Fitch High School - Tantara Yearbook (Groton, CT)

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Superintendent of School The event of writing this brief message motivated my search through the back shelf of my library in order that I might review the yearbook message set down for me over a quarter of a century ago. Part of it follows: “This marks a very special year for you. It is the year you are about to step over the threshold into a new realm of responsi- bility. Your education and your activities have all been directed towards training you to be able to override the barriers of birth, wealth, and social status. But, more important than this ability to achieve is the sense of values that you have acquired; the pursuit and love of truth, the passion for justice, the love of beauty in all its forms, the intelligent use of human freedom, the respect for the dignity of the individual person. The same message is as appropriate today as it was for the generation that came before mine. It is a wish for a better soci- ety, an end to greed, bigotry, selfishness. It is an appeal for self involvement, for a concern of others. So what is this thing called “generation gap?” It’s the same that separated us from our parents, the same that separated them from theirs. It’s the bridge that counts, and the bridge also remains the same: “love and understanding. December 17, 1970 Hoard of Education Richard Chapman Seated: Mrs. Katherine Farquhar, Dr. Stanley, Killy, chairman; Mr. John Helme. Standing: Mr. Philip Nahas, Mr. Carl Johannesen, Mr. Richard Mitchell, Mr. Nobert Smyth. Missing: Mr. Fred Allen.

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Well the dawn is coming heard him ringing on my bell Well my name’s the teacher Or that is what J call myself. J learned a lesson

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To the Class of 1971 This is the time of political turmoil, war, unrest, drugs and pollution, but more than that, it is a time for tremendous advances in humanity. In the sense that man has in the past and will in the future rise to every occasion to alter the direction of mankind in such a way as to seek new solutions. The Class of 71, born in the 1950’s at the time of the Korean War, having lived through an inflationary period of time, have seen peace, then war in Vietnam, crises in the middle East and a gradual reces- sion in the 70's. These students have been tempered by problems and chaos. However, these are the youth who will take over the reins of government, who shall control the destiny of the world in the next few years. As we look to them we can see that it will not be difficult to have faith in mankind, for our graduates have displayed the strength and courage of convictions. They have the desire to solve problems. They have the motivation to move ahead and the spirit to keep after long-term goals. I know that I shall feel secure with the knowledge that students from the Class of 1971 will be the leaders of the world and that they shall be the very people who will be able to solve the problems of war, pollution and sociological inequities. To the Class of 71 — I hope and I wish that you will be able to take charge and to move ahead. I know that all educators have a great deal of faith in you. We have seen you and worked with you fo, twelve years and in this brief time, have come to know you and to re- spect you. Good luck. Ronald K. Gandia 19