St Francis Preparatory School - San Fran Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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PAGE 72 S99 THE UNDERCLASSMEN Freedom and Equalit Man is a social being and therefore, at some time early in his life, he must learn how to live in Society. We believe all men are free and created equal. This equality does not mean that we are to live in a classless society for it is not an economic nor a social equality. lt is the natural equality of all men before God and their fellow men. ln the Declaration of Indepen- dence, Jefferson stated, We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are the right to Life, Liberty and the pur- suit of Happiness. Each American has these rights, however, each American, for every right he enjoys, has a corresponding duty. lt is only when these duties are performed can the indi- vidual enjoy his inalienable rights. lt is most important, therefore, that early in life each of us recognize our obligations and practice this respect for our fellow man lest we unwittingly let our rights irretrievably slip through our fingers. This very respect you have been taught in your first term at Saint Francis. You have noticed the equality of treatment that you re- ceived from your teachers-all the students are given equal opportunity to learn. The Senior often appears to the underclassman as a privi- leged person, however, it must be understood that the Senior has assumed additional respon- sibilites. lt is in the execution of these duties that he affords the next Senior a new right. This is true of Juniors and even of Sophomores and should not be misconstrued as a case of partiality or inequality. Thus, the entire four years of training at St. Francis teaches the young man to work for his rights-his work being his duty towards his fellow student. Yes, the point of equality is well evidenced in the classroom and on the field of sports. Yet, the net result is not a classless society. On the contrary, we have Varsity and Junior Varsity clubs just as we have Seniors, Juniors, Sopho- mores and Freshmen. Men who gain coveted positions on the Principal's List or in The Opti- mate Society or who earn their major F in athletics do not receive these awards because they are privileged characters. Nor should they be denied them because their achievement is above that of the average man. But, because of their talent, desire and industry, they have won a niche for themselves and deserve all the credit they receive. Thus, we see that Equal- ity as we speak of it, runs hand in hand with Freedom of Achievement. Four years training in which respect for fellow man is taught can- not but have left a defining mark on the gradu- ate. Along with our normal curriculum, St. Francis Preparatory School seeks to mark with distinction all of her graduates.

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lt is another inalienable right of all free men that they freely choose their profession, change it when they so desire and pursue another. Guided by the wisdom of his elders, his own experience and the experience of others, his education and informal training, his talents and his personal desires, the free man makes his own decision to enter the field of his choice. And that is where you stand today, son, on the brink of an important decision. But, take time to consider how fortunate you and all American youth are today, that such a decision is your own. Throughout most of the world, one of two fates befall the boy your age. One, if he has been fortunate to receive an education such as yours, he must realize it is to stop right there. No further institutions are open to him in many cases or his family's standard of living makes it prohibitive for him to even consider further education. You may say that many an American boy faces an economic problem that demands his going to work immediately after high school. This is true, but the difference lays in the fact that he may continue his studies. Evening and night college courses are offered to him by public institutions-Saturday courses and convenient hours during the week are only some of his advantages. Should he choose to go to work, must he traditionally follow his father's trade? Not in America, but the father and son rule is unfortunately true in so many other countries. But even more important, he is not regimented in a so-called Youth Organ- ization and forced to work in the field or in a munitions plant or a mine. Yes, this is true of those countries behind the iron curtain-either that or serve in the armed forces- not much choice there. All this is the result of philoso- phy that holds that the individual exists for the State. Of course this is not new to you-Mr. Reilly and Mr. Donovan have told you of it in their History and Economics courses and Father Redmond and Father Holzheimer have shown the fallacies and viciousness of Communism to you in the Religion classes. Now, on the positive side of the ledger, in this country am- bition and industry are rewarded in a much dif- ferent economic system. Man adopts his life work as I mentioned before. Happier in his job, he is more successful at it. lt's this very same freedom of choice that has gained so many varieties of work for man in America. The entrepreneur isn't stifled--he can build his mousetrap or his limousine and start his business and hire his men and a new industry is born. American ingenuity and business acu- men and the desire to better oneself are all the outgrowth of this freedom. Now, lt's your turn to make this choice. Thank God you can. Pray and work to preserve this freedom. SEl1Vlllllltlll ElH1 li! EIEIVQI

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Freedom of Growth As the twig is bent . . the saying goes, and it's very true. Perhaps that's the best way of explaining the reason behind the many and sundry activities at the Prep. Freedom of growth is one of those freedoms that we, as Americans, cherish so dearly, freedom to grow as fast as we like in any direction we choose. Therefore, it's up to St. Francis Prep to nurture the seedling and see that it has the chance to break ground uninhibitedly as it surges up- ward. Of course, we'll guide the young plant but we'll supply it as many avenues as there are activities, to enable it to be a fully rounded plant and later, a strong well-nourished staff. To answer all the needs of the young student at St. Francis presents a great challenge to the school but it is in accepting this challenge that St. Francis Prep has established herself as the rains and soil for young men to grow in. Let us go down the list of activities and l'm sure you'll see what I mean when l say that all the avenues of development have been paved. Firstly, we have the school publications, prize winners in competition, which afford the boys that opportunity to express another freedom, freedom of the press. These provide journal- istic training for the literary minded students book: instruction and enjoyment for all who read them. Secondly, there is our Music De- partment with the Glee Club, Marching Band and Orchestra. Just the spark of musical inter- est is all the boy needs and expert instruction is his, and once again, another avenue is opened to him. Down the list we find numerous clubs and societies, among which the Galvani Science Club is designed to satisfy the curious and analytical members of our student body. l be- lieve this last example best clarifies the free- dom of growth idea of which I speak. Chem- ist, biologist, physicist, engineer, any one of these very well may succeed as a result of inspiration he received when he was a Fresh- man in high school. Yes, freedom of growth is important--important enough that the Fathers of the U. S. Constitution thought to allow the Constitution to grow by amend- ment, interpretation, decision and custom. And it's important to the student if he wishes to achieve that perfect balance, that well-rounded education and that liberal training, all of which are necessary for his growth and success later on. Yes, it's important to him that the ground from which he draws his nourishment be well supplied with the nutrients provided by a well Sll1lM1IlV 96 El5Vd who write for the school paper and the year- planned program of extracurricular activities.