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

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30 THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD THIS IS OUR AMERICA “God in His might chose thee to be The country of the noble free!” In your mind, what does “America” signify ? To me, America means a vast continent, bounded by the world’s two great oceans, and filled ' with valuable natural resources. It means a great country, supported in a laige part by gigantic man-made industries. It signifies progress—progress in science, manufactures, and inventions. America also means freedom. Here, one is free to enjoy life as he sees fit. In schools, churches, and assemblies, the people are living exam¬ ples of the freedom which is America. Schools are managed in such a way that pupils derive as much benefit as possible from their training, and are not compelled to learn particular doctrines approved by the government. Education is given to both rich and poor. It is given, not only that one may become better informed, but also that one may become a better citizen. America means democracy. The people are the government. The states are bound together by common beliefs and language—by the con¬ fidence that all men are created equal, letting the majority rule, yet always aided by the minority. America is the history of great men. If one should study the lives of our great Americans, from the settlers at Plymouth and Jamestown, through the careers of Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, Wilson, and the Roosevelts, he would have the history of America up to the present time. America is definitely a vision of life, made great through her great men. What America means today w f as brought about by those who strove, from its foundation, to fulfill their ideals. In the words of William Lloyd Garrison, “Our country is the w ' orld—our countrymen are all mankind.” Finally, America is the people. When we, who are now being grad¬ uated, have been given full rights as citizens, we shall be America. When that time comes, we shall try to meet the challenge as it has been met in the past—with ambition and enthusiasm. Classmates: Now that we are to take our places in a world at w ' ar, let us do our best to prove to the world the value of our education in this democracy, and cheerfully to lend a helping hand in aiding this country which has given us these opportunities. Classmates, my farewell wish for you is that you may always have Divine guidance and protection in all your undertakings. Cecilia Buckley, ’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.

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31 THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD CLASS SONGS Tune: “Dear Mom” Dear friends, cur journey through school is over at last, Our teachers and schooldays—a thing of the past. We’ve studied and read so now it’s time to depart, How we’ll miss you, dear friends. Dear friends, this song we now sing to bid you goodbye With sobs in our threats and tears in our eyes. We’re now going to leave you and to take up our part, Fare thee well, dear friends. Spencer Bacon, ’42. Tune: “Remember Pearl Harbor” Let’s recall our old school days With our faults so evident; We can never ferget them, Those happy days we spent. From the autumn till springtime We would take our daily course; From the northend and southend, From the west we’d come with force. But our last days are numbered— All our schooldays now are through. We can never forget you, All our friends and teachers, too. To the Freshmen, glad tidings, To the Sophomores, luck to you. To the Juniors, our greetings, And to all the Seniors, too. Spencer Bacon, ’42.