Oley Valley High School - Olean Yearbook (Oley, PA)

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oLE T ' U A S, ,..., , .,.. ,.,. .... A mn. .Q., 0 FACULTY 0 SENIORS 0 CLASSES I 0 ACTIVITIES REEDOM FROM WANT 0 FREEDOM FROM FEAR

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THE, 1944 v xxx . 1' Q ff- X 'f 5? X' - F .sf :lf I bg f 1 FREEDOM OF SPEECH 9 FREEDOM TO WORSHIP 1

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OREWORD THE LIGHT OF FREEDOM Down through the never ending paths of time man has been searching for freedom. Perhaps the cave man who, in his crude ways sought to be his own judge rather than listen to dictates of those who claim to be superior. did not realize that he was starting a conflict to be hom in the hearts of men through the ages of time. Nor did the Medieval man who overthrew the feudal lord and emerged from the Dark Ages know that a continuous striving for the right to be free would envelop the world as it slowly progressed. One barrier after the other has been put in the path of man as he seeks his goal: sure of his intentions but stumbling along the way. As far back as Alexander the Great, we have had men, who in their own vain desire for power, have lost sight of the faint and distant glow of the torch of freedom. We have in the world today another leader seeking only his own glory and in that blind desire, crushing the light that had begun to burn brighter than ever before. Now was he at last becoming more equal to his neighbor. One man's sorrow was shared by his comrades. The tumult that had its birth in the first man and was reared in the breast of the centuries of civilization, nourished by hopes, desires for eternal freedom, has once more been shattered by fear, distrust, and malice. The demon Hate once more is the ruler. They say every evil has its good and perhaps even out- of this chaos of today we can see that its contribution to freedom will be tremendous. Freedom's code has been established in Franklin D. Roosevelt's stirring four freedoms. Freedom of speech and expression must be granted in the world. This means the right of a man to speak his mind without being suppressed. The light of freedom grows brighter already. Freedom of every person to worship God in his own way is the second right. May God's grace be granted when we humans become tolerant of every man's love of God. Freedom from want should be the heritage of every one. No more will the gaunt figure of starvation stalk the world to find a country from which to drain the life's blood. Freedom from fear is the final decree. No man must overpower or suppress the weaker. Everyone must be granted the right to live from one day to the next without fear of war lords. The torch of freedom has been given the fuel to burn. Can it be used wisely in order to create a light so dazzling that it blinds the eyes against hatred, selfishness, and vain desire? Thus it has been proved that the lights of freedom must be ever guarded in order to have them preserved. To do this We must further educate the masses. The American public high school was established for this purpose. To graduate from high school one must continually seek more and more knowledge. Thus we have named the classes on this trail according to their achievement of this light. With this in mind we find that in seventh and eighth grade the pupils are Seeking the Light : ninth and tenth grades they are Climbing the Height : in eleventh grade they are Widening the Horizons . The faculty, who are Bearers of the Light , have set up certain standards by which the fire must be tended. Supplies must be obtained and at intervals evaluation of the volume of the flame are made. Evil winds may choke the flame but the bearers with a firm hand must patiently rekindle the light. We, who are graduating, have sought and achieved the goal set before us six years ago. We have reached the end of this journey in our lives. Some have attained honors, but all have gained knowledge. Our studies have prepared us for the tasks we will be asked to undertake. Thus as we, the class of nineteen hundred and forty-four, leave Oley High School we look forward to taking our places in the world of tomorrow, that seeks to unite nation with nation, race with race so that the desire of freedom born so many years ago may be realized. The light of freedom may at last cast its rays over the entire world, unhindered. 4