North Myrtle Beach High School - Chief Yearbook (North Myrtle Beach, SC)

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Nineteen-seventy-six, America's Bicentennial Birth- day. Two hundred years of education, equality, indi- viduality, and freedom. To me, the Bicentennial means education. For two centuries, Americans have strived for, and achieved, higher quality education. Even before the Declaration of Independence was signed on the Fourth of Iuly, 1776, America's quest for knowledge has proclaimed itself a spirit of intention that has made a leader of the United States in education throughout the world. Education in America is constantly advancing its po- tential. Our educational programs are far more complex and elevated than those of even a decade ago. Now, more than ever, we can educate ourselves in the field we want and to the extent we want. The Bicentennial also means equality. In the minds of most Americans, equality has always been a prime factor of everyday life. America is the only country in the world where so many different people can live and work to- gether equally with no exceptions due to race, creed, or religion. The feeling of equality has always dwelt in my mind as a power that plays an important roll in the strength of our country. There is another thought which deals so greatly with this Bicentennial year, and it is individuality. Each American cannot help but appreciate the fact that he is an individual, not one of a group. Every fellow country- 132 man has the chance to be whatever he wants to be. Each person's beliefs are his own, and his goal is like that of no other. America offers every opportunity imaginable: from work to pleasures, religions to cultures, and thoughts to actions, each man, woman, and child has his own deci- sion about his own life. The last and most important meaning of the Bicenten- nial year to me is freedom. Freedom is not bought, it is given to each citizen of the United States. In earlier years, many men and women fought and died so that we, today, may live in a free world. Freedom is the most beautiful, most influential characteristic of America today. The spirit of freedom burns inside of me as a flame with no extinguishing. lt offers the education, equality, and individuality that each American should cherish. Freedom is the sole foundation for our strength as a great and prosperous nation. Freedom is rich with sound and fury, symbolizing hope for a better tomorrow. Education, equality, individuality, and most of all freedom, that is what the Bicentennial year, 1976, means to me. - Michael Hickman