Penn High School - Pennerian Yearbook (Greenville, PA)

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Our Superintendent A BRUCE DENNISTON B.S., University of Pittsburgh M.A., University of Pittsburgh Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh To the Class of 1948: In the world today we witness a terrific struggle being waged between two opposing philosophies of government— communism, as characterized by the Union of Soviet Repub- lics, and democracy, as characterized by the United States of America. 1 am deeply concerned for the outcome of this con- test. I note an appalling apathv among eligible voters in our country for their responsibilities and duties as citizens of the nation. This indifference has resulted not only in corruption and inefficiency in our democratic form of government, but it has also enabled certain opportunist individuals to spread their foreign principles of government among our citizens. When our forefathers established the American form of democracy they recognized that only through the develop- ment and maintenance of a thorough system of free public education could the form of government which they had established be made to function in the manner that they envisaged. It follows then that you, the graduating class of 1948, who represent the highest stage of development of that free public school system have a definite responsibility to use the skills, the knowledge, the ideals which you have attained through high school not only to make a living but also for the service anti improvement of that government. If the people are to remain the sovereign power, if the will of the people is to be the law of the land, if an act of the government is to be an act of the people, then it is absolutely essential that you be concerned about and show a willingness and disposition to par- ticipate actively in the responsibilities of American citizenship. A. Bruch Denniston Dr. Denniston has a deep interest in the wel- fare of the students of Penn High. . . He likes to discuss class projects as he and Lawrence Pfaff, the senior class president, are doing in this picture. ..Dr. Denniston is busy with conferences, conventions, and meetings of committees of which he is a member— all for the purpose of bringing better education to Greenville, and yet he always finds time to talk things over personally with anyone who wants help or guidance.

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Our Principal Members of the Class of 1948: World War II was raging when yon were freshmen. You saw Germany and then Japan crushed. You saw the first anti second atomic bombs fall and ruin whole cities. Uncertain post-war conditions have existed since then. Trends of our times: Foreign: Jewish-Arab conflict in Palestine; Hindu-Mos- lem atrocities in India; Dutch-Indonesian skirmishes in Java; civil war in Greece; and the so-called cold war between the capitalism of United States and communism of Russia. Domestic: The political sparring in a Presidential election year; high taxes; high cost of living; monetary inflation; the Marshall Plan; labor unionism; and universal military training. No permanent peace has been established. Civilization is at the crossroads. Shall it continue or will another “Dark Age pervatle the earth? Have the foregoing events caused a fatalistic attitude among you of L.et us cat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die ? It would be far better for you to leave the halls of old Penn High with a spirit of optimism. Mastery instead of mediocrity, success instead of defeat, peace instead of war, should be your aims. Take your place in society with the preceding objectives. You will then make your community and nation a better place in which to live. Arthur R. Stewart ARTHUR R. STEWART B.S., Grove City College M.A., Columbia University Mr. Stewart, in his role as principal, has at his fingertips the permanent records of all the students of Penn High. . .He is pictured here referring to them in a conference with some seniors about their schedules. . . Mr. Stewart often has personal interviews with students. . . Furthermore, he knows each one of us by name from seniors to seventh-graders and takes a personal interest in following our in- dividual progress.