Johnson High School - Class Book Yearbook (North Andover, MA)

Page 21 text:

1 -T Fmt., v1936 YEl4vR BOOK It is impossible to realize the inadequacy of words until you try to ex- press an idea. This motto is not only a group of words. It is a compact, sensible idea. Treat it as such. Actions, not words, make the man. Hot air can carry a balloon a long way, but it can't keep it there. N0 matter what tribulation there might be, there will always be happiness to balance the scales. Life is not all one long, sad story. After tonight we are on our own. Let us take up the flung challenge and hurl it back into the teeth of the challenger, the world. Let us build so that we shall be remembered, as mighty men and women, builders supreme. great heroes and lovers of mankind. Let us leave a heritage of progress to our followers. But never forget the idea that material objects never last the long- est, which is so admirably expressed by Percy Byssbe Shelly in the poem, Ozymandias of Egypt. . . . I met a traveler from an antique land XN'ho said, Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand, Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown And wrinkled lips, and sneer of cold command, Tell that its sculptor will those passions read XYhich yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed. And on the pedestal these words appear: My name is Ozymandias, king of kings Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair! Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away. ' LERQY DUNCAN '36 CLASS ESSAY How Com We Show Oufr Patriotism? ATRIOTISM in its literal sense means devotion to one's country. In - what respect can the average individual show that fidelity and rever- ,,.gf,5. ence to his country? XVhen we speak of patriotism what concept do you have? What picture or idea comes to your mind? To one type of person the word patriotism is synonymous with the sound of marching feet,-- the beat of martial music,- the inspiring strains of the national anthem,- or with the sight of Old Glory unfurled, the emblem of our supremacy wherever it may wave. To such a one, patriotic devotion means a proper respect for this flag: to stand with head uncovered- and right hand over the heart when the stars and stripes go by- to be the first to rise at the sound of the Star Spangled Banner,- to respect with sincerity the oath of allegiance- perhaps even if occasion demands, to answer unhesitat- ingly the call to arms. 19

Page 20 text:

JOHNSON H-ICH SCHOHOL n A The athletic members of our class were just beginning to star on the school teams at this time. The Junior year at school was the most difficult. XVe had become ac- customed to studying and at this time our studies reached their most difficult height. Little happened in our small social world, except for the Sophomore- Junior Dance held on December 8, 1934. Came commencement and we were Seniors. One year to go! In September, 1935, we started our Final grind. The members of our class were leaders in the sports. Various activities kept us going. Now it was our turn to give a reception to the Freshmen. Finally. in the last months of school various preparations for graduation kept us busy. The Freshmen gave us a return party on 4May 15, 1936. Finally we were almost prepared for graduation. We, the class of '36, entering one hundred strong, were now prepared to leave Johnson High School numbering but seventy-nine. Even at the last. examinations may decrease our ranks. But all who leave johnson will leave with sincere regret. VVe leave our solid school life to enter the quicksands of the outer world. CARL OLSON which the Senior class has picked to be its motto. XVell, what does i3.5,f.f it signify? In these words lie determination, the will to endure, the ' ' ' ' grit to see life through to its final episode. In this there is hopeg the flaming torch which will carry us through all adversities with our colors Hy- ing. Remember the saying of that famous character of Dumas', The Count of Monte Cristo, Hope and wait ? But we shall not wait! And above all. in back of these noble qualities stands comradeships. It is not I who shall build, but wel In union lies strength. And we, the coming generation, must take council of these words and unite to forge forward to a better and more perfect civilization. It has often been said that we shall take up the flaming torch of civilization and once more I say it. Grasp the torch, and in a united body let us march ahead, heads up and Hags flying. CLASS QRATION HIHEN we buildilet us build forever. This is the signilicant phrase But it is important that you do not take this motto too literally. It is the idea that counts, not the words. Do you know the instructions given to a shot putter before he starts to compete? They are, Pick out a spot as far away as possible, and then try to throw the shot beyond that point. Even if you do not reach that distance you will get considerably more distance than if you throw the shot without a definite goal. In two words is the answer a goal. Pick yourself a goal and strive to reach it, surely somewhere you'll end up near the top, if not at the top. Then your next task will be for you to pick a bigger goal. Remember always that it isn't the material things that usually last. Money is power, they say, but you can't take it with you to the grave. Power vanishes when you're dead, if you are fortunate enough to hold it that long No, remember that life is short. Do with it the best that you can. Every arrow feels the attraction of the earth. 18

Page 22 text:

S J0HNs0N HIGH SCHOOL Q-A To another individual patriotism means a whole-hearted loyalty to our government. He considers it his duty as a citizen of the United States to keep himself well informed of the trend of national events,- to select as best he can the proper cause to support in the interest of the general welfare of the country. When he goes to the polls he does his duty as he sees it, con- scientiously, not with any thought of personal benefit or because there may be a friend on the voting list. He votes for the man who, he believes, can do the most to promote the welfare and happiness of the American people, one and all. Still a third idea of patriotism is held by the individual whose pride in our historical heritage is unbounded. He likes to expand upon the bravery of the little band of Pilgrims who formed the nucleus of our great nation,- who suffered untold privations for a cause which they thought right. Often times he boasts of his Pilgrim Ancestry. Various events seem outstanding in the growth of our nation from that time to the present and in every crisis of war or peace there were outstanding characters who seem to symbolize patriotism. There is one more appeal that the word patriotism may have for some of us,- the more civic challenge that the average citizen may answer in his daily life. If each of us in his otwn community would serve his fellow neigh- bors,- would dispense his charity with discrimination- would obey abso- lutely the traffic regulations when driving a car- would even, unobserved, pick up stray bits of glass on the highway or help a fellow traveler in dis- tress- if each of us, in short, would think of others, how could this civic spirit fail to combine in making a better nation- for the whole is but the sum: of its various parts? How complete would be our devotion to our country if we could show it in all these phases! We all can try at least to become exemplary citizens in our own small township 5- we can keep informed of economic values and use our influence to make our nation a better one in which to live- and in our love of country, thrill with pardonable pride at the sight of the stars and stripes- feel a tingling in our pulses at the first triumphant strains of the Star Spangled Banner. DORIS A. LEBEL 20