Milford High School - Oak Lily and Ivy Yearbook (Milford, MA)

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THE ' OAK, LILY AND IVY. 27 At times it appears that almost any one who knows his A, B, C’s may become a teacher. People protest against the high rate of taxes, but when they once realize the grave need of money in order to increase teachers’ salaries, every last American, if he is a true and loyal citizen, will cooperate with his fellow men and willingly and gladly pay the small increase which would be necessary. Liberal money must be forthcoming. America has always entrusted her educational institutions to the governments of the respective states and always one half or over of the revenues have been appropriated in the support of our public schools, but it has not proved a sufficient amount since the war brought forth the increased cost of living. Naturally a teacher on entering her profession acts accordingly with a keen desire to serve and instruct the minds of the coming generation in the best way possible. No one should take up the vocation merely for money. Teaching is un¬ deniably a noble calling and should be answered by loyal hearts. The disintegrating condition of the educational system of the country affords a fertile field for radical Red agitators to further their interests and spread their propaganda. Several teachers have been found with Red principles. They ad¬ vocate an “Open mind on Bolshevism,” and it is through such mediums that rep¬ resentatives of radicalism hope to poison Americanism at its source. The greatest vigilance must be maintained everywhere even in the rural districts, for represen¬ tatives of Bolshevism are present in every section of the United States, seeking in all possible ways to undermine our government and set up a reign of terror like that which Russia has experienced. The faith of the public in the school must always be maintained or otherwise a disaster almost incomprehensible will ensue. The three basic points on which our educational institutions must firmly rest are good teachers, good pay, and good schools. The chief value of education is the training received by the pupil and the habits formed while in the class-room. Uncle Sam has indeed a great problem with which to cope and the supreme test for all applicants for teaching must be their true Americanism. It is absolute¬ ly necessary to secure men and women of the highest standard of character both intellectually and morally and whose greatest care is the welfare of their country. The call must be answered by loyal Americans and not until then will our insti¬ tutions of learning cease to tremble. Ruth Fales, ’20. THE QUEST OF HAPPINESS. If I, like the small boy of whom our childhood fairy myths relate, should be fortunate enough to find in some flower-laden dell a wand mislaid by a careless fairy, my one use for this most wonderful of possessions would be to let it serve as a wishing wand through which to gain happiness. But ini this commonplace old world of ours today it is not very probable that one will find such a treasure and so he who would obtain this matchless prize must work ' 1 whole-heartedly to reach his end. You may have rosy dreams at twilight which will last but ! for a night and with the coming of the dew-spangled dawn fade into dark oblivion before the rays of the glittering sun. But somewhere among the silver clouds just behind the darkling veil, the bluebirds are flitting about, and if you will but be patient the darkness will disappear and the silver lining shine through in all its glory. It is not the man who lives a life of carefree ease with no problem to mar the smooth tranquility of its existence who should read my message, but the man who, having borne the buffets of the tidal waves of life comes back to port after the storm,

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26 THE OAK, LILY AND IVY. Of joy content takes up bis daily task. With happy song the children troop to school; With them the birds in treetops sweetly vie. Contented flocks in sunshine calmly bask Or rest in some dark shady spot so cool. Oh Day! we love thee best is our glad cry. Ruth A. Fales, ’20. TO THE NIGHT—Sonnet. Oh! Glorious Night, the welcome guest of all, To thee our weary minds with joy we turn. For comforting from sorrow deep we call To thee; the children tired from play then yearn For rest which only thou canst really give. Strange sounds and silences are in thy train, The plaintive cry of whip-poor-will doth live In thy dark shades. The stars in endless chain Of lights with brilliance glorify thy sky. The moon with silv’ry radiance calmly sails With grace and beauty rare. The night birds fly Along their course. A pow’r which never fails Doth guide them ever true. To thee, oh Night, We turn and revel in thy wondrous sight. Ruth A. Fales, ’20. AMERICA’S PROBLEM OF EDUCATION. The civilization of America has reached a serious crisis, for our educational institutions which form the corner-stone of civilization are gradually being un¬ dermined by lack of teachers and inefficiency in many now instructing. There is a distressing shortage of labor in every line throughout the entire United States and one of the most acute is that of teachers. During the past year 18,000 schools in this country have been forced to close. Statistics show that there are at present 130,000 vacancies in the school rooms of the vario us states. It is indeed a regrettable fact, but the low salaries paid to teachers, while every other form of industry has profited by increased wages, have naturally not appealed to many in choosing a vocation, and at the same time the small remun¬ eration received has effected the resignations of many of the best instructors. Many teachers have been receiving a meagre four hundred and fifty dollars for a year’s work, a salary which many a working man receives for a sixth of that time. Many are now instructing classes which are far too large for the good of the pupils and which weary the teachers and tax their nerves to the utmost. Many examples of inefficiency in teaching have been brought to the notice of the bureau of education in Washington. Grave errors in English on the part of the teachers add greatly to the detriment of the student and hasten the rapid dis¬ integration of our public schools. School authorities deplore the necessity of ac¬ cepting such instructors but at the present better qualified applicants are lacking.

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28 THE OAK, LILY AND IVY. scarred by his struggles but determined to play the game and play fair to the very end. The man with a clear conscience gained through fair play among? his fel¬ low men is the only one who is able to go to his Maker unafraid, and present his earthly account with a happy heart eager to hear the magic words, “Well done, My good and faithful Servant.” The only key to the garden of happiness is the key of 1 faithful service. It is decorated with the jewels of a clear conscience received as rewards. The pot of gold which can be found at the foot of the rainbow where the earth and sky join in a friendly union is “Contentment.” The one who continually grumbles because his particular position in the world does not please him will never reach the end of the rainbow, but will chase the flitting bluebird until it disappears over the horizon for he will have reached the “Forest of Darkest Gloom” through which this happy creature will never journey. The people in this life whom all the world love and honor are invariably those who through contentment are at peace with all. For where contentment reigns there is no jealousy and ill feeling. And yet one should try fairly to merit a better position in this world by hard and conscientious striving, for “Lack of Ambition” is a boon companion of un¬ happiness, and “Hope for the Future” leads on to the end of ' our quest. Love and consideration for those around us is one of the most powerful weapons we may employ in conquering the formidable hosts of unhappiness. It is forgetful¬ ness of self and wholehearted endeavor to be of service to others which will bring peace to a troubled mind, and make the lights of happiness kindle and glow in tired eyes, reflecting the light of peace which has come to a troubled soul through love. And so the world over, we will find that the “Holy Grail” in our crusade against unhappiness will be the combination of the three great virtues, Faith, Hope, and Love. When we have discovered the value of these three we have reached the end of our quest and the most cherished possession of man—happiness full and unrestrained. One Who is Chasing Bluebirds. LIFE—Sonnet. O Life, you endless stream of woe and pain, Each day new scenes reval to helpless eyes Your mysteries; yet still your course denies An unobstructed- view. A few may gain The broad still waters of success; attain A brief respite from worldly cares. Still lies The portage charted only by surmise Where human chattels must remain And man’s own merit show his caste. The pure Of soul alone may cross this Great Divide On confidence. Beyond its shades the light Of comprehension has not strayed. Its lure O’ercomes resistence. Man must always ride On wings of Death through holy, peaceful night. John L. Davoren, ’20.