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

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28 THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD AMERICA, OUR HOME ’ America is a spacious place with the sky for her roof and the good earth for her base. She has many rooms which we call states and in each one her millions of occupants find their favorite dwelling spots just as you and I. We may be laborers toiling eternally in the factories of the East, or farmers raising the golden grain of the Middle West, or cattle-men roaming the Western ranges; but we all have one home, and that is America. The present war has enlightened our minds and instilled our hearts with a deeper love for our homes and our America. If this be true among us on the home front, what of the boys and girls on the war fronts. They, too, must feel this deep affection, perhaps even more greatly than we, — for they remember as they fight in some far off jungle, sandy beach-head, or barren slope, the old home, the school, the church, the every-day chores and the friendliness typical of American villages. In memory they look back a few ' years, which seem like centuries, and think of a Sunday afternoon drive to the beach, a baseball game, a dance. Things that once were of so little importance and now mean so much; they think of these things as home — as America, as something worth fighting for — yes, worth dying for. The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor has loomed up against the horizon since 1884 and has been seen by thousands. Each person, however, has been im¬ pressed by the emotions this gigantic figure arouses. It may have been the strength, the liberty, or the freedom it symbolizes - but, to most, it means something far greater. Before this war the tourist coming back from gay Paris or picturesque Venice felt it. But today and in the years after this war the boys steaming into New York Harbor will feel it. What is this feeling? It is the feeling of home — of America. Katherine Lee Bates in her famous lyric, ' America the Beautiful expressed in a touching way what most of us feel. O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown they good with brotherhood And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea. Oh beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife, Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy gold refine, Till all success be nobleness, And every gain divine! Mary Louise Gallerani, ’44. o CO Page

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THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD 27 May 16 Stafford Away Won May 19 Windsor Away Won May 26 Bloomfield Home Won May 31 Rockville Away Won June 1 Suffield Academy Home Won June 7 Stafford Elome Won Albert Holmes, ‘44. Graduation Night Program SALUTATORY AMERICA, OUR FUTURE ’ Ladies and Gentlemen, friends, teachers, and fellow students: we wish to take this opportunity to express to you our sincere appreciation for all that you have done for us during the past four years and to prove to you by our acts in the future that your efforts have not been in vain. We, the class of 1944, are about to take our places in the world, a world, which unlike our sister continents across the sea, is tree from old traditions, senti¬ ments, and monarchial ideas. We are a young nation, a pioneer nation, and a nation of strength and courage. We may go forward unhampered to our future, a future which is so dear to us Americans, not only because it will mean the freedom of the whole world from tyranny, hatred, and oppression, but because of the great changes we shall undergo in our mode of living. The future America holds in store for us many changes in the educational field. New subjects will be added to our curriculums and new methods of teaching will be employed. Some subjects will even be self-taught by radio and television. Furthermore, we know that man will no longer use the present day facilities of travel, for experts say that by the year 1955 there will be helicopters in over 50 per cent of all the homes in America. Also railroads, airlines, and steamship companies are planning today for the future when the traveler may journey in greater comfort, greater luxury, and greater speed than ever before. There will very likely be a possible boom for production. New factories will be built and new places of employment found for the boys who gave their all” so that we might have a future. The manufacture of synthetics, plastics, etc., will employ many in the fut ure. Because of the sulfa drugs and many other new advances in medicine and science, America will be considered a land of health and happiness. The span of life for the average man will be lengthened. His living habits and even his food will be different. Modern refrigeration will have a big part to play in changing man’s diet. This is just a glimpse into ’ tomorrow”, but it is enough to show what Victory will mean to us. Victory for the forces of righteousness and of progress; protection for the small nation and the small man, for women and children. Thus the future of America means LIBERTY AND FREEDOM for all. Kathleen Secor, ’44. CM Page

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THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD 29 AMERICA, OUR HERITAGE” America though still a young nation can look back some three hundred years to a heritage that it can well be proud of. Seldom, if at all, do we stop to realize how fortunate we are to live in a country such as ours, a country where men have fought and died to keep the flame of independence always burning brightly. Our goal has always been the same as that of our forefathers. They fought to gain independence, and to this day we are still fighting to preserve it, for freedom is our greatest inheritance. Americans have always had the initiative to go ahead and have been able to endure trials and hardships all along the way to lame and fortune. The Pilgrims searching religious and political freedom came to America and established themselves here with that principle as their goal. Later, by the Revolutionary War we became a free and independent nation. Then, as a result of the Civil War, we became an undivided nation brought together through suffering and hardship into unity. Today we are fighting to keep our nation true to the ideals of its founders — a country where all men are created equal and have the same rights and privileges regardless of race, color, or creed. Thus we should be proud of the spirit that has been planted in us from earliest times. History looks back upon the men of past ages. To be sure, we can be proud of names such as Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln. These men and many like them have carried us through the storm into the peace and security of the harbor. Furthermore, we should be proud that we live in a democracy such as no other country can boast. Nations all over the world have looked to America as a symbol of freedom and security. Americans through the years have progressed greatly because they have had The will to do, and the soul to dare.” Let it not be said that we have failed to carry on the cause for which so many have given their lives. Rosemarie Taravella, ’ 44 . VALEDICTORY ’ AMERICA, OUR CHALLENGE” As for me give me liberty, or give me death.” The immortal words of Patrick Henry rang out the first great challenge to American liberty and independence. Through tears and heartache, through work and prayer, from a lonely, little band of people seeking freedom had come a nation which was willing to fight for its independence. They heard the cry of freedom, they answered it, and the greatest democracy of all time was established. That these dead shall not have died in vain,” said Abraham Lincoln at the Gettysburg Cemetery when he dedicated it to the heroes who had lost their lives there. With him our ancestors pledged America to remain united, that the land which had so nobly progressed would not become a place of hostility and hatred. We had fought for freedom lor America, we had fought to preserve the unity of America, we had accomplished a great feat and established something which was strong and indestructible. We fight to make the world safe for democracy,” spoke Woodrow’ Wilson, and once again America answered the call. Wc fought so that other nations might have the opportunity to establish a government based on the equality of men. Once again, as has always been true, right triumphed over might. CO Page