Stoneham High School - Wildlife Yearbook (Stoneham, MA)

Page 9 text:

GRADUATION NUMBER known ocean was called. The charter also granted to the settlers the right to elect officers and to make laws not repugnant to those of England. It was to this new land that the thoughts of the Puritans naturally turned. Up to 1630 several attempts had been made to colonize America but most of these had failed because of lack of money and supplies. Plymouth in the North, and Virginia in the South were llie two most successful of these at- tempts. In 1630, however, a large group of Puritans decided to establish a new colony in America. During that year eleven ships, carrying nine hundred passengers, left for the new land. The first ships arrived in June of 1630 to leave that band of courageous settlers to establish themselves. All summer the settlers labored con- structing houses and a church. Their first settlement was at Charlestown, but early in autumn they transported their goods to Boston. During this year more settlers arrived to swell the ranks. After a verj ' - happy summer the first chills of winter drew on. Soon, in their rudely constructed houses, many became sick and died because these new set- tlers were unaccustomed to the compar- atively severe cold of a New England winter. The food supply steadily di- minished, for much of it had spoiled and some had been traded to the In- dians. The sea and the forest yielded little. Added to this settlers had arriv- ed after the planting season and there had been no harvest. The snow seemed never so deep and the cold never so bitter as it was that year. A ship had been sent to England but the starving settlers despaired of its return. One day in February, however, their pray- ers were answered, for the ship return- ed loaded with jjrovisions which were distrilmted equally throughout Boston. Tims it was that the danger of failure was overcome and the people were en- abled to start again to accomplish their high purpose. Wich the coming of spring the settlers began their task of making useful the land to which they had come. Many tiees and large rocks had to be remov- ed before the ground could be used for planting. As a reward for their stren- uous efforts the Puritans found the soil fertile enough to raise many necessary provisions. During the summer the ad- jacent waters yielded an abundance of fish. Although the harvest was fairly bountiful, so many more settlers had come to Massachusetts that again, in the second year, they were hard pressed for food. Each year, however, saw a bettering of conditions in the Bay Col- onies in matters of fiod and shelter. By 1640 over twenty thousand people had migrated to Massachusetts, and here in this new colony was established the first town meeting type of representa- tive government. Next to till educa- tional needs it was necessary to start a school system. Out of the first “dame” schools, at which religion was the im- portant study, there grew the Boston Latin School which was founded in 1635. Harvard College, established three years later, was primarily for re- ligious education. Religion was taught not only in the schools, but by the par- ents as well, who were urged to do so bj the legislators of Massachusetts. From these religious, governmental, and educational beginnings, our present conditions have resulted. Our school system, one of the most important fac- tors in the present day American com- munity, is a development of the high ideals set for us by these founders of American educational institutions. Our modern government still retains the in- fluence and much of the form of the first town meetings held in the Bay Col- onies. Out of the religious experiences of these hardy pioneers has developed the desirable freedom of religious thought and practice. Now that we have examined the early history of our forefathers, the Puritans, it would be well for us to draw from it some lessons that we may well re- member. When those far-seeing people were suppressed in their desires, they began to dream earnestly of a way to attain their purpose, — the betterment of themselves. Their ambition, that they might Avorship as they chose, first led them to attempts at purifying the Eng- lish Church. A failure to realize this ambition only met with the dauntless spirit, which increased their purpose to worship as they thought right. They foresaw the possibilities of that new land, America, to aid them in achieving their desires. Their dreams were so compelling, their ideals so high, that they were willing to brave a vast and hostile sea in their attempt to succeed. When those courageous Puritans reach- ed America, they did not cease in their [ 7 ]

Page 8 text:

