Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

Page 25 text:

GRADUATED WITH HONOR Ackerman, Miriam Babbitt, Eleanor L. Barrett, Frances C. Bertocci, Jennie Bonello, Alma R. Borgatti, Rose L. Buchman, Anne Carey, Eleanor M. Cheek, Dorothy F. Combie, Marjorie M. Copithorne, Genevieve DeCane, Elizabeth M. Dillman, Katherine E. Fraser, Phyllis H. Glazer, Hannah P. Govoni, Barbara M. Gumushian, Sharkay Kingston, Marion E. Lambert, Marcelle M. LaVoie, Phyllis G. Lodi, Ada C. Berthrong, Merrill G. Bornstein, Frederick Dempsey, Martin J. Duffy, Gordon B. Fairbanks, Russell N. Floyd, John A. Gorfine, Robert Jelatis, John G. Mamakos, Peter J. Macrokanis, Clara Madden, Rita M. Magoon, Dorothy E. Montani, Gloria J. Nahigian, Gertrude Novelli, Margaret L. Pimentel. Regina R. Rogers, Alma Samiotes, Stella Sample, Lois K. Scanga, Madeline S. Shea, Mildred A. Sheriff, Margaret L. Tagliamonte, Evelyn C. Tochterman, Louise Toomajian, Elizabeth M. Tripp, Mary E. A. Uenas, Alice I. Veinot, Marguerite C. VVemyss, Barbara Youland, Dorothy M. O’Neill, Arthur R. O’Neill, John F. Patterson, Robert B. Peretsman, Jacob Porter, Charles H. Stinson, James E. Thornton, Francis X. Titelbaum, LeRoy M.

Page 24 text:

SENIOR CLASS HISTORY The Somerville High School opened its gates to the Class of 1937 on September 12, 1934. As “little” Sophomores we felt very much alone in our new home, but were made more comfortable when Mr. Sears warmly welcomed us in an assembly. In February, 1935, we chose an executive committee, composed of Edward Wilson, Barbara Christie, Fred Wright and Janice Kelley. By taking part in various school activities and by prompt payment of our class dues we showed a fine class spirit. We held our dance on May 24, and all who attended spent a pleasant afternoon. After a pleasant but hurried vacation we again resumed our studies, as the new Junior Class. On October 28, 1935, we chose our leaders, this time: Edward Wilson, president; Barbara Christie, vice-president; Anthony Rosselli, treasurer, and Janice Kelley, secretary. Many of our able students were successful in getting on the Maximum and Credit Lists, and being active in Athletics, Debating, the Orchestra, Band, and Glee Clubs. From our ranks twenty honorable students were selected for the National Honor Society. To top this illustrious year our Junior Night Committee, con- sisting of Alice Christie, Gosta Lindstrom, Barbara Wemyss, Daphne Wil- son, and Fred Wright gave us an enjoyable entertainment and dance on May 22, 1936. As dignified Seniors we returned to school in September. The same four elected in the Junior year were again elected to lead our class. On February 5 the Senior Play was presented, and to the cast and committee much praise should be given for such a splendid performance. An out- standing goal was reached by twenty members of our class when they were chosen for the National Honor Society. Now for the final activities—Class Day, Senior Night, and Graduation: How fast they come and go! Soon we shall take our first steps into the big world. The Senior Class thanks the teachers for their able guidance during the past three years and hopes to show greater appreciation by succeeding in future enterprises. Janice Kelley, Secretary.

Page 26 text:

CLASS ORATION THE MIDDLE COURSE IN EVER before have there been so many social, political, and economic problems confronting the American people, and demanding immediate settlement. Yet very little progress has been made in this direction because of the extreme views the people take, and because of their unwillingness to co-operate. And so, in my message to you, I shall attempt to convince you that taking extremes is not wise. I shall attempt to convince you that, when there are two extreme and opposite courses advocated for solving some problem, you cannot attain the best results by following either extreme. I shall attempt to convince you that the only manner in which you can attain the best results is: by combining the good points of the extremes, and finding the middle course, the only course which offers the true solu- tion. I shall do this by outlining several problems, showing how neither extreme is wise, and how the middle course is the better course. First, let us take the problem of government regulation of business. In this very day there are extremists who say that the government should have nothing to do with business. On the other hand, many say that the government should have complete control of business. Of these two con- trary opinions, which is the better? Let us consider where we would stand if there were no regulation of business. It can readily be seen that this position would not be very advantageous. The American people would lie open to exploitation by unscrupulous business men whose only thought is of profit. Manufacturers and producers would easily be able to foist adulterated foods, quack medi- cines, and shoddy workmanship on the consuming public. Complete regulation is equally untenable. In the first place, it is impossible. It is impossible because it would necessitate a top-heavy bureaucracy involving great expense, and because of recalcitrant business- men who were chiefly responsible for the failure of the National Recovery Act. We can readily see that neither of these extremes is wise; on the one hand, no government regulation for business, and on the other hand, complete government regulation of business. There must be a compromise. The best, the wisest, and most workable features of both plans must be combined. And laws which follow the middle course will be evolved; laws which protect the citizen’s health, and pocketbook, yet do not hamper industry. Let us consider a second problem, armament. Some of the extremists, in regard to this problem, say that we should arm heavily. Others say that we should disarm completely. It seems rather difficult to believe that anybody would advocate that we arm heavily after our experience in the last war. That war was the direct result of an armament race. And although there is one now in progress among the nations of Europe, it would be so intensified by a heavy armament program in the United States that it would probably result in another World War. Moreover, the United States is financially incapable of carrying out a heavy armament program. Yet it would be more foolish to disarm completely than to arm heavily. We would be left to the mercy of the more warlike nations of the world. We would be left to the mercy of those hungry warlords of Europe, hungry for new lands, for new men to swell the ranks of their armies, for new sources of raw and finished materials. How long do you think a defenseless country would last under these conditions? How long America, rich in capital and industry! Rich in natural resources! Fertile in soil! Again the question arises: If neither of these courses is better, what is the better course? And again the answer is the middle course. We must maintain an army, navy, and airforce of reasonable size with a sys- tem of trained reserves capable of being pressed into service at any time.