Wilson High School - Wilsonian Yearbook (West Lawn, PA)

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T ENGINEER SPEAKS Dear Graduates: On the morning of Friday, May 5, 1961, Cape Canaveral, Florida, was the scene of an historic event. On that memorable day Commander Alan B. Shepard, Jr., America's first astronaut, was hurled through the reaches of the stratosphere, and beyond, into the fringe of outer space. The successful launching of this space craft was followed shortly thereafter by a safe landing of Astronaut Shepard at a distance 302 miles from Cape Canaveral, only 7 miles from the planned landing point. That day the oft -repeated go word A-Okay became the signal reminder of our entry into the Space Age. According to President Kennedy, the benefits from the peaceful 'space program, are becoming increasingly evident. Not only have the horizons of scientific knowledge been lifted, but the resulting international coopera- tion and world -wide dissemination of knowledge and understanding have strengthened the world image of this country as a force for peace and free- dom. Along with the space program and its accompanying challenges, we must not turn a deaf ear to the constant pleas for support from our institu- tions of higher learning. We dare not take the risk of having too few and too late the necessary facilities and trained personnel required to educate ourever-growing population if we expect to maintain our country's posi- tion as a world leader. We will count on you, as Wilson graduates, to take an active interest in meeting these challenges. The faculty joins me in wishing you a happy, successful, and A-OKAY future. Sincerely yours, 10 Clayton D. Rehrer Principal PROJECT

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'WV' 5 WILSON 'S CHIEF SPACE DIRECTCR To graduates -- Class of l963: You have selected the theme Space Age for your annual, a challenge timely and significant in education today and tomorrow. May each of you as graduates remember well the quotation of a great American military leader who sized up the magnitude of the challenge you face. General Douglas MacArthur said, You now face a new world, a world of change. The thrust into outer space of the satellites, spheres and missiles is the beginning of another effort in the long story of mankind. ln the five or more billion years the scientists tell us it has taken to form the earth, in the three or more billion years of development of the human race, there has never been a more abrupt or staggering revolution. Yes, the basic principles of spacemanship are being taught in the classrooms of America right now. To insure a better, growing America, continue your education either through college and graduate school or technical training for strengthening our man power for space age triumphs. Major Robert M. White, U.S.A. F. offers this advice to future astronauts with great ambition to keep pace with the Space Age. The gateway to space is through the doorways of our schools, and there is no conceivable short cut. Our best wishes to all of you as some of you may prepare to participate in a new logical aerospace step in human progress. Sincerely, offgzzzg. WILLIAM C. KUTZ Chief School Administrator 9

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iiii 8838 ,J 'Wad JUNIOR HIGH ENGINEER The members of the junior high school faculty join me in extending to you sincere congratulations upon the completion of your secondary school pro- gram, Our nation needs now, and will need even more in the years that are ahead, highly trained men and women to meet the demands of our complex society and to sustain us as a great nation. The young people in America will need to continue to develop themselves to the fullest measure of their potentials to successfully meet these challenges. We are standing on the threshold of space explo- rations. We have witnessed with anxiety the first American orbital flights and are following with in- terest the development of the Gemini project and later lunar explorations. The recent rendezvous of the Mariner II spacecraft with our morning star, Venus, has given us valuable information that may lead to inter-planetary flights in our times. While our attention is directed toward the activi- ties in space, let us not be unmindful of the unde- sirable forces maneuvering into positions that be- come increasingly difficult to contain, thus bringing embarrassment to our influence and leadership in the world of neighbors and threatening the very ideals of freedom and justice that we call Democracy. Our best wishes to you for a successful future. Sincerely, H322-ffc Arlan R. Moyer, Principal Wilson Junior High School SENIOR HIGH ENGINEER TO THE CLASS OF 1963: With the launching of an artificial earth satellite in 1957, man entered a new and challenging frontier the space era. The vastness of this space is all but incomprehensible to the human intellect. It can, however, be conquered as our forefathers conquered the wild and dangerous frontiers during their time. The activities in space will change your thinking your reading, your conversation and many facets of your everyday life. You, the youth of America, will have to face the ominous threat of communism, the prospect of thermonuclear war, the inherent dangers of travel into space to study communications and gather data on cosmic rays, radiation, navigation and even the possibility of war in space. If you are going to win this new frontier, you must have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge of the unknown, as well as vision, courage, and a firm belief in the Almighty God. lt iis your duty to grow through education and be strong enough mentally and physically to meet what- ever the future has in store for you in this new fron- tier. l am certain you will find it a thrilling and worthwhile experience. Good luck and may God's blessing go with each one of you in your life's work. Ain. A7 Dr. Aaron R, Miller