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

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28 THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD PROVING OIJR PATRIOTISM In time of war, all people are more conscious of the feeling of patriotism, but during peace time this feeling is likely to slumber unheeded in the human breast; nevertheless, ail citizens who truly love their country rise to sublime heights in time of leal emergency—and in such an emer¬ gency are we at the present. What is patriotism? One writer explains it as follows: “Patriotism is the mental condition of national permanence.” Another says it in these words: “If any one attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot.” The average American man, however, is shewing it by leaving a highly paid civilian job to become a private in the army at forty-two dol¬ lars a month. But most of us are showing it by working many more than eight hours a day in war factories and taking up our part in civilian defense quickly and without asking questions. Yes, I think the American people are doing a fine job—working, sacrificing, building up the morale for victory, because we believe in the United States of America as a nation uniting all people, a country pie¬ serving freedom of speech, press and religion, as a true democracy, of the people, by the people and for the people. We cherish our essential American traditions such as the school- house and the church as the cornerstone of our civic growth. And so it is that w e pledge ourselves to our American responsibility of perpetrating these principles, thereby making democracy w r ork both during war and peace. John Pyznar, ’42

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THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD “Our Aim: Success.” Everyone setting out on a career wants to be successful. While in school we took up subjects that would help us attain om goal, and now that we are setting cut to take our places in the world, we realize that to be a real success we must shoulder the responsibilities with which we are faced and uphold the ideals of America. The second part of the motto—“Our Hope: to Win” is a very com¬ mon phrase in the world today. But because it is common, we should not —take it too lightly; for unless we, as individuals, learn to conquer the relatively smaller things that endanger our immediate lives—things such as waste, complacency, strikes, crime and dishonesty—we can never hope to gain victory in the most horrible field of all—that of war. Therefore, as we the students of the graduating class of Windsor Locks High School go out into the world, we should try always to live up to our motto, and remember the words of Abraham Lincoln: “In your hands, my young fellow students and citizens, lies the fu¬ ture of our country. If the coming generation is a little more faithful to the ideals of honesty, of order, and of freedom, than the present genera¬ tion has been, then we shall be going forward. If the coming generation is a little less faithful to these ideals, then we shall be headed down the road to degeneracy, defeat, decay.” Mary Jane Queen, ’42. WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY? In view of present day conditions, we must stress the quality of unity today more than ever before. We, as a whole, must w r ork together and cooperate with each other to the best of our ability. No one can justly say, “This is not my affair, I can do nothing to help.” For even while at¬ tending school you can do your part, for in schools all over the United States we have a system by w ' hich Savings Bonds and Stamps may be purchased. The money you students contribute by buying these Stamps helps to build perhaps a ship, an airplane, or a tank. Doesn’t that make you proud? You, the women of America, are an important factor in our aim to win. Join the Red Cross and other worthy organizations, for strong support behind the lines is equally as important. Yes, you men, are the greatest factors in our aim to win, for you are being asked to sacrifice perhaps your lives to discourage a system of government which is contrary to the way of life and our ideals. Thus, each of you should realize that you can do something for your country. Fulfill your obligations by making sacrifices. Buy a Bond, knit a sweater, give a life if necessary, but keep fighting for a worthy cause. Bernice Glista, ’42.

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THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD 29 CO-VALEDICTORY THE CHALLENGE Today, young people graduating from high school are met by a challenge—a challenge to their initiative, determination, and ingenuity— a challenge which asks will they be able to succeed in a world so tom by war and so upset by present world conditions that normal living is out of the question? Can they really become somebody at a time when everyone is being swallowed up by rigid routine and organization—where an indi¬ vidual is only one in many? Or can they still maintain that old American spirit of independence and say with the poet: “Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods there be For my unconquerable soul. It matters not how straight the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.” These questions are being asked everywhere, and I believe the young people of today have the courage to face these new conditions without flinching and to rise above them. It may be difficult but they will still persevere and be ready w ' hen the time comes to help this country in her struggle for victory. After this war America is still going to need everyone’s help to rebuild all that which the war has destroyed. Not only the material things must be reconstructed but also the spiritual needs of the people will have to be adjusted to meet the demands of a country at peace. Industries converted into defense w’ork will once again manufacture automobiles, radios, refrigerators, and other luxuries instead of tanks, airplanes, and weapons of destruction. Our army will be decreased in number, also. Thus the young men and women of t°dav will have this heavy burden of rehabilitation placed on their shoulders and they must be strong enough to carry their share without complaint and without faltering. Hence the test of the strength and character of today’s youth will be shown by the way we meet these responsibilities. And now r , fellow ' classmates, we are leaving high school. We are going out into the world, some to college or to other higher institutions of learning but most of us to jobs in the business w ' crld. We should be pre¬ pared to do everything we can to help America maintain the torch of liberty so dear to all, and may all the success in the w r orld follow in the wake of your efforts. Angela Gragnolati, ’42.