Hartford High School - Hartford Key Yearbook (White River Junction, VT)

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Valedictory Address Once more a Senior class of Hartford High School has come to the parting of ways. Once more a Senior class has reached a certain climax in education. Once more a Senior class must say farewell to a school where it has spent so many happy years. Even though this time has come, we do not consider that we are severing all links which have held us together. Rather we consider this as the beginning of a further adventure—the adventure of life. We shall always associate ourselves with our alma mater wherever we go or whatever we become. We shall constantly strive to make it proud of us. Now we pause for a moment to look into what we hope will be a bright and prosperous future. We are confident and eager to sally forth and win recognition. Yet we hear from all sides that we are facing a hard age. An age where there is scarcity of work. We have in mind Shakespeare’s philosophy that “all the world's a stage” where each must play his part. Naturally there comes to our mind, “What is our part”? We are facing this gigantic problem of work scarcity but there is at least one way that will help us to overcome this. That way is by specialization. Yes, that is the answer, for specialization is the fundamental principle of the modern economic world. A vast increase in efficiency and in the consequent growth in wealth is based only upon specialization. What could a peasant or frontiersman know about stock breeding or the raising of crops when he had so many other occupations to pursue? How could he become an expert weaver if he wove only a sufficient quantity for his needs? When workers began to devote themselves to weaving, and little else, when farmers began to specialize in stock breeding, the way was open to a vast increase in productivity. Lack of specialization means a lack of efficient running production. “Subdivision,” says Professor Henry Clay, “results in making operations easier in themselves. The estimation of forces and sizes, called for by almost any craft, became instinctive by specialization. Delicate tasks come to be performed with accuracy, and the speed is increased.” It is this idea upon which our modern scheme of things is based. It is this idea upon which we should base our plans for the future, for to fit into this modern world we must accept the standards it has set, and conform to its demands. It is the person who specializes who gets the better positions, the higher rungs of the ladder, and who stays on top. We, therefore, who want to be a success will specialize. Specialization implies organization, especially large scale organization. It is fully as important for us to develop and capitalize our special aptitudes as it is for a country to cultivate its particular produce. A man who is a genius at civil engineering would be foolish if he tried to grow his own food, or build his own house, even if he were able to. Different types do certain jobs better. Individually and collectively it is man’s responsibility to recognize his type of work.

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Senior Class Officers Senior Class Officers Hartford High Back row, left to right: William Crosby, Attorney; Edmund Freitas. Treasurer; John (loss. President; Everett Whitney. Sergeant at Arms. Front row: Louisa Kontos. Secretary; Marie IJe Roche, Vice-Pres. 9

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One great evil, however, is brought by specialization. A complex and delicate machine, such as the modern economic system is, is easily thrown out of gear. A change in the taste of consumer may plunge a whole industry into depression. This is offset somewhat by the wide range of choice that is steadily opening to us. As incomes expand there is a correspondingly wider margin to spend on luxuries. In bringing this problem to the fore as I have done, I have naturally had in mind the particular stumbling blocks in the paths of us, the Seniors. It is natural that we think mostly at this time of ourselves and of the special problems we face. Yet we find time here to think of those who have helped us to find our way this far, who have given us every aid in all our difficulties. I speak now of the members of the school board, who have so wisely guided our measures of the teachers of Hartford High, who have done their part so very well, giving their best to us of our parents who found no trial too hard, and who gave so much that we might arrive at this great moment of our lives. We also turn to those who are to succeed us and who are to find problems to face, even as we are now facing ours. I speak of the Junior class. Will the Junior President please step forward. Mr. President, your class now takes over the duties we leave behind us. With this robe we invest you with a symbol of scholarship, loyalty, and dignity. Wear this robe with the consciousness of the high rank it brings you. Always be mindful of the duties and obligations it places upon you. Wear it with a pride that comes from knowing you have earned it and always carry the sense of responsibility it brings you. W itli the passing of the Senior key to the Junior class comes the realization of the finality of our days here. With this key go standards of loyalty and faithfulness which we Seniors have striven to uphold. It is our wish that you maintain these high standards as we have done our best to do. We, the Class of '38, express our best wishes for the fulfillment of all your desires. May all your undertakings be successful and may you always keep high the good name of Hartford. Classmates, a final word. Although this is probably the last time our group shall be present in its entirety, and though this parting brings many regrets, we can look back on many happy years. It is up to us now to go out and make for ourselves and for Hartford High, names it will be proud to claim, names that will live in the annals of its history. As someone once said, “Life is what we make it.” Our schoolboard, teachers, and parents have done all that they can. The rest is now up to us. We either scale the highest rungs of the ladder or we are trampled under. The future lies before us. Greet it with a smile. Makie Louise De Roche.