Bourne High School - Canal Currents Yearbook (Bourne, MA)

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EDITORIALS DECISIONS According to Webster, “Deci sion is the power or habit of promptly and definitely deciding, especially on a course of action.” The need of making a decision comes to each of us many times a day. Sometimes these decisions are small and unim- portant; others may be of vital importance. In the case of grammar school pupils, big decisions are often made for them by parents or teachers. The course of study in school is already planned for them. In the high school, while a certain part of the course of study is planned for us, the remainder is elective. Here we have to decide, probably for the first time, what will be of the greatest value to each of us. This decision is the first im- portant stepping-stone on our way toward choosing a pro- fession. In our sports, we are often called upon to make quick and accurate decisions, and upon those decisions often rests the outcome of the games. Our personal life does not escape this need of making decisions, for upon those we make depends our characters. Therefore, let us all try to cultivate early in our lives, clear, quick, accurate thinking, as well as the careful weigh- ing of both sides of questions, to aid us in making wise deci- sions for ourselves. Bernard Baker, ’38, Editor-in-Chief.

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DEDICATION Dr, Ereest F, Crirry and his able assistant Mrs, Frances H, Stowell To two who have kept us healthy and happy throughout our school days, who have given us advice cheerfully when asked, this year book is respectfully dedicated .

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6 CANAL CURRENTS HORACE MANN “Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity” In the wonderful world of ours there are many memorials, statues, monuments, and other various honors, indication of our appreciation and admiration, dedicated to the memory and ever-existing fame of numerous types of heroes and hero- ines. In my belief, one of the most outstanding, but least remembered, personages in our American history is Horace Mann, educator, patriot and reformer. This year, 1937, we celebrate the centennial of his election to the Massachusetts Board of Education. Born on May 4, 1796, in the small, picturesque town of Franklin, Massachusetts, Mann spent his boyhood days work- ing on his mother’s farm, his father having died when he was but thirteen. After attending the village school for a number of years, Mann, eager for further education, obtained a diploma from Williams Academy and soon entered Brown University, from which he was graduated with highest honors in 1819. From this point on, Mann devoted his entire life toward the betterment of public education. His first major step toward this goal was his election as Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education in 1837, for which position he gave up a lucrative law practice. This was followed by his most import- ant achievement, the establishment of the first Normal School at Bridgewater ,Massachusetts, in 1839. After serving a term in Congress, Mann was elected President of Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he faithfully followed his ideas and ideals until his death in 1859. Although famed for his accomplishments, Mann is more noted for his high ideas and ideals. Many people believe that the modern world of education is based upon the thoughts and principles of the wonderful man who lived a hundred years ago. Lincoln has been called “The Great Emancipator”. Just as truly Horace Mann may be called “The Great Pioneer of American Education”. Walter Young, ’37. MAN’S CONQUEST OF NATURE In the early beginnings of the world, man was one of the weakest mammals. When animals came his way he had to run for a place of safety. Slowly he became stronger and with the aid of weapons, he faced the beasts from which he