Middleborough High School - Timaron Yearbook (Middleborough, MA)

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CLASS OF TIVENTY-NINE Salutatory and Essay: The Importance of Science ROGER M. LEONARD HE Class of 1929 welcomes to its gi-ad- nation exercises all those who have tl? helped make this event possible, ' r First of all we greet our Snperin- tendent, ]Mr. Cushing, and the other members of the School Board, through Avhose support the high standards of our schools are maintained. Next we extend our greetings to our Principal, Mr. Mack, our Sub-master, Mr. Tillson, and the other mem- bers of the Faculty of Memorial High School and also to the under-class men. And none the less cordially our hand goes out to all par- ents and other interested people through whose co-operation Ave are able to be liere to- night. Although science has made its greatest ad- vances in the past three centuries, it dates back to the early stages of civilization. Among those who made most important progress in ancient times were Archimedes, Euclid, and Heron. But in many instances their theories and discoveries were inaccurate and unim- portant. At much later dates came Galileo, Newton, Bacon, and others ; their theories, also, often failed to be understood or be- lieved, although they did create great interest and thought. Through tlie Industrial Revo- lution that swept over western Europe in the seventeenth century, scieiu e came into great ]iroiiiinence and advanced in leaps and bounds. Today nearly every observation oi- opiM-ation is based on its ])i-iiicii)les, and planned and dii-eeted by tliem. All of oui ' macliines are built on scientific laws that have been worked out during the centuries. It is the principles of science that direct us in tlie construction of the gigantic skyscrapers and ocean liners of today. It is these same prin- ciples that instruct us in the building of air- planes and Zeppelins; and by referring to sci- ence once more, the exact efficiency of the machines can be computed. The toils and discoveries of now famous men have given us the science of electricity, by the aid of which almost imjiossible tasks are performed. We send messages from one side of the world to the other, illuminate and heat our buildings, talk over wires, operate machinery, and use the electrical current in the mechanism of our automobiles. All of these accomplishments would have seemed like miracles to the people of a few centuries ago. Science plays an important part in world travel. By careful study of the atmospheric and physical condition of the eartli, weather predictions are made possible with such ac- curacy that they are a most valuable aid to sea-going vessels, mail planes, and all other means of transportation. Last, but not least, they ai-e of unlimited value to the agricultur- ist, who must i)rotect his plants and crops in unfavorable Aveather. Agriculture including all types of farming and ])rodu ' ing, lias been reduced to a scien- tific basis, so tliat we know where to grow and how to grow our i)]ants for best results; liow to raise and care for live stock projierly ; how io coi-rectly cut and preserve our timber; and how to use all of our land to its best ad- [21]

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MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF TWENTY-NINE HELEN WIKSTEX— Helen is a quiet girl but we know that what- ever we ask her to do will be done. She has been one of the office typists and took part in the Cosmos Club pageant. STANLEY ZIDI ALES— Stubby held the center berth on the football team last fall and his work was ap- preciated by all. He is the bashful boy in our class, and very seldom notices any girls except when they aren ' t looking. Qldss Ode By Chertdah A. Paqum Tune : The End of a Perfect Day We stand at the end of a garden fair Where our dreams at last have come true. Here the golden hours were the blossoms rare, And our fears were but morning dew. But alas! as we sing with our garlands gay, We know that we soon must part. The voice uplifts with a gladsome note While the song sighs in the heart. And what are the gifts of our garden fair? All the joy that the years have brought. For the seeds we ' ve sown and tended with care Are flowering now into thought. The world has its paths that we soon will tread; That criss-cross divide and part. Oh, the voice — let it ring with a gladsome note, The song has a sigh at heart. [20]

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CLASS OF TWENTY-NINE vantage. Science has reclaimed great arid and swampy areas, and clianged the desert and tropics to productive regions. Tremendous advances have been made in medical and surgical sciences. Plagues once prevalent in tropical countries have been overcome, and the infested areas replaced by healthful resorts. Cures are now performed by learned and humane methods, and opera- tions are conducted that were impossible be- fore the creation and perfection of medical and surgical sciences. Chemistry is a most important branch of science. Its arms reach out to all sovirces of production and growth. With its aids we are able to make new products that are better and less costly than former articles. Waste materials are put to iise with the result of greater economy. Mining and similar indus- tries are carried on by careful scientifie anal- ysis, and not by a hit-or-miss i)rocess. Com- pounds are worked to their last bit of useful- ness ; while by properly uniting free elements, new compounds are created that revolutionize entire industries. Chemistry enables us to find the exact composition of minerals, extract the desired elements, and put them to work as agents of the advancement of mankind. We are protected by the chemical analysis of food products. Their ingredients are carefully studied by chemists, who pass them as safe and beneficial before the products are placed on the market for sale. In war chemistry plays such an important part that depart- ments devoted to chemical warfare alone have been created in the governments of the lead- ing nations. Advance in science means the advancement of the world. Without the aid of science we stand still and grope in the dark, trying to find the solutions of the problems placed be- fore us. With its aid we can successfully overcome nmny obstacles, and more rapidly approach the state of perfection. [22]