Farmington High School - Laurel Yearbook (Farmington, ME)

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THE LAUREL 25 eagerly looking forward to reaching America again. It was hot down there in the engine- room, and the men, stripped down to the waist, glistened with sweat. But the work seemed much easier and the men were con- tented, for they were glad to be near home again. An instant later, however, their thoughts were abruptly interrupted by an unexpected tragedy. For at that moment the seaman on watch shouted a dreaded warning. He had caught sight of a long narrow shape skulking be- neath the surface a little distance from the tanker--a submarine! Hardly had the sound of his voice died out when an ominous white line began streaking toward the ship. When the torpedo struck, the explosion shook the men from their positions and left open a gaping hole near the rriiddle of the tanker. As Peter scrambled up the ladder, he heard the officers shouting orders and the hurried footsteps of the men as they rushed to obey them. The sight of the deck astonished Peter, for everywhere was twisted debris, and the whole ship was slanting at an un- natural angle. Above the general confusion he heard the bewildered cries of those hurt in the explosion and the rattle and splash of the lifeboats being put over the side. Peter took his place in the last lifeboat to pull away from the tanker, which was set- tling fast. As he looked back, he saw the bow rise high in the air-hesitate, and then dis- appear from sight. ln the meantime a new peril arose to threaten the survivors-the oil which had spread over the sea had caught Fire and now swept in all directions in angry, crackling flames whipped up by a rising wind. Peter could not see the other lifeboat, but when he heard the desperate shouts of the men, he knew that they had been unable to escape from the fire. The next morning as light spread over the restless, tossing water, Peter and his few companions were picked up by a destroyer on patrol duty. But that had all happened a month ago, and now, as Peter walked along by the water- front, he tried to erase those memories from his mind, for he had an important question that he must decide on at once. As he walked along, a bold sea breeze slapped his clothes about him. Down by the dock, a ship was making ready to put out to sea. There was a small commotion on the deck, and Peter saw that the Ameri- can flag was being run up the mast. In- stinctively Peter paused. It was a symbol that stood for the ideals of the American people- freedom and justice for all.', It was an emblem of loyalty, courage and de- termination . . determination . . . Then and there Peter found the answer to his question. With a lift of his shoulders, he turned into a nearby building. A few minutes later he stood in front of a desk looking down at a paper before him with a satisfied feeling. He knew he had decided his question the right way. On the paper were the names of men who had signed up as seamen on an out-going tanker, and at the bottom of the list, scrawled in generous letters, was the name- Peter Swenson, fireman. VALEDICTORY Members of the faculty: The graduating class of 1942 appreciate the guidance and help you have given us throughout our high school years. From the time we took our places in the Main Room as bewildered freshmen until now, you have been more than teachers to us. We feel that you are true friends. Your kindness and interest will always be a source of in- spiration to us. I join my classmates in ex- pressing sincere regrets at changing our pleasant association. Classmates: We have been looking forward to our graduation for four seemingly long years, but now that it has actually come, we realize how quickly the time has passed. From here on we shall no longer be a group. As we separate, each to his own way, let us bear in mind the most important lessons we have

