Reading Memorial High School - Pioneer Yearbook (Reading, MA)

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of plenty and the supremacy of justice and liberty. So when the flag comes by, look proudly at the banner in your hearts that this flag shall never be low¬ ered nor that these young sons of the nation shall be sac¬ rificed in vain. So hats off! The flag is passing by! Betty Hoffer, Salutatorian FIRST LADY OF OUR LAND So calm and serene she stood on this beautiful sunny morning—a huge, softly-draped figure against a back¬ ground of tall, sharp-angled concrete giants. She looked the same as always, except for the fact that there were fewer people gathered at her feet and the larger propor¬ tion of the admiring throng were men in uniform. It was only at night that one noticed the real change. No longer was her torch lighted. No longer did a pow¬ erful gleam shine out to sea to guide ships. All was darkness. But what did it matter if circumstances pro¬ hibited her lamp from nurturing of flame? Invisible beams from her torch shone nevertheless across the sea, to nestle in the hearts of conquered people. What differ¬ ence did it make if less people actually saw her? Now, more than ever her image was cherished by people all over the world, by her sons and daughters in Iceland, England, Africa, and the South Pacific; by starved and angry people in France, Denmark, Poland and Norway; by Chinese, Jews, Russians and Americans; by all think¬ ing mankind, regardless of creed or race. Nothing, not even a blackout, can dim the light of freedom. Nothing, except death itself, can erase the love of liberty from the human heart. In the peaceful years to come, many travellers will greet her joyously as ships steam back into port, but there will be many of her progeny who have saluted her commanding presence for the last time—-perhaps her name, liberty—will lave their dying lips. No matter what the coming years may bring, Lady Liberty will still be there, her torch aloft, a burning symbol to all conquered nations of the freedom and peace to come—the peace which is beyond all under¬ standing. Althea Crilley, Faculty Honors IRRESPONSIBLE YOUTH Every now and then during our youth, we’ve heard such ejaculations as “Oh this modern generation!” and “When we were young, we never thought of such things!” We’ve merely laughed at these remarks, but inside us, there’s a streak of sensitive rebellion which insists that, in spite of our carefree attitude, we do h ave a serious side. We do have the resourcefulness and willingness to meet the problems which face us today. Before our boys went to Guadalcanal and Tunisia, they were much like the boys in this class. In their high school days, they thought about “jam sessions,” “cokes” and touchdowns. Yet when a crisis came they had the fortitude to think about life and death, justice and liberty. Ask your son why he elected some of the subjects that he studied in his senior yea.r in high school. He knows what he’s going to do with that knowledge of physics that he has gained. You may have noticed that he paid more attention to his school work this last year than he did in his junior and sophomore years. When the war is over, it will be our generation that must rebuild the nation—set it on its feet again. We realize this; even when we’re grouped around the juke box at Torre’s listening to “that terrible racket the youngsters call ‘swing’.” We realize it, and we want to do something about it. Think it over—is youth care¬ free and ignorant of reality, or is it, perhaps, storing up happiness and memories to remember when we’re con¬ verting our irresponsibility to productivity in winning the war? Jean Maguire, Faculty Honors THE CHALLENGE TO POST WAR AMERICA Post war plans, proposals, and propositions by the score are being presented to the public for its considera¬ tion. Most of these plans will never assume important places in negotiations, but they do contain good sound basic ideas. Before the nation will be capable of solving international issues, it must formulate a realistic do¬ mestic policy that will stand the test here at home. President Conant of Harvard suggests that a new “American radical” would supply many of these ideas. This American radical would look to Thomas Jefferson as his ideal, and would characteristically be an enthus¬ iastic proponent of equal opportunity, be indifferent to¬ ward salary ceilings, champion public education under local responsibility, and work enthusiastically for de¬ centralization of the government. These men, preparing our future, will have some extreme ideas, but their good common-sense theories if organized, will form a firm foundation for a lasting peace and permanent assurance of the Four Freedoms outlined by President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill in the