Plymouth State University - Conning Tower Yearbook (Plymouth, NH)

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Secondary Education Curriculum “The primary concern of American education today is not the development of the appreciation of the ‘good life’ in young gentlemen born to the purple. Our purpose is to cultivate in the largest number of our future citizens an appreciation both of the responsibilities and the benefits which come to them because they are American and free” —James B. Conant The preparation that high school students make to carry on the business of living is of utmost importance. We must strive to fit them well for the tasks that lay before them. Too often in the past only a mediocre job was done in this respect. We, the secondary graduates of the class of 1950, expect to improve the record. We have the necessary tools. If we apply them wisely and energetically there can be no doubt that our function in society will be fulfilled. Four years ago the intricacies and problems of education were all unknown to us. Since that time we have slowly wound our way up the difficult path that leads to our first goal, a professional degree. Little did we realize that we were to enter upon such an important undertaking as that which controls the hidden potential of youth and ultimately illuminates the destiny of the world. Indeed, the responsibility which we are about to assume would stagger any of lesser stature though they be giants in their own way The future of youth rests in our hands, just as is depicted by the design on the cover of this book. Three courses are left open to us in this respect: we can crush them, we can drop them into the oblivion of their own short-sighted ways; or we can lift them to even greater heights. The latter course is the only one open to those of us who would enjoy nights of peaceful slumber Andrew Cushing 23

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eighty voices has pleased audiences on campus, in the community, in the state, and indeed, in New England. By so doing, this choir has gained considerable recognition for our college. No mention is made of the adoption of the two-year liberal arts program in 1946, which is still in existence, nor have we recorded herein the inclusion into the curriculum of foreign languages, which came as a direct result of the request of a few of our class members. Thus, it is clearly evident that our college was suffering from a severe case of “growing pains” during our professional training. We, the class of 1950, have just begun to climb the ladder of professional and personal achievement. To stop here would be unthinkable! Our individual records are by no means complete. We have acquired the professional requisites with which to begin our work; now comes the real test. We go forward then, with confidence and optimism. Paul O’Neil President, Class of 1950 22

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LESLIE O. BARDEN METHUEN, MASSACHUSETTS BARBARA J BOYD GROVETON, NEW HAMPSHIRE Social Studies HENRY L. BREMNER PLYMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE English ERNEST L. BUCKLIN ALEXANDRIA, NEW HAMPSHIRE Social Studies also Elementary Certificate 24