Weequahic High School - Legend Yearbook (Newark, NJ)

Page 9 text:

It is important for you to understand that protest and dissension for their own sake serve no purpose and in the final analysis do not benefit us as a people. Protest and dissent can only benefit us when we employ them as a means to achieve worthwhile goals. Moreover, as I see it, the true path to the fullfillment of our quest for dignity and selfhood is in education. Herein lies the success of any people on the rise. | do not envy you as you move from this level to the next. Experience tells me that you will be even more exposed to a world of many ills; a world of unsolved problems. But remember one important thing and that is that there is no problem that cannot be solved. All that is needed is the will and the resources. With these ingredients any problem can be solved. Is it not true that before the Wright Brothers, the problem of man's flying could not be solved? That before Columbus, the problem of sailing across the ocean could not be solved? That before the Russians, the problem of space travel could not be solved? That before the Americans, the problem of landing a man on the moon could not be solved? Yes, what could not be solved yesterday is being solved today because the will and resources of man with the help of God made it so. And so as you go through your daily lives and as you encounter problems that “cannot be solved remember what I have said in the text of this message to vou. At this time I wish you all the happiness and success you are capable of enjoying for years to come. 1 pray to God that you be given the wisdom, understanding, guidance and strength necessary to do your share in making the world a better place for the many generations that will hopefully follow you. James Barrett, Jr. Principal MR. J BARRETT PRINCIPAL

Page 8 text:

MESSAGE TO 1972 CLASS The senior class of 1972 is very special to me because it is the first graduating class under my administration. You, as seniors, have reached a ve ry important milestone in your lives and now will assume different important roles in society. For sure, many of you will go to college. Some of you will seek other institutions to enhance your educational needs; while still others will go directly to work. No matter what your goal is after high school, the important thing is that you forever strive to deve lop the best in yourselves. M the same time, it is most important that you never ever forget the unwritten re sponsibility you have to the community from which you are coming. You must recognize clearly that your community is the Black Pearl of the City of Newark. By the very nature of our community we should produce more black leaders than any other area in the city; to do less would be a tragic failure on our part. During my short time here I have tried hard to make you realize the great responsibility you have toward yourselves and your community. И is clear to me that the success or failure of this c Шу, for the most part, rests in vour hands. Now with the opportunity for eighteen year olds to vote, you will have more of an immediate opportunity to become an effective, responsible leader of your community and hence of your city, state, and country. To be a good leader you first must maintain pride in yourself and your community. Only if you are pre pared to meet the challenge of tomorrow will you be able to help your community and your fellow man. We are a race of people on the rise, as evidenced by the recent advances we have made. Even within the span of your lifetime we have seen significant changes take place which serve to uplift the life style of our people.

Page 10 text:

CLASS MESSAGE As we, the graduating Class of 1972, find ourselves at the end of our High School careers, we can now look back and linger over the memories we have created during our years here, at Weequahic High School. However, the past will forever remain in bac' of us and even though we may look at the past with fond memories, we must also seek vision for the future. Many of us will go on to other institutions to seek higher education in order to con- tinue to build for the future. However. for many of us this graduation will mark the end of our formal educational pursuits, and for those of us for whom this is true, the future, that we have been preparing for, is here. During our years at Weequahic High School, the world has continued to change at an even more rapid pace than ever before. The technological wonders, of which our country is capable, have been demonstrated by such events as the landing of men on the moon. At the same time we are aware that many crucial and critical problems that we face have been left unattended. Now that nature has been conquered by western man, it seems that the next enemy that man must face is man himself. The uncontrolled expansion of western technology seems to demonstrate that those who are responsible for creating a man made environment, which now appears to threaten all forms of life, are unconcerned about the youth who will have to live in the world that has been created for them. The future that we face is one of collapsing cities, a never ending war in Viet Nam, over population, increasing racial polar- ization, and of course the ever present threat of nuclear devestation. If we are not to leave our children the legacy that we complain about, it is absolutely imperative that the vision for the future which we must have will be one that emphasizes man's humanity and not his power for technological overskill. We Seniors have witnessed the rebirth of Weequahic High School, thus, we can say that when a vision of the future which emphasizes man's humanity and his potential for community involvement, as opposed to his individual competetiveness; becomes a reality, a spiritual rebirth is the result. This spiritual rebirth is, to a large degree, the result of the efforts made by our Principal, Mr. James Barrett Jr., who has demonstrated to us that he has understanding, faith, and love for his black students. We are grateful for his presence and guidance during our final year at Weequahic High School.