Elmira Free Academy - Torch / Sagoyawatha Yearbook (Elmira, NY)

Page 15 text:

45,19-'gffF.15La-w'F'14f:', Q f 1 i l TO THE SIfNIOR CLASS or 19441 l In Axisicountries, subjects exist for the State. They give blind obedi- ence to orders. There is little chance to rise out of the social group into which they are born. Their minds are conditioned, their tongues are held in leash, their spirits are bound within limits. They do not dare question the activities of dheir leaders. Youth is trained to do the will of a dictator in a totalitarian stlate. In Amefica, the State exists for its citizens. You participate in the government. lYou may rise in social status, wealth, and power to the de- gree that your capacities permit. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion. freedom of pblitical action are your birthright. Your leaders are responsible to you for their words and deeds. Youth is educated for a free citizenship in a democracy. l This contrast points out the issue in the present world struggle: free- dom for the human mind and spirit, the right of the individual to develop to the full his talents and abilities and to make the most of his opportuni- ties. These arte the things for which we fight. Patriotism demands that each of us does all he can to win the war. We feel the urge to forego normal pursuits and engage in some activity di- rectly relatedl to the obvious tasks laid down for our armed forces. It is, therefore, sometimes hard for us who remain in school, whether as teachers or pupils, to alccept our present duty, to do the daily task that confronts us to the best of our ability. l A long far means that many now in school will in course of time be called upon o replace those who have gone before. For them, schooling is as truly a period of preparation as basic training is for a private in the Army. Whether the war be long or short, this country of ours will need youth well pirepared to carry on with energy and optimism the normal peacetime pursuits that will lift the level of man out of the slough of war's destruction. T0 win the war and be unable to achieve this result would be ironic. To each bne, comes the clear challenge to make the most of the oppor- tunities that the moment affords. Restless daydreaming and careless indif- ference play into the hands of the enemy. As good Americans, let us do our part-now. To all of Jpu, as you come to the close of your high school course, your teachers extefid best wishes and the hope that you will be active partici- pants, in peace as well as in war, in building a better world. l l i l '

Page 14 text:

.lust as lczulcrs arv important during' a gm-:ml war, so are lhcy indispensable during' our rlimcult ycars through High Srhoul. llr, Ilclmkzunp is an l1llSllI'll2iSSL'il lczulcl' who has lakcu zm honest intcrcst in every indivimluzll who has nccrlcal assislzuwc. Ncvcr flicl he fail to givc us thc IICCCSSJIFB' :iid :mel czlcmlragc- ment tu holp us carry cm. XXI- tlu- class uf 1944, now snlutc Ilr. Ilclmkzuup who 11:15 hclpcrl to make our stay in the lflmirn Ifrcc .Xczulclny om- of thx' must l1lClIl01'IlIllt' Sl1lQ,'L'S of our lifu.

Page 16 text:

Ma, Gaia, -Q., . .J V., i' l.41m'4'l lunxm-S iw XIV. lzulv. who hui 1-.zalvllwl mu' I1 Illl' YCZITS ut lH'lPQl'CSS : - ' iulcrcsl mth Irlvwilx' xml Iulptul .xml 14+ xxlnml xx NlIlk'l'I'L' Ql'Ill ill uh-. 'v vxlullml um' must Ma. Kala, X Um' hc:11'tu-sl z1pp11-0111114111 lu XII Kcrlin whu has L'lllhl1Si2lSliL'ZlHf' Ink 2111 i1llL'l'L'SI in um' school uclivillu 1lm'ing :nur slay :il thc .Xczlch-z11y'.