Wilton Academy - Eagle Yearbook (Wilton, ME)

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THE EAGLE 7 ages ranging from fifteen to twenty-one. Our President has started an immense reforestation plan, intended to take care of many unemployed as well as to pre- serve the natural resources. Every so often we read of unsubmissive hunger marches taking place in the less patient quarters of the West. We are called by Congress to drink more beer, and to pay more taxes. This is a true test of the people. Can they keep their heads and follow along the best way they know, as far as they can see? If the famous Roman orator were here we could easily imagine him stand- ing on the steps of our Capitol and shout- ing, O tempora, O mores, O The Times, O The Customs. And is he not right? What an age it is in which we are living! What an interesting future we are called to hope and work for. But let us not be discouraged into indifference by our in- adequate understanding of the situation. We Americans should admit no dis- couragement or despair. With confi- dence and self assurance in our leaders and ourselves we must remain united and democratic. WHAT DO YOU INTEND TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE? By M. C., '33 IF THIS question were asked you, what would be your answer? Could you give an estimable outline of what your plans and hopes for the future were? Or would you just say, How should I know! and let it go at that? The boy or girl in high school who would answer the latter way would be, no doubt, ten years from now, a mere satellite to society. Tucked away in some remote corner of everyone's mind is a plan or perhaps scarcely more than dream of what each of us wishes to become. These dreams may be of great positions or of simple, homely tasks. They may seem futile and impractical but unless a person takes for his occupation what he sincerely de- sires, he will never be more than mediocre. To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield, should be everyone's slogan in the search and acquirement of a life- long occupation. It would be impossible, however, to step out of high school with a piece of parchment in one hand and believe one's self to be fully equipped and capable of earning a living. Perhaps he could, by working as a day laborer for a small wage, but very few of us really wish to do nothing but slave away our lives like that. To become a personage, an edu- cation is necessary, and not merely a secondary-school education as that only prepares you to choose an occupation. To some a college education is essential but this is not so in all cases. Many in- dustrial schools give to some the type of preparation they need. Of course, in these times many of us have a financial handicap. But if you earnestly wish to do something, there is always a way. There are a great many people who are glad to help industious boys and girls through higher institutions of learning. There are also scholarships and part-time jobs to obtain. It is a widely accepted fact that any business firm cannot hope to compete with its contemporaries unless it is an organized establishment. It is just so with our lives, so why not begin now: reorganize your future's plans and start striving for their achievement. LET YOUR LIGHT so SHINE BEFORE MEN . . By A. R., '35 MOTHBIR, you aren't going to let Rose go to that cheap dancehall, are you? Why not, son? Because I've been there and I don't want my sister being held in the arms of that type of man. There isn't one who is worthy of her who thinks of going to that place. But he's going, Mother! If he can go, I can! That's a different matter. I can take care of myself. I go just for a good time, and it's all right if I don't allow myself to become contaminated. The trouble with modern society is that too many people feel this way about their lives. As long as there are no bad effects for them they think they are per- fectly justified in doing anything that they please. This young man did not stop to think that others might see him attend the cheap dancehall, that others might go there and would be led on until they had gone much farther than they had intended. We may say to ourselves, I'11 go here this once. My will is strong enough so that I can shake off any unfavorable impressions. Very well. Your will may be strong enough. But

