Fort Kent Community High School - Warrior Yearbook (Fort Kent, ME)

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lions. Therefore, we are equipped to continue to study current history as it is diffused by radio, newspapers and magazines, and to do our share in the molding of the powerful weapon of public opinion so important in a democracy like ours. We have also been taught to cherish our democratic way of life. Our natural and poli- tical heritage is very dear to us. We have been taught to esteem it beyond present com- fort and security. We will defend it with our very life. The die is cast. We are pledged to keep burning forever the torch of liberty and free- dom for all nations. We vow our hearts and lives to the cause of all free mankind. We want man to know peace, freedom and right- eousness, justice and security and have an equal opportunity to do his best, not onlv in our own land. but throughout the world. With these thoughts, we will steer our course towards the clean world our young hands can make. History lt was the tenth day of October, 194-4-, a gloomy autumnal day, that the good ship, Fort Kent High School stood at anchor at the wharf of a new school year. It was the same old ship that had carried many passen- gers to safe harbor in the Land of Great Wisdom years before, and this day was a gala day in its history. Many people gazed upon it in wonder as they watched the 61 young women and 4-9 young men as they happily stepped aboard, for it was rumored that they were about to set sail over new and untried waters in a quest for the Fountain of Perfect Understanding. As the ship stood at anchor on that event- ful morning of October the passengers began to arrive: and as I was the first to be en- rolled upon the list of passengers, to me was entrusted the important task of writing the log of the voyage'-- the voyage that, even then. thev all realized was to be the most important of their lives. l had scarcely finished the task of placing my signature upon the ship's regis- ter when Marcella Vailliancourt joined me -- a girl who had sailed with me on cruises of other adventures and who. I was glad to learn, was to join me in this longer voyage. ive were both congratulating ourselves upon the mutual pleasure of longer companionship together. when we turned to welcome a third The nations of the world look to America to steer them to international harmony. Very soon, we shall be the voters and public offi- cials of this America. Graduates of 194-8, let us accept the chal- lenge. Let us solemnly promise in the pres- ence of our friends that we will live in the future so that our beloved America may have reason to be proud of us, her respon- sible citizens, that our teachers may willing- ly acknowledge us as their loyal students and that our self-sacrificing parents may be proud to claim us as the generous. resource- ful and intelligent young men and women r.f their fondest dreams. Now our ship, bearing the class of 10415 to be a class no more glides out between the rocks that guard the shore. Farewell, dear classmates. Let us never for- get the years we have spent together. oi Class of '48 comer, who had come from a distant town to take passage with us. We peeped over her shoulders as she wrote her name and were surprised to decipher the letters that she wrote. We had heard of Lucille Blanchettc before, and had known of her many pranks, so while we knew we would not find her ovcr fond of study, we were sure her jolly nature would brighten for us many an otherwise- gloomy hour. ln a short time we were joined by a fourth, whom we didnlt know, and soon so many were crowding around us that all the berths were filled in our room and some of us had to go to Room 9. Even though we were quite crowded, we were assured of a very happy voyage. We were naturally very enthusiastic an-i asked many eager questions of our Captain. Mr. Drotter, as to the incidents of our voy- age and its probable length, and we were as- sured that if we were persevering and dili- gent in our duties we would reach our desti- nation in four years. So we steamed awav from the wharf and out of the harbor. actu- ally embarked for a four vear's absence of our Voyage of High School Life. Our travel on the Freshman Sea was not a voyage in which we had manv soeialw. and dances, but quite a few new things for us happened. For instance, after three weeks'

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Scrlutatory MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, PARENTS, TEACHERS AND FRIENDS We wonder if you can realize just how proud we are of this privilege of appearing before you to-night and bidding you wel- come to our simple ceremonies. To our par- ents and relatives, it is an hour of pride and affection, to our teachers an hour of joy in our success, and regret, we trust, over the necessary parting. You have demonstrated your interest in us by coming to listen to all that we may have to say during this one little hour of our lives, yet it is we who are passing out into your midst, we who are ent- ering into your pursuits and pleasures, and becoming one with you in the social and busi- ness centers that make up active life. So much of our success there will depend upon the way in which you receive us and the spirit in which you respond to our enthusiasm. Is it not we then, who should ask, for the glad hand of welcome? ls it not we who are the outsiders, seeking for admission to your as- sociation and favor? ls it not we, who, though we have now the pleasure and privi- lege of entertaining you, must at this turn of the road step forth and demand our share in all that has been yours for so long? It seems well for us who are about to step forth into the arena of the world's progress to consider something of what our parts in the great battle of life are, or ought to be, as citizens of the greatest republic and the grandest nation in the world. We have all our lives heard a great deal about patriotism. The distinguishing mark of American patrio- tism is freedom. The spirit of Americanism and American institutions is that of a true democracy, which shall seek to cultivate the best and eliminate the vicious and to stand for the cause of liberty, freedom and truth at whatever cost of property or even human life. If we love our country, then, with the best form of love we will set for her a stan- dard of all that is highest and purest and noblest, and then use all our efforts to help her to make real the ideal that we hold for her. Tonight is a great occasion for us, one of the brightest spots in all our lives and bound to live forever in our memories. It is an oc- casion which closes an epoch in our lives, the most important period that we have yet known and one of the' utmost value in its bearing upon all our future career. We are sure that at this time, every one must realize something of what it means to us and that you also rejoice with us that we have been able to accomplish so much as we have while wishing for each of us greater triumphs in whatever work may lie ahead of us. Again, I welcome you, -- and yet, not l, but the Class of 1948 that is speaking through me. Valedictory MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, PARENTS, TEACHERS AND FRIENDS Before we launch our tiny, yet hopeful ship into the troubled waters of an uncertain world, let us pause a while to procure a clear perspective of the course we are to run, the pitfalls we are to overcome and the goal we are to achieve as graduates of an American High School in the memorable year of 194-8. Truly, the journey we are undertaking is an adventurous one. We must like the dar- ing explorers of old travel on the new route to universal peace through justice and char- ity in part, a panacea for the staggering eco- nomic, social and moral ills of a world grown old and fearful. Age casts anxious imploring glances to- ward youth. lt is, therefore, we, the young blood of the nation, who must reassure them and act in their behalf. How can we rekindle in those tired eyes, the fires of brighter days? How shall we rest those aching limbs and hearts? Oh! World! Oh! great big suf- fering world, how we fledglings strain to cry out to you so that all may hear and rejoice. It can be done. Universal security and friendship can be real. Perhaps we are now being mutely chal- lenged to state what we can contribute to- wards a better world. We accept the chal- lenge. It is generally known that the seeds of the last frightful war were sown in hatred and ignorance. Our education has shown us that the first of these evils may be corrected by removing the couses of fear and jealousy that the second may he effaced by infusing into every citizen sound principles of morality. and a clearer knowledge of our debt to other people and the interdependence of all na-

