Mattanawcook Academy - Pine Needles Yearbook (Lincoln, ME)

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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

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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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1 0 PINE NEEDLES continue with it for his life work, whereas the person who spends all his spare time in the pool room will pro- bably get rid of all his money there, and not gain anything in the end. Of course a person should spend some of his leisure time out of doors, whether his hobby is an outdoor one or not, but this should be easy enough, for who doesn't like to swim, play ten- nis, hike, skate, ski, go toboganning, sliding, or canoeing? Many Americans devote altogether too much time to the movies, the roller-skating rink, or oth- er public amusements. Because people in our country do some sort of inside work, if they do not spend part of their leisure time out of doors, they will not be very healthy. In several states there are some sugar diabetes camps where the patients have to stay out of doors all the time, even sleep out of doors in the winter! Doctors believe in fresh air, even for the healthiest of us. Regardless of how you have been spending your leisure time, why don't you resolve to do something profitable hereafter, something that will develop and strengthen your body and mind, something that will promote high standards of character and growth of personality, and something which will lead you to a Wider acquaintanceship with desirable friends and compan- ions? VICTORY VERSUS DEFEAT For the past fifty years Japan's main aim has been expansion, and for the past fifty years Japan has been expanding. She has taken over, at one time or another, Russian, Chinese, German, and French territory. The United States, not wanting to start a war, did not take a belligerent stand. The United States made treaties, sunk her own warships, and made disarm- ament her policy. Japan violated treaties, built a huge navy, and has for some time been secretly arming and training her people for war. Japan's greatest show of treachery was her sneak attack on December 7, while her special ambassadors were talking peace with our leaders. America mustn't be disheartened by setbacks resulting from this sur- prise attack. She must remember that the Japanese have been preparing and training for that for a long time. The Japanese are at their peak. Their industries and manpower have reach- ed their limit. United States industries and manpower are just getting started. From now on Japan must surely de- cline, while America will steadily rise in production and power until a point is reached at which we are able to take the offensive and drive Japan on the road to defeat.