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

Page 30 text:

28 THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD CLASS SONG (To the tune of “Secret Love”) All the good times and the bad, We’ll not forget the fun we had, Now to friends an d teachers too, We’re here to bid farewell to you. As freshmen we had lots to learn, As sophomores waited for our turn, Then upper-classmen we became, And on to seniors and to fame. Chorus All the memories of each happy year, To our hearts will be forever dear, At last this class of fifty-four, On high-school life must finally close the door. By ANN FISHER and MAUREEN FLANDERS

Page 29 text:

THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD 27 EDUCATION, THE FRAMEWORK OF CITIZENSHIP Our completion of the four years of high school commemorates twelve years of education. Now the time has come for us to step into our chosen places as citizens of our community, our state, and our country. How far shall we succeed in being really good citizens? First of all, we must understand the meaning of citizenship. The Constitution, in defining citizenship, says nothing about age or right to vote. In fact, a person does not have to be twenty-one years of age to be a citizen. No, an individual is an American citizen as soon as he is born or naturalized. The way of life he chooses is citizenship. He gains the under¬ standing and qualities of good citizenship by guidance from his home and school. He exercises citizenship by being loyal to his government, intelligent in his knowledge about the functions of the government and by being active in community affairs. Citizenship, like a building, is constructed on a foundation, and that foundation is the home or the environment. Furthermore, it must be so strong that citizenship may develop into loyalty, patriotism, courage and intelligence without being shattered under the blows of untruths and propaganda about one ' s government, one’s country or one ' s home. Our first lessons in citizenship are taught in the home, where we learn respect for authority; that is, to obey parents and abide by laws. The home also prepares us for later responsibilities by giving us an all-round training in physical, moral, intellectual and material duties and interests. If these interests are neglected, our highest hopes of good citizenship are impaired. Just as the home is the foundation for citizenship, education is the framework which includes the ideas, principles, and factors that bind the structure of citizenship into a formidable barrier through which untruth, ignorance, and dishonesty cannot pierce. In school, a person is taught at an early age to share with others, to tell the truth, to pledge allegiance to the flag and to pray with schoolmates. As the person grows older, he participates in various school activities. He may become president or vice- president of a club or of his class. Education, therefore, helps to develop sound leader¬ ship, which is a basic principle of citizenship. Co-operation, responsibility, and courtesy are other lessons taught through the school activities and necessary to an individual who possesses citizenship. Each of us succeeds in being a good citizen when we realize the duties and respon¬ sibilities of citizenship as well as the rights and privileges it gives to us. On the other hand, each of us is personally held liable to make an effort to gain information that will influence our ability to think wisely about the problems of our day and to do our share in maintaining our country ' s strength and prestige. As President Eisenhower once said, The American Republic was born to assure you the dignity and rights of a human individual. If the dignity and rights of your fellow men guide your daily conduct of life, you will be a good American.’’ And so, may you and I, the class of 1954, heed this advice of our leader today, and as we go through life, may we become worthy of the education afforded in these four years by being truly outstanding citizens of our community and of our country. Mary Simonetta ' 54, Co-Valedictorian

Page 31 text:

THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD 29 Junior Class Sophomore Class ■