Huntingdon Area High School - Argus Yearbook (Huntingdon, PA)

Page 16 text:

There was a time when everybody believed in miracles. Today, some do, and some don ' t. Personally, I see something approaching ttie nature of a miracle in the process of education. We who are most deeply involved in this work perhaps don ' t stop to think often enough how marvelous it is that knowledge and attitude may be transferred from one person to the next. The thought should fill us with awe that we have so many opportunities of shaping the minds of people. Every day we witness in our classrooms the miracle of personal inter-action, the miracle of mental growth and character development. Dr. Chaim Weizmann, a leading chemist in England and later the first President of Israel, was once asked, whetherhe, being a scientist, believed in miracles. Dr. Weizmann answered: Of course I believe in miracles, if you work hard enough for them. My young friends, if we want to see the miracle of successful education we must, of course, work hard for it. The world is moving too fast today. A young person in the new generation can set his career sights onachosen goal, and find it entirely changed or even obsolete before he reaches it. This is why a formal system of education, such as ours, can never be staid and settled, can never look at only the past and present, can never reject a premise or goal because it is new. All of us who are in some way involved in the ways and means of educating America ' s people — whether as administrators, teachers, custodians; whether just beginning or long at our tasks --all of us are necessarily dedicated to helping people tohelpthemselvesto a good way of life, a meaningful way of life, away of life that insures some measure of peace, prosperity, and happiness. To the Class of 1968 my most heartfelt congratulations and Godspeed. A Parting Message The strength of a Democracy is judgedbythe quality of the service rendered by its citizens. These immortal words first uttered by Plato around 400 B. C. have not only stood the test of time, but have become more significant with each passing generation. As junior citizens, you have been able to enjoy the benefits of our affluent society without any obligations on your part. You have not been called upon to make crucial decisions about the operation of our country nor have you had to help finance the rising costs of maintaining our democratic way of life. However, the situation is about to change. You, the Class of 1968, will soon become decision-making citizens of our great Democracy. The destiny of our Country and the world will depend upon the services rendered by you, individually and collectively. This is a grave challenge which confronts you as you prepare to enter the adult ranks of our society. Which will you resolve to do- help destroy our present way of life by your INDIFFERENCE; or, by your interest, enthusiasm, and hard work, help to build a civilization where all the peoples of the world can live together peacefully? In closing, may I urge you to become active citizens, to take time out of your busy schedules to enjoy life, to pause and reflect on your countless blessings, to give thanks to our Creator, and to be ever ready- to lend a warm, helping handtoneedyfriends wherever they may reside. If you do this, you will discover that although life seems to slip rapidly by, you will have li ved a full life and you will have made a worthy contribution to mankind. Congratulations, good luck, and God bless you. Coa fyiU ' ' n ' r- Carl Bruno, Asst. Superintendent