THE STONEHAM HIGH SCHOOL AUTHENTIC restbcnt’s hhrcss Frederick L. Corcoran Parents, friends, teachers and class- mates : We are gathered here today for the last time as a class. From now on, the class of 1930 will be only a memory. Henceforth we shall have no teacher’s guiding hand to teach us right from wrong as has been the custom during our past twelve years together, but we can never forget what their guidance has done for us. It i s with many regrets that we leave Stoneham High School, but it is, in truth, a necessity. The time has come when we must shift for our- selves and seek knowledge from a high- er source at a much greater cost. We must now learn from experience. Our class motto, “Find a Way or Make One,” gives us a splendid idea of what we must do to attain the highest peak of success. The world has not been waiting impatiently to accept this class into her countless numbers without a struggle, nor has the door been left open in order to make our way much easier. No, the time of help from all outside influence is past. The door is closed. We must open it ourselves and then only by a continuous struggle against overwhelming odds. To you, parents, we express our heart- felt appreciation for all that you have done to enable us to secure a good foundation for our life’s work. We realize that during our school life we have caused you no amount of trouble and worry, and it is our sincere wish that you will be amply repaid for your unceasing efforts. Next there are our teachers, our prin- cipal, our superintendent, and other school officials who have aided us in the task of becoming better citizens in our community. To them we certainly owe a real vote of thanks. This day with all its serious thoughts naturally tends to make us sober, yet it should be, at the same time, a day of happiness for us all. This afternoon we have arranged a program which we hope you will all en- joy, and it is with great pleasure that I, in behalf of the class of 1930, wel- come you to our graduation exercises. |[ics0mis J[ront “Qllfr ' tercentenary Edward A. Bugbee This year, nineteen hundred thirty, marks the three hundredth anniversary of the founding of Massachusetts. Over three hundred years ago our fathers, dreaming of a country where they might worship as they chose, set out for America. It would be interesting and instructive to recall briefly the early history of Massachusetts, for surely we can find some stirring lessons in the Puritans’ valiant fight to realize their fondest hopes. In England at the beginning of the seventeenth century many, many im- provements were being made in all the arts and sciences. A certain group of people whom we know as Puritans were especially interested in purifying the church. Although they were princi- pally a religious organization, they found it necessary to enter politics to cope with a hosiile king. After the Puritans had successfully filled many seats in Parliament, King Charles dis- banded Parliament and attempted to rule alone. His tyranny was so great that the Puritans decided to leave Eng- land. In 1628 a charter had been granted by Charles 1. This act gave to a New England Council a strip of land in America which extended from three miles north of the Merrimac Kiver to three miles south of the Charles Kiver, and from the Atlantic Ocean to the “8outh Sea of the West,” as the un- [ 6 ]

Page 10 text:

THE STONEHAM HIGH SCHOOL AUTHENTIC desire for improvement, for, as we have seen, they immediately set to work to make New England habitable. Their visions have never ceased, for each gen- eration has received them to increase and to widen them. You have but to look around you in your daily life to see what those visions have produced for us. With that quality of vision, the ele- ment of perseverance must be coupled. Had the Puritans merely wished that their conditions were better, and had failed to attempt their self-improve- ment, their cause would have been lost. Quite to the contrary, however, they set out to conquer the unknown. When they had reached this country, their | spirits were high, and they set to work with a will. At the beginning of win- ter, however, when the food supply was diminishing, it was sheer pluck and perseverance that enabled them to win out. At the approach of spring they set forth with iron will to conquer the opposing forces of nature. The strug- gles of these people have proved to us iiow important is that quality of per- severance. When the Puritans succeeded in their endeavors, there came to them what might readily be called the joy of ae- chievement, a joy that kindled an ar- dent zeal to accomplish more. When success came, it enabled them to perse- vere even more, for they then realized i what success meant. It filled them with optimism, a splendid quality in itself. They soon found that optimism, makes a person indomitable, and so with the aid of optimism, the joy of achievement, and perseverance the Puritans progress- ed rapidly. As a step in their development they realized at once the importance of edu- cation. The lesson that the Puritans learned then is beginning t o be appre- ciated in our school of today. Educa- tion is not merely the acquiring of knowledge. It is instruction in the art of citizenship. W ' e are daily being taught that we may intelligently take our places in America’s great democra- cy. We haA e learned that success comes, not through selfish standards but through service to others. We are be- ing shown the great possibilities that America has for those v ho are soon to carry her responsibilities. Our history shows us the many examples so that we may be inspired, so that we may be filled with confidence to face our tasks. Thus we see that merely to sympa- thize with the Puritans’ vision and to laud their perseverance is not enough. It is our task to visualize America’s fu- ture and to persevere in that task of bettering America. America will bo just what we make it, and Avith the in- spiration that Ave have gained from our forefathers we surely can make of it a nation over greater as the years go by. Ollass istory Clare Walker Before you this evening is the first class to have completed the six years of Junior and Senior High School in the new building on William Street. As seventh graders this fact filled us with pride. Our eventful career really began when we became freshmen. We, how- ever, were seldom called freshmen. Our superiors in Senior High called us ninth graders; Avhile Ave, ourselves, selected Seniors of the Junior High as our title. During the first week of school the sen- iors could not carry out the usual cus- tom of sending “fresliies” to the third floor when they sought a room in the first; for Ave, having been in the build- ing two years, kncAv the location of every room. Being freshmen, we were privileged to elect our class officers. The folloAV- ing people received the honors: Presi- dent, Eichard Johnston; Vice President LaAvrence Buck; Secretary, Norman Downes; Treasurer, Fred Brouilliard; Chairman of the Social Committee, Nancy Patterson. Two socials were held that year, and with them Fred’s duties began. On the last day of the school year we regretted leaving our Junior High teachers and friends, but our hearts thumped for joy as the bell signaled us to our sophomore home rooms. Now we Avere “sophs” and had the tAvo largest rooms on the first floor, Eoom 4 with Miss Davis, and Eoom 7 with Miss Gar- land. There Avere several changes in [ 8 ]