Gardiner Area High School - Quill Yearbook (Gardiner, ME)

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THE I am young, still it seems to me the phrase has a very truthful ring to it. I suppose freedom is a very difficult word to define properly and have everyone agree. The merchant in Gardiner, unable to park in front of his shop because of parking meters, compelled to take his car off the street at night by city ordinance, burdened by business and corporation taxes, forced to post ceiling prices and to abide by credit restrictions, may feel that he has little free- dom. The shoe factory employee, punching the time clock each morning, forced to drive to work at certain speeds, park in a certain place and surrender part of his wage in tax before he even receives it, may likewise feel abused. And so even the lad a little older than myself made to give up his home life and join a branch of the service may have lost sight of the true meaning of freedom. Webster defines freedom in this manner, Quality or state of being freef' but there is always a practical everyday meaning. Upon careful consideration we are apt to find that we are extremely lucky and very free. The shoeworker is free to own a car he drives at certain speeds because free men protect other free men. He doesn't have to be a shoeworker, he can work in a drug- store, a service station, or a foundry if he chooses. The merchant, after all, makes some profit, he doesnit have to pay a c'mob for protection, he doesn't have to give for the good of the partyug his prices are limited in order that other free men can buy on a free market, and he can live, buy, sell, or set up shop anywhere at all. And the lad a little older than myself is, in reality, certainly doing his part in actual proof that freedom concerns everyone. These lads are giving their time, courage, blood, and in all too many cases life itself, that they and we may remain free to be shoe- workers, merchants, or students by our own choice and not by decision of the state. We should all praise Heaven that our lives, our homes, and the air we breathe are as free as they are and realize that this government with all its faults is far better than any other form known today. Now these are the opinions of a student, but I have tried to say that even students should do all in their power by word, deed, and action to preserve this word that many older persons, all too often, kick around but do nothing about. I honestly believe that 'Treedom is everyone's job. -Verdell Jones. '55 QU ILL 7 MY JOURNEY I am a drop of water, born out of the sky, descending earthward with many other little raindrops. Striking the earth I bounce, land again, and run downhill with my com- panions. There are so many of us that pres- ently we make a brook, growing larger, as we cavort and frolic over the moss-covered stones. Often we slow almost to a stop in the midst of a mighty forest. I remember the times when everything is so peaceful- squirrels at play on the mossy banks, deer nibbling at twigs nearby, chirping birds fluttering from tree to tree - all these must be left behind as we go singing on to the sea. Our number has grown so that we now form a broad, deep river flowing through the brightness and gaiety of the many cities on our course. After a long time, we finally reach the sea - there to remain and rest until the mighty sun draws us upward to start the journey anew. Richard Harriman, ,52 VVITH WHAT WE HAVE If I had wings and feet so free As God has given bird and bee, Ifd fly away to be alone W To find a place all of my own. I'd build a world up in the blue With castles, houses, mansions, too, For neighbors I would choose my own, And only peace would make its home. God gave no wings to you and I, Only birds and bees can fly So here on earth Weill have to stay Until God calls us on Judgment Day. And, since we have to live today Upon this earth, in our own way, Letfs do our best to maintain love And hold our faith in Him above. -Herman Seavey, ,54 IT'S UP TO YOU A hot breeze whipped across the small clearing, stirring up puffs of dust from the ground. Dana scowled as he watched the puffs slowly descend to their resting places, from which they had been rudely lifted. Dana had right to scowl, for this was the dry month of August - which was an invitation for the greedy fire? He looked about him, at the tall stately pines, the clear-cut mountains, the birds swooping and gliding, and he smelled the tangy pine odor and wild flowers. He tried to visualize what this beautiful spot would look like if a fire ever raged through it. No, it would be hard once you get used to seeing tall, green pines, instead of black poles of wood, stick up right in the ground! J

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6 THE QUILL Literary THE CHALLENGE OF TODAY In each of the past twelve summers of your life you have never had to wonder what you would do the next year. You always knew - go back to school. Now, you are faced with the problem of deciding not only what you are to do during the next year, but what you are to do during the rest of your life. It's your future and todayls de- cision will mark the difference between suc- cess or failure on the morrow. The first question that arises is this: Are you prepared to meet the challenge? You've spent twelve years more or less going to school five days a week, thirty-six weeks a year, but have you gotten what you should out of those years? I don't mean just studies. Those are important, but so are oth- er things. How about friends? Have you tried to cultivate new friendships and to learn something from them? Maybe you've been content to go everywhere with the same selected few, never going anywhere unless those few are going. How about habits? And manners? Have you tried to dispose of the bad ones and to cultivate better ones to take their places? Maybe you've been one of those who have said, Self the way I do things is good enough for me, it's good enough for everyone else. If you have, you had better make some changes. And fast! Then comes the big over-all question: What about personality? Everyone has it, you know, even though some have lots more than others. Thought- fulness, kindness, courtesy, neatness, and interest in others all come under this cat- egory. So do many other things. If you have an abundance of this combination of quali- ties you have already started to pave your success road. Now that we have discussed your prep- aration to meet your challenge, what about your interests for the future? Hobbies, ac- tive memberships in clubs and organizations, and ability in special fields should help you in your decision. No matter how much you may think you would like some job or field, a liking for the job will do you no good if you have no ability in this line. If you are well prepared, have ability in a field with possibilities, and have courage and perseverance you are ready to meet the challenge of today. -Anne Annas, ,52 YOUR COUNTRY AND MINE This great land of ours is a symbol to the world of the freedom we enjoy here. To keep this freedom, we all have to work for it. We can't sit back and let the other person do it. Thousands of our sons, daugh- ters, and loved ones are fighting and dying in Korea for this freedom we take for granted. We at home should do our part to keep this country as free as it was when the Pilgrims landed at Jamestown in 1607. To keep it free, it takes work. It isn't just going to the polls and voting every now and then when we happen to feel like it, but taking advantage of this great privilege whenever it arises in our city, state, or country and voting for the people we wish to represent us. Taking part in community affairs, knowing who our Representatives are to the State Legislature and to Con- gress, being familiar with the President's Cabinet and what is being done, and voting at every election are only a few things we can do to keep our country free. There are many more things just as important as these that will keep this country the greatest Democracy in the world. -Mary Lasselle, '53 OUR CONFUSED WORLD In this world of much confusion, we often stop and wonder how it takes on the ap- pearance of being such a wonderful place. It almost seems that the inhabitants of our earth have forgotten why they are here. Some think only about themselves, and all others have vanished from their minds. Why do nations haggle and dis- trust each other? Maybe it is because so much destruction has befallen many of them. The best remedy for this turmoil is having faith in God and being willing to forget prejudices. This same world will soon be ours to help govern. We should try to correct the mistakes of the past and make a better place in which to bring up our children. These things can be done with a sincere effort on the part of all. -Cynthia Gove. '54 FREEDOM IS EVERYONE'S JOB Freedom is everyone's job. S0 it was an- nounced by a local radio station. Realizing that I have not progressed very far in formal education and admitting freely that