Atlantic Charter. The charter, as you well know, provides for freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. The main principles behind these Four Freedoms have been entirely obliterated in the conquered coun¬ tries. It is, therefore, our duty to hold them in active trust until impartial, competent statesmen can see that their privileges are properly and permanently bestowed upon the entire world. Richard Dill, Class Honors WOMEN’S ROLE IN THE POST-WAR WORLD When peace comes we must be prepared to meet its problems. A sensible approach to these problems is lo ask what kind they are. 1 think they deal with people. For instance, how shall we feed the living skeletons or foreign countries? Will we crush the people of the Axis as did the people of the Central Powers? Who is it who will be best prepared to meet the problems of the peace? The boys of our generation will have been training for war. The men overseas will not have had the opportunity to study problems peculiar to the peace. Continued on page 64

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THE TORCH ORATION Thr lnnh which I hold in mv hand wa ftnni t« mr by the President «f the cla of 1942. Herr at Read¬ ing High S hool it i traditional for the graduating J’re - ident of the Vnior ( ' la to pa the Jonh on to the in¬ coming President. This torrh peraonibes the spirit of freedom and knowledge which we American hold most dear. With our | er»onal live l eing affected more and more eiery dav by thi present oinflirl, we are douhlv conscious of the ac red meaning of the word “(iwdom and knowledge.’’ I think that the cla of 19 43 ha indeed done it part in carrying on the tradition einlmdied in thi torch. We have approximately 2t Iwiy m the erv ice of their country and many more will oon follow. The c (mtriotir young men are howing their devotion to their country and loved one |»y personally meeting the enemy. Who know , perhap at thi very moment, a we conduct thi graduation, mine of our own enior may lie ri kmg their very live for u and the thing we hold dear! The girl of our da at o are doing their |»art. Approximately 25 of our numlter have gone into job which are a iding the war effort considerably! When thi great world conflict i over and the period of reconstruction l egin . the nation of the world are going to look to America for guidance. We must be sure that we ourselves an give the material and spiritual help mi vitally needed. The ideal for which thi torch stand are the only answer. If we fail them all i» lost, hut if we succeed our efforts will |»e dulv rewarded. It is with these thought in mind, that I present to you. Fdward hnudson. the incoming president of the (ila of 1944, this torch. We wish you every success in your journey with it and trust that you will never let it escape your sight; hut that you will hold it ever before you as an ever-burning flame of comfort and inspiration! Donald (.lapperton A JOB FOR AIX Thr ough the vears as a student prepared to venture out into live world, to fashion his own independent fu¬ ture. the question foremost in his mind ha Item, W hai are the opportunities which await me following my high school career ' In the past, the answer to that question would have l een somewhat of a complex problem, for the held open to job-seeker have not l«eeti too large or varied, at least not until the last few years. Ill ad nut that as Vmerita developed, so dvd the advantage, for hei youth, but the opportunities which have arisen in the pa 4 thiee or four vears far uipa » all previous tec velds, so that the graduation from a life on the farm, to thousand of varied position in the industrial and professional worlds, «nn like a revolutions! v transition Todav a our cuuntrv is engaged in a world wide conflict, out question take on two sepaiale phi aw I. |Vm 4 t.i adust ion Opportunities 2. I’ccM War Opportunities to the fir t rategorv. we realirr that some of the graduate are girl and bov too vcuing to he taken in the arn.ed force . n imemplovment problem for them should not exi t. for busiuea concern are crvmg for help. A glance at the classified «e. lion of the loc al new - pajwr will venfv thi fart. A for the greater e. lion of the graduating rla« thr young men eligible for the armed force counties opening are available to them. Due to the requirement of our met ham red equip¬ ment. almost everv old»rr ami ailor will fir provided with a specialized training which will not onlv fortifv him for the present conflict, but also for a po«ilion in the Post War Industrie . I j u now look ahead to the future following the war. Thr reconstruction period should provide job for million al home ami abroad. The civilian Industrie in America will all have to | e rrvivrd, requiring thc»u and of men and women to »wmg into production again. Counties opportunities await