Weymouth High School - Campus / Reflector Yearbook (Weymouth, MA)

Page 19 text:

Qroht HEROES OF HANDICAP VALEDICTORY ADDRESS

Page 18 text:

many burdens. Surely, we who have much more leisure time than he should benefit by his excellent example. Tennis, golf, swimming, gardening, and even hiking can be adopted as hobbies. These interesting recreations get us out into the open, relieve the monotonv of office work, and bring new and wider interests into our life. Extension Courses offered by the state open yet another field for those who wish to improve their odd moments. Although we are graduating to-day, we must not feel that our education has been completed. This is, after all, only the commencement. Some of us will go on to higher institutions of learning; others will have to seek places in the working world. Let us ever bear in mind that the world to-day demands educated people and that it is only the educated ones who rise to positions of importance. For those of us who will have to learn ' ' while we earn the state offers a wide variety of extension courses at places and times convenient for all. No one to-day can give the excuse that he is unable to afford an education. For the sum of five dollars he can enroll in any course from The History of Continental Europe or the Development of Art through the Ages, to Conversational French and Russian Literature. Opportunity is literally knocking at our doors. Many of us may deceive ourselves by thinking that we have no time, or that it may be too hard, or that one night a week devoted to this will be too taxing. Once our interest in the chosen course has been aroused, however, a new vista will be opened before us. and soon we shall be looking forward to the night spent at our course, or delving in the library for new information on that subject. As we review again the suggestions offered for turning leisure time into golden moments, a quotation of William Lyon Phelps comes to my mind. He has said, To be is to be in relations. He explains still further that to be means to be alive. One who is alive establishes contacts or relations with everyone and everything. The one who is most alive, the one who enjoys life to the fullest extent is the one who establishes the greatest number of contacts. Let us firmly resolve to-day that from now on, through our ever widening associations with friends, books, travel, hobbies, and more ad- vanced learning, we are really going to live — not wasted, discontented, poorly spent lives, but fuller, richer lives that present shining examples of useful- ness, nobility, and purpose. [ 16 ]

Page 20 text:

THE greatest heroes are not those who die in battle; but those who live to conquer themselves; to rise above physical and mental handicaps, and to give unending inspiration to others. We shall never forget Julius Caesar with his famous legions in their far-flung campaigns, or the great Napoleon and his loyal soldiers in their victorious battles. What admiration we feel for the fearless General Wolfe, whose brilliant capture of Quebec gave Canada to the British Empire, and forever ended the power of France in North America! And yet how few of us realize that these three masters of human destines were heroic figures of handicap. In the world of science let us remember Kepler, the great German astronomer, who gave to the world the laws of planetary motion. Un- fortunately, because of his weak and defective sight, he was unable to observe any of the celestial bodies in which he was so deeply interested. At forty-six, Louis Pasteur — in the very midst of his life ' s work — had a shock which left one side completely paralyzed. Yet it was during the following twenty-seven years, under this incalculable bodily handicap, that he worked out the theories of bacterial infections and inoculation which have revolutionized medical and surgical science. Consider Steinmetz, called the little cripple with the great mind, and Edison, the Wizard of Electricity, the two greatest electrical geniuses of the modern world. In spite of physical disabilities, both have greatly aided mankind in the invention of many modern comforts and conveniences. The literary field offers us numerous examples of courage and heroism on the part of those who, in the face of great physical and mental disad- vantages, produced enduring literary masterpieces. Surely the determination, self-confidence, perseverance, and indomitable spirit of these writers are qualities for us to admire and emulate. Alexander Pope, renowned for his masterful poems and essays, is an outstanding example of steadfast courage. Few men have overcome such serious handicaps as those with which he had to contend. So badly deformed was he that he had to be carried from place to place. Not once, however, did this subdue his dauntless spirit. In his day, Samuel Johnson had precedence in the most splendid assemblage of men that ever came together for social and literary inter- course. No man has ever attempted to reach the pinnacle of success more heavily burdened than he, with his defective vision, deafness, and grinding poverty. For all his roughness of manner, this great and good man was always gentle of heart. Few read Johnson to-day; but the lessons of courage, kindness, and charity exemplified in his life will always be an inspiration. That fiery, impetuous writer of the eighteenth century, Byron, had a life full of unhappiness. From infancy to the very end of his life he suffered from infantile paralysis. In spite of his lameness, he once swam the Hellespont, and fought valiantly with the Greeks in their struggle for liberty against the Turks. As we turn over the pages of English literature, let us read again the life of the poet, John Milton. This noble Puritan, forgetful of self, sacrificed his sight in extensive literary work for English rights and liberties. There [ 18 ]