Roxbury Memorial High School for Boys - Bostonian Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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Couteuts ADMINISTRATION SENIORS SENIOR HOME ROOMS ORGANIZATIONS ATHLETICS FEATURES ADVERTISERS

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Foreword We of the graduating class now take our leave of Mother Memorial. Here we have studied in an attempt to make ourselves better equipped for what lies ahead. Some of us will go to institutions of higher learning; others, to work. Whatever be our ambitions, they will be forti- fied by the training and background of the school. In this, the last memento of our days at Rox- bury Memorial, the editors of your yearbook have attempted to capture in its pages some of the cherished moments of life in the senior year of high school. We sincerely hope that in glancing through its pages, the seniors will recall the many pleasur- able and eventful days well spent at Mother Memorial.

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The scholastic records made by students of the Roxbury Memorial High School (Boys) over the past thirty years are well known. Memorial has sent more students to college than any other general or specialized Boston School with the exception of the Latin Schools. Graduates of Memorial's Business Course guide the destinies of many commercial enterprises in this area, its Printing Course Alumni are prominent in the Graphic Arts as owners, superintendents, foremen, and craftsmen. Not so well known, nor so readily demonstrated, is the education given Memorial students in character training. Over the years, emphasis on moral and citizenship responsibilities has been primary in the thinking of the faculty. Spiritual and heritage values have been stressed. ‘For God and Country” has been no idle slogan at Memorial. Students were taught why good must be preferred to evil. They were taught the meaning of loyalty as it applied to the family, the home, the community, religion, institutions, and cultural background. At Memorial students learned never to compromise with ideals, nor to substitute mediocrity for proved values. They learned to espouse causes that were desirable, just, and good. They were taught and inspired to give of their time, energy, and means to fight for their ideals or whenever their sense of the fitness of things was outraged. Truly it can be said that Memorial enrolled children and graduated men — good men. Memorial graduates are proud of their Alma Mater. They appreciate and are grateful for the quality of the education they received. Ample evidence is at hand to demonstrate the affection of the Alumni for the school. Their loyalty was ever recognized. None, however, suspected how much loyalty circumstance would demand of them. On April 9, 1958, the Boston School Committee voted to ter minate the existence of Roxbury Memorial High School and to move Boston Technical High School into the Memorial building. When news of the committee action filtered down to the “grass roots”, students, parents, alumni, and citizens were indignant and outraged. Various groups of interested parties were endeavoring to find ways of reversing the committee’s decision. The thoughts and actions of these groups were un- coordinated. Little .was being accomplished. A vacuum of leadership existed. Into this vacuum stepped Mr. Paul T. Smith, President of the class of 1933. Mr. Smith investigated the circumstances of the School Committee’s decision. His investigation was thorough and complete. He was convinced that the Com- mittee had acted in haste and without knowing all the pertinent facts. For many weeks Mr. Smith prepared his case. He became familiar with all facets of the problem. He secured expert opinion on the architectural and engineering aspects. He held many committee meetings with individuals and groups interested in pre serving Memorial. He gave his time, his energy, and his means without stint and without remuneration. He succeeded in having the School Committee reopen the case. Mr. Smith’s case took approximately ten hours to present. He shattered every real or fancied argument for the closing of Memorial. No rebuttal of Mr. Smith’s case was made. The proponents were mute. Mr. Smith won his case, but he was not the judge and jury. The School Com- mittee reaffirmed its original decision, proving that wisdom is not the possession of all men at all times. During the months that Mr. Smith worked on this case it became evident that he had profited by his Memorial education. He is a man of honor, principle, and loyaity. He sacrificed himself for a cause in which he believed. Self-interest was submerged in order that an institution he cherished might be preserved. His talents were extended to the utmost to preserve for others what he himself had been privileged to enjoy. No man could do more. Many do much less. In recognition of his unparalleled skill, unfaltering courage, and heart-warming loyalty for the school he loved and fought to preserve, this yearbook is gratefully dedicated to Mr. Paul T. Smith. De pation