Watervliet High School - Spectator Yearbook (Watervliet, NY)

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MISS LETTIS This year, the students and faculty of Watervliet High School are losing an old friend. Miss Lettis, our beloved librarian, is retiring after many years of tireless service to this school. During our stay here, we have become thoroughly familiar with her pleasant smile and pleasing personality, that give you a little lift when you are depressed. She has been ever ready to assist the students in their work and to advise them in their personal problems. Naturally, there are many things about Watervliet High School which we shall fail to remember in years to come, but I dare say we shall never forget the happy hours spent in the library. Knowing how difficult it is to leave the Alma Mater after four years, we have only a slight idea of how it feels for someone who has been here much longer. I know I speak for the Senior Class, the entire student body, and the faculty when I wish Miss Lettis good luck and all the happiness she so rightfully EARL SILER I deserves . Page Nine

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VETEBAN S AS STUDENTS The experience of the colleges with ex-service men in the term ending in january makes good news. Considering the large number that were enrolled, not many of the veterans were in serious academic difhculty at this point. Despite the fact that most of these men had not attended school for three or four years, and that half of them had had no previous college work, these veterans are surpassing their nonveteran classmates. On the average, the veterans who had been students in College before entering service are doing a better job in the classroom now than they did before entering the service. Most of the professors of the colleges attribute the veteran's good record to the acquiring habits of being able to tackle a job correctly, and of staying with it until it is completed. Complete seriousness, having a definite purpose, and knowing the value of such an education are important factors in the establishment of such fine records. The government, through the G.l. Bill of Rights, gives an opportunity for all the veterans to attend school at its expense. Most of these veterans are taking advantage of this wonderful chance to acquire a college education. Some schools offer fine opportunities to the married veterans with families. Housing facilities are provided for them and courses are open to both the veteran and his wife. To those who find it necessary to work while attending school, evening classes are available. Many of the colleges are becoming overcrowded with the large number of veterans added to the regular college students. Such nearby colleges as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Union, Siena, and Columbia offer great opportunities in various courses to the veterans of this area. We hope that the veterans of our school will take advantage of this plan and will succeed in accomplishing their aims in a world which is again peaceful. HARLAN LAPE IN APPBECIATITIN It seems just a short time ago that we entered this high school as naive, somewhat shy little freshmen, doubtful of everything, knowing very little. Even though our surroundings were new and different, we overcame our shyness soon enough. It did not take us very long to adjust ourselves to the various routines connected with high school. To be sure, we might have difficulty running from the first Hoor to the third floor in two minutes straight: and oftentimes we fell victims to the jokes of the upperclassmen. as in the case of their overwhelming kindness in directing us to the fourth floor, which we discovered, after much confusion and surprise, never existed. All in all, we readily forgave these pranks, took them in our stride, and became immune to them. However, all good things must come to an end, and here we are on the doorstep of our graduation day. The four years have sped by with the velocity of a high wind, and as we glance through our past years of high school, we discover that the most influential factors governing our chances for graduation were the efforts of our principal and teachers. ls it not often true that one begins to appreciate the efforts of his benefactors long after aid has been given? This, however, is not going to be our mistake, for we are making certain that our appreciation shall be expressed in time. We want to make known the fact that every senior is grateful for the time, energy and effort given by his teachers from our freshman year through to the senior year. Of course, at one time or another, we had our differences, but what human being never experienced them? It is in our power now to understand the faculty purposes and methods and to realize that, whatever the outcome, the decisions were made to benefit us, even though they did not always seem in our favor at the time. Although we have been looking forward to our graduation day, a feeling of melancholy emptiness fills our hearts when we think of departing from our beloved school, teachers and fellow students. Yet we realize that we must go forth into the world to put to good use that which we have learned. In our hearts will always be the constant remembrance that it was our teachers who aided us in gaining success. . NIATUON KANIA Page Eight

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