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acquaintance, the Captain and his crew of- ficers advised us to elect our class officers. We chose Merle Michaud for Presidentg Nancy Cousins, Vice Presidentg Wilfred Saw- yer, Secretary, Loraine Ouellette, Treasurer and Gloria Hagibes, our Representative to the Student Council. Freshman Initiation didn't bother us too much, the Seniors were lenient and really gave us a good time, but Parent's Night made us get on our toes. We had been on our voyage for two months when our Captain said that our relatives at the next port would be able to visit us. All of us put our wings on that night and we did the best we could in answering the ques- tions put before us. After this great night the days rolled merrily by, and we found our voyage more fascinating than we had expect- ed. The ship's crew officers forgave our many blunders, and Mr. Daigle's many jokes brightened the occasional gloomy hours. It is evident with such a large crew that most of the year was spent on adjustment. Soon we had sailed through the Freshman Sea and many of us will remember the wonderful time we had that last day. By the next October we had received our checks of identification and were ready to sail on the Sophomore Sea. Mr. Nadeau was our new homeroom officer. We had a won- derful time with him so it was with much sorrow that we saw him leave us in the mid- dle of our voyage, but we were fortunate to have Mr. Hallee come to take his place. Af- ter getting acquainted, we thought he was tops. The voyage with its customary sorrows and joys, pleasures and trials passed quickly. We seemed to travel twice as fast on this sea as we had on the first, and we suddenly realized that we were half-way through our great voyage. Our passage into the Junior Sea was sad- dened by the knowledge that during the pre- vious two years we had lost many passengers at various ports. Some were lured to take passage on other ships, and others were en- ticed by the call of the work-a-day world. But our sadness was lightened by the joy at the thought that new passengers joined us, among whom was Irene Babin who has proved to be a very loyal classmate. Our crossing from the Sophomore Sea to the Junior Sea did not mean the crossing to more gloomy days. Mrs. Bridges, our home- room officer, saw to that. Her gay manners was an inspiration to all. No reminder is needed to make us recall the thrilling events we experienced in the glorious days during which we won the Magazine Contest lThanks to Cecile Ouellette's wonderful workj, took part in the Operetta, Windmills of Hol- land and the school play, Mad Hattersf, They were both great successes. We were proud of Irene Babin and Nancy Cousins who won first prize in Caribou in Chemistry at the Science Fair and third prize in Aug- usta where they competed in a state-wide Science Contest. This year much interest was shown in athletics. Our basket ball and base- ball teams won the St. John Valley League. Sailing through the last year was to be no easy task. Mrs. Crocker, our class adviser, helped us along whenever we felt downcast and much persuasion was needed at times to keep some of us from getting discouraged and turning back. But the last part of our voyage was not to be all discouragements and sorrows. The Winter Carnival was a real festival and all of us whether we took part in it or not enjoyed every phase of it from the Coronation Ball to the basketball game with Van Buren High School. We were proud to have Nancy Cousins, Doris Robi- chaud,' Dawn Savage, Willis Stadig and Tho- mas Clavette take important parts in this great event. In spite of the fifty protesting voices, time marched unheedingly. Easter vacation came and going up on deck, we saw in the dist- ance a port, our destination. We had been anxious to reach this port for a long time, but now there is no rejoicing in our hearts. It has been a most wonderful voyage and we have accumulated many souvenirs from every port. We have not faced any gale which we were not able to withstand. The tides of our averages have continued to ebb and flow, and the billows of examination questions have sometimes tried their worst to overwhelm us. We have been able to pro- cure the necessary passports at the entrance of each succeeding sea and have been able to pay the price in good hard work for every part of the passage. We have sympa- thized with the seasick passengers that made up the various new classes. We have enjoyed the successful experiences of those who have landed on -other shores. Now we look at the larger, more majestic ocean ahead. We will go on writing new logs of greater adventures, for while the Voyage of Iiigh School I.ife is at an end, the voyage of Real Life is ahead of us after this trium- phant Commencement.