Villa Maria Academy - Trumpet Yearbook (Erie, PA)

Page 61 text:

After High., School, What? Ol The month o-f J une, will again witness a great a.rmy of boys and girls- young men and women, if you will-the hope of the nation, marching forth from the portals of the high schools of the land, ready to embark on the great ship, OPPORTUNITY, to sail the tempestuous sea of LIFE, and hoping eventually to reachlthe shores of SUCCESS. lfVe seem to takeit quite as a matter of cou1'se that thousands of students should graduate every year. We attend closing exercises, and perhaps we give the graduates a passing thought-but it is only a passing thought. What place in life will these young people find or make for themselves? Do we ever stop to give this a consideration? These boys and girls step forth into a new life, a life entirely different from that which they have been leading. Their ultimate aim is to achieve great- ness-greatness as they see it. They are confronted with serious problems, with great difficulties. Obstacles block every step of thc way. They are sometimes puzzled, often bewildered. How do they stand this test? Are they equipped to meet this crisis? Some turn the odds to their advantage, others fail. The preparation that the high school course furnishes should be, as it were, an armor to help in the battle with the world. Especially is this true of the student who has had the training of a Catholic High School. Here, she has been taught, by precept, and by example, the fundamental principles of right conduct and true morality, which is the foundation stone of education, the first beginning and the last end of success. Here, too, if she has been a thoughtful student, one who has planned her course with a future goal in view, she has the equipment which will enable her, at least, to demand the opportunity to reach that goal. Students today have a wide range of professions from which to choose their life work. The same fields are open to men and Women. ln former days, a woman who achieved any degree of success not only stood out before the eyes of the world but also towered above all other women. There was but one Joan of Arc, one Saint Theresa, one Madame Currie. Today we find women doing many remarkable things. We find them at the head of great business concerns, they are outstanding in the arts, and many have achieved success in the professional life. They are trained to be lawyers, doctors, nurses, artists, and musicians. They are intrusted with great responsibilities and have been successful in every line of work. The new life, to many women, is fascinating. WVe hear a great deal of the joy of pursuing a career. However glowing the future may seem, some young women who have imbibed the great lessons of their Divine Master, to leave all and follow Him, turn aside from these alluring prospects and dedicate their lives 67

Page 60 text:

Let it stand ont of doors 'till a soul it receives Froni thc warm, lazy sun, loitering clown thro' green leaves And you'fl find a choice nature, not wholly deserving A nanie neither English nor Yankee-just Irving. A. S., ,34 020030 Spring When the bluebird builds his nest In the budding trees above, The robin sings his best To his inate a song of love. VVhen the earth pours forth its treasures And glance o'er the field's bright green, They arise from their wintry beds And give tidings of glorious Spring. Wheii the earth pours forth its treasures Upon this world of tears, The breezes blow their ineasures And carry away our fears. When the merry brooks are rippling Through meadow, as they sing, Their winding waters giving A song in praise of Spring. When the sun shines down again, TiVith its brightening golden rays, It opens each and every flower And brings back joyous days. The long, cold days have passed, The stoiins and winds no longer jeer, For the very breeze and atinosphere Prove to us that Spring is here! o. ef., 132. 'ri 66 Er

Page 62 text:

to God as members of a religious connnunity. They have had a vision of success, a success which surpasses all earthly achievements--se1-vice to God. After high school what? How often this question confronts the thoughtful student, especially as the last days of her high school career draw near! To some. it is a question of a choice of college wherein they plan to continue their educa- tion, to others it may be the problem of making a livelihood, to secure a place in the world of business or industry, while many young women choose the teach- ing career. . The field of teaching has been open to women since the fifteenth century. ln that period, we find women teaching in the mediaeval universities. This pro- fession, whether pursued by the religious or the layman, has, down the ages, been considered a noble calling. All famous thinkers have stressed the value of an education, and the influence of the true teacher upon his pupil. Plato said, A good education is that which gives to the body and soul all the beauty and perfection of' which they are capable. VVho has, in great measure, the task-nay, the opportunity to implant this beauty of soul? Who, after the father and mother, comes in closest contact with the child? Hence it is, that teaching looms up as a life-work through which We may render the greatest service to God and to our fellowmen. The teacher, more than any other outside influence, helps to mould the character of her pupil. She is the one who directs the activities of the child into constructive channels. She it is who leads the student to appreciate beauty in all its forms. She is the one who attempts to stamp out the undesirable qualities and bring out the good. In truth, she is partially responsible for the character and attitude of every child under her care. The teacher imparts to the minds of her pupils a sense of honor, a spirit of sympathy and broadmindedness, as well as all those other qualities and accomplish- ments which are so necessary for participation in social life. Another purpose of education is to develop social efficiency, the absence of which yields the multitude of social parasites-the criminals and idlers that men- ace onr city life. It is the work of the earnest teacher to inculate habits which produce or establish character, to create in the minds and hearts of those committed to her care an honest. purpose and a keen appreciation of the exalted and Worth-while in life, and above all, to instill an abhorrence of that which is vile and degrading. YVho shall say-she has not achieved true success? She has served her country in training its future administrators-she has served her God-in servving His creatures-making them nobler-stronger-and happier. Carlyle-the great English essayist-has said- It is great-and there is no other greatness-to make one nook of God's creation more fruitful--betterfmore worthy of God-to make some human heart-a little Wiser-inanlier-happier- more blessed-less accursedf' A. MCC., ,30.