Thomaston High School - Sea Breeze Yearbook (Thomaston, ME)

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THE SEA BREEZE 6 SENIORS This was a bright world until we became Seniors, but now, after we have reached the stage when we should be noted for our outstanding intelligence, our outstanding ability, Cdue to our past good work, of coursel we are the topic of conversation in all of the other classes--about our laziness. When we were Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors we heard about how lazy the Seniors were, , and agreed, certainly. We do not agree to that statement about this particular class, however. As fifth period, which is our English period, arrives, we enter the room only to be told that we are lazy and that the Sen- iors have no more right to this attribute than anyone else in the school. Practically the same words come from the history teacher the minute that we arrive in her class. How can the teachers set- tle a serious problem like that so quickly? CBy the way, the lat- ter would forgive us if we would wait until May, and we're quite sure that the former wouldn't think so badly of us if we wouldn't be lazy until the middle of June.D We may be idle, inactive, in- dolent and slothful, but the word lazy shouldn't be used--that is not a respectful name for a Senior. The reason for our inactive- ness is because we aren't supposed to do so much work or is that just what WE think? In Mr. Wood's Office Practice Class he speaks very sharply if anyone carries on even the smallest of conversations, and before he is ready to conduct the class, mind you, NYou students get busy! Just because you're Seniors doesn't give you a special permission to talk.W Imagine, someone not wanting to hear a Senior talkt Then we enter Miss Higgins' American History Class, and she goes on a Nsit-downn strike because we don't talk enough. No wonder a Senior doesn't know what to doll No doubt the Sennors were lazy last year, the year before, and in fact all of the years before that. If we should hear next year, or any year to come, that the Seniors were the laziest group of the students in the school building, there would be no question about it, but our class, lazy?- OH! NO! M. J . '1.1 Q c,AT1o,NA1i gcgqinmvcn Mr. Webster calls a vocation a work. This is not a very spe- cific definition. But you ask, what is it then? It is a non-pro- fessional trade. 'Under this comes the carpenter, painter, grocer, clerk, etcg all of which are very important today. The vocational training given us here in Thomaston High School is limited. We have a Commercial Course which gives us bookkeeping,

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THE SEA BREEZE 7 typwriting, shorthand, and office practice. These subjects are very important for one entering the business world. We also have Manual Training for the boys who are interested in tools and carpentry. This is only a beginning on the work, but it teaches the student the handling of tools and gives him an opportunity to make things. Not much can be done, of course, in the short time given and with limited equipment. n Vocational Guidance has become more important in recent years. The State Department has now established a vocational branch in sup- port of this, and this high schoolgis doing its part. This has been done by having speakers come here who, during an assembly, could tell about their vocations. This gives students whose future is not planned, a chance to get an idea for some vocation that interests them. The reason for vocational guidance is so that boys and girls in high school may decide for themselves what work they would want to ' choose for their vocation. It is an objective to have some place where boys and girls can be given an apprentice job as part of their high school training. Rank according to the amount of work done would be given. If he or she liked the work and was adapted to it he would know that that was the work which he should do. If not adapted to the work or if the student did not like the work, he would now have an opportunity to find something different. This has al- ready been tried in several schools with very satisfactory results. It is a plan that should be given consideration. All in all, vocational guidance is necessary, Some schools can- not offer as much as ours, but jobs can be planned and work towards them started if only a little guidance is given by the school. E. HA. '42 OURY AMERICA The most important and famous building in America stands in a quiet square of Philadelphia. It was here, one hundred and sixty-four years ago that our Democratic nation was born, declaring all men equal This building was then called WThe Pennsylvania State Housen but ii is now called Wlndependence Hall.H Independence Hall was already old when our nation was born. It was built in 1735. Here on July 4, 1776, leading citizens of our country signed their names to one of the most famous documents ever written, This document was the NDeclaration of Independence.W It stated the form of government our democratic Americans wanted. Thomas Jefferson, one of the greatest statesman of all time, had written this document. Together with John Hancock, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and other lawyers, merchants, farmers, and soldiers who made up the Congress, he signed his name. The Liberty Bell, hanging in the tower of Independense Hall rang out the news to the people of Philadelphia. The firing cannon carried the word around the city. Swift horsemen carried copies of the '