Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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CLASS ORATION A GREAT NEED By ARTHUR MARTIN, JR. The human body by chemical analysis is valued at less than a dollar, but character, man’s spir- itual body, is beyond price. Character is an abstract thing, yet it is the cornerstone on which our whole material structure rests. The World War devastated the physical aspect of Europe, and at the same time shattered the morals of the world. Youth, hurled into a sea of uncertainty and tossed about on waves of scepticism, has been like an animal in the water groping for something solid on which to cling. In spite of harsh condemming criticism, youth has been, and is now, gradually pull- ing itself from the water. From somewhere is coming the power to carry on. This source of strength is character, noble character; which is the greatest need of our nation in this era of de- spondency and lawlessness. It has no price attached, so may be had by rich or poor; it is not a reward for athletic ability, so it is not won by physical strength. A fine character may be de- veloped by almost any person, but in this development there is one important factor; the mind must exercise sufficient control to resist all wrong, and to stand by the right, for a good character is the result of personal exertion only. By forcing the body to do the will of the mind, there will, some day, be a generation of Americans that will flinch before nothing life holds. Because every person wishes to build up his character let us for a few minutes examine the process by which others are lifting themselves to greater heights. When the chemist wants to make a new substance he figures out just what may be the pos- sible components; then he arranges, and puts them together. If they do not combine readily, he adds a catalyst, a uniting force, to aid in making the combination. In building character, the same is true, only the elements are the virtues, and the uniting agent that welds them together is self- control; making character the “product of a perfectly educated will.” In the words of Mark Hop- kins, “Man can bear strength of character only as he is capable of controlling his faculties; of choos- ing a rational end; and in its pursuit, of holding fast to his integrity against all the mighty, ex- ternal nature.” Perhaps the direct result of self-control is what may be called mental stamina, the ability to set out on a task and to stick to it until the work is finished. Nature, before she is conquered, demands that a man be persistent and stubborn to gain what he desires. Mountains of troubles, disappoint- ments and failures are heaped upon him continually, and success depends on his determination to climb over them. “Our character is our will, for what we will we are.” Marshal Foch said, “Vic- tory equals will.” Doesn’t it? There is an interesting story in the life of Foch. An officer came to him and said, “Sir, the enemy has surrounded us on three sides, and the line is weakening.” Foch snapped back, “An excellent situation! You will advance.” The men did advance and further- more won the day. This year for the young people leaving school is to be a long battle, with the forces of unemployment and discouragement on three sides, leaving nothing to do but advance. Never before have conditions been such that sheer determination has been so necessary; will power, injected into hearts, minds, and backbones, resulting in something the world must see. An important factor in gaining this strength of mind is a good education, and those who arc this week completing their formal preparation for life careers should remember that this prepara- tion has come mainly as a result of continued sacrifice by fond and hopeful parents. Often parents have gone in shabby dress in order that their children might have a better appearance, and have given up little pleasures, that they might enjoy the social life of their school. Regardless of how great or small the sacrifice, along with years of unlimited guidance, does it not deserve boundless love in return? Now these students possess what the state considers an adequate education with which to face life. Unfortunately, an education does not make a gentleman out of a ruffian. To learn the lessons of books is but one reason for being in school. The very fact that students have been in constant con- tact with one another helps or hinders their progress. This suggests the addition of the next ele- ment in character — courtesy. Two thousand years ago was uttered a command which, if obeyed, would have made this a much better world in which to live. Think of it, a simple sentence that can still revolutionize the entire world! “Whatsoever ye would that others should do unto you, do ye even so unto them.” All pupils have impressed upon their minds that others have certain rights, and the strength of this impression is an important part of character. There are not many things prized above friendship, yet how may friends be won, except through courteous acts? This con- Eighteen

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CLASS CALENDAR — Continued March 29 The election of a Junior Night Committee assures us that our so- cial program is under way. May 14 A fine orchestra concert was en- joyed tonight. May 22 Junior Night. What a glorious time! Entertainment, refreshments, dancing; everything desirable. June 24 Once again vacation time has arrived. SENIOR YEAR 1931 - 1932 September 10 Proudly we set forth on the last lap of our school career. We are Seniors. September 12 The Sophomores are well in hand and the Juniors properly re- spectful. Looks like a very promis- ing year. October 28 Our officers of the previous two years are once again chosen: Robert Hayes, Jean Stackpole, Phyllis Atkinson and Irving Isinger. December 10 Our first class meeting of the year, and we all pledged to make our class outstanding. December 17 The Senior Play Committee is elected, and much excitement pre- vails during the choosing of the cast. January 22 A very successful dance was run tonight by the Student Council for the benefit of the Athletic Asso- ciation. That’s what we call Co-oper- ation. March 17 We watched with admiration the installation of chosen members of our class into the