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

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THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD 27 Yes, we must prevent the third and final storm from breaking. But where lies the solution? Perhaps in universal military training, perhaps in the U. N., or perhaps with the common people, for they eventually are the ones who must fight, suffer, and die because of war. The answer, therefore, lies with world democracy, for only in this form of govern¬ ment can the common man express his views, which most certainly do not tend towards war in which he and his children perish. The United States and other countries which enjoy democracy cannot, however, force their ideas on the other peoples of the world, as some of the totalitarian forms of government, in reality forms of slavery in disguise, are now forcing their doctrines on weaker nations. We can only work, hope, and pray that through our success in America, through our aid under the Marshall Plan, by examples in our everyday living, we can make our democracy so attractive that a government based on freedom and representative rule will be adopted by each and every nation of the world. This thought was expressed much better than I can word it, by Daniel Webster, when in his Bunker Hill address he said, And let that country itself become a vast and splendid monument, not of oppression or terror, but of Wisdom, Peace, and Liberty, upon which the world may gaze with admiration forever. Yes, America must truly be a monument of democracy, a tall and perpetual beacon, leading the world ro wisdom, liberty, and everlasting peace. John Shaughnkssy ' Ah MAGIC IN AMERICA Thousands of years ago, according to a fairy tale, there lived a boy named Aladdin who owned a lamp and a ring. When he rubbed this magic lamp a powerful genii would appear and do the boy s bidding. Through the aid of this magic genii the boy possessed jewels, palaces, fine clothes, and could secure anything else he wanted. Thus, the boy who had been poor soon became rich and powerful. Today we also have a lamp and a ring far more powerful than those possessed by Aladdin. The schools today furnish the lamp and ring. Training and education offer us the incentive to get ahead and to take advantage of our opportunities. With education and training we have the gift to make and operate things that Aladdin could never have obtained from his genii. Could Aladdin have had an auto¬ mobile, a radio, a telephone or a modern house? No, of course not. These inventions were not known of in those times. They have come into being only through the education and training, initiative and resourcefulness of men living in free nations. It is clear then that education can produce far more effective results than the magic of fairyland. Of course, we realize that education alone cannot bring about these opportunities. Our form of government in America is one of the leading reasons for our progress. Without our form of government there would be no public educational institutions and this would mean that there would be thousands of men without the fundamental tools of learning with which to rub the lamp and the ring. Poor people as well as the rich are given the opportunity to get their hands on the lamp and the ring in America.

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26 THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD Graduation Night Program SALUTATORY AMERICA —LAND OF OPPORTUNITY On behalf of the class of 1948 1 wish to welcome you—parents, teachers, mem¬ bers of the Board of Education, friends, and fellow classmates to our graduation ex¬ ercises. We wish to express our deepest appreciation for the kindness, patience, and loyalty you have displayed during our school years. As we the class of 1948 take our place in the world, we shall be faced with many new problems. Some of us will go on for further education, some will enter the business world, and others will enter the world of industry. Here in America we all have equal opportunities for advancement. Our nation is one of freedom, of liberty, and of opportunity. During the twentieth century great progress has been made in civilization. Great advancements have been made in the fields of science, medicine, and education. We are living in the Atomic age. Up until now the only use for Atomic energy has been for the Atomic bomb, but there are many possibilities for its peacetime uses. In the field of medicine the use of penicillin, and the sulfa drug have saved many lives. Organizations for the prevention and cure of cancer and many other dread diseases have also been set up. Then, too, great strides have been made in the educational field. More subjects have been added to the curriculum, the school day has been lengthened, and new methods of instruction have been employed. More attention has been paid to the individual and his differences. In fact, the modern school is striving to meet the needs of the pupil in this changing world. Furthermore, transportation facilities have been improved. Travel is now be¬ coming faster, safer, and more comfortable than ever before. Where else but in America could there be such opportunity for advancement? We, as the future generation of America, must meet the responsibilities of continuing the progress of our country and of mankind. Norma Rodklli ’48 DEMOCRACY —THE HOPE OF WORLD PEACE The skies began to darken and grow heavy with clouds, during the late 1930’s, and continued to become increasingly threatening till man found himself plunged into the midst of the greatest storm yet known—World War II. The war clouds hovered over us until 1945, when the bright sun of peace shone once more on the world. For a second time in twenty-five years, the homeless, desolate, but courageous people rose wearily to their feet and began to repair and reconstruct their torn and twisted lives, homes, and countries. Now after three brief years of peace the clouds of war are once more rapidly gathering. But if we allow the storm to break for a third time, shall we be capable of climbing to our feet and making a new start? It is very doubtful, for never before has the atom bomb, in all its prowess and destructive power, been unleashed on man. And the next war, if there is to be such a terrible thing, will undoubtedly be a war of atom bombs.

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28 THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD But, are education, training, and government the only elements of the magic in America? Could the magic exist in all other countries? Careful study has shown that it cannot. The reason for this is that America has a gold mine of resources which must be developed. It is through the development and use of these resources that men acquire the possessions that Aladdin never had. Opportunities exist today that were unheard of and undreamed of in primitive times and the people who are taking advantage of these opportunities furnish the themes of a thousand fairy tales that in America can come true and often do come true. Margaret Barisone ' 48 VALEDICTORY THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE Do Americans enjoy the little things in life? In this day and age we are very likely to be caught up in the swift motion of world affairs and let the small, ordinary pleasures in life go unnoticed. We do not stop to think of all the beauty there is around us—the gentle summer rain, the budding trees, the sweet smell of new-mown hay, the beautiful colors of the autumn leaves, the silent, sparkling snow. All our lives we have seen these things and most of us take them for granted. We are too busy to notice the bright, hopeful look on the face of a person waiting in a railroad station, or to wonder why a small child has such a hurt expression on his face. Yes, we are too wrapped up in big things. How much happier the person is, who puts aside his business cares for a little while, to look about him and enjoy these little things. How much richer and fuller his life is! At first glance this may not seem too important. Right away some people will say we do not have time for such trivial things. There are too many other important matters with which to contend. When world peace is at stake and democracy is struggling to win over communism, what difference does it make whether or not people find pleasure in common, everyday things? Well, it does make a difference—even if it is only indirectly. Learning to ap¬ preciate these little pleasures will, in a small way, help us to become a happy, contented people. And where there are happy, contented people, there is peace. As the great Italian writer, Petrarch, once said, “Five great enemies of peace in¬ habit with us—avarice, ambition, envy, anger and pride; if these were to be banished we should infallibly enjoy perpetual peace.” And now, Classmates, in bidding you farewell, I want to wish you all the happiness and success in life you can possibly have: Follow our class motto, Aim High and Hold Your Aim”. And may all your hopes and dreams come true ' —and may God bless you. Betty Byrnes ’4s o CO Page