Manchester West High School - Thesaurus Yearbook (Manchester, NH)

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THESAURUS 15 Travis, Bowie, and Crockett, were massacred in cold blood by the ruthless Mexican dictator, Santa Anna. As a representative of the cities of Amer- ica, we may well choose the golden city of the Pacific coast, San Francisco, for in her people, who are a mingling of all the races of the Orient and the Occident, in her chief industry, which is shipping, and in her unusually rapid growth, is she typical of our great nation. May we not consider these literary and his- toric shrines among the crown jewels of America? PAULINE DRISCOLL OUR NATURAL WONDERS America's crown jewels cannot be measured on a balance, they are more priceless than the ex- quisitely cut diamonds, emeralds, and rubies which embellish the costly crowns of the monarchs of Europe, for they will die only with eternity. The crown jewels of America which seem to me to .be unusually precious are its Natural Wonders, they were cut and polished by an Artist, for God created them. Their majestic beauty is unequalled. With the eye of a master- craftsman He set our azure lakes, lordly rivers, and enduring mountains where they best inspire awe and pride. Our mountains, thrusting their lofty pinnacles skywar-d, are symbolic of the power of America. They reign over the hidden valleys and secluded villages from which winding trails lure travelers to explore their mysteries. Their craggy sides are carpeted with colorful forests, which present with each season their own tableaux of enchant- ment. I believe we New Englanders are par- ticularly conscious of these wonders because of the grandeur of our own White Mountains. Through the Middle West, however, the mountains give way to rolling plains. Vast acres of wheat and great tracts of corn checker the landscape with a symmetry which is interrupted only by occasional rivers and lakes. For example, we have the unparalleled splendor of the Great Lakes and twisting turbulence of the Mississippi. This usual placid serenity has not the regal dig- nity of our mountains, but its grandeur we Americans may well prize. In contrast to our Natural Wonders are our great cities, a glorious tribute to the artistry and ingenuity of the American people. Exhibiting a skill that has never been surpassed, they will remain as lasting monuments to the wisdom of the peoples who developed our nation. Parks, highways, bridges, buildings-all testify to the vision of our countrymen. A little reflection will convince us that we live in an America which possesses treasures to be found in no other land. Ours is a domain which boasts an unmatched combination of the finest works of God and the creations of man. The brilliance of her truly imperial crown jewels over- shadows the vain, hollow pomp and circumstance of the crown jewels of Europe. Yes, truly may we acclaim America, the Beautiful! CHARLOTTE BUECHER OUR NATURAL RESOURCES We in America have countless treasures of which we are justly proud. You have been re- minded of our historical and literary heritage, and of our natural wonders. Yet, there are other crown jewels of priceless worth, our natural resources. As in a regal coronet reaching from shore to shore, they are wisely distributed-from the granite quarries of the New England states to the gold mines of California. It would be extremely difficult to enumerate all the resources that have been so graciously bestowed upon us. I shall mention a few. Below the surface of the earth are stored rich veins of precious ores, extensive beds of coal, and un- limited oil deposits. These are truly crown jewels. Even the common soil, our greatest natural resource, has contributed immeasurably to the nation's wealth. On the fertile lands of the South flourish huge cotton and tobacco plantations. American industrialists have busily built up tex- tile and tobacco plants to take care of the raw products. On the vast plains of the West graze countless herds of sleek, well-fed cattle. We all know how essential the hides and meat have been to our leather and meat packing industries. From the golden grain fields of the middle states comes the king of cereals, wheat. It is by far the most important grain, both as a food and as a commodity for international trade. The raising of large quantities of wheat was the one induce- ment for milling establishments, which gradually settled there. In the bleak, colder sections of the northern states gigantic forests tower far above the soil that nurtures them. These forests pro- vide the nation with vital industries from toy making to ship building. Our rivers furnish

