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

Page 10 text:

Re-Educating Germany As our soldiers fought their way through stubborn German resistance, they discovered that this haughty super-race despised them and did everything possible to hind er their progress. This proves that the German people in general were not the poor down-trodden mass that was anxious to get rid of Hitler as we had supposed. Hitler taught them well what he intended them to believe and it will take long, patient years to revise this condition. It has been impressed upon their minds that they are a superior race which cannot be dominated by inferior beings. They think us soft, lazy, and irresponsible. They lie in submission only until another savior” like Hitler comes to reinstate the Ger- mans to their rightful place in the world — first. Educate them,” our armchair politicians con- tend. Who are to be the teachers? If we allow their same teachers to go on, I need not tell you how much Americanism would be taught. Send over American professors”, is the cry. That’s another good idea that won’t work. The Germans, young and old, resent our interfer- ence and would pay no attention to such mis- sionaries unless forced by guns. But that is not our American way of life. Can you imag- ine our children going to school and being forced to learn a new doctrine of life? They would oppose it and would be taught the old way by their parents. So it will be in Germany. With these two plans invalidated, the out- look seems gloomy, and so it does to our au- thorities on the subject. The Russians have a way of educating and influencing great masses of people. Rebellions are few in countries they have occupied, but conditions in those con- quered dominions are relatively unknown. If the Russians took over the education problem, that would decrease a large area of influence that we would appreciate having on our side if differences with Russia ever become great. Our greatest hope is to occupy Germany for a num- ber of years, prove to them that our rule is favorable to their best interests, and obtain Germans that sympathize with our ideas, ming- ling them with our own professors who get along with the German people to make a sound basis of co-operation. Success from this or any other plan will certainly not be instantaneous, but a gradual form of education of young and old will be much more effective. Our press has proved in this country that it can influence great numbers of people. For this reason we should install a powerful German-American press to give the final touch to complete re- vision of their principles of life and govern- ment. The German press after the last war proved how much it influenced the American people. Poor, desolate Germany was stripped of its only riches and could never hold its head up again. We fell for it last time, but we shall not make that mistake now. We must take away the war-making facilities but leave the Germans enough resources to maintain a reasonable living standard. Ger- mans must be allowed to operate a navy made up of merchant ships, not war vessels. Regard-

Page 9 text:

THE SCREECH OWL 7 You ' ll Remember They said he was dead — President Roosevelt, our leader, dead. You didn’t believe it; you didn’t want to. He was the only President you remember, you of this generation who had only half a chance to live. In that time, during peace and war, he became a part of you and your family. You learned to turn to him in confidence and affection. But now he was dead. No, in a sense he wasn’t dead. Deep down you know he’ll live in the hearts of men of all colors and creeds for generations to come. You, too, will remember him — remember and thank God. No, you weren’t quite old enough to vote or fight, but you knew what it was all about, all this talk of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. You knew, and your heart swelled with pride when they played the Star Spangled Banner and his face flashed on the screen. You knew when you saw him with other great men, planning the winning of the war and the keeping of the peace. A lump comes in your throat now as you remember. Yes, he was a part of you, and of all the peoples of the world. In his fireside chats it was as though he were talking to you. He told Dad to build more ships. Mom had to manage her ration points. You all bought bonds and more bonds. He’d tell you about the war news, and it was like telling you about your brother Bill. Oh yes, you remember. But that’s not enough. You’ll have to pitch right in harder now. The memory of him and his ideals will lead us into the light of peace, because one day soon we will win. Even though he’ll be a world away he’ll know then that we did remember and didn’t let him down, and we’ll know he did not live or die in vain. Veronica Nowick, ’48.

Page 11 text:

THE SCREECH OWL 9 less of any reasons, war materials must not be made by German manufacturers. Any diplo- matic troubles should be referred to the World Peace Committees that are formed. Complicated plans for an eternal peace may be necessary, but education, long the forgotten element in our history, can be the easy way out for improved world relations. Roger Compton, ’ 45 . The Road Back As peace is not far away, we must begin to prepare ourselves to receive our sons, brothers, husbands, and fathers who have gone through the horrors of war. It is not easy to greet a returned veteran who left whole and is return- ing physically disabled in some manner. The returning servicemen are eager to get home and begin peace-time jobs again and they need our whole-hearted help. It is up to the sweethearts, wives, and mothers to restore their self-confi- dence and set them on their feet. They feel self-conscious because of their battle scars, but it is our duty to show them that these do not matter and prepare them to help us build the world of the future, one in which there will be no w ' ars. Many here at home have lost loved ones, but these, too, should and must help our veterans to stand on their own feet once more. Gloria Novick, ' 48 . Youth Problem Today’s courts are filled with juvenile cases which result from the fact that parents who are working cannot give their children proper care and guidance. Many children are left at home to do as they please. Although they are ex- pected to take care of themselves, they roam the streets at night, gather at forbidden places, and come in at all hours. This results in lack of sleep, which produces a dull, sluggish feeling the next day. This is one of the principal reasons for poor school work. Many of the children involved in these cases never dreamed of being delinquents, yet that’s just what they are. Take Midge Larsen, for instance, whose story was a tragedy in itself but turned out to be one of the most fortunate things that ever happened. It began when Midge went along with the gang to the Star- light Club, a local roadhouse, for some clean, honest fun, which resulted in a police raid because the owner was selling liquor to minors. Midge, along with all of the others, spent that night under police protection. Next day at the trial they were questioned, and each was asked why he had gone to a place known to be watched by the law. The answers were all the same: They had nowhere else to go. They told the authorities that they had been wistfully dreaming of some sort of recreational center, but they had no idea how to go about getting one. After the trial the town’s leading citizens held a meeting in the judge’s chamber to see what could be done about organizing a teen-age canteen. Many suggestions were offered, and finally, after much serious discussion, it was de- cided that the best suggestions be taken up with representatives of the teens”. This was done, and in the next few days things started rolling. Everyone pitched- in, coming after school on week days and staying all day on Saturday. In two weeks the canteen was finished and the citi- zens of Redding, U. S. A., were proud of their newly-acquired recreation center. But, still more, they were proud of the fact that their court house was free of juvenile cases. Sophie Novick, ’ 48 .