Slatington High School - Reflections Yearbook (Slatington, PA)

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sm BOARD OF EDUCATION Francis D. Breish--President Howard W. Schneckv-Vice President Claude B. Decker--Secretary Dr. Harry B. Kern--Treasurer W. Wallace Kern HIGH SCI-IOSL FAC ULTY J. W. Snyder--Supervising Principal Frank A. Leidich--Principal Edgar M. Acker Miss Evelyn Naylor Earl H. Brown Miss Velma L. Oswald E. Amnos Evans Elwood L. Prestwood Franklin J. Fister Alton W. Rex Earl J. Hartman Miss Carrie Belle Robinson Albert J. Hess J. Blaine Saltzer Miss Ara M. Kern Miss Rachel M. Steckel Fred T. Melass Miss Anna B. Thomas Miss Evelyn A. Morgan Lloyd G. Williams Miss Muriel L. Williams--Secretary

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EDUCATION IN A DEMOCRACY True education can exist in no fonm of government other than a democracy, for one of the chief objectives of a de- mocracy is a wiser and more effective education. True education is hardly possible in a country where the press is censured or the printed material is con- trolled by the government. In a democ- racy it is a matter of free speech and free clear thinking. The world needs men who can think for themselves, grasp the infinite plan of things, and then act courageously. For free clear think- ing we need Democracy. For democracy we need clear free thinking. Here there is the opportunity for every person to make the most of his a- bility. Under other forms of government there is usually a ruling caste, and the individual is hedged about by arbitrary laws which unnecessarily restrict his freedom and education. The system of education that the United States has de- veloped tends toward democracy,for it is certainly true that we keep together in our schools a larger proportion of boys and girls from all classes than does any large dictatorship. Today in the public high schools of the United States and Canada, more boys and girls are enrolled than in all schools of similar grade in all other countries combined. This indeed tends for democracy es- pecially if, as it is said, the strong conquer the weak and the wise conquer the strong. Other governments have flourished only to decay. Will ours follow the same course? Hardly. For all earlier civilizations rested on some form of slavery Or class- rule. At no previous' time in the history of the world was the great mass of people so well informed as is the United States today through its educational systems. Always a ruling class abused its power and led the people into degeneracy. Then a stronger,more intelligent people found it easy to conquer the weaklings. But now let us turn it around, A true democracy can exist ony where there is true education. No democracy can be- come greater than the people who make up the majority. Great statemen may point out the right path, but, if the majority is not sufficiently intelligent to follow the wise leaders, then there is little hope of progress. What must we do then to prepare ourselves for intelligent citizenship in this complex society of ours? First, I6 must be educated about the problems of our own times. Second, we must learn to think straight. And third, we must be educated along the newest lines of thought and acquire those habits which will make it possible for us to make some contribution to the advancement of democracy. The principal reason, in a democ- racy, for the existence of the govern- ment is the welfare of the individual. In an attempt to promote his own welfare by opening up larger opportunities or increasing his income, the individual must value education very highly. With better education of the masses comes the desire for and the attainment of higher standards of living. If democracy puts enough strength and stress on defending itself through educational means, defense by arms may never be necessary. -Q tease,

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I BOARD OF EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY