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

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ATTAINING CHARACTER Attaining character is a slow deliberate process. The building of character begins in the home. Character education in the home is likely to have a lasting effect, for children usually take on the character, good or bad, of the adults with whom they live. Children usually learn to be truthful, helpful, and kind in a home where older persons have these qualities. In a good home a child has the opportunity to come to love and respect himself, out of which grows his capacity to love and respect others. As the child grows older, he is influenced by religious practices which expand the original role of the home. It is his religion that arouses his reverence, love, and gratitude. His will to serve and obey is strengthened. Only man is capable of religion. Much character education is picked up by association. We learn character as we learn our language — by living and associating with other persons. Furthermore, we learn by observing others, by doing things for ourselves, and by receiving criticism. One of the principal end-products of our modern educational system is character formation. When a youngster enters school, he is exposed to varied influences which will mold his development. His principles of conduct and ideals may change or become more firmly established. He begins to show a certain pattern in his actions which makes it possible to predict what he will do under given circumstances. As he progresses in school, he can participate in sports, clubs, and other group activities. By taking part in these activities he becomes a more flexible person. His ability to compromise and his capacity to take things as they come are further advanced. Through varsity sports he learns to work with others as a team. He learns to be a good winner as well as a good loser; he can become a true sportsman. A student will also be influenced by his teachers. Their influence in turn can be amplified through literary and other learning media. The student can read books about other people in the distant corners of the world and become acquainted with their seemingly peculiar customs and ideals. He begins to formulate opinions and stick by them. As he matures the individual is allowed to participate in community projects. In some of the greater populated areas in this country, student governments are instituted. In this way more young people can become better acquainted with the functions of local government. These young people become aware of the honesty, sincerity, and integrity needed in politics. The youth of today must be well educated especially in the field of political science, for they are to be the leaders of this nation in the future. It is never too late to build character. Although building character is a long, continuous process, it can be achieved through perseverance. There are certain anti¬ social elements in society which tempt one to veer from his goal. A stalwart character can withstand temptation. Character is a driving force; intelligence guides it to its destination; together they sum up the human spirit and are inseparable. Judith Vaitukaitis 58

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Graduation Night Program CHARACTER A DEFINITION Members of the Board of Education, Teachers, Parents, and Friends: On behalf of my classmates I wish to welcome you to the commencement exercises of the Class of 1958. Tonight marks the completion of four years of training designed to help us in our quest for success in later life. Our individual successes will be built upon character, as is suggested in our class motto, Character is the cornerstone of success. Therefore it becomes necessary at this time to try to explain exactly what character is. The simplest definition is that character is the real you. It is intangible, yet omnipotent; it is hidden in the recesses of the soul, yet it is so extrovert in nature that it once caused a great philosopher to remark, What you are speaks so loud that I can’t hear you. Every man or woman makes a unique impression so powerful that it overrides anything the individual may try to do to hide or obliterate it. Character is an aggregate of qualities distinguishing one person from another. Tonight we are interested in the more serious aspects of character — the way one thinks, does things, believes — for these are the traits of the individual which will contribute most to his good functioning or success in life, his happiness or well-being, and his influence upon the welfare of others. Since no two individuals are alike, there can be no set pattern for success, but we must rely upon the qualities inherent in our character in order to achieve our end. Nowhere are these necessary qualities more manifest than in the person and character of Mahatma Ghandi. His persistence was the chief factor responsible for the fulfill¬ ment of his dreams and ambitions; without his persistence nothing w r ould have been accomplished. His great personal integrity won thousands to his cause. He w r as the shining star the people of India followed to their liberty. His ascetic self-sacrifice would have been the ultimate cause of his death had not an assassin’s bullet cut short his illustrious career. He subordinated his selfish desires in order to stay with his work, which was always most important to him. Consistency like Ghandi’s is the key quality of character, for it strengthens and tempers the more tender traits — such as the capacity for love or generosity or good feeling for others — without which there can be no hope of true s uccess. In closing I wish to thank the teachers and administrators who, throughout the past four years, have acted the part of masons, helping to lay the cornerstones of our success by aiding in the development and strengthening of our characters. Joseph William Kelly, Jr.

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A WORD TO FUTURE GRADUATES When deciding on their future plans, most students will ask themselves What can the world do for me? Let us turn this question around and ask What can I do for the world? This is a more intelligent outlook, for the world will do very little for the individual who refuses to work. Benjamin Franklin once made a statement which parallels this thought: Be studious in your profession and you will be learned; be industrious and frugal and you will be rich; be sober and temperate and you will be happy. At least you will, by such conduct, stand the best chance for such con¬ sequences. In order to understand this saying, it is necessary to examine each part individually. Be studious in your profession and you will be learned. To make a good start in high school, choose your courses wisely. The easiest courses are not always the most suitable. You probably have certain talents and interests of your own. Choose subjects which will help you develop these talents and interests. If you are planning on a college program, follow the academic course. This is undoubtedly the hardest, but the rewards are most worthwhile. There are few shortcuts to success. You must work and work hard. If you follow this advice, you will find your courses much easier and definitely more profitable. If you aren’t sure whether you can tackle an academic course, give it a try. Don’t wait until your senior year to decide that you want to go to college. It takes four solid years of organization and study to prepare yourself for a college program. Be industrious and frugal and you will be rich. In high school frugality refers more to time than to money. Plan your time wisely. A minute is like a flame. It can be of great benefit when taken advantage of, but once it is gone, it is gone forever. In high school, especially, it is necessary to use time to its greatest advantage. A great deal of time must be spent for studying purposes. However, it is important to set aside a certain part of the day for other activities. The ability to plan your time wisely is indeed a valuable asset. By following this plan, you will certainly be rich. As far as being industrious is concerned, do not be satisfied with anything less than your best. It never hurts to do a little extra work, even if it means remaining after school awhile. By doing today’s work today, you will have tomorrow free to explore new fields. Be sober and temperate and you will be happy. No one looks up to the indi¬ vidual who holds grudges against others. Think of the many compromises you have studied in history that have been the result of intelligent consideration and discussion. What kind of country would the United States be today if we continually refused to accept the ideas of other countries? The inability to collaborate peacefully has resulted in many unnecessary wars, not only in the United States, but in other countries as well. Wars have caused the loss of lives, of money, and of friends and loved ones. Feuds between individuals are wars on a smaller scale. They, too, cause unhappiness and oftentimes the loss of friends; and the individual without friends is undoubtedly an unhappy person. Benjamin Franklin concluded this wise saying with At least you will, by such conduct, stand the best chance for such consequences. No one knows for certain what the future holds in store, but the person who decides what his course is to be and proceeds toward his goal wisely, will have the best opportunity for happiness. Good luck to all of you. Marie Ann Mannella