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24 THE LAUREL The stranger, on getting within speaking distance, inquired, Are you Samuel Brown, the owner of this place? They call me Iudge, was the curt reply, for the Iudge was not yet entirely restored to good humor. I'm a government agent trying to esti- mate the crops this year. You've got a great farm heref' he stated. The Iudge had climbed down from the wagon and walked around to Bill's head by this time. I'm glad to see you use horses and don't depend on gasoline for your power, con- tinued the visitor and added approvingly, You,re certainly doing your share to win the warf' The Iudge spoke up then. That's just the trouble, he said. Don't seem to me I am doing much out of the ordinary. Lots of times lately I have figured maybe I ought to leave the farm and work in one of these fac- tories as everyone else is doing. The stranger thought a moment looking around over the carefully handled farm- lands as he did so. Did you ever hear, he began, the statement by Secretary of Agri- culture Wickard, 'Food will win the war and write the peace'? The Iudge nodded. Yes, well- said the agent, climbing into his car, you're doing your part and if more people did the same, we would be bet- ter off, so keep on with the good work. And say--maybe you'd like to go around with me next week. You know this section better than I dof' He drove out of the yard and the Iudge went about his chores. That night, after devouring Betsy's baked potatoes and early peas with a little more relish than usual, he started through the shed into the barn to do the night chores, whistling as he went. From the shed door, the Iudge looked over his domain proudly for the Hrst time that year. As he turned to go to the barn he stumbled over an old red paint cang this gave him an idea. Now how did that go-H he muttered, fumbling around in a pile of odd paint' brushes to find one that would scrape the little remaining paint out of the old can. Food will- Food will win-oh, yes, that's it. By this time he had found a suitable brush and a piece of old board off the kin- dling pile. This last he squared up with an axe and headed once more forthe barn. When he reached the barn doors, he stopped, laid down his equipment, and started to work. M-O+T-T-O, he wrote first in the center of the board at the top. Then work- ing laboriously with his scanty paint and old brush he began, in large capitals- F-O-O-D I'-then, in smaller size, w-i-l-l w-i-n t-h-e w-a-r, a-n-d w-r-i-t-e t-h-e - Cand Hnally in capitalsj P-E-A-C-E peace. After finishing the last he sat back and observed his handiwork. Picking up the hammer and nails ne had secured from his tool box, he stood a ladder against the barn door. Over the top in the center of the barn he placed his board, then, after fastening it solidly, he climbed back down and surveyed his work. For several minutes he stood there reading it over to himself. Food will win the war and write the peace. By golly, I am doing my part, he exclaimed, and pick- ing up his milk pails he trotted off to the tieup whistling. Lois Cohoon '42. YTD' PETER SWENSON-Fireman ETER SWENSON walked slowly down the narrow cobblestone street by the waterfront. As he ambled along with his hands thrust in the pockets of his heavy jacket, his mind was occupied with a vital question. And, in connection with that question, he could not keep the events of the previous month from rushing back into his Peter felt that he would never thoughts. forget the experience he had been through then. It had happened while the oil tanker Northern ,' was steadily making her way through the rough Atlantic a few days from port. Peter was a fireman on the North- ern, and like the rest of the crew, had been

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26 THE LAUREL learned-the ability to get along with others, the courage to face a situation squarely, and charity to everyone. We are going forward now to join the ranks of American men and women. Op- portunities in our country are limitless, and we have ambitions which will help us find the places that are waiting for us. Few of us will achieve fame, but all of us may achieve greatness, for as one great philoso- pher has said, The first test of a truly great man is humility. Mary Thea Sinskie '42. TT' ADDRESS OF WELCOME-CLASS DAY ARENTS, teachers and friends: I am very grateful for the opportunity to welcome you to these, our Class Day exer- cises. Mothers and fathers, we are greatly in- debted to you for giving us this opportunity to begin and complete our education from the primary through the secondary schools. You are, right now, probably more aware of the fact that we are rapidly withdrawing our dependence on your never-failing help and guidance, than at any time previous, because of the uncertain future that each of us must face. We, the Class of '42, do now express our humble thanks to you for giving us such a splendid start towards a successful life no matter what this war-tattered world may offer. We realize the sacrifices that you, our parents, have made to give us far greater opportunities in many cases, than were ever made possible for you. Teachers, to you who have endured and tirelessly striven to give us a true conception of our reason for being in high school, we are truly grateful. Yes, grateful in every sense of the word, for through your efforts and patient understanding we have been really guided to these, our Commencement exercises. Class Day exercises are the most happy and entertaining of all the Commencement. Class Day is a day set aside for reminis- cence, prophecy and a rollicking good time, so let's all have fun and enjoy the program. Earl Knapp '42, CLASS HISTORY SHALL parents, mates, from speak to you this afternoon, teachers, friends and class- the book of history, wherein are recorded the deeds of all men, even to the Class of 1942. And it came to pass in the year of grace, one thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight, that ninety and four inquiring young sheep stepped hesitantly into the portals of the Temple of Learning. At that time there dwelt on the Mount of the Main Room, a certain Bryantite, a shepherdess, who started this flock on the long way through the Valley of Trial to the Mount of Wisdom. Now it happened in those days that the sheep gath- ered themselves together to name their lead- ers, and sitting in council did choose unto themselves a tablet of rulers namely- Supreme Ruler-Earl Knapp, Assistant Ruler-Mary Thea Sinskie, Keeper of the Records--Ioan Greenwood, and Holder of the Monies-Robert Starbird. And then with a mighty mien they sent forth their first guardsman, Maynard Phillips, to the student tribunal. And as time passed the Supreme Ruler again gathered together his Hock and went with them to a meeting, an annual honoring of the new flocks. And there was at this formal receiving, bestowed upon one Alwyn, Nichols by name, the male babe of the flock, and Martha of the Callahans, the female cherub, a prize apiece, some sweetening on a stick. And a goodly number of this Hock waxed musical under the leadership of Mistress Perkins-songsters, blowers of wind in- struments and Hddlers-all gave fine per- formances at the concerts. Some who had ability in art, like Con- stance skilled with the stencil and Iris with the pen and brush, were guided through