Auburn Maine School of Commerce - Ray Yearbook (Auburn, ME)

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AN OPTORTUNITY IS AWAITING YOU Again it is the month of June when graduates franseccnd- ary schools and higher insti- tutions of learning reach for- ward eagerly for their long- awaited diplomas which indicate that they are now prepared to go forward into the waiting world, enlarging and enriching it. It is the duty of these young men and women to prove that they can successfully ap- ply their knowledge to help solve some of the many pro- blems that are now confronting our country. After every war there is aradical changeg this is a period in which there is a challengefor every ambitious graduate. In the field of medicine, there will be many new dis- coveries added to the already numerous ones found during the last five years. Still there are many dreaded diseases that must have acure. In the field of education there will be a great change. Boys and girls coming back from the Armed Services have found, through their military training, where therehave been greatweaknesses in their educational programs. Educators in the future will be forced to devote more time to the individual differences of students if they are to build a stronger government. Therefore, the students will deal with more practical sub- jects in the 'high schools and won't be at a loss when the need for these useful subjects arises in after-school life. In the political field, the country needspowerful leaders, not powerful for their own selfish benefit, but powerful enough to lift their followers out of the path of disaster, such as this country is now facing. The persons who have been fortunate enough to obtain an education are the ones who are to lead in the rehabilitation movement in foreign countries. The majority of people in these countries are at a very low status. They arequite hunger- stricken, homeless, war-torn, and dependent largely on our people to rebuild their de- vastated countries. Another very important issue at the present time is that of cooperation. There hasn't been enough cooperation among peoples for many years. Right now, among ou own forty- eight states, thereis friction service men and women educated in their own about being states. Strikes ofall kinds-- coal mining, automobile manu- facturing, shipping--are now causing a crisis which proves that peoples, afterthe present struggle, are not yet ready to work together for the benefit ofeach other. Recently, house boats have been erectedto help solve the critical housing shortage. Our boys have been overseas to help fight for a better world in which to liveg but when they come back home, they are confronted by the fact that they have no home for'dmmf selves or their families, They areeven forced tooffer rewards for homes. 'How can we expect not to have another war in twenty or twenty-five years if wecannot overcome theseforeign and domestic Problems now pending to destroy our unity? Yes, only a few of ,the many demands that anafacing us have been mentioned. . It must beremembered that the graduates of today are the leaders of tomorrow, and that they have a igreat challenge to nmeta --B. M.

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- GRADUATICN TIME We might as well face it. The day is coming shortly when people will not be able to ob4 tain jobs and hold them. Mass productionand machinery of all kinds are the new competitors which haveturned business into a scienceg and they demand a brain, aknowledge, a resource- fulness, and a sincerity which the deepest science exacts. Businesswears no cap and gown. To getahead in a world of so much competition, one must beableto understand thoroughly his field ofconcentration. To arrive ,at this understanding, one must betaught to think in- telligently in a specialized line by a school which is in a position to do the teaching. Such schools ananot too diffi- cult to find. At the end of the school years, one should takean inventory to see why he has or has not accomplished as much as was offered. Not only should he consider how much he has accomplished, but how well he comprehendsg not only how many years he has spent in the school, but what he has poured into them and what measure of spiritual content given him in return. Gnce again it is graduation timeand inventory time. Thouf sands of young men and women will say farewell toclassrooms Diplomaswill degrees will others, and they have and'oollegedays. beawarded tosomeg be conferred on still others will be chosen as the most wise, the most hand- some, and the most promising of the graduates. But when these brief ceremonies are our and just a memory, what will these same young people do in the field when the world is such a big arena? Yes, in a world which isas unpredictable as it istoday. Right now jobs are plentiful, but will they be hithree or four years? Be- cause rof this unpredictable future, young menand womenmust prepare themselves. To many, a career haindustry will be an ordealg but to others, it will be a great adventureg it will depend on the individual him- self. If one is willing to prepare himself to give all he has, his success cannot be but a great adventure. Butwhen he finds his preparation has not been sufficient, it is useless for him tosearch for an enter- .prise. V At this time of graduatkn many young men and women will leave the world of theory and wdllenter the world o reality. In the well-grounded world of theory, which.isonly now being forsaken, the rulealwaysworked and the problem. was always solvedg but tithe new world of reality, which lies stretched before them, the young people will find that the rule which worked yesterday may not work today, and the same rule which works today may network tomor- row, It willalso come to pass that there willarise many pro- blems whichwill have no appar- entsolution, ,The supreme test will be at hand, and fresh faith is the only thing which will make the testworth-while. If the departing students are ready to meet this challenge-- if they feel the urge to meet it, to give a portion of their souls toit--then they anetruly graduating. May the degrees. of the young peoplebe as long as then' hearts and courage are willing make TUHGID.. ' Pa Do