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14 THESAURUS H tl' ' C v v v-Q v-CQ G A-9-C' i f 'G-A GA 'AC' 'v 1595 0 4? 0 , 9 0 4? 0 4? 0 'P 0 4? 0 'P 0 0 -cc---e-ec-e e-e-e-e-e-e-ec-c-A-e vc ce -cc cc 'sc c cc-c cc-e-:Ve-e eu -:H e-c-c-oe-:Ve ce: oc-ec-c vc-e-c-ee---:jvc c-ec:-e-A-c-c-c-e WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION Relatives and Friends : We cordially welcome you and invite you to share our commencement program with us. For the past year or more our thoughts have been centered on Europe, where horror and terror have been let loose every hour of the day and night. As we sit here tonight in peace and safety, we should realize what blessings we have in this, our America. Four members of the class are going to tell us about a few of these blessings, which in our program we call, The Crown Jewels of America. Perhaps after hearing them we will recognize what a glorious country ours is. We hope you will not only enjoy this program but will go home with something to think about. GERALD S'rE'rsoN THE HISTORIC AND LITERARY HERITAGE OF AMERICA Although America has no crown jewels in the material sense of the word, the gems she possesses are of far greater worth and beauty. Perhaps no nation, as young in years as our own United States, boasts so many inspiring historic and literary shrines. From the frozen wastelands of Alaska to the humid swamps of Panama, from the turbulent Atlantic to the tranquil Pacific, we find memorials to Americans of genius and cour- age. More important than the vast number of these monuments, however, is the influence they have on our lives. What one of us does not ex- perience a feeling of pride and patriotism when he sees one of these shrines, whether it be an im- pressive statue, an old homestead, or a simple bronze plaque? A visit to the haunts of famous literary figures, or to the settings of their works, seems to bring us nearer to their personality, and helps us to appreciate their books more fully. I know of no place which more definitely illustrates this fact than the famous Wayside Inn at Sudbury, which Longfellow immortalized in his Tales of a Way- side Inn. Its spacious parlor recalls to our minds the portly landlord, the student, the Spanish Jew, and all the others who sat around its broad hearth. Not many miles from Sudbury is historic and picturesque Concord, where stands the Thoreau-Alcott House, abode of Henry David Thoreau, and later of the Alcott Family of Little Women fame. North of the village common in Concord is The Old Manse, home of Ralph Waldo Emerson, and also of Nathaniel Hawthorne, who here wrote much of his literature. Cambridge is equally abundant in literary tradition, especially endearing to those familiar with the works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and James Russell Lowell. Near the ancient Cambridge Common is the site of the spreading chestnut tree of The Village Blacksmith. Longfellow's own stately mansion is still standing, occupied in later years by his daughter, the grave Alice of The Chil- clfren's Hour. Overlooking the Charles River is beautiful Mount Auburn Cemetery, last resting place of many notables in the fields of art, letters, science, and theology. Foremost among the numerous historical land- marks of America is Plymouth Rock, landing place of the founders of our country. Part of the rock is imbedded in a wharf, and the rest lies in an imposing structure nearby. Of course we are all familiar with the majestic Bunker Hill Monument, commemorating the most important military engagement of the Revolutionary War. Farther south, in our nation's capital, we may gaze upon the grandeur of the Lincoln Memorial, dedicated to history's most human and pathetic character, the Great Emancipator. In sharp con- trast to the classic beauty of the Lincoln Me- morial are the quaint, crooked streets and shell- rock houses of St. Augustine, Florida, oldest city in North America. Here, in a peaceful setting, is the Fountain of Immortal Youth, as discover- ed by Ponce de Leon, the great Spanish explorer. Travelling westward, we come to the muddy Mississippi River, reminiscent of the colorful days of showboats, river trade, and drowsy Ne- groes humming melodious, soothing spirituals. Beyond the southern Mississippi lie the Texas plains, and in their midst the city of San Antonio, where stands the Alamo, famous Franciscan mis- sion where one hundred and seventy-five loyal Texans, some bearing such well-known names as

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16 THESAURUS power to operate the mills and factories, a method of transportation, and a means of irrigation. I have named but a few of our nation's treasures. The coronet is bedecked with many more jewels of Nature polished by man. These crown jewels, I believe, proclaim America the gem of all nations. ARLENE BECKER THE AMERICAN PEOPLE Three of America's crown jewels have been proudly displayed to us tonight. But are they like those objects which are radiant and useful only when the sun shines on them? Do they not glitter only in the light of the greatest of all jewels in the crown of America, the American people? It has been the character of the Ameri- can people which has given these jewels their glory, a character which combines ingenuity, industry, vision, and a love of peace. When the pilgrims landed on our shores, America was a vast wilderness. Here they found not even a vestige of the civilization they formerly knew. These stalwart people started many meagre settlements which gradually became pros- perous because of their skillful hands and alert minds. From that beginning to the present time the world has seen much evidence of American ingenuity. It has seen it in the gigantic machinery which turns the wheels of American industry. It has seen it in our strides in science which have alleviated much of the world's suffer- ing and enlightened us on many subjects which were formerly mysteries. Our Constitution stands as a magnificient memorial to the ingenious men who formed it. American ingenuity would have been wasted had not the American people been industrious. Idle genius benefits no one. Therefore it is for- tunate that the United States is possessed of an energetic and ambitious people. Our nation could not have risen to its great height in the short span of two centuries if we had lacked initiative and industry. Americans have been essentially a people of vision. Our western frontiers were unceasingly pushed back by courageous, determined pioneers, who foresaw the tremendous value of the fertility and resources of the great West. America's public school system was introduced by foresighted educators who knew that the progress of our democracy depended upon the education of our people. The eyes of America always look toward the future, toward a better and happier world, brought about by a higher standard of living. No ,nation can really prosper when it is under the rule of a dictator or caught in the throes of war. The American people cherish liberty and love peace. Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of worship have been proclaimed throughout the ages in America. May they always be upheld in the American way. As Mr. Cameron of the Ford Motor Company says, Who can ,name or number the crown jewels of our nation? If you would see them, then you must see every city and village, every street, every shop and farm and home-the crown jewels of America are everywhere. JANE VOGEL CLOSING SPEECH Of the many crown jewels of America we have had time to speak of only four. We are justly proud of them. May we preserve them forever. Before we leave tonight, on behalf of the class, I wish to express our gratitude to Mr. Bean and the members of the faculty for their friendship and untiring efforts to -bring us successfully through the past four years. We go out to face opportunities that no other graduating class has ever met. After the present conflict has ended, the world will need rebuilding, not only materially, but spiritually as well. May we do our bit in that reconstruction. GERALD STETSON ORCHESTRA A LA '41B Piano Reliable, unwavering Dorothy Stearns Harp Sweet, tender Charlotte Leahy Bass Viol Stable, undaunted Charles Rogier Trumpet Hilarious, enthusiastic Godfrey Blombach Cymbals Vivacious, fiery Ralph Keefe Xylophone Lilting, rollicking Arlene Becker Violin Soothing, serene Lillian Auger Drums Resolute, determined Gerald Stetson Saxophone Impetuous, spirited Earle Jenkins Clarinet Animated, joyous Viola Karagianis Trombone Constant, calm Edward Ringenwald Flute Gay, mirthful Elaine Poehlman French horn Grave, dignified Lawrence Annis Pauline Volkman