Windsor Locks High School - Herald Yearbook (Windsor Locks, CT)

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THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD 25 I CHOOSE AMERICA FOR ITS PEOPLE The disposition of the people of America are largely responsible for the place we hold in the world today. The spirit of cooperation exists on a much larger scale in America than in any other country in the world. In schools, colleges, factories, there is more harmony and understanding between workers and their associates than in other parts of the world. Cooperation enables us to face problems with more courage than if we were compelled to meet them alone. It helps us as a nation to plan for the future welfare and prosperity of this nation. Americans are noted for their tolerance. In the early days of this count ry, tolerance of creed, of races of government saved us from many serious and disastrous situations, just as it has in recent years. The ability to endure unpleasant incidents until circum¬ stances can permit a satisfactory ending has confirmed our position as a peaceful and tolerant nation. The people of America are unhesitantly democratic. Our leader is chosen by vote of the people according to the dictates of our conscience and under command of no one. He is not chosen because he is a military genius, but because the citizens feel that he has the intellect and ability to fill the position of chief executive. We regard our leader as a man, not as some super-being whom we fear intensely. Finally, as a nation, we are a peace-loving race. Our students are not put through the grilling routine of military drill, unless they chose this as their career. We are not constantly preparing for war by fitting gas masks, parading our army so that the people may see the strength of our country; or explaining to the people the advantage of bomb-proof shelters. We are continually talking of peace, singing of peace. Our novels, our poems emphasize peace. Remember that it was We the people” who ' did ordain and establish the founda¬ tion of the United States of America. Let us then, strive to strengthen this foundation so thoughtfully brought forth by our founding fathers. Margaret Rabbett, ’39. I CHOOSE AMERICA FOR ITS FOUNDATION PRINCIPLES America has long been called the land of the free, and our country rightfully deserves this name because the word America” is synonymous with freedom. The constitution of the United States has given to the people of this nation its foundation principles which signify freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. First of all, let us consider religion. Whether we are Catholics, Protestants, Jews, or Gentiles, we have been granted the privilege of professing our own beliefs as we see fit. We can appreciate this privilege to a greater extent when we compare the conditions existing in Germany today, with those in our own country. Adolph Hitler will not allow the people of Germany to practice their religion. He has treated the Jews with scorn, and he is driving them unmercifully out of Germany. We can say without any exaggeration that freedom of religion makes for a better and more peaceful nation. We are indeed fortunate to live in a land where there is freedom of speech and of the press. Germany and Italy do not have a constitution guaranteeing freedom of the 27

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24 THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD GRADUATION NIGHT PROGRAM SALUTATORY I CHOOSE AMERICAN IDEALS Classmates, Parents, Members of the Board of Education, Teachers, and Friends: All too quickly time has sped on its way and now at the completion of four years spent in study, we must turn our backs upon our school days and venture forth to do our small but important share in the work of the world, taking on the responsibilities of supporting ourselves and of helping to conduct a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Ours, too, will be the responsibilities of improving our country as it has been the duty of other generations that gave preceded us. We love America. We love the ideals for which the United States of America stands, and because of our love, we want to see our country improved. We want to see her faults overcome. We want to see troubles with foreign powers, that might prove disastrous to our beloved country, avoided. There are several practices within our country which menace the happiness and prosperity of our nation. There are a host of thieves, robbers, racketeers, smugglers, and all kinds of criminals who present a threatening force against our happy land. There are, too, more clever criminals who keep within the government laws but who break every law of human decency and morale. They are everywhere. Thus, it will be our duty as American citizens to protect our country against this evil body. Troubles within our borders must be overcome; troubles between nations must be avoided. Furthermore, we must try to avoid foreign strife and struggle. Thus, these are only a few of the responsibilities that we shall find ours as we take leave of our classmates and enter the new and dignified role as co-workers and citizens of this great nation. The privilege of serving our country in this capacity is ours. It is going to be a serious, difficult task; nevertheless, it will be a great trust. By serving our country well, we are serving ourselves; for we shall benefit from our efforts perhaps more than anyone else. When our forefathers founded the first settlement at Plymouth they bequeathed to us a set of high ideals such as the love of liberty, economy, industry, honesty, faith, and fair-play; and these qualities have made our land, a land of the free, the brave, and a land respected by every other nation in the world, and we must continue to keep this regard. Hence, it is our duty as American citizens to keep the inspiration of the ideals of those who founded them and those who sustained them. How fortunate we are to live in a country where every ideal leads to a happy, wholesome democracy rather than in a country where the one ideal is to make that land the greatest military power in the world. American ideals are those which will bring happiness to everyone. Freedom in government and in personal affairs is the basic principle of American democracy and it must be duly respected if America is to continue forever to be a land of liberty. Therefore, let us ever be inspired by these American ideals and pledge ourselves to do our best in fulfilling the high hopes of our fathers. Lillian Snow, ’ 39 . 26

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26 THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD press. They tell the paper what to print and what to leave unsaid. We are free, how¬ ever, to offer our own opinions. No law has ever been passed abridging our right of freedom of speech or of the press. As one recent writer has stated, If we allow the press to be fretted, we fretter ourselves.” In a paper, the truth is what is expedient. It is not a good policy lor us to make public utterances that are liable to cause damage, but, as the quotation reads, It is better a thousandfold abuses of free speech than denial of free speech. Without free speech, no search for truth is possible; no discovery of truth is useful; progress is checked and nations no longer march forward toward the nobler life which the future holds for man.” According to the Amendments of the Constitution, Article 1, reads Congress shall make no law restricting the people to assemble peacefully and to make petitions to the government to appease their grievances. Various writers have stated that, Some people clamor loudly for freedom of assembly whose only concern is to use that freedom to undermine the foundations upon which it rests. Their aim is to bring about either social, economic, or political despotism. We shall be more American if we but remain true to the principles in which we have been bred.” As students of today we are under the supervision of those who have profited by these foundation principles, but as the citizens of tomorrow, we shall be the leaders of this great nation, and as leaders, it will be our duty and obligation to uphold these foundation principles. With these principles in mind, the Senior Class this year has chosen as its motto, Today we follow, tomorrow we lead.” Mildred Wallace, ’ 39 . VALEDICTORY 1 CHOOSE AMERICA FOR ITS OPPORTUNITY Woodrow Wilson once said, America stands for opportunity, America stands for a free field and no favor, America stands for a government responsive to the interests of all.” True, indeed, are these words. America has proved a haven for many people seeking freedom from religious, social, and political oppression, because it has been able to grant them these factors, so vital to their happiness and success. One of America ' s chief characteristics is the opportunity she extends to her citizens to make the most of their talent and industry irrespective of birth, creed, or condition. If a person has the ability and stamina that makes for success, he is not hampered from acquiring this success because of nationality or social condition. If this were not true, how could Abraham Lincoln, who was bom and brought up in extreme poverty, have become one of our most illustrious presidents. This may also be said of Booker T. Washington, the great Negro educator who became so famous and well-known for his work. We may look down through the pages of history and find many more who have risen to fame even though they were humbly born and poorly educated. When we speak of opportunity, we cannot help but think of education. The American people have always been very zealous in promoting the cause of education. They know that unless we have a sound educational system, we cannot hope to progress. 28