Siskiyou Union High School - White and Gold Yearbook (Weed, CA)

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WE STAKE EVERYTHING ' tSecond Prize Essayl By the wisdom and the courage of our forefathers, by great deeds of heroism, by the tried and tested experiences of many generations, we have built up our democracy. We are not foolish enough or vain enough to think that in the course of a long process there have not been blunders: that today our democracy falls short of what we believe it is destined to be. We do not covet any people's territory. We have no desire to impose our rule upon alien populations. The United States is enough for us! All that we have wished for, all that we wish for now is to be allowed to consolidate our own resources, to raise within the United States the level of common opportunity, to draw closer the bond of affection and confidence between its states, and to make it everywhere the worthy home of the best traditions of American liberty. Doesn't it follow from that, that nowhere in the world is there a people who have stronger motives to avoid war, to seek and to insure peace? Vlfhy, then, are American people throughout the length and breadth of our land turning their kettles and plowshares into bayonets? Why is the youth of America leaving colleges, fac- tories, offices, and farms to fill the recruiting offices and the training camps? The answer is: We have Pearl Harbor as a wrong to avenge, and we have a way of life to defend. The American citizen who, facing the awful realities of this war, can move along in his accustomed way, seeking to accumulate money, or to pass his time in the pleasures or the frivolities or even the usual routine of his duties has not grasped the significance of the agony and tragedy through which the world is passing. The men who enlist are not at all unmindful of the reality of the struggle which they are entering. Each one knows full well that he is offering his life: and if perchance fate decrees he be saved, comrades all around him and by his side will die. Our youth are not going from cmy thoughtless desire for adventureg they are going with a full understanding of what it means to be in the trenches day after day, and night after night: to crawl out and over the trenches, through barbed wire, and struggle in a great grapple with death. These things are before them and yet they go forward with a courage which should stir every latent emotion in our hearts. Before such men, those who cannot go should stand with uncovered heads and bernoan the fate that makes it necessary for them to be saved by the sacrifice of the lives of others. These are the living realities, the verifies of the hour. They call in thunder tones to the nation. They call to every humanpheart to honor the soldiers, sailors, and marines, and to make their tasks as light as possible. For these things the American people must work whole-heartedly with an enthusiasm which matches that of the men in the battle line. We have been challenged to fight to the end. We accept the challenge, we stake everything, and we shall be victorious. IUSTIN SMITH, '43 Yreka High School 17

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WOODLAND BEAUTY CFirst Prize Essay! Forests are so cool and dim. All who have walked in them have observed these things: tall trees that seem to touch the sky: green brush all around: a carpet of fallen leaves and grass to walk on: and golden shafts of sunlight glancing down here and there between the towering branches, Spring arrives and the forests are a vivid green. Everywhere are evidences of newness. The pine needles look so fresh, and smell so clean. Wild flowers are blooming, and the air is full of a pungent sweetness. The roar of the rushing brooks is heard everywhere and song fills the air, for the birds have all retumed. Summer forests shade from the hot blistering sun. The brooks now quietly murmur in the cool shadows of leafy trees. The voices of the birds now have a quieter note, for the first wild enthusiasm and gaiety of spring has passed. Now the forest is a riot of color, for it is fall. The green of the spring has changed to a different hue. Yellow, brown and orange predominate Mother Nature's world. The leaves fall, and the trees then look bare and gaunt. Autumn is a sad time, for the birds are leaving and the forests are quiet once again. Snow has fallen and Winter has arrived. The trees are laden with a white powdery film, but they stand up straight and tall like sentries in a blinding White world. All sounds are hushed except for the cracking of a twig, or the scampering of some wild animal in its forage for food. This new white world is breathtakingly beautiful. In every season, forests are symbolizing the wonder of Nature. ALMA SARTI McCloud High School Q45 943 HONORABLE MENTION ADRIA HARRIS, '44 Yreka High School l6

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REALIZATION CFirst Prize Poeml I sat by a window that dark day, And thought of my country in a different way. I realized then what it meant to me To have equal rights in the land of the free. My actions and thoughts were my own over here, And I didn't live in the shadow of fear. There was freedom of press, religion, and speech: Proud hearts no hateful oppressor could reach. Before this war we all felt secure In the thought that our peace would forever endure. With assurance we cried, It can't happen here! No, little did we realize a world war was near. Yes, I guess it took a lightning stroke To free my mind from its selfish cloak. Now liberty holds a true meaning for me, And I'll sacrifice all to keep this land free. BARBARA ROBINSON McCloud High School ,, N'T K, 't' HONORABLE MENTION BUCKY IAMISON Mount Shasta High School 18