Camden High School - Megunticook Yearbook (Camden, ME)

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The Megunlicook 13 could finish the year. Many a boy became discouraged and did not start his college year, others began but were soon called to the colors. Formal education was in a precari- ous position. The times were too un- certain. Today, we think we know what is necessary in order to win final victory, but what of the youths when they come back? CWhich we hope will be very soon.J Will they pick up and continue their school- ing? Will conditions be worse than they were after the last War? No one really knows. It is up to the youth, if they want a better world. If they don't-well, let's not con- template the outcome. But, let us pray harder than we ever have be- fore that they do continue their for- mer education and thus make our victory a total victory. Erwin Fitzgerald, '44 'Ttllflllll -:E TELEGRAMS We were sitting around that Sun- day enjoying a restful day 'at home. Mother had been called to the bed- side of a cousin who had fallen and fractured a leg. Father was reading the paper as fathers do on Sundays, Jim was lying on the divan, sleep- ing and reading alternately, think- ing of the girl he might take riding provided he could get the family car. Susan, who should have been a young lady although that charac- terization didn't fit her, preferred the floor and two wooden revolvers which she kept in perfect condition for a game of cowboys and Indians .... g ' with the other tom-boys and young men of the immediate territory. Gerry, the oldest and most serious, was working on some fishing tackle and equipment he meant to take on that trip to the Allagash. I was thinking of the dinner dishes-as all 'teen age girls do-especially when their mothers are away. The door bell rang and I answer- ed it. For whom did you say? Yes, this is Wayne's. I'll sign for the tele- gram. Thank you. Dad, Gerry, Jim, Susan, I cal- led, -a telegram! It must be bad luckg we never get one unless it is. Here, Dad, you open it. Dear Family:

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12 The Meguniicook Let's stand behind the Red, White and Blue! MINETTA JOHNSON, '44 -CHS- THE CYCLE This essay is more or less dedicat- ed to you, the Youth of America, the Youth of America who are en- gaged in a struggle for humanity. These times are not like those of years ago. You have a life so differ- ent from that of previous ages that there is no comparison. Yours is the job of rebuilding the world. You, The American Youth, have to set an example for the less fortunate coun- tries of the universe. The peasants and common peoples are looking for a Saviour. You can never take the place of the Saviour, but you can be His soldiers, you can do your best. The Cycle starts with youth. You are in your prime, and you should enjoy what few moments of comradeship you have left before going out into the world to seek your fortunes. You may never see each other again. You mustn't look for the Worst in people, because they are going to be your neighbors, your assistants, your loved ones. You can never tell when you will need help, and a friend in need is a friend indeed. You are put on this earth to do good, to be friendly and understand- ing. For when He passes judgment, understanding, love, and kindness are important in order to be allow- ed Eternal Life. The Cycle will continue to Old Age, a time when you will need all the friends that you can make, for old people are irritating to youth, because they give so much advice. But if you, as young men and wo- men, can gracefully accept this ad- vice, it will be of great help, al- though you may iigure, and rightly so, experience is better. Wake up, Youth! Realize that you must learn all that you can! EDWARD BURKE, '44 YOUTH AND WAR December 8, 1941! I have asked the Congress of the United States to declare that a state of war exists between the United States and Japan-. Those were the words spoken by our President, words that set in motion one of the greatest disasters of our modern life-World War II. That was only the begin- ning, for at that time, youth in the high schools and colleges through- out the land hardly knew what was to come. Although we had been sav- agely attacked from behind, we did not suffer as badly as was expected, a fact we learned from later reports. Time went on and our army be- gan to need more men. We had a war-time draft, but not long after- ward the cry went up for more men, men who could learn easily and quickly, and live under the grueling conditions of modern warfare. That pointed straight at the boys in the high schools and colleges, who were just the right age for the qualifica- tions. Not long afterward a bill was sent to Congress which simply stat- ed that they wanted the draft age lowered to 18 years. It was accept- ed and the debate was on. Although it went crazily from one side to the other, all the fellows knew what the final answer would be. What about these boys? What were they doing if they knew the final an- swer? A number of them, a large num- ber, were rushing to enlist While they had a chance to choose the branch of service they wanted. Many, who did this, left school. Others just left and waited to be drafted, for they knew they would- n't finish school, even if they stayed longer. When the bill was passed, it had several clauses which exempted them for a time. One clause was that if the student wasn't called un- til he was in his second half of the year, he could finish that year, an- other was, if he was a senior, he

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14 The Megunticook Arrive on 10:22 train stop love to all stop. Uncle Hubert Uncle Hubert, cried four ex- cited voices. But Mother isn't here. We can't, I mean he mustn't. Oh-o- oh! We always put on the dog for him. You know, a rich uncle, who must have the biggest and best chair, a cold drink of lemonade or cider within his reach at all times. Every- one must smile, think only of Uncle Hubert, and not make any noise- Uncle Hubert dislikes musical in- struments or dancing or movies, etc. Mother not being here started everything off wrong. She always used the best silver, linen and dish- es. There was even an extra mat- tress put on the guest bed for Uncle Hubert. The whole family started work- ing getting his room in order. What about food? Oh, yes, plenty of that? Uncle Hubert liked to eat. By 7:30 we were dirty, tired, and our dispositions were suffering greatly. No one wanted anything to eat and last, but not least, We could not find the picture that was put over the mantle. The one of Uncle Hubert with his gun and the lion he'd shot- Personally, we always thought he had hired the lion for that particular pose. At 10:00 we piled into the Olds- mobile and drove to the station. The train finally pulled into the station and who should alight but Mother. She couldn't understand how we had found out the time of her ar- rival. We smiled and helped her carry her bags over to the car. She had so much to tell us. Cousin Betty was much better, and who do you think came to see her and to stay a few days?-Who? Who? Well, you'd never guess, so I'll tell you-Uncle Hubert!! Groans escaped everyone's lips. We then relayed to mother the work we'd done. Dad had even touched up a little paint on the guest room floor. The whole house had been cleaned, even the cellar. But the best part was when we got home. Mother sat down on the divan and the rest of the family scattered over the living room, rest- ing. Then Mother sent Susan for her purse. Susan brought it back and what do you think?-Well, our rich Uncle Hubert,-you know, the kind, charming gentleman who comes to visit us, never a bit of trouble, oh, no. He sent his dear nephews and nieces each an envelope-inside we gazed stupified at a 850 bill. Yes, a 5550 bill. Well, We'd always liked Uncle Hubert. RUTH GRINDLE, '43 -CHS- A SMILE A smile cast into so'meone's eyes Even without meaning there, 'Can make the sun shine bright again, And all the world more fair. A smi.e is such a helpful thing Anytime-along the way. Don't you think that your sweet smile Could make the darkness into day? CONNIE DUFFY, '44 -C'HS- FRANCE wIn a picturesque province of lovely France Where roses and lilies yet bloom, And robins still sing and bluebirus yet soar Though the blue skies are oft black wi-th doom, I found one day, while Wandering In the valleys of sweet goldenrod, A little deserted graveyard Newly marked with fresh -damp sod. And I knew as I looked upon a grave With its pathetic inscription there That a powerful huge winged bomber 'Had found i-ts mark And left a heart laid bare. An-d then I th-ought of these people before- Before fthe huge 'air birds had rained Their measure of death and destruction In the wake of a tri-motored plane. And slowly I Walked from the valley, Still thinking' of heart aches and pain That befall a weak, helpless people When war hurls its -death-dealing rain. FREDERJICKA AMBO RN, '43