Pennell Institute - Whirlpool Yearbook (Gray, ME)

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Now that we are at war, treining is more important than ever. An education will be the most important factor for security after this war is won. Upon the superiority of education will depend this nation's or any other nation's ability to survive in the contest for post-war democracy. Education is a necessity if we are to secure ALL TIME PEACE! Colleen L. Blake, '44. HIGH SCHOOL VICTORY CORPS In the secondary schools throyghout the Nation a change in the curriculum is rapidly taking place. Instead of Latin,Greek, and many like courses, the emphasis is put on science and math- ematics, Preflight Aeronautics Training, and PreInduction Train- ing for critical occupations. Modern war is a battle of technicians and specialists,both in the combat forces and in the armies of workers on the home front. Much of the basic language of the technician is derived from math- ematics and science. Thus we need to develop new or emergency cour- ses of these subjects which would serve the needs of youths who have e short time to prepare themselves for entry into a specific field of military or civilian: service. In this war the air services are taking an exceedingly import- ant part. To anticipated needs of the Army and Navy Air Forces, there is every indication that all Qualified boys in the junior and senior classes of high school must be considered as potential candidates for aviation training. It is of great importance, there- fore,that every boy who can meet the high physical and mental quel- ifications established for admission to aviation-cadet training be given the opportunity to receive PreFlight training in aeronautics. Such training would aid the completion of either the Army or Nevy Eeviation-cadet program. At many schools as at Pennell, a reguler course in aeronautics is offered,and regular preflight textbooks are being used.Undoubt- edly this will be enlarged during the forthcoming yeer. Many boys are faced with induction into the Armed Services 5 soon as they graduate. The Army reQuires that inductees have at least a fourth grade education,so a good general high-school educe- tion is a benefit,while anyone with the preinduction treining would definitely have an adventage. Especially valuable is a knowledge of mathematics and science, as well as sound training in English and the social. studies; at the same time physical fitness is of the ut- most importance ta the soldier and sailor. Students in the nation's 28,000 secondary schools are eager to do their part for victory. To utilize more fully this eegcerness to serve, to organize it into effective action, the United States Office of Education in collaboration with the War Department, the

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EDITORIALS EDUCATION AN ESSENTIAL FACTOR FOR SUCCESS Many people wonder why education is essential. There are numerous reasons which are immediately apparent. One of the first would be this: The welfare of the people is determined by the training which the young receive. We all realize that the school gives the best training to be secured outside of the home. Therefore, children are sent to school as soon as they are five or six years old, so their training may begin at 0 In order to protect our democracy and to make freedom possible, people must have an education, since self-govern- ment without knowledge is impossible. Without proper learn- ing, our people would not be able to judge the merits of the various candidates for office, and our public welfare would be endangered. Our country is accommodating aliens every day. These peop- le with methods of living and mannerisms differing from ours have to learn our methods in order to survive. The task of Americanization was given to the school. No other agency cou ld have performed it so well. In this country the idea of democracy means that every individual has the right to advance as far as his talents will allow him. In order for everyone to have a chance to develop his ability to its maximum, one must have the nec- essary training. Opportunities are offered by the schools to these young people that may further their talents. In order to create equal possibilities, each child must be surrounded by the environment which will be most advanta- geous to his particular interests. I believe the main reason for parents! sending their child- ren to school is that they wish each child to be a success. It 8 their desire that each child have the widest range of opportuni- ties which they realize are offered by having the correct train- ing and education. Every parent tries to procure for his child the best advantages possible, so that he will have a better chance at life and security in this mobile world. Through the enlarged privileges offered by the school, an individual's talents have an opportunity to develop to their utmost. Our young people must have the best education that can be provided; for since we are all dependent on the younger gen- eration, must we not see that they receive proper guidance? Surely it is most essential that everyone realize the great importance of education.

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Navy Department, and the Department of Commerce have recommended the organization of a Victory Corps in every American high school, large or small, public or private. These departments have formed the National Policy Comnittee to urge the organization of the Victory Corps as a high-school youth sector in the all-out effort of our total war. The objectivos of the high-schools! wartime program which the Victory Corps promotes are: (1) The training of Youth for that war service that will come efter they leave school; and (2) the active participation of Youth in the community's war effort while they are yet in school. The first seems closer to what goes on in school classrooms and shops; the second to the out-of-the-class activities of the students. The Victory Corps organization takes account of both. This organizetion will have charge of the PreFlight end PreIn- duction Training Program. Physical fitness, military drill, end Wer- time Citizenship are also promoted. One aspect of the responsibilities of the school for education for community service occupations and tesks under the Victory Corps deserves special mention. Short courses,dealing with aircraft spot- ting, building of scale end modern aircraft, care of young children, home nursing,first aid,and air raid warden service are being intro- duced into the school's wartime curriculum. Food is very essential. It is highly probable that many more girls will be needed to take. the places of men drawn from the ferms to serve in the armed forces. The Victory Corps has shouldered the responsibility of providing treining for agricultural aides,whether among farm girls or city girls. This is only a small part of the program plenned by the Victory Corps. Paul V. McNutt, Cheirman of the Wer Manpower Commission voices our opinion of this movement with, A Victory Corps in every second- ery school will do much to stimulate America's 6.5 million high- school Youth to prepare themselves to help meet critical menpower needs in the months ahead. Moreover, it will give these students an opportunity to identify themselves immediately and directly with the wer effort through various forms of service activities. Arnold M. Hell, '4š3. SENIOR CLASS NOTES We started our fourth yeor at Pennell in September, 1942. After taking inventory of the class we found thet Martin Lashua had left us to go to Springfield,Vermont,leavin; us with nine members of the originel twenty when we entered as Freshmen.