Pembroke Academy - Academian Yearbook (Pembroke, NH)

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,,l1,THE q ACADEMlANtL lv, ns, , VLLEDICTORY ESSAY -- CHARACTER AMID CHAOS Madeleine Richard How can an individual during these times of political, social, and economic chaos throughout the world, acquire the qualities which constitute good character? This question is one which concerns every high school student, especial- ly those of us graduating tonight. Again and again during our high school careers, the importance of character has been stressed to us. I think that each of us in this graduating class realizes that the amount of success he will achieve in this world will depend upon the strength of his character. Character is an abstract term which is difficult to define. The clearest and most inclusive defini- tion I have ever seen is that of Walter E. Myer--'Character is a composite of a considerable number of specific qualities, attributes, or habits which, together, consti- tute a good way of life.u A short while ago every student at Pembroke Academy was given a paper entitled 'Characteru on which were found Mr. Myer's definition and also a list of specific qualities which consti- tute good character. As I read over that list, I realized how dif- ficult it is to acquire those quali- ties and yet how much they are need ed in this materialistic and chmdic age. I think it is interesting and worthwhile to analyze some of the qualities listed in the light of present conditions. The very first attribute on the list is sympathy, defined as uthe spirit of the humanitarian.n This is one quality which most of us pos- sess--we all sympathize with those hurt and oppressed by the present world-wide confusion and disorder, and yet what is the position of the humanitarian in this world? Is it up to him to change chaotic condi- tions in the hope of making a bet- ter world? 1 It is evident that the humanitarian needs more than sympathy to change conditionsg he needs to act upon the convictions which arise from his sympathy. The convictions of become his ideals, he If the reach his many other the humanitarian should ideals, and to those should devote himself. humanitarian hopes to ideals, he must develop qualities. He must develop, first of all, courage--Wfortitudeg abili- ty to stand up in the face of mis- fortune and to go forward in defen- se of one's convictions.N If the humanitarian is sincere in his struggle for his ideals, he will acquire such qualities as patience, tolerance, flexibility, vision, and public spirit. Thus, by using one quality as a basis--in this case, sympathy--many other attributes of character may be developed. Two qualities which materialism and war have made most difficult to acquire are reverence and striving for beauty. That fact explains the shortcomings' of our age. We have advanced materially. Big business, machinery, and modern implements of war are evidences of this advance- ment. Our spiritual growth, how- ever, is not so evident. Man's spiritual advancement has been over- shadowed by the materialistic as- pect of life. The decisions of every individual from the cradle to the grave have been dominated and determined by materialism. he have ceased to strive for beauty and for the higher values of life. This, to me, represents one of the great- est paradoxes of modern times. The very fact that man is devoted to ma- terial interests has created most of our modern problems and has over- shadowed the real, simple beauty of 1if9o The present war and the planning which will follow have made it necessary for all of us to possess

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1, pTH E oAoAopeM,LgLNp l J, 1' 1 Favorite Song: Favorite Saying: Hobbyg Ambition: Pet Likes: Pet Hates: Usually seen withg Most Most Best Best Best Most Most Best Most Most Most Most Most Most uI've Heard That Song Beforeu That's because I take latin Poultry President of University of New Hampshire Latin, being in plays Girls, cowboy music A latin book Activities: Original Prize Speaking 55 Prize Speaking 4g Senior Play 45 Assistant Baseball Manager 35 Bgseball Manager 43 School Play 30 popular wit popular wit -1-n-nz:-1 POPULARITY ROLL RESULTS FOR SENIOR CLASS GIRL V h boys: Helen Hoague h girls: Madeleine Richard dancer: Bessie Morency looking: Joyce Douillette dressed: Betty MacMillan athletic: Helen Hoague industrious: Harriet Williamson acting: Betty Ann Douillette loyal to school: Harriet Williamson courteous: Madeleine Richard Joyce Douillette talkative: Phyllis Handy likely to succeed: Madeleine Richard humorous: Carmen Ricard quiet: Janice Colby Moodiest person: Doris Childs .EOE Foster Warren Foster Warren Frederick Mindt Foster Warren Robert Dowst Foster Warren Compton French Charles Yeaton Compton French Frederick Mindt Carroll Stevens Frederick Mindt Carroll Stevens Charles Yeaton William Clark

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Q, r THE ACA,DEZNLI,AN.,,, ,pr p stronger characters. The burdens of war and the responsibilities of post-war peace must be carried by our generation, the youth of today. Every sacrifice we make, every pro- blem we face requires increasing strength of character. The future of our nation and of the world de- pends, in part, upon the caliber of the youth of today. As we step out of the role of students to meet the world, we will come face to face with the greatest-'challenge of mo- dern times. How we meet and over- come that challenge willlbe the su- preme test of our characters. .Suppose that an'individual did possess all the qualities of good character. How can he integrate those qualities so that his charac- ter wi11 be well-balanced? Should one quality predominate or should he have an equal amount of each? How can one determine which quality is the most important? That is where the greatest problem comes in All of us possess some of the attri- butes of character, but how can we best combine those we do have? To answer these questions, I would like to give what I call my personal formula for acquiring a good character--a goal plus perser- verance equals character. Let us set a goal funder the present con- ditions, our immediate goal should be to win this devastating war and establish a lasting peacejg then, if we persevere in our struggle to reach that goal, most of the quali- ties of good character will auto- matically become an integrated part of our personalities. The class of 1943, humble but unafraid, stands ready to take up the struggle. .1-q--1-n- C L A S S Robert We, the class of One Thousand Nine Hundred and Forty-three, -of Pembroke Academy, town of Pembroke, state of New Hampshire, being of sound mind and memory, do hereby make, publish, and declare this to be our last will and testiment, in manner and form following, hereby revoking any will, or wills, here- tofore made by us. First, we, the seniors of Pem- broke Academy, wish to leave the faculty our sincere appreciation for the support and guidance given us in the past four years. Second, we, the seniors of Pem- broke Academy will and bequeath our ability for being the queerest class ever to enter this building to the juniors. We will our per- sonal possessions as follows: I, Carroll Stevens, leave to Stanley Grimes my sense of humor. The world is full of laughs, Stan- ley. Help yourself to a few. W I L E Dcwst I,,Compton French, leave to Rich- ard Fowler my executive ability and air of authority. You may have a nervous break-down, but you'll be too busy to notice it. I, Charles Yeaton, leave to Ver- non Hall my ability to stay away from girls. Avoid girls, you avoid trouble. I, Helen Muller, leave to Mary Louise Hook my ability to blush. That's hard to find these days, Mary, so guard it well. I, Doris Childs, leave to all future Latin students my love of Latin translations. This is the kind of love akin to something quite the opposite, we understand, I, Elizabeth MacMillan, leave to Charles Whittemore my ability to acquiesce in argument. The freck- les are not'included. I, Frederick Mindt, leave to Ro-- bert Anderson my musical ability. When studies get too dull, you can