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

Page 30 text:

SUCCESS IN COLLEGE Tonight, as we stand on the threshold of a new life, the promise of success is before us. It beckons us onward into a future whose secret can be unfolded according to our deepest wishes and desires, provided that these are in harmony with the best that we have known and thought in our education so far. To those of us who are going to college, our achievement in college will determine the effectiveness of the role we play in later life. In looking back on college years when we have reached the age of ful¬ fillment of our careers, we will be able to trace a subtle thread of connection between the most significant events of our college days and those things which afford us the real and abiding satisfactions of adulthood. But what does success in college consist of? Certainly it is not drifting aimlessly through and graduating by the skin of one ' s teeth. Eor success in college to have any genuine meaning for the individual, it must involve some sacrifice, hard mental work, and striving toward a definite goal. Some will be fortunate enough to have their daily needs and their scholastic expenses taken care of; others will be required to work to make ends meet and will put a great strain on their powers of endurance. In either case there will be no escaping the necessity of devoting long hours to books with earnest effort and untiring discipline. Good study habits will strengthen the powers of reason and judgment; the development of these faculties is essential to a rewarding college career and to successful living in the years after college. Most colleges and universities today are organized around the idea of affording the entering student an opportunity to become acquainted with the broad field cf liberal arts before he attempts to specialize. A w-ell-rounded education which includes some- experience in the humanities, such as literature, philosophy, and the history of art, will bring him close to his goal of a rich and full life. On the practical side, a college education is helpful in the choice of a career. It is a rare student who is sufficiently in touch with his own unexplored capacities for development to be able to decide in advance where he may best apply his skills in the furthering of a personal career. It is not usual for an individual to leap from high school directly i nto professional life, and a college course which ranges far over the bread realms of science and the humanities is the best laboratory for testing out the student’s yearnings and abilities. The final decision upon a choice of career may not be made within the span cf college life, but that is not important. What college can do— and this is perhaps its greatest contribution—is to stimulate intellectual curiosity and aid in the cultivation of ideals, without which success can hardly be achieved. Gloria Josephine Eavata ' 56

Page 29 text:

WHAT IS SUCCESS? Tonight we arc here on this stage together for the last time. Four years ago when we entered high school, our ambition was to graduate. Tonight we have achieved that ambition and now we must set up another destination for ourselves. Each one of us faces his individual future and each wants success in whatever he undertakes. This success we all want—what is it? Is there a magic formula? Of course not. Unfortunately, in our society the worship of the word success” has gone too far. To too many people the concept of success is financial wealth or fame. We often forget that the average citizen, the man next door,” who works hard to maintain his home, to support his family, and to raise his children as good citizens is a success. In fact the truly successful person is one who is doing what gives him enjoyment and the fullest expression of his abilities and personality. As Wendte once said, Success in life is not so much of talent or opportunity as of concentration and perseverance.” In attempting to achieve individual success, we should first stop and take a survey of ourselves, our talents, abilities, personality, and opportunities, and then begin to build a frame of expectancies which is probable, not just extravagantly possible. When we have our frame of expectancies and our materials, we can begin to build toward success. To have a firm structure we must begin at the bottom and work upward. A classic example of one who has built success is Helen Keller. Early in her childhood this remarkable woman was stricken with a disease which deprived her of the senses of sight and hearing. It is almost impossible for us to comprehend the dif¬ ficulties which she has had to overcome. Yet she overcame all of them and is famous the world over and an inspiration for all similarly handicapped people. Helen Keller is a success. She has perseverance and determination. It was perseverance that enabled M iss Keller to learn how to speak and this same perseverence which enabled her not only to graduate from Radcliffe College, but to graduate cum lauJe. If she could overcome such a great physical handicap, think of what we can achieve with all of our faculties, blind only to our own potentialities. It has been said that any normal person with average intelligence who is morally sound, open and above board in dealing, not afraid of work, and who will play the game fairly and squarely and keep everlastingly at it should succeed in spite of obstacles and hardships.” Let us remember this and we shall be well on our way toward success. Now, at the threshold of our careers, let us not place too much value on immediate security, but rather let us be ready to seize each opportunity, apply ourselves, and build our own, a sounder security for ourselves and our nation. Mary Judith Parmelee ' 56

Page 31 text:

SUCCESS, OUR GOAL Many believe that a college education is necessary to success. In some cases this is undoubtedly true. However, there have been many famous personalities who have succeeded in reaching their goals without college training. One who comes immediately to mind is Walt Disney whose cartoons are known and loved throughout the world. With unfailing faith in the originality of his creative ideas, he has overcome all obstacles in his path to achieve presperty and fame. Even more widely known are Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln who did so much toward the development of our country. Without college training, but through study and actual experience, these men were able to advance in their own fields. The fact that these and many other persons have succeeded indicates that success does not depend on formal education alone. Each of these indi¬ viduals set himself a goal and worked until he had attained it. Success is net a mysterious thing and it is not for only a certain select few. Any¬ one who is willing to work hard to achieve his ambitions and who has the strength and incentive to endure can, in his own way, be just as famous as Benjamin Franklin or Abraham Lincoln. We the members of the Class of 1956 are leaving the comparative safety of high school for advanced training, the business world, or the armed forces. Whatever our goals may be, reaching the top of the ladder will not be easy. There are many obstacles which can be overcome only by strength and a profound firmness—traits which have enabled many to go on to prosperity. Today in this modern world of ours there are many opportunities. With the knowledge and training which we have received in high school, the possibilities will be even greater. With the help that we have received from our teachers and from the administration, we shall face the future with greater faith and security. Through their perseverance and consideration, their gifts of time and effort, we are here tonight; we have achieved the preliminary goal, graduation from high school. I should like now to bid farewell to my classmates and to wish them endless success and happiness in whatever they undertake. With them I say to all who have helped us, We will try to live up to our motto, Less than our best is failure.’ ” Gloria Lefemine ' 56