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

Page 15 text:

Ernest G. Spence Director of Data Processing Despite dire predictions for 1 9B4, you still have a positive world in which to live. The computer, to some, is a symbol of dominance. The computer, however, will do no more than the mind of the programmer will allow. One of your greatest assets is your free will — use it wisely! ” Allan Alson Assistant Principal Social control, mind control, and loss of individual freedom were all forecast by George Orwell in his novel 1 984 His predictions have not blossomed to the full¬ ness he projected. Yet, the trends he forecast are, unfortunately, in evidence in many aspects of our soci¬ ety. It is up to each of us, individually, and collectively, to insure that the protections designed by our constitution are neither eroded nor permanently damaged. ” Maureen Zolubos Assistant Principal “I remember reading 1984 when I was in high school. Being a science-fiction buff, I enjoyed the story a great deal. It was rather frightening at that time to read about a civilization run entirely by the state with Big Brother keeping a close watch on every Party member. Now that the year 1 984 has arrived, I am relieved that we in the U. S. haven ' t given up our human rights. We still have our freedom of speech and the right to choose our own life-style. 1 1

Page 14 text:

The aura of Big Brother’s power is irrevocably entrenched in the minds of the citizens of Oceania. Ironically, this is primarily by vir¬ tue of the fact that he is neither seen nor heard nor touched by his people. His power is omnipresent be¬ cause he is an intangi¬ ble figure. In fact, he may truely be an illu¬ sion — the embodi¬ ment of fearsome¬ ness. This is quite a contrast to our own Big Brother, Mr. □ .Orlando, who is very much a tangible figure in our lives, with whom we can all feel secure. Unlike Orwell’s Big Brother, who, as far as the citizens of Oceania are con¬ cerned, has existed for all eternity, Mr. □ ’Orlando arrived at his position as Prin¬ cipal of Reading Me¬ morial High School only recently. It was in 1 STB, following twen¬ ty years as a teacher, department head, and then Assistant Principal, that Mr. D’Orlando became our ruler”. Mr. O’Orlando is the antithesis of Big Brother, both in his availability to the stu¬ dents and in that he gives us the freedom to assert our indi¬ viduality. 10

Page 16 text:

Marc Alterio Physical Education Stephen Arsenault Industrial Arts Bruce Appleby Social Studies Mary Blake Cafeteria Virginia Bartlett Physical Education Thomas W. Blanay Business Richard Bonshimol English