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6 THE EAGLE himself but needs money to buy gas for the car which he runs miles daily? Did you ever stop and think of how few new dresses Mother has or how Dad had to drop out of his lodge because of insuflicient funds? From sheer love and long practice they have reached a point where they can sacrifice nearly everything for you, to a place where they can cheerfully give up their own luxuries, comforts, and even friends, in order to make your path in the world less painfully obstructed by frus- trations. Think of the things you have: homes, a chance to go to school, food, clothing, and many other necessities, as well as at least a few luxuries. In many countries the children roam the streets, hungry, cold, ragged, forlorn. Consider yourself lucky, but do not reach out greedily for more. Think carefully. Are there not many things which you obtain regularly that you could get along without? Do not fool yourself by arguing that others have them. Maybe others can afford them. Show your parents that you are thoughtful of theirwelfare, that you have appreciation of their work for you. Make them happier by your thoughtfulness, and in doing so you will brighten your own life and gain a valuable self-respect. OH, TEMPORA, OH, MORES .... By W. N., '34 A FEW days ago there Hashed across one of our leading newspapers this presumptuous question, How Goes Our Country Now? I say presumptuous, because it presumes upon the compre- hension of the affairs of the world not commonly found in an ordinary layman. For if we should run through the affairs of the world and all the recent current happenings, we can easily see how in- clusive this question really is. Economical, social, political, and, in fact, all phases of living are changing daily. The most serious economic question of recent date is the Gold Standard and the inflation bill. Afiirmed in Congress and opposed without, it has set another flame raging to burn itself out in the future. It was so diverse from former precedent that John Bull immediately put his tooth- brush and tuxedo into an overnight bag and sailed for the White House. France soon followed with her I. O. U.'s, ask- ing to be let in. But what do the people know of its success? We are not able to tell what became of this conference. When We ask how it went, the only answer we get is great satisfaction. War debts are the subject of another controversy. Hoover said to Europe, Take a little longer, and now Roosevelt brings back an echo with, Wait a while. Alittle while ago We were rejoicing that France promised to pay, but she looked into her treasury and said, We can't. And again someone bobbed up with a sug- gestion for another conference. There- fore another conference it is, on June 15. Three years ago we had the honor of being the guest of London at a big Naval Conference on disarmaments. In a dead- lock the four great powers kept repeating, If you give me this we will give you that. The world was again quieted with the answer that great satisfaction was gained. But WHAT, may we ask. For the present the problem has been put in the lower case during the financial difficulties, but somewhere, someone has said that we are to have another con- ference. Who can predict what the World will do about armaments? Japan and China for one year now have been stalling the Geneva Conference. And just a few months ago did not Japan, sick of diplomacy, walk out of the conference and into the trenches? government is concerned know who actually rules? King Alphonso says that he wished he did. Mussolini seems to have Italy's iron hand now, but who will take his place? In Germany, Hitler keeps a des- potic ball rolling. Russia appeals to her Communists and the French are skepti- cally taking Premier Edouard Herriot as a progressive leader. Even in our own country Congress says, We will do as you say, Mr. President, and then tact- fully adds, but don't be dictator. With all these rapid and unlooked for changes in our governmental policies, how can anyone prophesy the direction of them with any degree of accuracy? Socially we don't know we're living. Germany is throwing out her Jews at the present time. Russia has been carrying on an extensive reform and alteration of her society. In the same country Christi- anity is being censured and annihilated, for how long we cannot tell. Here in our own country we realize innumerable social reforms. California has had to build up an extensive system of work- houses for her wandering youth, their As far as does anyone

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8 THE EAGLE what of some person who may be look- ing to you as a pattern by which to plan his own life? He respects and admires youg he thinks that anything you do must be perfectly proper. That person may follow your example by doing just one little indiscreet thing and may suffer for the rest of his life because his will power was not sufficient to resist the temptation. In our present society it is impossible to think in terms of I. We may feel that no one notices what we do and that no one cares where We go or when. But all unknown to us, there may be a small pair of interested eyes watching our every move and motion, a pair of attentive ears that take in every word we say, a keen brain that marks our every deed, done well or otherwise. We cannot af- ford to take the chance. We must live every moment so that if we are being watched there will be no question of our proving a stumbling block in anyone else's path. We would not like to feel that We were the cause by which some- one's whole life was completely ruined and yet it takes deliberate thought and consideration to avoid such a catastrophe. If a thing is questionable, it is better undone. In comparison to the wreck of a human life one small pleasure denied one's self will appear minute and insig- nificant. Make a practice of believing what you profess to believe and doing what you say ought to be done, lest ideals crumple and be reduced to pulp by your carelessness. 'Let your light so shine before men that there will be no question in the minds of those who may be look- ing to you, as to what is right or wrong. Be responsible for another's success, not his ruin. If you merely perform the service of a stepping stone for some one else's fame, you will have performed a better duty than if you played stepping stone to some one's infamy. Remember that you do not live unto yourself alone for one moment of the day, and govern yourself accordingly: Let your light so shine before men . . . WHY GO OUT FOR SPORTS? By G. M., '33 GOING out for athletics is one of the most helpful extra-curricular ac- tivities in a high-school career. It is a great asset in building a sound body. The body is nearly covered with muscles, not only to give us strength but to protect the different parts of the body also. In the various sports all of these muscles are exercised and therefore strengthened. This is especially helpful during the high-school age because then the body should be growing and the muscles need plenty of exercise. Sports not only help to make a sound body, but help to make a sound mind as well. Participation in athletics teaches responsibility - responsibility to one's team mates and one's school. An athlete learns to control his fear, his hatred, his jealousy, and his rashness. As quoted from Knute Rockne, Football brings out the best there is in every boy. The same could be applied to all sports. 'If a person goes out for sports and per- sists until he succeeds in getting on a team, it will show him that no matter what he does in life there must be many hours of drudgery spent on it before one can perfect it. Sports will teach him to settle down and learn to do one thing well before he tries something else. Students should go out for sports be- cause they advertise the school, and if they are carried on the way they should be it will give the institution a good repu- tation. If a person does go out for sports he should keep this in mind and carry on the contest with true sportsman-like conduct. If a team does not act on this principle it will be known in many com- peting schools and they will not want to play with that team. It might not hurt the individual player but it will hurt the name of the school. Sports also teach a student to control his emotions, that is, they train him to perform before an audience without being excited or feeling nervous. If a student has participated in a few athletic contests that excited feeling will leave him and he will not think of the people watch- ing but will think of the game only. This is a great help in later life because at some time he will surely be .called on to appear before an audience and that experience he got in sports will be ap- preciated. A person runs a chance ,of getting injured while participating in the different contests, but in most cases the value of the training is great enough to offset this possibility.