National Honor Society. May they ever live up to this high honor. April 1 The Senior Play proved to be a decided success under the capable supervision of Miss Sutherland and the committee. The cast of “The Mil- lionaire” will long be remembered by us. April 15 An exceptionally good piece of work was done by the orchestra to- night in their annual concert. A most enjoyable evening. April 21 The Sophomores redeem them- selves by offering a very pleasant af- ternoon at their dance. April 28 Three delightful plays were pre- sented tonight by the talented mem- bers of the Players’ Club. April 29 School closes for our last vaca- tion. Many members of the class are looking forward to spending this week in Washington. May 12 We elected today our Class Day, Senior Night and Class Gift Commit- tees. May 20 We all had a fine time at Junior Night. We Seniors, of course, formed a distinguished part of the audience. June 8 Class Day. How much this day means to us this year. June 8 Senior Night. Our last assem- blage, socially, before graduation, but what a grand evening it was. June 16 Graduation! Our school days are over! We are at the cross roads. Wherever your road may lead, good luck, and may we meet again. Seventeen

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stant consideration of others, called courtesy, may lead to something greater, even to that divine im- pulse which makes a man lose his own life, to save another’s. There are now in this compound of character the elements of determination, filial love, and cour- tesy, three traits by which every person is judged, but there are still essentials left, so once again, by the aid of educated will, another substance is added to the crucible of characters. Trustworthiness — how much that word stands for! Business is stable just so long as it is honest. Modem business and advanced civilization could not exist without a feeling of mutual confidence. If it were not so, imagine the chaos. There could be no banks. There could be no paper money, and all exchanges would have to be in cash. When people begin to carry large sums of money, the lower stratum of men begin to rob. Robbing would lead to plundering; then nothing would be safe; looting would mean that mob rule would become common, and then life would lose its sacredness. This country is today on the very brink of such conditions, and the outcome will be determined by individual char- acter, the greatest hope of society. Hand in hand with trustworthiness goes fidelity, fidelity to those who love and trust us; fidel- ity to self and personal ideals. Students leaving school are fired with hopes and aspiration for the future, and fidelity to those ideals will mean their realization; loss of them, failure. Is not patriotism, or fidelity to the ideals of our country a part of good character? This nation has for its ideals good citizenship, good education, solid government, and happy, contented people. When economic and civil affairs are turned upside down is when patriotism really shows. Organiza- tions in this country which pledge themselves to uphold the government have an enrollment of at least three millions, yet the anti-government groups number even more. All about are radicals, crying against every form of government; if their cries are heeded, all will be lost. On every hand, people with ideals differing from ours are smashing the law, kidnapping, and murdering our people. This is what youth must face. It is the young people who must contend with these fiends. Are red- blooded Americans going to sit back and let such horrible afTairs continue? There must be produc- tive action, and rigid enforcement of law, better still obedience of law. The laws of a nation are like the girders of a building; they hold it together. If the roof is to stand, the girders must be strong. When rats destroy the structure of a building they are killed, yet the framework of our nation is being undermined, and respectable citizens seem unable to cope with the invaders. Per- sonal opinions must not interfere with national safety. Regardless of one’s own feelings, while a law is a law, it must be obeyed. Laws there must be, and laws must be obeyed, if there is to be any peace and happiness. A German officer during the last war said, “I do not fear the American army; I do not fear the American navy, but I do fear the spirit of the great American people when they are once aroused.” Now, is when the American people should be aroused; right now' is the time that there is a great need to fight crime. It may seem that now every substance is in the compound, but there must be no omissions. Is any element necessary for character still lacking? Yes, that element which makes all the difference between a strong character and a sublime character. Fundamentally, man hungers and thirsts after righteousness and truth. The youth of today ques- tions everything of the past, and because of this the older generation says he has no reverence, no religion. This is not true. He is thinking more deeply and sanely than ever before on serious questions. The outward signs may be lacking, but inwardly, he hears the voice of God; he sees his own imperfections in the light of the perfect; he loses his self-conceit; he sets a higher and nobler goal for himself; he finds his place of labor, and of rest, and life, which has seemed trivial and insignificant, begins to assume poise, dignity, and grandeur. “A simple trust in God is the most essential ingredient in moral sublimity of character.” Fellow Classmates: If we give our best to the world, the best that the world has will be given back to us. Do we possess those traits of character which will enable us to give our utmost to the world, and which will help us in our small way to meet this great need of the land? Have we a do-or-die spirit? Are we always patient with others? Is our word as good as our bond? Are we true to those we call friends, to our ideals, and to our country? Above all, have we reverence? In other words, have we been educating our will as well as our mind? Since the need of an educated will cannot be over- estimated, and since no one of us can answer, yes, to all these questions, let each member of our class take for his motto, “Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law.” Nineteen