Hastings High School - Saxon Yearbook (Hastings, MI)

Page 8 text:

What Constitutes A Loyal American? By Mabcllc Hauer Thank God, I I also—am an American.” This quotation was Daniel Webster's expression of patriotic sentiment over a century ago. The words originated much far- ther back than one hundred years ago, however. They were kindled in the hearts of the first American citizens. Down through the years they have been rekindled by the burning desire for freedom, equality, and justice until now they have become a glowing (lame in a dark world. Today in nineteen forty-one the words contain a great meaning. They will con- tinue to retain their great meaning as long as we Americans love our freedom. For we arc the sculptors of America. In our hand lies the power to mold a happier and nobler future for this great nation. Those years after the world war we Americans grew stale. We took our freedom, our splendid opportunities which exist only in a democracy, for granted. The possibility that our rights and privileges could lx1 taken from us was thrust far into the back- ground. The war was over and we had won. The pressure was off and we Americans, being a practical people, assumed our responsibilities and settled down to the plain task of making an honest living. Now that same possibility that we thrust so quickly into the background is rearing its ugly head. It is camouflaged in the shadows of doubt, and fear, hatred, and |)essimism. but nevertheless it is there as an ever-increasing threat to our democracy. This present world crisis has been a re-awakening to America. A new rebirth of patriotism has swept the country almost over night. We thrill anew at the sight of “Old Glory floating majestically overhead and an undefinable something surges within us when we listen to the stirring strains of our patriotic songs. American men and women in every walk of life are shouting way across the continent, Thank God, 1 am an American.” However, it is not merely enough to say that we are proud and happy to l e Americans. We must be genuinely loyal to our country. A loyal American lielieves in our American democracy, lie must favor no other type of government. Kven though democra- cies are in the minority today and conditions for their existence seem dubious, the true American does not lose faith. He looks at the world through rose colored glasses. He is optimistic in his attitude toward America’s future. The true American has courage to face the tomorrows. Our democracy was founded upon courage. The brave band of pilgrims dared to face a lashing wind and turbulent ocean in search of freedom. Those men who fought at Lexington and Concord never gave up their noble cause. The pioneers in the covered wagons who settled the west were confronted with many perils, but still the wagon wheels rolled on. We. too, during this world crisis must possess the same courage, perse- verance, and will. 'Phe loyal American must be willing to defend America, not only through armed resistance, but through many other ways which occur in everyday life. The true American participates in the government and he never fails to vote. Failure to vote goes hand in hand with the spoils system, dishonesty, and cor- ruption in government. The true American drives carefully and obeys traffic laws so that he may help to diminish the frightful toll of motor car deaths. The loyal American works at his job with willingness and efficiency for he realizes that there is no higher destiny in America than to do his task to the l est of his ability. A true American must keep morally and physically fit. Failure to participate in the government, unwillingness to work, inefficiency, avoidable loss of human life, and disease are all enemies of democracy. In a democracy where the people govern, the government cannot retain its strength and prestige if the people themselves become corrupt and indolent. Liberty is given only to those who love it and defend it. A loyal American believes in the advancement of education. The citizens in a democracy where everyone is educated will never allow themselves to become suppressed by enemies. All |K ople possess a natural desire to be free, and there is no place on earth where freedom thrives so abundantly as America. If all the people of the world were given an op|x rtunity to share in education many of the problems of the world would be solved. A loyal American is a loyal Christian. All the traits that are required in the making of a true Christian make a true American. A Christian lives peaceably with his neighbors, he is willing to sacrifice, he is humble. The world needs a widespread return to religion. The nations of the world can never hope to acquire happiness through brutality, autocracy, and revolutions. Per- haps someday, in the not too far away future, the churches can Ik restored through a common, interdenominational creed. This, I believe, would cure the ills of the world. The dreams and visions of our forefathers as to the future of this country cannot become shattered as long as we, and our posterity, believe in America, are willing to defend her, have courage in the future, further the advancement of education, and reaffirm our faith.

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 Dedication. We are proud and glad to be Americans. During this present world crisis a rebirth of patriotism has swept over the nation. The words 'I Am An American” are echoing and re-echoing across the land. From the east to the west Americans arc shouting and singing the words and even whispering them humbly in their hearts. We. the senior class of 1941. find it fitting and proper to dedicate this annual to Americanism. May we ever preserve and cherish not only the words and spirit of our songs but also the principles and ideals of democracy.

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Administration I he school board is elected by citizens of our community. It is a blessing of American democracy that those who are immediately affected by the schools are able to determine who shall direct the policies of the school organization. The school board serves as the policy-determining body of the school district, and the superintendent is hired by them. They hire the teachers and all other school employees. They feel it their duty as duly elected representatives of the people to hire the best superintendent and the finest teachers available. The people of Hastings should and do feel proud to have such a fine school administration. They have been striving to better our schools and deserve a great deal of credit for bringing the schools up to the present standards. All members have a chief ambition as to what they would like to have done. Dr. G. L. Lockwood, president, wishes to have a system someday to find out what a boy or girl is best suited to do and develop their line of thought. C. W. Wespinter, secretary, hopes to have schools that teach young people the American way of life and make them lictter lit for their future life. Dr. D. D. Walton, treasurer, wants to have Hastings make further great strides and have the best schools ever in this size community. Hubert Cook, trustee, hopes to have the modern athletic field that has been debated upon and have Hastings one of the most prom- inent schools in Michigan. Harold Foster, trustee, wants to develop a crafts department and train people in the trade they arc liest suited to. D. A. Van Buskirk, superintendent of schools, wants to have a school which develops happy, useful citizens; a school where students do their l est and discover and develop the apti- tudes they possess. E. L. Taylor, principal, wants to have a high school which helps make good American citi- zens who use their ability to succeed as indi- viduals and to make Hastings and Barry county lietter places in which to live. Fred S. Jones, assistant principal, has as a chief interest to make the schools first-class and to keep physics and chemistry up to what is expected of it. Marie Rowe, dean of %irls, wants to have boys and girls working together and playing together, improving themselves socially as well as intellectually. Ruth Becker, secretary to the superintendent. hopes to have records that are so complete, “that I can answer any statistical question that may Ik required on any of the numerous blanks and questionnaires that we have to fill out. ’