u ! Today, more than at anv time in our hiatory, approximately of the graduate of public «hcMi| should and will have no dif hculty in securing a c red liable place in the world. Kenneth C. Bushwav. aledic toriait HATS OFF! Along the trert therr come A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drum A fla»h of color beneath the kv Hat off! Hie Hag i |v.i,sing | v ! Blue and crimson and white it shines Over the strel-lip|ed ordered line Hat off! I he colors before u Hv ; But morr than a Hag i« passing by; far more than a flag is pa iug; the hinmg white stri pes »|«-ak to u» of the purr, clean courage of our young men; the red i the fresh young blood which so rnanv will lie called upon to shed; the blur promise that the sacrifice of lives shall not be in vain lor juatne and right will triumph over all. Thrre are not enough stars to ateount for each individual hero who m stead- fastlv following hi country ' s banner, but c imimuml service Hag all over the country record with prtcir the total youth now marching by. Thry are your son , our classmate , who are marching toward ea tights and land fights, grim and great fought to makr and to save thr Mate Weaiv marches and sinking ship ( beer of v w tot i on dvtag lipe Dav of plentv and vears of peace March of a strung land swift uw rraae f-qual justice, right and law ' Hate I honor and reverend awe; To this kind of riNMl r our hov must return. % country symkulurd by uhl glory she h procniae days

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DANA ALWARD RUTH AMBACK OTIS ANDERSON Here i liana who reside in Reading. I»ul can be een in Stonrhatn a good part of ti e time As a member of the properties committee of the Senior Play. liana raced around ecuring everything from tuba , to old rubber . He i a •.launch member of l e- Mi lay. and hi pet peeve are l.ard butter and bleached blondes. “He Wear a Pair of »oldcn Wingt 1 ’ will be liana ' theme ong neat year, if all roc welt. Puppy, onr of our moil am¬ bition claumato, ha been an ardent member of the Tri- Hi, ha tucce» fully managed the | o ter committee for the dance , and pur ued the Col- lege Course Art ha been her favorite ubject. and her hob¬ ble include making her own clothe and playing the piano and organ. Thi lummer Buppv intend to work; for next year he will %tudy at the Kh»»de Island School of ! e ign; some day to become an interior decorator. Have you ever walked into Hood ' and «een a “Thin Man in a white coat ' Well, that wa none other than ndy. Certainly, you remem¬ ber the Hi-Y boy. whom we saw walking in and out of Mr. Bradley’ office in the senior play. Andy ha been casually pursuing a College Course and declare that Kngltch ha been hi favorite subject. Nosey cu tomer peeve C)ti», and after graduation, he plan to enter the Coast C uard. Vdv atued learning aj»| eab-d to rofgc. o be left u earl) 14 go to Boston Cnivci H HI the Navy V-l ptugram At K H S t»f ' lg liked ilnMiiv trv and physics lx t and ably poiiraved Mr I erguson m our M«fcir play. He tuamd tune tsi itOCxer, A t ajw-Ba t lx ir, and I cMuU tMn »dr tlx schoed. hi mam interest ha bee photograph) tieoige ri) i • t l 1 be i alb 1 July and |dan to be a tiavtUmg abMuaii m | o t war day Kannv belong to the di¬ minutive student at Reading High He v fund of hunting hsiting and playing the piano Randall |4«ii a good game of IrMU. but corny joke and homework get under hi »ktn Alifwwagh Two-Cun ' ha taken the C olle g e l onr c. with ikemuin a ka favorite »ub es t be | Ian to en t Arm after gradual ton. where ha «lever handling «4 a rdc will tand hm n Riwl stead Kdna »wumv play ha kct ball can , garden , kart and hook rug She baa received several 4 II honor and n owner and manager of Ed ' s Puntary Farm Kdna ha found tunc lor basketball, and ha capably captamrd the hockey team, bekw« -d to Stndrnl Council and Tn-tli While taku»« the College iWx. Kdna found that m th • a hrr favorite subject After graduate n. hc plan u at¬ tend the luvdMtj of Mane BERRY ABNOI D Bone v is one of Reading High’s musician , seen every Saturday with the Hand at football game He has taken the Vc counting Course and chemistry has been his favor tie class In his senior year, be was elected Co-capUm of the soccer tram, but when it wa discontinued, he became a mainstay of the Cross Coun¬ try tram. A member of ! «• Molar and the National Rifle Association. Berry look for ward lo being in the Naval Air Corps. ARTHUR RA.NC.Rorr JR Art, a quiet young man. ha faithfully pursued the Sewn tide Course during tin high ickool carver Butch ha non hn letter a a crack shot w ike Ride Club Art Hirer «c - to.tics include traffic quad, junsc ike an a compinhed rgan» t and bold the post of Organ ! in LkrlfsdUy Math 11 i mth F ' ttaie » • has laiurtc »ubi e et Neal year, hrl attend n «iSc »ur and study UhUKsI Eng i ne e ring.