Mattanawcook Academy - Pine Needles Yearbook (Lincoln, ME)

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MATTANAWCOOK ACADEMY 11 had been in the service since Pearl Harbor. When the war ended in 1945, he was still in the hospital getting treatments for shell shock and flesh wounds. When he was finally given a furlough, he took a quick trip to Cali- fornia-home. Walking down the fa- miliar streets, he recognized a barber shop where the boys used to hang out, and he went in for the same old hair cut. To his surprise he Wasn't wel- comed. In fact he was told to get out- no Japs allowed. Standing again in the street, Joe looked down at his uniform. Didn't that uniform mean anything? Couldn't they see? He looked at his chest of ribbons. Yes- there they were still, five campaign ribbons, three battle stars, two purple hearts, two crutches-and one leg. As he walked slowly down the street, one of the voices of the shouting men back in the barber shop registered in his mind. Once a Jap, always a Jap, they had said. Is that a tear glistening on his cheek? Joe--a Jap? Well, he was born in California and has never been to Ja- pan, but his ancestors far back were Japanese. His eyes are a little on the slanting side and his color slightly yellow. But hasn't he proved to these selfish Americans that he is true to the colors? Two purple hearts aren't e- nough-you might earn a hundred and still the people back home forget that the war was fought and won for all the peoples of the world, regard- less of the race or of the ancestry. Must we always fight this thing called racial intolerance? Aren't people ever going to grow up? Such thoughts as these passed through J oe's mind. Weeks later Joe was discharged from the hospital with an artificial leg. He went back to college where he was majoring in languages, but those looks he received every now and then on the street still hurt- hitting below the belt, Joe called it. Hearing this story of Joe makes you stop and think a little, doesn't it? Is this what we won the war for-so that we could continue racial troubles at home? If so, we lost the war and we have lost the peace. I don't judge an American by the slant of his eyes or the color of his skin. I believe that an American is an American through and through by his acts, his deeds, and his faith. I ask you as Americans-what do you believe?

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10 PINE NEEDLES a very small percentage want to make teaching their profession. The low salary does not attract them when such golden opportunities are lying on either side. 121 Under the G, I. Bill of Rights many young men and women could be trained as fine teachers if some incentive were given them. Q39 Our boys and girls need well-trained instructors-people who felt it worth their time and money to secure a good education. 145 Salaries paid for the full year would enable teachers to go to summer schools or to travel. A worthy teacher should be re- freshed and eager to begin in the fall after his summer vacation. He should be ac- quainted with modern teaching methods. Q51 At their present salaries, teachers cannot afford to live as they would like. They are unable to save money when their living expenses consume most of their sal- aries. 161 With higher pay, the people engaged in the teaching profession could become better respected in their communities. They could rise above the rather low level at which teaching has been kept. With these factors in mind, one can scarcely dismiss this subject without a little thought. There is no doubt a- bout it-something must be done. -M. A.- BOREDOM There's not a thing in this town for teen age kids to do! We hear this woeful remark day after day. But I wonder if it is not the teen-agers who are at fault, not the town. Blaming it on the town is really just trying' to ex- cuse themselves. If one stopped to think, he would realize the many op- portunities offered by the school alone. Right here at Mattanawcook there are many things to keep a student oc- cupied, no matter what kind of person he may be. If he is intellectual , there are the library, Dramatics Club, and Journalism Club. If he is an up and coming scientist, the lab is open for independent experiment, when the student shows that he is doing con- structive work and isn't just fooling around. Then there are always ath- letics. At M. A. all are encouraged to make use of the opportunities offered in sports-baseball, basketball, and football. An Outing Club is sponsored in the winter for those interested in winter sports. For those who can sing or play a musical instrument, there are the band, glee club, and orchestra. There are several special courses of- fered here-manual training, machine shop and mechanical drawing for the boys, and home economics for the girls. In the fall we have our annual maga- zine selling contest, later there is pub- lic speaking. There are many special jobs for students such as operating the movie projector and being secretary to teachers. Now I ask you, isn't there something here that interests you? Let's think before we lay the blame at other people's feet. We will find it nearer home than that. It all begins with the individual, not his surround- ings. -M. A.- THE LAND OF THE FREE? From this war there have come many hero stories that you have read, and there are many more that you will nev- er read. This isn't a story of one of those small town heroes who has had the honor of shooting down 50 or more enemy planes. This is a story that hap- pened right here in the U. S. A., a story that already has been repeated many times. His name was Sgt. Joe O'Connor. He

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PINE NEEDLES SENIOR CLASS, I946 MARIE OLIVE BAMFORD Butch College Classical Courseg Glee Club 15 Minstrel Show 15 Pho- tography Club 15 Orchestra 1, 2, 3, 45 Band 1, 2, 3, 45 Librarian 25 Autumn Leaf Dance 45 Usher 3. We all know Butch so gay and friendly Won the heart of her man, Emery. And with her smile and carefree way She makes new friends most every day. DOROTHEA ALLEN BLOOD Dot College Classical Courseg Glee Club 1, 3, 45 Librarian 2, 3, 45 Junior Red Cross Council 25 Photography Club 15 Usher 35 Fresh- man Reception Committee 45 Autumn Leaf Dance 4. 'Tis indeed a great responsibility This being the oldest of the family As an example I could be better, But why will they always wear my sweater? THELMA BOUCHARD Peggy Home Economics Course5 Glee Club 1, 2, 3,45 Home Ec. Club 15 Minstrel Show 15 Freshman Reception Committee 45 Autumn Lear Dance 4, Barn Dance 3. When 'Ihelma smiles and starts to ryhme, She has our interest anytime. As her merry spirit to us imparts Among her treasures are many hearts. ROBERT BROOKS Bob English Courseg A. A. Director 15 Photography Club 15 Pro- jector Crew 2, 3, 45 Glee Club 1, 2, 35 Senior Play 45 Basketball 3. 45 Assistant Manager 35 Manager 45 Baseball 35 Freshman Re- ception Committee 45 Barn Dance 35 One-Act Plays 3. Quiet and timid are his looks Oh, yeah? You don't know our Brooks! Just see the wicked gleam in his eye No fun ever passes him by! GRACE MARJORIE BROWN Goop Commercial Courseg Librarian 3, 45 Commercial Club 2, 35 Sec. and Treas. 45 War Stamp Salesman 25 Sec. to Mrs. Cook 45 Basket- ball 1, 2, 35 Photography Club 2, 35 Tatler Board 45 Home Room Vice-Chairman 15 Freshman Reception Committee 45 Class His- tory. A reliable guard at basketball, 'Till her appendectomy case last fall. Studious, exact and always at work- But laughter and gayety she doesn't shirk.