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

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THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD 31 THE WORKER IN THE NEW WORLD Unsung, but not forgotten—these are the workmen of the world. No statue is erected, no tribute is paid to the builders who have given their all. Rather, they have helped build their own memorials—the pyramids of Egypt, the citadels of Rome and Greece, the great wall of China, the progress and decline of civilization itself have depended in part upon the ceaseless labors of the working class. But we do not try to idealize them—we say that the working men have con¬ tributed to civilization—they have been the dynamic force behind the minds of our great leaders of history. Ever since men first organized themselves into states, there have been wars, and the undecorated heroes of these conflicts have been the workmen who supplied the armies and helped supply the very forces which would destroy what they had already helped to build. And for all this toil, throughout the centuries, the masses have often lived and worked under bad conditions—the masses who have borne part of one of the costliest and gravest burdens of all history. For this, the working men remain obscure. It is needless as well as unnecessary to go into detail about the role tne workers have played—from the earliest stages of the development of world society they have become part of the backbone of the modern nations of today. We all realize that what we have at present is merely the product of periods of struggle which have resulted in progress and enrichment. But the importance of the individual must be stressed. If we become too proud, the individual will be sacrificed for the state—and there marks the end of democ¬ racy. Economists and writers of all nations have continually urged better under¬ standing between the capitalists and his workers. The idea of a perfect society is still a dream. In the postwar world we shall have a chance to go one step farther towards a Utopian state. Though many writers and poets have sought to express the importance of the worker, perhaps Berton Braley did so as well as anyone when he wrote: Back of the beating hammer By which the steel is wrought, Back of the workshop s clamor The seeker may find the Thought— The thought that is ever master Of iron and steam and steel, That rises above disaster And tramples it under heel! Evelyn Faganelli ’45 THE STATESMAN IN THE NEW WORLD • Today we follow, Tomorrow we lead. I believe that this motto is most appropriate, not only for the class of 1945, but for many classes to come, because these young people are the executives, the statesmen of tomorrow. It will be their responsibility to carry on the work planned by our great statesmen of the world today. It will be their job to preserve the peace that we hope will be established at the close of the second war to end all wars. CO CO Page

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30 THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD In offering a shelter to refugees, we are not entirely unselfish because from these so-called immigrants, we have obtained new blood — new ideas, arts, and inventions that have added much to the richness of our heritage. From these people have come great men and women, writers, physicians, mu¬ sicians, inventors, and mathematicians—all giving their contributions toward the culture that is America. Truly, America is the melting pot of nations.’ Here nations are molded to¬ gether to form our vast country with its high aims and ideals. Here men from all walks of life have fought to preserve those aims and ideals. Men and women have left their beloved country to prevent other powers from threatening our safety. Today, in far-flung battle fronts our men and women are still fighting for liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They know that as long as America exists, they will have something to fight for — something to protect and defend — something to cherish forever. In the future, through the grace of Almighty God, may America always be the home of those who flee from terror and tyranny. May nothing interfere with the American policy of receiving people from all nations, all religions, and all corners of the earth, and helping them to regain their self-respect and confidence. May America always be the America that we know today. Geraldine Cagnulari ’45 THE CLERGY IN THE NEW WORLD Of all the builders of the world of tomorrow—the veteran, the worker, the refugee, the statesman, and the student—the clergy will have an important place, for it is the clergy who must keep up the morale of the builders and guide them, through religion, to the accomplishment of their best work. The clergy is well prepared for this work in the postwar world, since all through the ages the clergy has sought to teach men freedom and democracy which include the belief that all men are created equal and should be treated as such. Missions, established by the clergy in all parts of the globe, are tangible proof of this belief. Morality and personal liberty—the highest principles of mankind— these are what the clergy has always stood for. Furthermore, the clergy has stood for education, which teaches men how to use personal freedom. It has fostered education, not only for the rich, but for the poor as well. For many centuries it has carried on its education of the unfortunate through its missions all over the world. The part of the clergy in war is a very important one. The chaplain has not shirked his duty to the serviceman but has given him the courage and the peace of mind, which is so necessary to our fighting men. The chaplain has also helped civilians during wartime. In 1942, through the heroic efforts of two Catholic priests and a Protestant minister, thousands of Jewish children in France were saved from German brutality. Since the clergy has played such an important part in war and in peace, is it not logical to believe that it will play an equally important part in shaping the post¬ war world? In the new world, the clergy will continue to educate and to guide the world to a better life. Aileen Rouleau 45 CM CO Page

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32 THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD At the present time, the whole, world is engaged in the greatest struggle it has ever known, a struggle which is successfully halting a group who have threat¬ ened to disrupt the political and economic safety of the entire world. The Allied Nations have united in the common cause of bringing forth a new world of jus¬ tice and eternal peace. The people of today can and will establish peace, but they cannot preserve it. That is the task of every one of us who will be the leaders of tomorrow. How can we preserve the peace to come? As citizens of this great democracy, what will our duties be? There will be many ideas worked out at the San Fran¬ cisco Conference which will make jobs for those who can handle them. Where do we fit into this? We are the ones who will fill these positions some day. There¬ fore, we should prepare ourselves for this future. Some of these important positions of the future will be the international court of justice, the general assembly, the security council, the economic and social coun¬ cil, and the military staff committee. These will be filled by all the nations, but the United States will have its share. Well-trained men will be needed for these positions. Why should we not prepare ourselves for the future? Why not aim for these jobs? Before this war is over, many of us will have a part in it. Why should not we have something to do with the future we are fighting for? We want a world safe for us, our sons, and future generations. Therefore, let us make sure that it is a safe one. Today we follow, but tomorrow we shall lead. Francis Smith ’45 VALEDICTORY THU STUDENT IN THI NEW WORLD A free people must be an educated people.” These words of George Wash¬ ington are still true after so many years. The student of today will be an important agent in the building and develop¬ ment of the new world envisioned after the last trace of war and greed have been wiped from the earth. The student will try to know the problems of different nations and understand their needs far better than the person who has little or no knowledge of the underlying principles and thoughts of his- fellow men. The student will be better acquainted with the mechanics of the human mind, and thus be able to discuss far more intelligently questions of international importance with representatives of different nations. The student will have instilled into his very soul tolerance—tolerance of his neighbor, no matter what race or creed or color. He will stand ready to lend a helping hand to other human beings in situations that require kindness and sympathy. Thus, this is the challenge to the students of today. Furthermore, we must try to be students always. Long after our formal edu¬ cation has ceased, we shall learn by experience in life’s school. Other students, even those of the aggressor nations, will have the principles of Nazism and Fascism, we hope, presented in their true light; and we pray that they may learn the futility of war. It is a big task that confronts the student of today, yet we know that the modern American youth believes these ideals are worth hardship and sacrifice; thus he will try his best to attain this goal. co Page