Camden High School - Megunticook Yearbook (Camden, ME)

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THE MEGUNT1COOK 5 Whether vengeance be sought for pride, jealousy, or hatred, it is strong in human nature and cannot be compromised. It must be reasoned with and conquered. If man is to be better than animals, he must conquer his animal instincts. He must cultivate patience to remedy his ills and seek intelligence and culture to offset his passions. —Domenica Tranquillo ’52 MEGUNTICOOK BOARD First Row: Minnie Tranquillo, Gail Wiley, Ellen Donovan, Ronald Banks, Ruth Sims. Second Row: John Giffin, John Heald, Barbara Haynes, Victor Richards, Alfred Darrow, Margaret Crabtree, Montford Pease.

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4 THE MEGUNT1COOK A partial peace is not to be scoffed at, for the world is sorely in need of even such a facsimile. Democracy actually isn’t flaw free. Upon searching into its ancestry, one realizes how Democracy has developed from a germ- like idea in the minds of men who had great concern over the injustices of man to his brothers. Yet in the modern era of enlightenment and justice the machinery of Democracy becomes clogged because its wielders are but men, and no man is blessed with perfection. Communism strives to attain equality which is Democracy’s platform, but Communism has committed the folly of teaming with Atheism and thereby bringing its own downfall. When this peace-threatening faction is defeated, do not lean back with a sigh of relief because there will be more wars. Why will there be more wars? There will be man, and man has never taken to heart the almost-too- simple phrase, “Love thy neighbor.” Never fear, the earth will not cease its revolution tomorrow, for the words of the prophets are yet to be fulfilled. But as you go about tomorrow’s business and pursue your quest for happiness, break off an infinite particle of precious time to bring some peace, be it peace of mind or peace to quell anger. For each great mission has an embryonic stage and who has greater right to help introduce ideals than we, the future citizens of the world? —Barbara Haynes ’52 VENGEANCE In mankind there is the instinct to avenge a hurt—to inflict suffering upon the one who formerly caused it. This punishment seems most effectual if it is invested in like manner and to the same degree. The hurt may be physically inflicted causing a flesh wound or bodily struggle. This is prob- ably the kinder and less sustaining of two types because though it strikes violently and painfully, it heals and with it some or all of the resentment. Mental conflict involving love, hatred, cruelty,, and torture of the mind is lasting and not easily forgiven. Nor is it always easy to avenge. It takes unscrupulous planning and maneuvering to shift circumstance to aid the defendant. If vengeance is achieved, what gain has been made? It is doubtful that the anger of the objector is appeased. He, if possessing a good intellect and a relatively high standard of character, will suffer degradation and attacks of conscience for his infamous act. He may even find it a burden in the future when he realizes the futility of the act, regrets it, and wishes he might have rendered his efforts to something beneficial. Efforts to repay wrong for wrong are not so vigorous as those to repay right for right. Vengeance might be termed an animal instinct. An animal when struck will strike back at its aggressor. If a fight ensues, it will return blow for blow until it has avenged itself or is forced to retreat until another time. Its mind cannot reason that it would be wiser to suffer the blow in silence or flee to avoid more hurt. Petty pride and false honor have caused whole countries to go to war. In the midst of the hardships and bloodshed of war the cause of revenge for shaken pride seems frail indeed. There was an era when revenge was in vogue and highly esteemed. Brave knights were sent to battle to avenge with death the matter of discourtesy to a fair lady. Duels were always a popular means of revenge. A gentleman was held by honor to jeopardize his life in such situations as would arise.

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6 THE MEGUNTICOOK In the fall of ’48 we—now the glor- ious seniors, then just lowly fresh- men—entered the big and baffling halls of CHS. Those first few days were almost unbearable. The upper- classmen watched and jeered as we lost our way. Gradually we began to get adjusted and were just settling down to routine work when Freshman Reception descended upon us. Two days of bowing, carrying books, wearing grain-bags, and other humi- lating tortures and we were almost ready to give up. Remember the first day of our sophomore year? Weren’t we proud of ourselves? The best amusement of all was laughing at the freshmen. Al- ready we had put those days behind us. We were now upperclassmen. The class party at the Snow Bowl was the big event of the year. That really made us a class, working and playing together. As juniors we became even more of a unit. Choosing class rings made us realize for the first time that graduation was really in sight. The Junior May Ball, although we made no money, set us to thinking of our Washington Trip in a financial way. Then came the graduation of the class of ’51. As we marched up the aisle with them, we suddenly realized that we were seniors and that a year from then it would be we up there saying farewell to CHS and to each other. At last we were seniors. Our dreams were coming true! Countless food sales, paper drives, the Christ- mas Dance, and various other pro- jects helped us to visualize Washing- ton in our dreams, but then before we knew it, it became a reality. What a glorious occasion that was! Now that it is only a memory, we are going onward. Soon we will graduate and after that we will leave CHS to enter the outer world in var- ious vocations and places, but all with many memories of Camden and our wonderful four years there. SENIOR AVERAGES COver 85%) Ruth Sims 96.13 Gail Wiley 93.42 Minnie Tranquillo 92.47 Margaret Crabtree 90.81 Ellen Donovan 90.63 Lucille Drinkwater 89.14 Maurice Payson 88.57 Ronald Banks 87.84 Carolyn Robbins 87.22 Jessie Barton 86.90 Alton Parker 86.88 Montford Pease 86.40 Judith Harvey 86.37 Beverly Arau 85.81 John Heald 85.77 Priscilla Morse 85.12 Marilyn Collemer 85.05