SUNY at Fredonia - Fredonian Yearbook (Fredonia, NY)

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JUNE THE NORMAL LEADER 1918 , OVER THE TOP Over the top with the best of luck, Thats what we're going' to do. Over the top with the best of luck, And XVQ,1'G, doing it all for you. as F lbistorv of Ube lllormal cttw of 'is Alice Marion Johnson A Two years ago- 'we were just beginning to grasp the extent and purpose of this great world war. The question naturally arose, Wl1at can We do to be of the greatest aid to our country? If our Republic is to be a success it is necessary that our citizens be educated so' that they will be better able to solve the eveiirising -problems and to -carry the greater responsibilities. So patriotism was one o-f the motives which made us choose the teaching profession. The unique artistic atmosphere and superior advantages of the cantonment pitched at Fredonia led us to select this as our training station. September Sth, 1916 found a large number of' individuals standing at the door of the cantonnient. Every type-of girl was here represented so it did not take us long to make long and lasting friendships. Among the things that made these first few confus- ing days bearable were Mrs.Rose's kind advice, Florence's smile, Ruth's pleasant, Good morninguand the good-natured twinkle in Mr. Freemans eye. . The hrst day! That never to be forgotten first day. It was .a continual hurry and hustle from one part of the camp to the other. After a brief interview with General Dana we were ordered to register with Major Freeman. 'Wfe inquired from at least a half dozen rookies equally as bewildered as ourselves as to the position of his barracks. It was Hnally located and we found our-

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JUNE THE NORMAL LEADER 1918 pot will pour them forth into a new mould. Democracy will re- sult as people from all races, creeds, and stations of life stand shoulder to shoulder in battle. But while war is in progress by establishing a common ground between Americans and foreigners a great step toward reconstruction can be taken. Through factory schools, through night schoo-ls, through children in the day schools the teachers must do their part in bringing the people together. It has been said that we need not fear-the racial. future of our country so long as die child of European parents loves the flag, longs to become a voter and boastsof the fact that he -is an 1477'Zq61'iCCZ'7l. In ways such as these the teachers, if they but realize it, have within them the power and opportunity to build up a better nation. In the keeping of the public schools are many of the things most es- sential to our life as a nation. lt is the pupils of the schools of to- day who are to establish the world anew. Dr. -Finley brought back from France this message. Do not let the needs of the hour, how- ever heavily they fall upon men and women of the day, permit neg- lect of the defenses of tomorrow. May teachers give some strength to those defenses through the best instruction of their boys and girls. The pupils should be taught not to fear hard work, to re- joice in effort, to practice self-control and to appreciate the value of civic character and public spirit. In the use of self-control the child not only feels the desire to do right but he has the will to keep him from doing wrong. Civic character and public spirit must grow out of an unselfish dealing with all men,'enemy as well as friend, and an adherence to a principal though at a sacrifice. VVe as a class of teachers should inculcate these qualities in every student. VVhile the soldiers are fighting for world demcracy' the schools should make that democracy lasting. They also serve who only stand and teach. The principles and spirit of the new democracy must be ftaught or else in the hands of an ignorant people such democracy will die In this we find our challenge. Wfhether it be met courageously and hopefully depends upon us as individual teachers. ln our own way We must create the spirit in our pupils to transmit this country, notonly not less, but greater, better, and more beautiful than it was transmitted to them. Thus we shall each do our part that the govern- ment of the people, by the people, and for' the pupil shall not perish from the earth. ' ,I Again, we bid you welcome. Y

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JUNE iTI-IE NORMAL LEADER 1918 selves in the midst of a hundred or more girls laughingland gossip- ing to their hearts co-ntent. Standing there alone we wondered if we would be as glad to return the following year as these: girls ap- peared to be . VV e were assigned a Seat and we were taught our first lesson in punctuality. E-ver since that very first day we have been thoroughly drilled in punctuality but alar, clocks that failed to go' onf and street cars that failed to run caused Major Freeman a needless amount of anxiety. 'We soon introduced ourselves to the lieutenants. Then our real duties commenced. VV e had daily drills in long exercises in grammar. lf we stumbled over little things like haint's and aint's we were quickly reprimanded. The land of figures was inspected. This seemed to many of us to, be truly No man's land. VVe encountered many obstacles and some of us were completely exhausted before we removed the greatest, that of adding two thirds and three Fourths. After sever- al interviews with General Dana, we were told that we had passed this terrible test. We also learncdbthat a knowledge of topography and geogra- phy is an essential in a soldiers life. The winds and current al- most carriecl us away but we were taught how to master them and we all passed this test with honors. Our greenness gradually wore off. NVQ adjusted ourselves to the happily blended program of work and play that surrounded us and before winter was upon us we felt quite at home. The first of series of meetings was called October 12th. Our company was organized with Bruce Mathewsonas leader. Under his guidance we were soon ready to show our abilities and this demonstration took the form of a Hallowelen party. This proved such a success that a continuous whirl of social events followed. These were easy to provide for because our company is made up of soloists, recitationsists, dancers and conversationalists who can furnish any kind of entertainment. Our brave leader heard the call of the sea and one day sailed off to the navy to travel and fight for Uncle Sam. Archie Harkness was chosen to succeed him and he carried the responsibilitlies of our class until this April when Sim Mclvlillen was elected. The close of the first year of our enlistment came and we were