Sheffield High School - Sentinel Pines Yearbook (Sheffield, MA)

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Salutatory Address We, the Class of 1952, welcome you to our Graduation, We hope you will be glad with us and for us at this Commencement. For us, this night will always shine brightly in our memories, as it closes one of the greatest periods in our lives. To you in the audience, this occasion will bring back memories of similar ones in your lives. To you parents, this will be an hour of pride. To the teachers, it marks for us achievement. To the undergraduates, our place here on the platform will be yours in one, two, or three years hence. High school, to us, has been a stepping stone. It has given us, First: The de- sire to succeed, for we have learned that the reward and pride which comes from working, is so great, that it spurs us on to more difficult and larger tasks. Second: It has given us security and confidence. We have been made to do things which came hard to us and which we did not like; however, after doing these things repeat- edly, we learned to harness those things which frightened us. Third: It has made possible a social adjustment which we will carry over into the adult world. The abil- ity to get along with people is developed through our inter-class activities. In our class meetings, we have had to learn to compromise and we now feel as though we can be clearly understood when we must confront people. Fourth: Happiness is a necessary part of the aforementioned points. We are now prepared to become good citizens and make life happy for ourselves and others. We have been trained to ap- preciate the work done for us, and to repay those thoughtful deeds. High ideals have been developed in us, and we now consider ourselves socially adjusted with many lifelong friends. The educational process is much like the growth and development of the flower. We enter high school full of insecurity, without confidence, and dependent upon everyone about us for support. As time passes, the seed of learning, soon takes root with the aid of our parents. Passing from the fundamentals, we soon reach out for more education, just as the leaves of a plant build toward a final structure which will soon bear the awakening bud. With the help of the teachers, parents, and friends, the seed has now grown into a plant, but still depends on the food and care which all plants need. So in our last year of high school, with the excitement of graduation growing near, we picture the social adjustments we have made. We feel more keenly, the desire to get ahead, and we dispel our insecurity and lack of confidence. For as in the final change in our awakening bud, we truly have unfolded the beauty of a blos- soming four years of high school. Again, in behalf of my classmates, I bid you Welcome in a most sincere manner. 17

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Qraduation Exercises Processional (Audience Standing) Invocation Reverend Paul E. O ' Day Salutatory Address Verna West Trees Oscar Rasbach Girls ' Glee Club Valedictory Address Barbara Woodbeck Apollo Overture E. Ascher Orchestra Address to Members of Senior Class Dr. James Gordon Gilkey Maintaining Your Self Confidence Now is the Hour D. Stewart Senior Class Presention of P. T. A. Awards , President of P. T. A. Presentation of Scholastic Awards . H. V. Hennigar, Principal Presentation of Diplomas John Somes, Superintendent of Schools Ave Maria Bach-Gounod Glee Club Benediction Reverend Edward K. Thurlow Postlude (Audience Please Remain Seated) Reverend Paul E. O ' Day

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Valedictory Address As defined by Webster, the Valedictory Address is a formal address bidding farewell. Some of you here in this very room may look upon us and ask yourself this question: Are these young people ready to assume their place in this worrisome world. I would like to comment on this remark. Yes, I admit we are very young, but 1 think that with the guidance we have received from our parents and our teachers we can assume responsibility. In fact, I ' m sure that many of the boys and girls sitting here now are already accountable for many things they do. Having assumed responsibility and ready to undertake still more, we leave this room tonight keeping in mind the importance of friendship and understanding. We will not think ourselves better than others for we will remember that all men are created equal. Yet, many of the American people have forgotten that part of the constitution and, as a consequence, have become prejudiced and narrow minded. Do you wonder, then, why there is war ? If some of these people would open their minds to reason and accept fact there would be, I ' m sure, fewer wars, if any. This is a very critical period in the life of man. Will the atomic bomb bring about the end of the earth or will it be harnessed into a peace-time machine? I be- lieve it depends on the human being. It should not be difficult to realize that society is affected by all the individuals of that society. I am sure all of us have at one time or another done or said something we later regretted. What if this happened on a larger scale? What if this bomb demolished the earth? Who would be at fault? If everyone could just sit down and really think situations over before making hasty decisions, a lot of unhappiness and heartbreak could be avoided. If we would just be a little friendlier toward our neighbors, a lot of hatred and prejudice would end. It hardly seems fair or necessary for young members of the armed forces to give their lives in this new world conflict when the people back home continue hating their neighbors because of a racial or religious difference. These men and women are fighting for peace and freedom. When this freedom and peace are won, how long will they last ? In George Washington ' s Farewell Address the concern for world peace is up- permost and I quote: Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and morality enjoin this conduct. And can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlighten- ed and at no distant period a great nation to give to mankind the magnanimous and novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Before we leave the halls of Sheffield, we again reflect on the happiest and most treasured years of our lives. Without the unending patience and guidance of Mr. Somes, Mr. Hennigar, the school committee, the faculty, our parents, classmates, and friedds, we would not be at the threshold of an awaiting adult world. 18