Axton High School - Axtonian Yearbook (Axton, VA)

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THE AXTONIAN try to encourage the full-hearted support of scientific research and then try to increase the research into practical and better fields. There must also be a liberal attitude that seeks the best interests of all people, not only of this nation but all nations. We must give whole hearted support to the United Nations Organization. We must show our democracy, let the world see how it works and how well we live under it. As Ernest Haycox has said, “What we need now is the faith to believe that all peoples of this earth possess a common decency, a common set of wishes and emotions, a common value, and a common goodness in the eyes of the Creator.” When we have attained this faith, we have become democratic. We must recognize the dignity of man. Thomas Mann defines democracy as “that form of government which inspires above everything the feeling and consciousness of the dignity of man”. When we reach the stage where an advance in science is made for the betterment and not for the destruction of mankind, then, and only then, will our family of nations have peace and a democratic feeling of good will toward other nations. With these words we bid you farewell. Lyne Starling, Valedictorian Bibliography : “Fear Is Out of Date” by Ernest Haycox, Reader’s Digest, May 1947. “The Deadliest War” by Sidney Shalett, Reader’s Digest, August 1946. “Science Versus Civilization” by James Finch, National Digest, Feb. 1947. “The Atom Bomb in the Next War” by Lt. Col. Rathoon Tompkins, National Digest, Ap- ril 1947. “Free Enterprise Lost” by Wendell Berge, Forum, October 1946. A LITTLE FUN IN AXTON HIGH Mrs. Jefferson: Peggy, where do bad little girls go? Peggy: Most everywhere, mother. Ralph Wright is working at the “Club Mar- tinque.” Rosalie West enters. Rosalie: Where is the Green Room? Ralph : I don’t know. Rosalie: Don’t you work here? Ralph: Yes ma’m. Rosalie: Then why can’t you tell me where the Green Room is? Ralph: Pm color blind. Miss Norvell: One mouse trap, please, in a hurry. I have to catch a bus. Junior Holland (Saturday clerk in hardware store) : Sorry ma’m, our traps don’t come that big. Anna Mae (holding a cookie above her dog) : Speak, Fido, speak. Dog: What’ll I say? Bud Manning and Norman Cassada are out hunting. Bud: Hey, Norman. Norman: Yeah! Bud: You all right? Norman: Yeah! Bud : Then it must have been a bear I shot. Billy Robertson : Let’s walk in the garden. Mary C.: No, Pm afraid if we do you’ll try to kiss me. Billy: Honest, I won’t. Mary: Then, what’s the use? Page Tu ' enty-two Mrs. Turner: When was the revival of learn- ing? Jack: Just before exams! Mildred Holland was speeding along the road in her car. A policeman caught up with her and made her pull over to the side of the road. “Why were you going so fast?’’ asked the policeman. “My brakes were bad and I was hurrying home before I had an accident,’’ Mildred replied. Peggy Billings: Have you heard from your boy fi ' iend overseas lately? Gertrude: Yes! It’s bad news! It’s terrible! He said he had been going with a jeep. Peggy: What’s so bad about that? A jeep is only an army car. Gertrude: Thank goodness! I thought a jeep was a female Jap. R. J. Barker, after missing three easy balls, explained to Mr Long. “I guess I need glasses.” “Glasses,” Mr. Long roared, “You’re too far gone for glasses. What you need is radar.” Charlie Agee: You know, all of the animals came on the ark in pairs. Juanita Manning: All except the worms. They came in apples. Mrs. Hairfield : If you had three apples and ate one, how maiiy would you have? Charles : Three. Mrs. Hairfield: How do you figure that? Charles: Two outside of me and one inside of me.

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THE AXTONIAN Scientific Advancement Must Work Hand in Hand v ith Democracy F riends of the community and patrons : I am pleased, yet sad, as I say the final words of farewell from class 1947. I realize how interested each of you have been in our progress and how that interest will continue throughout the years to come. The world into which we are graduating is so different from that into which you plunged the earlier part of the century. There have been so great changes wrought in scientific discovery and invention that it is almost unbelievable. The half-century in which you have lived has practically revo- lutionized the state of human affairs. It is up to you, patrons, and us, the youth graduat- ing from our schools, to see that scientific advancement works hand in hand with democ- racy. This is the only way to save our world from destruction. If we glance backward, science had slow progress with our early ancestors. No know- ledge was at all certain. What was gained by a life time of research from such men as Ro- ger Bacon was regarded as magic or superstition. It was not until 1561 that Francis Ba- con laid the foundation of modern scientific research. The distressful thought, however, about scientific findings has been that the greater effort for discovery has been for destructive power. The invention of gunpowder brought the end of the feudal system in Europe. The armored knight was no match for the soldier with his matchlock. The feudal castle could not withstand the fire of the cannon. This same kind of scientific evolution has continued up to the present time. The in- vention of new scientific facilities has been a tightly fought battle between nations, or groups of nations. The invention of the airplane is a milestone in the evolution of science. Though not meant for destructive power, it was not long until the airplane was used for such. Great exertion has been made to perfect means to disable whole nations with disease. The robot bornb and rocket planes are other examples of destructive in- ventions. The climax of such destructive research was reached when scientists split the atom and released its mighty hidden power. We all know the devastation which it brought and the possible destruction which future use may bring. It is absurd to think that the secret of our atomic power can be kept from other nations. In a few years the secret may be the possession of many nations. Then, we too, will have to protect ourselves from its destructive power. Why do nations and people keep this race in the field of scientific destruction, instead of trying to make more discoveries of a beneficial nature? The answer to the question is FEAR. Most of our destructive inventions have been made from fear of aggressor nations. The United States is now the most feared nation in the world because of her atomic knowledge. It is up to us to remove this fear and show other nations that we do not want to use our knowledge for destruction but for the uplift of mankind. Many say we shall have an atomic war which will destroy the world. But was it not said at the end of World War I that the human race would be eliminated by poisonous gas? This was controlled. Likewise the use of atomic power can be controlled. Democrat- ic principles must be extended to cover the world. We survivors of the past war will have to learn to live together in the world. It is predicted that the atomic fission may ultimately provide a new source of power which will be available at any point throughout our country. This turn in its use may bring other nations to look on our knowledge from a different viewpoint and to seek it for its usefulness to mankind rather than for its destructive power The forces of science must be freed from these shackles of fear and distrust, and it is in a land, or a world of democracy, like ours that can be brought about. We must first Page Twenty-one

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THE AXTONIAN Farewell Farewell to our classmates dear, We will always remember Days that we have spent with you, And friendships we have made. And so sad farewell. For now we must part. But memories of you dear friends. Will always live in the heart. Farewell to our schoolmates too. And teachers ever faithful ; We’ll remember as we go The things we’ve learned from you. And so sad farewell To friends we have made ; The things that we must face in life We’ll all meet unafraid. Farewell to old Axton High, The school we love so well; As we journey on in life. To you we’ll ever be true. Farewell, dear school. When we are old and gray. We will love you, Axton High, As we love you today. Page Twenty-three