North Andover High School - Knight Yearbook (North Andover, MA)

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tive to oppose it. But these worthy people are few. The unfortunate official most often finds himself with five letters concerning the bill. He is no mind reader, and has no way of telling how his constituents want him to vote. He feels that the people of his district are indifferent, and thus he often votes so that he him¬ self profits. Even though we elect fine men into office, we may destroy their excel¬ lent traits through our neglect. A single democracy such as ours can’t prevent strife with other countries which are monarchal, dictatorial and fascist, yet if we make this country a superb exam¬ ple of a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” the common man of the world cannot help but desire a similar way of life. A universe entirely democratic would eliminate any one person from seizing power, and thus banish war. No man wants war, and if the common man ruled the whole world, we would have aeons of peace. Thus, as we take this last quick survey of the world before us on this gradua¬ tion night ere we launch ourselves into the battle itself, we can clearly see that we must observe three essential rules if we are to play our proper role in the part assigned us. We must first, keep abreast of the times; second, use our privilege of voting at all times; third, remain alert to how our representative acts. Today as never before, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” Let this present generation show to the world our strength by exerting it to its full extent. We shall pass on to our descendants an inheritance of which to be proud. F. Kay O’Keefe Class Oration We Build The Ladder By Which We Climb I T is the strongest desire and pride of every man to reach the peak of success in the work in which he finds most pleasure. Many are misled by the belief that they need not necessarily strive to attain this goal. However, “We Build the Ladder by Which We Climb,” and if it is not built strongly and carefully, it is most apt to collapse. Accomplishment of purpose is attained only step by step, and is a result of long tedious hours of labor. There are many who are capable of winning high stand¬ ings in their profession, but are discouraged because they lack the patience and ambition, the very qualities so necessary for success no matter what the voca¬ tion is. A combination of these qualities made Lincoln, a poor humble boy of unlet¬ tered ancestry living a backwoods life on a farm in Kentucky, the most admired and beloved man in America. Everyone knows of his childhood life in a log cabin with a dirt floor. He was self-educated, possessing only six books at the age of twenty-one. His honesty, loyalty and capability carried him from the work of a clerk in a store, to the practice of law and finally to the leadership of our country. We will never forget his untiring efforts to help humanity. But the unifying elements that fused these virtues into the pattern for success were patience and ambition. In the scientific field we find Thomas Edison, another boy who toiled vigor¬ ously and unceasingly for every step of achievement. He was a train-boy at twelve years of age. He sold newspapers, magazines and fruits, besides starting a laboratory at one end of a smoking car. At fifteen, Edison was already in charge of an office as a telegraph operator. Soon he was working most of the day on experiments. He spent much of his money on books and apparatus, while he was going about in shabby clothes. He used the money earned from some 19

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eighteen year old. Weigh their opinions about the different issues which arise. Let their experience guide us, but here again we must use our own common sense and weed out the good from the bad. In summary, as we look into the future of our own lives and that of our coun¬ try, may we, who are the products of the greatest example of a democracy in the world, our public school system, realize the great privileges and rights which are our own because we live in a democracy. May we resolve to do our full share in solving the great problems that will confront us in the future, by intelligently and sincerely carrying out the duties that the enjoyment of the great privileges of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness place upon us. Mary C. Finn Our Inheritance O N a June evening thirty years ago, young men and women, the leaders of today, stood on this platform pondering over events, past and future. They were looking back over their childhood with longing eyes. Simultan¬ eously they were looking forward with anticipating minds to the veiled future. The greatest war of all times had just ended. Yet, already there was ample dis¬ agreement over international politics; there was considerable domestic grief; and war, that godless word which implies an infinite amount of injury, pain and death was already clouding the future. Their predecessors had left them an inheritance of debt and war. Are we, who are to receive diplomas this evening, going to bequeath to our descendants a war much more destructive than ever before thought humanly possible? For many people are striving to fix the guilt for our present chaos on something outside themselves, either poverty, power, or environment, anything but their own deficiencies. They would, however, find the solution to present problems if they would only heed the example of those few good citizens to whose devotion we now owe what bright gleams of hope are discernible in glowering clouds over the world today. These worthy citizens followed faithfully the ensu¬ ing three pursuits. The first is that they kept abreast of the current times. They read impartial reports on international and domestic affairs. If the matter under consideration was debatable, they read reliable accounts on all sides and decided for themselves as to what was right and wrong. They weren’t bullied into opinions by un¬ authorized or traitorous observers. The second is that they voted in all elections. Some of us seem to think that only the Presidential election is significant. Other elections concern only sena¬ tors, representatives, selectmen and the like. It only means the difference between a smooth and a rutty road, a beautiful school and an antiquated building, high taxes and low taxes, graft and utopia. Yet to some of us these things are of minor importance. We complain about the high cost of living and unemployment, and seem to get a million dollars’ worth of enjoyment from doing it. We would rather lament over state taxes than look up the platform of the man for whom we are about to cast a vote. We don’t know whether he advocates state taxes, uni¬ versal military training, isolationism or the removal of unions. We just haven’t the time to give to such matters. 1 he third is that after electing a man to office, these truly democratic men and women of whom I am speaking, continue to show their interest towards their nominee. They do not give this representative a totally free rein. If there is a bill up for consideration to send oil to Russia or tea to China just for the profit of a few influential men, they instantly take their pens and write their represen ta- 18

