Mattanawcook Academy - Pine Needles Yearbook (Lincoln, ME)

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EDITORIALS SPIRIT OF M. A. Students, I am the spirit of M. A. I used to be around everywhereg stu- dents were full of enthusiasm. No mat- ter what the occasion might be, I was brought forth and displayed. Towns- people liked me and came to see me help the students do their best. Then, just as a depression strikes a country, I was struck, or rather thrown aside. I might just as well not have been cre- ated. In this epoch-making year 1942, I have wondered why, since my brother spirits are working with the soldiers, I couldn't come back to my friends in school. Students, let's admit that I, the spir- it of M. A., should again be given my place among you, although I was lost, in as much as I remained in the hearts of only a few. I would like to be your spirited friend in school activities, academic and extra-curricular. Students, the year is young and I am full of amibition and zeal. Let us, you and I, work together to give the world our best. -M. A.- EDUCATION AS A PATRIOTIC DUTY Young people in high school today need an education more than ever be- fore. Ever since the beginning of time the educated people have led the masses. As civilization continues to de- velop we shall need educated people to follow as well as to lead. Only through cooperation and knowledge of the fundamental social problems, which are part of our high school training, are we able to maintain a stable government. We must be prepared to rebuild the shambles that will be left after the war. We must admit that it takes man- power and armaments to win a warg we also know that brains plus educa- tion are the powers behind these two factors. There will probably be a lack of jobs for ordinary workmen more than any other type. We must make our generation realize that it is a duty -a very patriotic duty-and a privi- lege to make the most of the opportun- ities extended to them in high school. Many American youths feel that they are serving their country to the utmost by leaving school and enlisting in the United States armed forces. We realize that it is a patriotic deed to do this freely and willinglyg however, let us prepare not only for war but also for the post-war period. America's fu- ture lies in its educated younger gen- eration. -M. A.- DEFENSE JOBS Graduation this year comes at a a very critical time. Production will reach a high point that may never again be seen in this generation. Many opportunities are presented to those who wish to work. Defense industries all over the country are demanding workers of all types, from many occu- pations. The shipyards need more Welders, tool industries call for more machinists, and many call for en- gineers and draftsmen. High wages are paid in all of these jobs. Because of this demand, many shops

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MATTANAWCOOK ACADEMY INTRAMURAL ATHLETICS A new physical training program has been organized during this year under the supervision of Mr. Rodney Bartlett, physical education instructor. Those students who cannot participate in the regular athletic activities have an oppor- tunity to enjoy basketball, touch football, hiking, volleyball, archery, tennis, ping pong, wrestling, boxing, softball, and bicycle riding. To enliven interest, teams have been organized with captains and managers. At the end of the year a plaque with the name of the girls' and boys' teams, their captains and man- agers, will be awarded to the winning teams . A report of the standing of the intramural teams may be found in the sports section of the Pine Needles. FIRST AID AT M. A. First aid, taught by Mr. Bartlett, is a course compulsory for freshmen and sophomores and voluntary for juniors and seniors. The course, while it is being given, occupies two of the regular gym periods each week. Fifteen hours are required to complete the course. A Red Cross certificate will be awarded to each member of the class who completes the required number of hours and passes the final examination. T'he importance of First Aid continues to grow as authorities realize the rela- tionship between training in First Aid and accident prevention. Because of the national crisis it is necessary that all young people have at least some knowledge of First Aid. JUNIOR RED CROSS COUNCIL The Junior Red Cross Council is composed of the following members: E. O'Dell Qpresidentl, J. Lee, J. Osgood, ivice presidentsl, M. Ross, isecretaryl, R. Adams, B. Weatherbee, M. Beathem, R. Peterson, James Vose, and R. Weatherbee. These people were chosen by the members of the Junior Red Cross at M. A. The council directs the activities of the Junior Red Cross and cooperates with the Senior Red Cross. The council first conducted a campaign for books for the armed forces, and were gratified with the number that they were able to collect. T'hey are now or- ganizing a drive for yarn which will be used in making an afghan to be sent to a Red Cross hospital. The members of the Junior Red Cross have given their time and effort to various other activities and have acted as errand boys for diderent organiza- tions.

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MATTANAWCOOK ACADEMY 9 and schools have been started by the government to train welders, machin- ists, wood-workers. A person is giv- en a chance to learn a good trade at the expense of the government while doing his share in our defense. No boy, if he doesn't intend to go farther in school and if he can't enlist in Uncle Sam's forces, should remain idle for a minute, but he should choose the trade he likes best and work for the defense of democracy. It is his duty, by making use of these oppor- tunities, to do his share in helping his country to defeat the Axis powers. It is up to him to produce the great quan- tities of war materials that are so bad- ly needed to win this war. -M. A.- ON LOOKING OVER ONE'S SHOULDER Is there anything more annoying than to have someone leaning over your shoulder while you are trying to read, especially if he is fond of chew- ing gum? My sister Anne used to be like that, but Dad cured her in short order, because he was the one she always bothered. Every evening when Dad would settle down in his usual chair with the Commercial, Anne would be right back of him, leaning over his shoulder to read the funnies, too. She didn't really mean to be a both- er, I think, but she certainly was one, and I'm telling you Anne likes her gum. She can snap it louder than any- one else I've ever heard before, maybe because she has had so much practice. Dad would always frown and gruffly order Anne to go away, telling her that she could have the paper after he had finished with it. She would back up a few steps, but in a short while she would be right there again. On this particular evening Dad told Anne that because he wasn't quite ready to read the paper, she could have it first. While Anne rushed in to sit in Dad's chair, Dad was in the kitchen stuffing some gum into his mouth. Then he went to lean over Anne's shoulder to help her read the paper. Anne absently asked him to stop snapping gum, it bothered her, and when Sis started to move, he made her sit right where he was. Well, Anne finally found out why Dad hadn't liked to have her lean over his should- er, and believe me, she hasn't tried it since. -M. A.-- LEISURE TIME What shall I do with my spare time? Have you ever asked this ques- tion? Have you ever answered it? A few people know just what to do with every minute of their leisure time. The person who is fortunate enough to have hobbies has an advantage over the person who doesn't. If a person is especially interested in something, such as building model airplanes, col- lecting stamps, post cards, or playing some musical instrument, he will al- ways be able to spend at least part of his leisure time at that. Since we are told that what a boy is depends upon what he does when he has nothing to do, we come to the conclusion that hav- ing a hobby helps a person to gain some end, either material or intellect- ual. Many times a person has been known to take up the study of some musical instrument just for the sake of having something to do, and then