Brockton High School - Brocktonia Yearbook (Brockton, MA)

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conduct to guide us through life? ln the first place, we have studied literature which presents characters with noble aspirations. Through vicarious experi- ence we have honored the high ideals of King Arthur and the unselfish altruism of Maggie Tulliver, and have vowed to be as fine and courageous as they. Secondly, we have learned how to take responsibility through our participation in class elections and class activities. As a result we should know how to assume our duties in civic affairs. Lastly, we have heard, in our assemblies, sincere, inspiring speakers who have made us Want to make valuable contri- butions to the success of society-to make the world a better place because we have been in it. And so today, as we hear America calling, we know that the best way to show our appreciation for the help of our parents, friends, and teachers is to take advantage of the knowledge we have acquired and to face the world problems confronting us with the determination to be aroused and to appreciate the priceless value of truth and right. 'They Did Something About lt -Robert M. Bartlett. 26

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PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS I ellen Amazed Gallia? By FRANCIS MecDoNALD I As president of the senior class of the Brockton High School, it is my pleasure today to welcome you, our friends and hon- ored guests, to our graduation exercises. Today climaxes twelve years of school spent in study, recreation, and friendship-making. lt is only fitting that the parents of this graduating class should be here to see their children, now , young men and women, receive their diplomas. Had it not been for the guidance and loving care of these mothers and fathers, many of us would probably not be here at this time. Tonight we have reached the end of our high school road of education, and we see before us another-a longer and steeper road-full of problems that we, as the Americans of tomorrow, must face and solve. Tonight let us discuss for a few moments how our school education has prepared us to meet these difi- culties and to cope with them. Most important among the problems now troubling educators and law enforce- ment bodies is that of juvenile delinquency. lf the youths of this city have no interest to take up their spare time, there is danger of their becoming offenders of the law. Realizing this fact, our schools stress sports, clubs, and other organ- izations as a means of keeping our leisure hours occupied. Baseball addicts, football enthusiasts, basketball players, and hockey devotees will not have time to get into mischief. There will be few idle hours for the boy who gets enjoyment in playing with an orchestra, or for the girl who has become inter- ested in dramatics. We have been made to realize that we must help organize and participate in worthwhile activities if we are to be happy, useful citizens. In our history classes we have learned that democracy is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people regardless of race, color, or creed. Our schools have helped us understand this fundamental law of democ- racy by fostering scholastic sports and clubs in which young men and women of every lineage and faith work and play side by side without discrimination. Such collaboration should help us think and act wisely in our adult life. How to improve the corrupt political practices of our country is another problem our teachers have had in mind throughout our years of schooling. A thorough study of the Constitution and the difficulties confronting successful government has made us realize our responsibility to think through national, state, and civic problems carefully from all angles, and to vote wisely for the best laws and candidates. The most important problem of all confronting our educators, however, has been the instilling within us of conceptions of personal responsibility and high ideals. How have Brockton schools attempted to give us worthy standards of 25

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CLASS ORATION '7fae R ' ' ' of Tfaadfn By MARY l... CUTTER Today in World War ll, youth plays the title role. Never before in the history of the world has the fate of so many people rested on such young shoulders. This global war is a direct challenge to us, the American youth, to fight for all the oppressed nations and in addition, to fight for ourselves, io preserve our own ideals. As General Sherman said, War is hell! That is undeniably true, but since the iniquitous burden of the human race has been placed on us, we have the golden opportunity to go out and prove the skill and valor of youth. ln the past two or three years, most of us have had an impersonal, indirect, connection with the war. Presently, the war will be our personal business. The future of this graduation class is already charted. The boys will soon be num- bered among Uncle Sam's fighters. Military leaders are clamoring for eighteen- year-old youths, since speed and endurance are most important factors in the final outcome of this world contest. The girls will be going away to college or taking advantage of the wider industrial fields now open to them. We shall no longer be piloted by doting parents and teachers-we shall begin to mold our own lives. lnevitably, many perplexing problems will confront us-problems which we will have to solve for ourselves, whether we're fighting in a foxhole, caring for the wounded in a base hospital, or working at the Red Cross center in our own city. Already American youth has honored itself and its country in the opening scenes of this world struggle. Our government, recognizing this fact, has offered to youth unequalled opportunities for advancement. In the rank and file of the U. S. Army and Navy today, exceptionally young officers are leading our men. ln a recent survey of Army officials over SGWJ were revealed to be under fifty years of age, and in a check-up of air generals 64? were found to be in their 30's and 4O's. These high officers have been awarded to youth for excellent physical and mental fitness. The responsibilities, which we are now about to shoulder, are of such a serious nature that they will tend to sober us and to hasten our maturity. This dread business of war calls for clear, logical planning. And the subsequent peace will be infinitely more demanding. Never before in the war history of America has so much money, time, and effort been spent in teaching both the young soldier and the civilian patriot a specific trade as his part in the war effort. In past wars, when men were drafted into service, they were simultaneously armed with a gun or other weapon and ordered to the battle lines. This new training, however, has reaped many dividends for the government, recognizable in the enormous increases in war production and the very successful military moves which have been undertaken. Not only does this vocational training hasten the war on to a United Nations victory, but it will decrease the post-war unemployment by giving each return- ing soldier a skill in some particular field. Already the government has estab- lished centers for the disabled soldier where he may get aid in his problems of readjustment. 27