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8 THE QUILL Perspiration streamed from his face a. the full force of the sun,s heat hit him Dana brought out a handkerchief and wiped away the perspiration, realizing he'd better be moving on if he was to return to his car by dusk. He shifted his fishing pole to his other hand and with a medium fast pace moved from the clearing into the shady protection of the trees. It was dusk when he returned to his car, parked on the old dirt road. The night brought small relief from the heat of the day, for it had a dry warm breeze. Dana finished lighting his cigarette, blew out the flame of the match, snapped it in half with his fingers and then ground it into the dirt with his heel. He stood by the car for a while watching the night cover the forest. Far off he heard the screech of an owl and another scream - the fate of a rabbit - the balance scales of nature. The stars were out in full array giving no hint of a coming storm, a storm that would be welcome. Dana, finishing his cigarette, which he also ground into the dirt, slid into his car and started on his way home with a satis- fied feeling. He had good reason to feel happy, for three large trout were resting in his creel. He closed his eyes for an in- stant and could almost taste the baked trout. Mom sure does a swell job on cook- ing fish, he thought - with which he quickly opened his eyes, realizing if he didn,t stay on the job of driving, he would- n,t be around to enjoy those fish. Now it is the month of September and Dana is returning to try his luck again in the field of fishing. It is a typical Septem- ber day, blue sky, a brisk breeze, and the kaleidoscopic colors of the trees - when suddenly the woodland silence is broken by Dana's car bumping along the dirt road. He had been delayed in making a return trip to his fishing hole because of the start of school. As Dana turned, or rather bounced around a bend, he noticed a sudden change. The shrubbery and pines were not as green as they usually were. He slowed the car and admired the autumn colors of the scat- tered trees, wondering why the pines and firs were so listless. An idea of what might be wrong hit Dana like a shot, but then he added that there was rain just last week! However, as he turned around another bend in the road, Dana saw that his uhunchf' had been right. Hundreds and hundreds of acres were burned! Plant and animal life had perished. Started by what? A match or cigarette tossed by a careless fisherman, most likely! Dana felt a sense of pride come over him. He could feel secure that none of his cig- arettes or matches had done this. He al- ways made sure they couldn't. Going on, Dana approached the spot - here he had left his car. He could hardly recognize it! Making his way carefully among the cemetery of trees, for he realized the danger of walking through a dead for- est, Dana soon stood by the once cool stream. All that was left was a stream bed, the shriveled bodies of fish and a young deer which had sought refuge from the flames. Dana stood there a while, hardly be- lieving this was true. But it was! Who could do a thing like this? He shook his head slowly and just as slowly made his way back to his car. As Dana started towards his car, his eyes chanced upon a badly burned piece of paper. He stooped and picked it up. As the sun beat down upon his head, Dana smiled wryly when he realized what it had once said: 4'Break matches, and '5Make sure cigarettes are out.', Sally-Ann Forsythe, '52 THE GOLDEN RULE Norman Shields walked along in the glare of the late afternoon sun. He walked quickly and looked up at the tall buildings, trying to forget how hungry he was. Suddenly he slipped, and glancing down to see what he had stepped on, saw a small, blue purse. He picked it up and looked at the identification. Miss lVIary Anderson 46 Maple Street Holyoke, Mass. He then took out the small roll of bills and counted out twenty-eight dollars. For just a moment he hesitated. Then he stepped de- terminedly into a small restaurant and ordered a full-course meal. When he had finished eating, it was getting dark and he had to walk four blocks to find a men's clothing store that was still open. l'Vith his purchases in his arms, he started for the dingy, little room where he had lived for the past three weeks. Tonight he could face the landlady and would not have to sneak up the stairs. Norman Shields sat on his narrow bed and looked at his packages. His stomach was full, his landlady was paid, he had a whole shirt, new shoes, and stockings with