Maynard High School - Screech Owl Yearbook (Maynard, MA)

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8 THE SCREECH OWL the world? Yes, of course, for most certainly each and every one of us experiences this feeling at some time or another. When we are pessimistic, we cry, “Of what value are we any- way? We live, we die, thousands of centuries will follow ours, and mil- lions of beings will take our niche in the world. Why live, then?” But when we are happy, we shout to the world, “We live for happiness, for the joy of living! We are strug- gling to reach an ideal of perfection, one that is never reached in this world, but which is rewarded only in heaven!” Which of the two is the right atti- tude? Is it that of continued grumb- ling, believing that life cannot be changed ; and that it is only made up of pitfalls and chasms of despair, where no sunlight ever penetrates? Is it that of disillusion, believing that the dregs of life are only bitter and unsatisfactory? Is it this? No! Is it happiness then, joy, laughter, sprinkled with a few tears which make us realize even more the su- preme happiness of life? Is it earnest struggling to grasp that which we desire ? Is it bonds of love, — love that holds home, church, and nation as one? What is it? It is a question for each individual to decide for himself, for we get only as much out of life as we put into it! If we put grumbling and half-hearted efforts into the bowl of life, an un- pleasant mixture results! If we put happiness, zest, energy, the will to do right into it, a concoction of our dreams is made! Remember and profit by the experi- ences of others, for it is for the earn- est people that life is worth while ; all else she excludes from her retinue. Which attitude are you going to take? Doris Dawson, ’ 30 . AHEAD— Ahead of us we have three months in which to complete the work of this school year. For a few of us these months will be the last we are to spend in school. Let us make the most of them. Let us make these last school days an aid as we forge ahead. For others of us these last months are merely the last of another school year. There is hardly a thought as to what lies ahead. We say that there will be time for that later. But will there be time ? The time to start pon- dering over the future years is in the early years of high school. We should resolve at that time to make our high school career a worthy one and to strive with our utmost ability to pre- pare ourselves well for the future. Ahead of us is Life. We must meet it with squared shoulders and a quick step. We must be courageous and plucky enough to go out and try to attain our goal. The knocks and bruises we receive from life should not crush and defeat us. They should be an incentive to fight more valiantly than before. Nothing worthy is gained without giving something of worth ; so let us be determined to give the world the best we have in hopes that the best will come back to us.

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OUR ANNIVERSARY Why have anniversaries? What is their purpose ? Why do we utilize this edition of the Screech Owl for the celebration of an anniversary? An anniversary is the annual commemo- ration of an important event. Three years ago, this time, the first publi- cation of the Screech Owl was edited. Certainly that was an important step in the welfare of the school. Accord- ingly, the founding of this paper should be commemorated with most sincere celebration, and all due re- spect and esteem should be given to those influential in its establishment. We must not forget the first supreme efforts nor the numerous difficulties which had to be overcome ; and in do- ing this, by keeping their purpose in mind, we cannot help but carry on the work which they began. Editor. ATHLETICS After four years of hard but pleas- ant work, Maynard High has pro- duced a pennant-winning athletic team. Looking back, one sees the Maynard High School representatives on the gridiron, court, and diamond always striving to reach the top and winning that coveted title, ' ‘Cham- pions of the Midland League ’ Many years in all the sports they have been within one game of gaining that much sought title ; time and time again they have failed because of their lack of “punch” in that decisive game. But now it has changed; the Maynard High Basketball Team has reached the top of the ladder, having won the Midland League pennant which it so richly deserves. Let us then acknowledge the great victory and place honor where honor is due. W. Brayden, ’30. DISCOURAGED? DON’T BE ! At this time of the scholastic year, one has the feeling that he has fallen in his studies, his ambition, and his activities in general. His marks seem low, everything is dark and dreary. Discouragement creeps slowly into the spirits, depriving us of our con- fidence. But don’t be discouraged ! The secret of this dismal situation lies in the fact that our vitality is ex- tremely low, due to the constant strain to which we have been sub- jected during the last several months, studying and hibernating more or less through the winter, draining the vitality from the very depths of our systems. We’re all human. It’s only natural that we should be disheart- ened. But don’t be ! Spring and better times will soon be here ! Editor. THE VALUE OF LIFE Did you ever stop to consider why we live and of what value we are to

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The “Screech Owl” staff is printing in this issue two stories chosen as the best of those submitted to the con- test. “The Owl” extends its thanks to Miss Ruth Finn, Miss Helen Morgan, and Mr. Guy Fowler, who acted as judges. SCREECH OWL PRIZE STORY THE LAST CLICK By Katherine Bariteau Katherine is an active member of the class of ’30. Her literary career has been short and this is her first prize money in that field. Katherine is em- ployed in a local bookstore, which may explain her literary trend. She likes the out-of-doors and is adept at many sports. She is a pleasant associate and finds much enjoyment with her class- mates. Katherine intends to enter Bridgewater Normal in the fall. New York City! Hustle, excite- ment, noise everywhere, horns blow- ing, trains puffing, and people rushing to their destination. Jack Wells, one of the many million visitors to New York, was lounging gracefully on the hotel divan when he heard his name being called. “Mr. James Wells! Mr. Wells!” Jack jumped up, looked around him and saw a messenger calling and wav- ing a yellow envelope in the air. “Right here, Buddy,” replied Jack. “Pm James Wells.” The boy handed the telegram to Jack, who signed for it. Jack carefully examined the enve- lope and said, “Why, this is the first time Fve ever received a telegram! It can’t be bad news !” Cautiously, he opened the telegram and read the con- tents. “Come at once stop Mother very ill stop Rose.” Jack’s face paled, his hands shook, his eyes glared, visions ran speedily through his mind. “Mother very ill? It — it can’t be. She was well and happy when I left a week ago, but Rose would never send me a telegram if it were not seri- ous. I’ll go home immediately.” Hurriedly, but still in a daze, Jack packed his bag and boarded the train heading for home and Mother. “Oh, why doesn’t this train go faster? We are merely crawling.” Suddenly his face brightened, “I know. I’ll get out at the next station and go by airplane.” This Jack did and found himself in San Diego in an hour. Arriving home, he was confronted at the door by the dearly loved but- ler, Perkins, with a horrified look that Jack had never seen before. “Oh Perkins, what has happened? I must see her at once ! Where is she ? Answer me, Perkins!” “My boy,” said the butler. “Com- pose yourself and listen to my advice. Your mother is seriously ill and knows no one. She continually calls your name. Go to her. She will not recognize you, but be brave for — ” “Stop! I must go to her!” cried the boy. At that, Jack bounded lightly up the stairs and stopped before his mother’s door. Gathering his courage, he slowly opened the door and saw his frail, pale, yet sweet mother lying on her bed. Clearing his throat he said, “Mother, I am here.” “Camera! 0. K! Stop!” shouted the director of the Magno Film Company. “We’ll shoot the rest of the scene to- morrow.”