Standish High School - Crimson Rambler Yearbook (Standish, ME)

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ideals. For those who are unable to attend college or do not wish that type of training, vocational training schools, trade schools, nurses'training schools, and opportunities for apprenticeship may be found in manf cities. While still in secondary school, the student should make his choice bear- ing in mind that the better educated individual merits the better job, providing his knowledge makes him a better citizen. Sir Richard Livingstone, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Uni- versity has written, nUneducated people are a danger to the world, but they are not so dangerous as a less recognized menace--the half-educated, who have learned enough to express an opinion on subjects which they do not really know, but have never learned to be aware of their ignorance. Such people are familiar pests in every department of life, and a main duty of education is to diminish their number.H Nola Skillings '50 The Life of Marie Curie Those who know Marie Curie only through biographies of her life, wish that they might have known this great woman personally. They will never be able to forget the stirring story of her life---full of happiness and tragedy, sorrows and joys, victories and defeats. They wish that they might have been there to give her a helping hand when she was so badly in need of it, but no-one can help her now---it is too late, She is dead. Although her body is dead, Marie Curie's spirit still lives. It is-her spirit that encourages struggling scientists to have patience and to never give up in the fight for scien- tific knowledge. As you read this story of her life, do not think of it as one of tragedy because of her poverty and deep sorrowsg for to her, it was a life of happiness---sprinkled, only here and there, with sorrow. Manya Sklodovska, known today as Marie Curie, was born in the ancient Polish city of Warsaw in 1867. She came of a Polish stock of hardworking peasants. Her parents, however, had risen above the class of peasantry. Her father held the position of Professor of Physics at the Warsaw High School and was looked upon as being a very intelligent man as well as besides a kind and loving father. Her mother was considered

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5 HOW HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CAN PREPART FOR THE FUTURE What is the reason boys and girls are in high school? A secondary school is one of the first steps toward a successful future. A first year student must choose the course which will best prepare him for whatever life has-to offer upon graduation whether it be college, trade school, or immediate employment. One should choose the subjects best adapted to his needs and for which he would be most apt. He must apply himself to his studies and be willing to delve deeply into a subject and learn more than the assignment requires. Extra information may be found in research books and current magazines in school and public libraries. The student should be eager.for knowledge in many lines, that is, wide awake to advances in science and news of world affairs and reading matter which will give him a broader knowledge. Many boys and girls in school have not learned to concen- trate and obey instructions, and do not have good study habits. These three obstacles must be overcome because they hinder the progress of the student while in school and all through life. Concentration in school means paying close attention in class and in preparing assignments, the habit of concentration is invaluable to the student and to those in professions and to workers in many lines. It is a factor in good study habits and in following instructions. Study habits are more important in school days, but the ability to follow instructions has its reward at all times. Let us consider the life of a high school student outside the classroom. Does the student choose a wood balance of work and recreation? nAll work and no play makes Jack a dull boyn. A good rule to follow is to work first and play afterward. How can one go about doing this? There are many extracurri- cular activities in most high schools, such as prize speaking, debating, dramatics, student government, and various clubs. Participation in these is a pleasant change from routine class work and gives poise, self confidence, a broader outlook on life, and training in cooperation with others. The most pop-' ular recreation is sports of all kinds, which develop a spirit of team work and good fellowship as well as muscular coordin- ation. The high school student seeking diversion outside of school life, will find Scout groups, many organizations of the Church, 4-H Clubs, and various charities anxious for his coop- eration. All these in small towns, as well as the Y.M.C.A. and the Y.W.C.A. in cities, give the student opportunity to become a better citizen and develop his personality. , By the end of the junior year most students will have a definite plan for their future following graduation. For those financially able and with the mental ability to acquire a high- er education, college is very desirable. Besides training for the professions, it helps train tie mind and raises a person's

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an accomplished pianist. Madame Sklodovska's love for books and music came second only to the love she had for her family. Manya inherited from her father his scientific mind and his brains, from her mother, her talented hands. Early in her life, Manya displayed an avid curiosity for anything pertain- ing to science. The Sklodovskas were a very closely-knit family. There were five children, Manya, Zosia, Bronya, Helena, and one boy, Joseph. All were exceptionally intelligent. When Zosia died, of typhus, it was a sad blow to all---especially to Manya, who worshipped the very ground her older sister walked upon. But it was even a greater blow to ten year old Manya when her be- loved mother died of consumption. The nucleus of their family life was gone. Manya's father had lost his position in the high school because of his strong desire to see Poland freed from the Russian Czar. He opened a boarding school for young boys, but had little success with it. Dark days were indeed upon them When he lost all his investments, he felt as though he had nothing left---nothing but four children with superior brains and extraordinary grit. All these children were des- tined to ievement them 0 The steps of rise by hard work and serimping from poverty to ach because the strength of the Polish soil was within Sklodovska children followed in their father's foot rebellion, but of them all, little Manya was the most rebellious. Every morning on her way to school, she passed by a statue dedicated uto the Poles faithful to their Sovereign' that is, to the Poles who were faithless to their country and obeyed the czar of Russia. Manya always made it a point to snit upon this statue, and if by chance she forgot to do this, she would pect---often at have absolutely whom the statue This brave often run back to perform this act of disres the risk of being late for school. She would nothing to do with these faithless people to was dedicated. little rebel expressed her contempt for op- pression not only in the absence but also in the presence df her oppressors. governing power One of her teaehefs, representing the alien over Poland, was Mademoiselle Mayor, the superintendent over studies. This woman made life unbearable for her Polish pupils--especially for nthat Sklodovska girln who dared to answer her lashing tongue with scornful smiles. But Manya was not always content with a mere smile of silent scorn. One day her teacher attempted with a none too gentle hand, to straighten the girl's unruly curls into a German braid---in vain. Manya was a rebel from her toes right up to the top of her head and, like her spirit, her hair refused to yield to the tyrant's touch. Enraged by the girl's Con- temptuous looks, Mademoiselle Mayor shouted at the girl,