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invention for completing others, having fifty inventions in the making at one time. His imagination, optimism, strong self-confidence and, above all, his un¬ limited patience have distinguished him from other men. It is not only advantageous for us to be successful, but it is essential. 1 oo many of us sit back complacently and wait, not realizing the place in which we can accomplish most. Everybody should endeavor to do the best that lies within him. In that way we will all progress and be a benefit to mankind. In short, success depends primarily upon determination, assiduous labor, and patience. No one ever arrived at a goal without difficulty. “Easy come, easy go,” is a race-track truism that is frequently exemplified in every field of human endeavor. There is an old copy-book maxim that “You get out of life what you put into it.” Napoleon riding the whirlwind of revolution to the imperial majesty of France, Caesar climbing to the leadership of the great Roman Empire, Washing¬ ton emerging from the agony of war and enduring the assaults of political oppo¬ nents and finally winning first place in the hearts of all Americans for all time — all these men reached eminence and glory by building the ladder by which they climbed. Arthur Forgetta fltS§ History W E have now come to the end of our high school days. The many happy hours we have spent at Johnson are now turned into fond, imperishable memories. September, 1945, we entered the doors of Johnson High School as the conven¬ tional, timid and bewildered freshmen. Although this new life was confusing for awhile, we found it fascinating. It was hard for us to settle down to our studies amidst new surroundings, teachers, classmates, and customs, such as the changing of rooms. After finally settling down, we held our class election. Fred Soucy was elected president, with Marjorie Schofield and Mary Finn chosen vice- president and secretary-treasurer, respectively. Our first social function was Stunt Night, which was introduced for the first time in place of the Freshmen - Senior Dance. Although we didn’t win the prize for having the best stunt, the many freshmen present felt it was a great success. This was followed by many dances. But since dancing wasn’t very popular among the freshmen, the seniors held classes for us after school in the gym. Along with this, noon-time dancing was introduced as a form of recess activity. After the Christmas holidays, Miss Charlotte Howe left the faculty, being replaced by Mrs. Natalie Manson. Our first assembly was held soon after this, at which time we watched Chief Na-Da-Beh perform in true Indian fashion. From him we learned the secret of what makes canned corn beef so good. After this enjoyable assembly, we eagerly looked forward to many more. We returned in the fall as sophomores, feeling a little more sure of ourselves. We felt quite grown-up as we watched the new freshmen getting acquainted with their new school. Miss Constance Fitzgerald was the new member of the faculty. At our class election, we selected the same officers as in the previous year. Under the sponsorship of the Student Council, clubs were started early in February, meeting two periods every other week. There was a wide variety of clubs to choose from, with a majority of the students joining one of them. Sports proved to be very popular with our class, as they were in two following years. There were many members among the candidates for the baseball, football, and basketball teams. Near the close of our sophomore year, Career Day was held with over twenty-five speakers coming to speak on a wide variety of occupations and careers. 20