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rr THE SASSAMON Graduation---Address of Welcome Parents, Teachers, Friends: As president of the Class of 1948, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you here this evening. We are gathered here as a class unit for the last time. Soon we will take various paths along life's highway. Wfe were indeed fortunate in having you, our teachers and parents, whose patience and guidance have made our education possible. As we go forth to take our place in the world we hope to be a credit to you and to our com- munitv. Our Place in Today's World At last the time has come for us, the class of 1948, to step forth on life's highway. We will meet with problems similar to those our predecessors had to overcome, but also, we will meet situations more serious than those any other generation had to contend with. We can no longer look at what is going on about us through rose-colored glasses, hut we must face the unpleas- ant realities along with the brighter side of living in todays world. just what is the state of the world today? History has never recorded a period of such intense tension and uncertainty. Now, as never before, when the full cooperation of all countries is essential to rehabilitate Europe from the havoc wrought by the war, what is happening? There is little international cooperation. There is, instead, a series of unyielding deadlocks among nations. America is no longer an isolated nation. Our new scientific era and eco- nomical system have put an end to any desire of maintaining a neutral attitude toward foreign affairs. The United States is usually drawn into all controver- sies no matter how trivial they may be. A democratic government is literally a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Many people are inclined to think that a democ- racy is a perfect form of government. Nothing could be further from the truth, there is no perfect government anywhere on earth just as there is also no perfect man. Post-war America is now battling inflation, strikes, petty politics, and crime waves. Even though America is supposed to be a land of equal opportunity with no race or creed discriminations, it cannot be said that it is truly so. The sooner we stop trying to hide our short-comings, the better. We should bring these black clouds out into the open and then tight them on an uncluttered battleground with truth being the potential weapon. America is faced today, not only with various domestic problems, but as a member of the United Nations and the leading financial power, America is invariably becoming entangled in all international and world affairs. Our country is now backing the Marshall Plan, a plan for European recovery, not just more relief, hut permanent reconstruction of production, agriculture, dis- triburion and trade. llnder the plan the United States will give aid to the

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THI1 SA SS A M UN Farewell Address The world into which we, the class of I0-18, ar going is chaotic and racked with disagreements and misunderstandings. It will be the work of todays youth, tomorrow's men and women, to solve the problems and sooth the wounds of this troubled world. The Sea of Life is always turbulent even at its best, but with the unrest so prevalent in our world today the waves at times seem insurmountable. However, in the end, through perseverance and untir- ing efforts, we will be able to overcome all obstacles. In few countries of the world do the youth receive as excellent an educa- tion as we here in America. Many do not appreciate the advantages of this education while they ai'e in school. However, they are soon brought to a realization that there are innumerable opportunities open because of their high school training. We have received a fine foundation on which to construct our future. We could not possibly fully realize or appreciate the sacriflces and efforts of the men and women whose untiring and ceaseless work has so well prepared us. We could never put into words our gratitude for this preparation, but by striv- ing to live our lives so as to be a credit to our school we may thus form a living tribute to the men and women who mold the back bone of America. Let us pause for a few moments to contemplate the role that education should play in the world of tomorrow. To secure a lasting peace it is neces- sary that the people of the world be united by a bond of brotherhood and cooperation. This can be accomplished only when all people have a knowl- edge of the customs and problems of their neighbors. We must no longer think in terms of just our own country or even our hemisphere. The task of educating the world in this concept of brotherly love can best be accomplished through the schools. It has long been realized that the public school is an important medium through which a whole nation may be influ- enced. Hitler realized this and made use of the schools in propagating the terrible doctrine of Naziism. This is an example of how an entire country may be influenced through the schools. If the schools are such influential institutions, would it not be possible to propagate the desirable doctrine of world brotherhood? One program already points the way to an effective means of studying our neighbors. This is the exchange student plan which encour- ages the exchange of students from America with those of France for example. The students study in a foreign land for a summer or even a year or more. Thus they receive a more graphic conception of the lives of their neighbors than they would receive from a text book. Education serves yet another purpose, that of raising the standard of liv- ing. This is effected through technical training and knowledge of modern methods and processes in both industry and agriculture. A brotherly world with a high standard of living should surely be the aim of this generation, setting an example for the youth throughout the world. A living monument far surpasses any granite tribute in value, therefore let us