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

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Second prize in the American Legion Essay Contest Americanism's Challenge to the World To understand what kind of challenge our way of life is to the world today, we have to hold an understanding of the type of life we lead. In simple words, the American's way of life is based on our individual freedoms. These are of speech, religion, assembly, and press. It gives everyone an equal chance to carry on his life to the best of his ability. These chances aren’t enjoyed in part of our world. These are the ’’basic truths behind our challenge. In what countries in this great world can you find such chances to carry on your life, as an individual? Surely, not in countries under the socialistic or communistic regimes. In these countries people are to some degree under the influence or control of their governments. When this happens, the people’s choice of life is slowly diminished. Their chances, as an individual, are cut off. What other country would take upon itself the many problems of international improvement, and strive for its goal of international peace and security, until its every effort seems in vain, but still continues tu work toward that goal? Many countries scoff at this ide . Many are so wrapped up in their own internal problems and troubles that they forget our needs as a whole nation. It is necessary that we set an example to these other nations. Many countries look at us as a world power , the one with money and strength. This seems to them a hidden challenge behind our words of warmth and friendliness. We know differently, of course, but we haven't made it entirely clear to them. We have to Drove this so that better understanding between us shall exist, and our true challenge will not be lost in a maze of propaganda and cruel lies. Our true challenge stands in the way we live. No other nation is in such good condition socially, economically, or politically. No other nation has its power fully decided by the people. No other nation could be fully independent without aid from other lands, as we. Therefore it is plain to see that our challenge stands out, like a beacon of the lighthouse during a storm. It guides us through and continues to operate for the next group who is in distress. Our challenge will beam its light over the nations as a guide to all who sees it, to show them our way of life and just how successful it has been. This is our challenge to the world. -----Americanism's true challenge. Alicia Emery '55

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Awarded First Prize in the American Legion Essay Contest. AMERICANISM'S CHALLENGE TO TODAY'S WORLD America has changed. In the seventeen hundreds we chal- lenged England to grant us our freedom. Freedom was our goal. We put our heart and soul in the struggle and won. .Today we have issued another challenge, this time for worldwide peace. It has a resemblance to America's first challenge. We have set our goal and have the will to win. Two centuries have passed since our forefathers fought so gallantly for this country, and the freedom they won is still existing today. What will be found two centuries from today? We have our hopes that Americanism will be universal. Americanism is composed of all our American ideals. We know Americanism is essential throughout the world if all mankind is to be free and secure. It has oroven its worth in America. Our biggpst probl.em is to successfully challenge the world to adopt Americanism. We challenge all countries of the world to adopt Americanism so that they might be one harmonious being. But who accepts this challenge? Who dares to? Russia doesn't and neither does China nor any of the communistic satellites. A change from Communism to at Americanism would be a sign of defeat for them. Russia shudders at the thought. When- ever Americanism beckons to her people, Russia slyly covers up with the usual lies and vague promises. Is it any wonder we never reach first base when the ball is stolen on every pitch? Here is where the conflict begins. A machine doesn't work well with a defective part. Neither can Americanism easily succeed in today's world when we have such an obstacle as Communism to combat. We must not give up the ship, however. Only by challenging the world to adopt Americanism, can we ever hone to win a hot or cold war. It's a great task, but it isn't typical of Americans to shirk from it. It's a task that needs to be accomplished. We must pull together to make Americanism's challenge to today's world a universal success.

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INDUSTRIAL ARTS Next year this high school will have an entirely new and different course starting. This new course is industrial arts. Although it is more for boys, girls can also take it if they want to. This course has a great importance. For many years stu- dents have graduated from here nd very few have gone on to college. Well, now for the benefit of those who don't go on to school this course will give them occupational training in one of the subjects the course offers. Maybe to others it will only encourage them to go further on to college and learn more about the course they specialized in. No matter which way you put it, it's certainly going to help everyone who takes it one way or another. The course will consist of four subjects which are: 1. General woodmaking which includes c rpentry, cabinet miking, patternmaking etc., 2. General Metals which includes bench, cold bent, forged, welded and machined metal work, 3. General electricity which includes the theory and manipulation activi- ties pert ining to electric current, its nature, generation, transmission and control, small motors and home appliances, 4. Transportation, or internal combustion engines,boat and other models, bicycle maintenance and repair, and the theory con- struction, repair and maintenance of various types of internal combustion engines. Of course more subjects may bo added at any time but these four are state reauired. This Industrial Arts course is going to be set up in the basement of the school house. To some people, maybe they think that this is going to cost a lot of money. It is, but stop and think of the tuition we v;on't have to pay. In a few years, with the’ students we hope to have from other schools, the course will be paying for itself. Maybe before we know it they'll be getting Homo Economics for the girls, and when they do this school will really be something to be proud of. The Editor