Woodstock High School - Eureka Yearbook (Bryant Pond, ME)

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Consolidation or Not Shall we still maintain the si «11 high schools or should they be consolidated into a few large ones? This has been a major prob- lem of late years and .t ill continues to be-so. There has been much discussion on this subject, but as yet, little has been gained from it. Only this year our neighbor, as well as rival, West Paris, was faced with just such a problem; South Paris wanted to combine West Paris High School with its own, thereby discontinuing the smaller school. By all turning out whole heartedly did the townspeople of West Paris manage to keep their school. There are many good points in favor of consolidation, but I think there are also many more not jin favor of it. In combining---the pupils have a choice of almost any subject they wish to take. The opportunities for advancing in dramatics are greater. By eliminating the smaller schools, costs of the upkeep of these schools will be eliminated, also. Against combining---a large number of boys and girls would not attend high school. -They would have to travel many miles to and from school each day, discouraging their participation in the school' activities, such as sports and socials. They would not stand as good a chance of making the teams if they should engage in them, due to the great number of those out for the same sport. These are only a hint of the arguments being put out on this matter. I believe all should be concerned with this questifon because in the years to come, one side or the other will be in the lead-- the consolidated or the smaller school. Elouise Dunham '50 Wildlife Conservation in Maine National Wildlife Conservation lasts from March 19th to March 25th. There are three Maine State Conservation officials who have discovered many strange and interesting things about wildlife. These men have found that many Maine families owe a lot to busi- nesses based on the state's natural resources. Forests are considered to be of the most value to wildlife be- cause they provide protection and shelter for animals. We must have laws to protect the wildlife and keep the streams and lakes filled with fish for the attraction of out-of-state visitors. Conservation is the most important thing, all'the way from the woodlands to the creatures that inhabit them. The more we conserve- the better we will enjoy Maine. Roberta Farrington '53

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RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF CITIZENS We people in the United. States are the most privilged and well-to-do people of the v orld. We can ovm land, chooae our work, and work for anyone we please or vote as we like. Anyone here can run for any office that he wants to if he is qualified, without fear of the police silently rush- ing him away. We can have rights guaranteed by the first amend- ment of the Constitution that a lot of oeoole in other count- ries haven't the slightest idea of. Article 1 reads: Congress shall make no law resnect- inp an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or the press; or the ri ht of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. This alone could be a very complete base for foreign people to develop the Constitutions of their countries from. The rirht of fr''e speech could be easily carried bevond reason. Bv this; I mean using our speech freedom to do harm, create a distrust or hatred or promoting types of government that we do not want, such as the communist. Thehe are two stories that could illustrate our freedom of speech. A Russian and American were talking. The Ameri- can said that he could ”alk into the ’.mite House and speak his mind to President Truman. The Russian said that he could walk into the Kremlin and up to his high leaders and speak his mind also—that is--about President Truman. The other was: Before this war some Germans were travel- ing over the United States with an American guide. The American was telling them about our marvelous freedoms. To illustrate this, when-they stopped in a Democratic town, he went into a restaurant, climbed up on a chair and cussed out President Roose- velt in a good old'fashioned Republican way. All he received were amused smiles. They thought he had a little too much on. The Germans couldn't and wouldn’t believe that there weren t secret agents on his trail after thatj I believe the main part of our duties as Citizens of the United States is to uphold the Constitution and fight for it; and be proud to fight'for what 'e think is right and best for our people as a whole. Bernard Brooks '51

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I'll .Stay in America America is the place for no, where beautiful evergreen trees grow and where rugged hills enlighten the background. The cus- toms which America carries on are those which I am most adapted to. Freedom is a great thing in America while some other countries don't even know the meaning of Freedom. There are many chances for young people to grow up and make something of their future. The schools and churches give us the education we need to go on in life. The English language is the clearest in my small mind. Don't think I could ever get my tongue around the tongue twisters which other countries speak. If I were to go to another country with their interesting scenes and ways I wouldn't know how to act. Leaving my friends and neighbors would be difficult. My folks all live in America. If I went off I wouldn't be able to see them. Yes, I would like to go and visit other countries for a while but I think I had rather come back to America to make my home, to look across the enormous hills into the clear blue sky and smell the fresh air from the gentle breezes-----the country of freedom, America. Ethel Davis '52 Good English Personal success and the use of good English show that there is a close relationship. People do not realize all they owe to the mastery of effective speech. Neither do they realize that the ones with the largest vocabularies hold high positions with the large companies. In many cases it is proven that there is power in good English. It makes you fully convinced and creates high standing. Not only a large number of words is desirable, but the proper use of words and the way they are delivered. Back of one's words he is the per- sonality with its ideas given to the world. One's interest is attracted when one has something to say, and knows how to say it with force and reasonable power. It is worth our most earnest effort. Some lave achieved it, and others are still• trying. Our tongues, 3.ik c.lL good teacheis are ready to help us, and willing to be our seirant The one who masters good English, which i 1 can do, becomes the master of many situations. Bessie Dunham '50