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

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CHARACTER IN OUR FUTURE Tonight we the Senior Class are leaving high school to follow our many separate paths in life. Each of us will strive for success. Character will be a determinant in our potential for success. Having already drawn the blue print in home, church, and school, we now must further the building of our characters through our careers or vocations. Many of us will enter college or seek training in other specialized fields. We will be trained in concentration and in the ability to apply our minds to occupations which require much learning. In our training we will acquire skills and develop the capacity for leadersh ip. We will have to devote ourselves to our studies and desire to learn all that we can. Others of our class will enter the armed forces. Here they will receive training in discipline and in close living with many other people. They will have the oppor¬ tunity to gain the ability to carry out orders of many types. Still others will follow vocations and establish homes. They will face responsibil¬ ities requiring macurity. Through steadfastness in their work, taking part in com¬ munity affairs, and raising their families, they can acquire the type of character needed in our country. In all of these fields our growth toward maturity will depend upon the wealth of relationship with others. In our contacts with other people we will learn sportsman¬ ship and patience. In a world full of many types we will become appreciative of the strong and tolerant of the weak. There are other ways we will acquire good character. Through our churches we will continue to grow in faith and moral strength. In participating in the activities of our communities we will acquire pride and a feeling for our civic duty. Through reading newspapers and books dealing with government and current events, we will enlarge our understanding of the world and thus of our own country. Only through trial and error will we find our places in the world. Through perseverance and steadfastness we will attain the success we deserve. Our class motto, ' Character is the cornerstone of success,” is a good one. All of us should remember it and strive to improve our characters so that we may become honored and respected citizens. Margaret Elizabeth Eagan

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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

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