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

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24 THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD Many of us have faith in ourselves, but not the right kind of faith. We believe we can do many things, but when some big undertaking comes along, it is much easier to say I can’t” than it is to say ’Til try.” What a wonderful world this would be, if everyone did his best—if everyone had faith in himself that he was doing some¬ thing to benefit society; for it is surely true if one does not have confidence in him¬ self, how can others have confidence in him? For many of us, it is an easier task to have faith in ourselves than it is to have faith in our neighbor, for to many of us our neighbor is the epitome of insincerity. We say to ourselves, ”How many times have I put my faith in my neighbor and he has betrayed me?” Yet, we do not say, ' How many times has my neighbor put faith in me and I have betrayed him?” We seem to forget that every¬ one is human and susceptible to errors. If we do not believe in our neighbor, life becomes a dreary blank, for everyone wishes to share his joys and sorrows with others. Ellery Channing cnce said, Faith is love in the form ot aspiration.” To have faith in the world nowadays is a difficult task, for the world has broken faith with us so many times. Yet, we cannot blame the world too much. We can only blame ourselves, for we are the ones that make the world what it is. If we do our share to improve the world, it will be a better place and we certainly cannot cure the ills of the world by criticizing. We can only cure them by having faith. Yes, by having faith in all countries and by believing that each country is not really bad, but like an erring child is seeking the right way. Therefore, let us remember that in ourselves our future lies, if we have faith. Margaret Grummell ’49 VALEDICTORY IF WE HAVE VISION The future of today’s youth lies not alone in education, friendship, and faith, as important as these qualities may be, but it lies in the practical use of these great attributes. The graduate must realize that these, or any other gifts, are of little value unless he has the greatest of all, VISION. It is apparent that he make use of these gifts, but in order to succeed, the quality of vision is absolutely essential. To many of us, life resembles a merry-go-round. It spins around and around, day in and day cut, never stopping; and as time gees cn, this great wheel revolves faster and faster. With this tendency toward increased speed, come many changes which the citizens of today must be able to accept, rapid as they are. They must be able to adapt themselves to their everchanging environment. That is the reason why youth must prepare for their place in this world of rapid development. The young people of today are confronted with more problems than the youth of any other previous generation have ever had to cope with, but this should not discourage them; rather it should create for them, a greater challenge. Students must face the obscure future with courage, not only for their own benefit, but for the benefit of all society as well. We, men and women of tomorrow, the future citizens, must have vision. We must look forward to the future, well-prepared for its obstacles, and we must prepare for that future, now. CM Page

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THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD 23 IF WE HAVE FRIENDSHIP Cicero once said, Friendship improves happiness and abates misery by the doubling of our joy and the dividing cf cur grief. If we are to mold a happy, stable and successful future we must first cf all show love and good will toward our fellowmen. One of the greatest stepping stones to success and happiness is how we endeavor to get along with every individual. Kindness and consideration can win many friends, yet how few people take the time or energy to think of others. Since the world is so full of grasping, self-seeking people, the rare individual who tries unselfishly to serve his fellow men has an enormous advantage. Indispensable to winning friends is a pleasing personality. Each day, in school, social or business life, we are being judgeo by those with whom we come in contact. Since a pleasing personality costs nothing and yet is cf such great value, we should all work to develop this quality. Today the greatest threat to our peace, happiness and security is hate. Bomb c can wipe out nations, but they cannot obliterate hate; neither can they conquer it with huge armies or a navy that rules the waves.” However, this deadly enemy can be wiped out with good will and friendship that stem from the heart of each and every ' individual. We had an excellent example of this when the Friendship Train” crossed the United States a few years ago. Generous Americans in all walks of life gave to help others and did so happily. Also the gratitude of the French people was shown by the gifts they sent in the Merci Train this winter. Such interchange of friend- ship is worth more to the world than billions spent upon bombs and armaments. Yet, how inexpensive love and gcod will are! We should all realize that in helping others we are really helping ourselves. Our every thought and action is in some way directly responsible for cur future success or failure. So:n we shall be taking our places in various walks of life. As we ven¬ ture forward we should keep in mind cur class motto, ”In Ourse» es cur Future Lies,” and strive to make every deed we perform beneficial to ourselves and all humanity. Marian Koehler 49 IF WE HAVE FAITH In ourselves our future lies, if we have faith. This is an exrellent motto, not only for the graduating class; but for everyone, for without faith one cannot accomp¬ lish anything. r Faith to different groups of people means different things. Business men put their faith in their product; parents put their faith in their children; children put their faith in the future; and everyone, in one way or another, puts his faith in God. Today in the world their is dire need for renewed faith. Faith in God, faith in ourselves, faith in cur neighbor and faith in the world. Before we can have faith in anything else we must have faith in God, for God is the source from which all faith must come. We must have faith in God especially in these days of uncertainty when everyone is talking about another depression or the possibility of another world war. However, to have a strong faith we must pray pray that the people’s confidence in a brighter, better tomorrow will not be shattered. LD CN Page

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THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD 25 To a majority of the High School Seniors graduating in 1949, planning for their future will include the selection cf a vocation or the preparation of one already chosen. We are the doctors, clergymen, housewives, clerical workers, and teachers of tomorrow. Each one of these occupations is, to us, an opportunity to advance, if we take advantage of such an opportunity. Perhaps it would be well to define vision.” According to the dictionary, it may be termed the act of seeing. But to all cf us, it is the ability to see ahead and pre¬ pare ourselves for the future. Think of the great men in history! Men like Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt all had one thing in common—vision. They had the foresight to see ahead, to choose the right path, and to achieve success. We are the potential leaders cf the future. Have we some little part of that vision which will enable us to solve the problems of this atomic age, to envision the effects on world affairs of such alliances as the Atlantic Pact, the United Nations, and other agree ments? The fight of Democracy against Communism is one of the greatest and most difficult of the many tasks confronting our generation. These tasks can be solved only with vision. In closing, classmates, I wish to advise you to remember the fundamental thoughts you have attained in these brief years of school, maintain a strong grasp cn these prin¬ ciples of democracy, never forget you are American citizens, and above all, remember well your motto, In ourselves our future lies. May God be with you and guide you wherever that future may be. Jeanette Quagliaroli 49 CLASS SONG Tune: So Tired Farewell, we re leaving high school Farewell, to all our studies, We’ve had some fun and we’ve had our sorrows, too! Farewell, to our dear teachers, Farewell, dear classmates, too, Though we are through, We’ll ne’er forget these days. Carmella Sales ’49 CM Page