Roxbury Central High School - Record Yearbook (Roxbury, NY)

Page 9 text:

•Chareti CLearhers FIRST ROW: D. Moseman, F. Gorsch, B. Bender, I. Fernandez, E. Ceretta SECOND ROW; B. Gendron, M. Lawrence, K. Bender, W, Schimmel - ABSENT: B. Buddie, J. Burns, G. Warren, E. White Xon-dearhtng personnel K. Rossman C. Reed R. Miller J. Keller L. Morse B. Long B, Everett , ABSENT: M. SlausoQ, B. Voorhees P. Hadden, K. Haight, T. Wheeler, L. Baker C. Thompson, G, Johnson, J. More, D. Bolger

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iliijh rluml — 4funutr 'ttitxjh dear her FIRST ROW; M. Gibbs, M. Macomber, R. Dorrance, W. Goodemoot, J. Perry - SECOND ROW: S. Root, L. Carr, W. Crawford, K. Shaylor, L. Whitelonis, M. A. Van, R. Fowler, P. Parnell (6raiie dearhers FIRST ROW; E. Ploutz, M. Archibald, R. Lutz, C. Hait - SECOND ROW: E. Youmans, A. Weyl, M. Frazee, M. Grant, D. Fowler, J. Phillips

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Ikatiing Club Casau The Illusions We Live By - Jane Bookhout What IS an American? Yes. I know the answer is simple. Everyone knows that an American is a person who lives in the United States of America. However, this definition gives only the outward appearance of an American. What would one find if he looked deeper; if he looked into the average American’s thoughts and feelings? To all of us, the United States is special. It is one of the greatest countries in the world. The United States is first in so many ways: in the production of a number of goods, in science, medicine and countless other things. In fact, the United States is first in such a great number of things that we tend to forget there is still room for im- provement. We have so much pride that we overlook our faults. This is becoming evident to visitors from foreign countries; and when they mention it to us, we are in- dignant that they should even think such a thing, let alone voice their opinion in pub- lic! At this year’s New York Herald Tribune World Youth Forum the teenage delegates were asked what in America made the biggest impression on them. Kristina Rigland of Oslo. Norway, answered in the following words: One thing that 1 found surprising was that the teenagers here don’t seem to know - much about other countries and many don’t seem to be interested in what is going on around them in the world. ” She went on to say, They are, however, aware of the fact that they'are living in the U.S., to them the one country of the world. They are very proud of this and they don't under- stand that there are faults in the U.S.” When 1 read this, I was shocked! Is it really that bad? 1 asked myself. After careful thought, I came to the conclusion that actually the situation is worse. Adults, as well as teenagers, are guilty of Kristine’s observation. 1 know many adults, who, if asked about current events in Kenya, Tanganyika, the South American countries or any country besides the United States, would simply answer the question with a blank stare. Is this being an American? I hardly think so. If we consider our country to be the greatest place in which to live, and I'm sure we do, then we should try to be really great people, true Americans. The first step is to recognize the fact that there are faults in our country. We must discard the false idea that the United States is the only country worth anything, and we must realize that not everything here is perfect. We have our share of problems, the racial problem being one of the biggest of these. Perhaps we can look to other countries that might aid us in solving our problems and creating a better America for better Americans. We of America must wake up to the fact that vitally important events are taking place every day in all parts of the world around us! The people of America must stop living by the illusion that the United States is the one and only country in the world. Read newspapers and magazines as if tomorrow they will be gone! An American should be well informed and must be concerned about events occurring in countries other than his own. Are you an American, a good American?