Boston Latin School - Liber Actorum Yearbook (Boston, MA)

Page 8 text:

MICHAEL G. CONTOMPASIS Headmaster’s Address Forty-eight years ago, at the 300th anniversary of our school’s founding, the philosopher George Santayana wrote the following about his alma mater: In spite of all revolutions and all the pressure of business and all the powerful influences inclining America to live in contemptuous ig- norance of the rest of the world, and especially of the past, the Latin School, supported by the people of Boston, has kept the embers of traditional learning alive, at which the humblest rush-light might always be lighted; has kept the highway clear for every boy to the professions of theology, law, medicine, and teaching, and a window open to his mind from these times to all other times and from this place to all other places.” Our nation desperately needs the vitality and enthusiasm of its young people. A new generation of leaders must be found from amongst your ranks; leaders who care more for the public good than for their own narrow self interests. For, as it has been so clearly stated by the columnist Walter Lippmann, Leaders are the custodians of a nation ' s ideals, of the beliefs it cherishes, of its permanent hopes, of the faith which makes a na- tion out of a mere aggregation of individuals.” I encourage you to meet and to solve the challenges of the next five decades. 4

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President’s Address X ' e, the members of the Class of 1983, are graduating during an important anniversary year in the history of our nation. Fifty years ago the American people began the great political experiment known as the New Deal to cope with the massive prob- lems of the Great Depression. Today we are faced with many social and economic problems that are reminiscent of that period in our history a half century ago, and our generation is going to be called upon to resolve them. In facing this challenge, we should remember the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” In looking ahead to the challenges of an uncertain future, we can be secure in the knowledge that we have been well prepared to meet them by our excellent and unique Boston Latin School education. On behalf of the Class of 1983, 1 extend our thanks and appreciation to all of those who have made our graduation possible, especially our parents, teachers, and the people of Boston. To the members of the Class of 1983, I extend my congratulations and best wishes for every success and happiness in the years ahead. Brian Golden 6