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

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THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD 29 THE PROGRESS OF MEDICINE In this extraordinary age of ours, the twentieth century, man’s life span lias lengthened, since medicine has progressed rapidly through the scientific discovery of new drugs, better methods of surgery, and also the organizing of numerous founda¬ tions by public subscription to help prevent and fight the dread diseases; namely, polio, heart disease, cancer, tuberculosis, and many rare blood diseases. Today as the medical profession has progressed through study and research, better methods of diagnosing diseases and newer remedies to cure these diseases have been discovered. States and local communities have organized boards of health, and a new era of health consciousness has opened up. Sewage regulations are enforced in cities and towns. Milk supplies are regulated to prevent the sale of contaminated products and those who contract a contagious disease are isolated to protect others. A century ago, epidemics of small pox, yellow fever and influenza were all too common and caused many deaths. For example, when inoculation against small pox started it met great opposition. Today cases of small pox are rare, and people generally accept vaccination as an aid in its prevention. Although new drugs are being dis¬ covered to combat the many diseases of this period, there are always those dreaded diseases which at one time or another are incurable. Cancer, the second leading cause of death in the United States, has shown notable advancement in the field of research the past few years. Studies indicate that cancer is not a single disease but a large family of diseases, making it probable that no single cure will be found for all cancer; but that different types will respond best to various treatments. In the last few years drugs have been discovered for the cure of tuberculosis which at one time was considered incurable. Furthermore, many methods are used to prevent or arrest tuberculosis among those who have a tendency for it. Our most recent triumph over disease is the Salk polio vaccine found about ninety to one hundred per cent effective. We hope that the Salk vaccine will soon help to decrease the number of polio cases. In this century the average span of life in the United States has increased almost thirty years. Intelligent Americans, supporting doctors and health authorities are responsible for this increase. With the increase of the span of life, however, social ana economic problems are introduced, such as retirement plans and old age pensions. Statistics show a century ago that this sort of thing was not necessary, as the average person lived only to forty years of age. And so, with this continued progress in the field of medicine comes the need for more men in white and more angels of mercy, for without their untiring efforts this new world of progress will not be ours. Thus, fellow students, think seiously of entering the medical or nursing professions and devote yourself to the service of aiding mankind. Margarit Mavoros ’55

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28 THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD Graduation Night Program THE NEED OF ENGINEERS TODAY Members of the Board of Education, Teachers, Parents, and Friends: On behalf of the Class of 1955, I wish to welcome you to our commencement exercises. Also on behalf of the Class, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your pro¬ viding in this town of Windsor Locks, a modern grammar and high school system. We are just completing that twelve-year course and would like to thank you for making it available to us. Upon completion of this last year of high school, the Class will scatter and its members will go their respective ways; some to college or other institutions of higher learning; some to business; and others into the service of our country. Unfortunately, only a few out of this class of forty are planning to further their formal education. These few will stand up better in competition for positions because modern industry calls for personnel capable of handling complex machines and various other difficult assignments. Only people with such an education can stand up under these conditions. As a basis for my proof I use the following example. In our recent “Career Day - ' exercises, a question was directed to one of the speakers who was the personnel director in one of the local industries. The question was this: Exactly how much chance does an unskilled laborer or a person who has not had any schooling above high school have in industry today? His reply was that in today’s complex, scientific world, the person with advanced schooling has a distinct advantage over one without such schooling. In fact, in many industries, there are very few openings for anyone who is unskilled or unschooled in some particular line. In this day and age, engineering offers the greatest opportunities for advancement, high pay, security and diversification. Statistics show that the greatest per cent of industrial executives were, at one time, trained to be engineers. The demand is becoming greater for engineers of all kinds. This country ' s engineering schools and colleges are producing 17,000 engineers every year, but industry demands 30,000 per year. The resulting deficiency creates situations where-by industries go to colleges and schools to enlist the services of prospective engineers in their senior year instead of waiting for the engineers to come to them. In the recent observance of Engineering Week, radio and television stations aided the various national engineering societies in urging high school students to pursue a career in engineering. They argued that in order to maintain the future defense of our country, many more engineers are needed. For our class motto, we have selected the phrase Forward ever; backward never. This phrase is also applicable to the nation and if the United States is to live up to it, it must have more engineers to keep industry at its high standard. It is this high standard of industry which permits us to hold the top billing of the countries of the world today. Therefore, underclassmen, if you are interested in the engineering field and do well in mathematics and science, it would be wise for you to consult with your guidance director for help in organizing a curriculum which will best prepare you for a college education in the field of engineering. A decision to pursue a profession in engineering will benefit not only you bur your country as well. Wesson Sargent, Salutatorian ' 55

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30 THE HKHISCHOOL HERALD THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF YOUTH Tonight you arc witnessing the graduation of the Class of 195 from Windsor Locks High School. Yet, in reality, you are not only watching forty students, but millions of young people the world over assuming the responsibilities of life in this, the Atomic Age. We, the young people of America, are extremely fortunate; for we have been born in a land of democracy, a land which was built by the love, hope, and toil of our ancestors. We can sit back and happily enjoy all that has been left for us! But, shall we or can we when so much of the world is in anguish and depending upon us for help and guidance? America is just an example of what we hope the entire world is to become one day. I am sure that at a future time, every soul living will know the peace of mind which we so take for granted. Yes, there is much to be done today. But who is to do it? It has been the youth who, in the ages past, have risen to face the force which has threatened their peace and ideals. Youth in its bloom, is an extremely effective weapon! Why? Because it has yet to face the defeat, despair and need for security that comes with years. In our age, there is an overwhelming power, known as the atom, which can, if ignorantly used, destroy all for which our forefathers so earnestly strove! In a brief time, an entire civilization could be extinguished, a civilization which has existed since time began. But if the hands of freedom-loving, God-fearing men develop this power, it can bring to the earth unbelievable miracles. It can ease the sufferings of men the world over,, and that is our responsibility. There are countries on this earth in which the individual man is treated as a senseless, unfeeling creature, whose only purpose is to labor for the state. He is told that everything he receives besides food and shelter is a luxury. Until this is ended, until every man on this earth is an individual in his own right, the youth of the world will not rest. We hope that our lives will be filled with peace and happiness. We hope that we are successful in whatever career we undertake — whether it be the important position of The President of The United States or the job of a factory worker. We also pray that God will give us strength, courage, and wisdom. For if it is necessary to preserve the ideals of free men, if it is necessary to fight for goodness and justice, we the youth of today will rise as one and stand together for our beliefs. At the present time, we are gay, happy, and free individuals, without cares in the world. That is and always has been characteristic of youth. But as Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, When Duty whispers low% Thou Must, The youth replies, I Can.” Nancy Fuller