Woburn High School - Innitou Yearbook (Woburn, MA)

Page 11 text:

Z)o Our Superintendent J. FRANK HASSETT In sincere recognition of his ability as superintendent, his auth¬ ority, both gracious and just, his guidance, cheerfully given, his spirit of friendliness, his interest in all our activities, his kindness and understanding, the Class of Nineteen Hundred and Forty-Sev¬ en respectfully dedicates the first volume of “The Innitou.”

Page 10 text:

JUN 4 1947 . o fated w 2 ni X5 ' v Ms THE TITLE OF OUR YEARBOOK Since we wish to have our readers share in the pride which we feel regarding the title of our book, we should like to relate the legend of Lake Innitou. In the early days of our country, when Indians roamed the land and the white man was little known, legend has it that Horn Pond was a frequent haunt of these Red Skins. At that time, the mountain behind the pond was known as Manitou, and the pond as Innitou. The legend comes down to us that the old spirit, Man¬ itou, liked to gaze at his reflection in the clear waters of Innitou. Thus, we gather that Innitou was the “looking glass” for Man¬ itou and the Indians of those days. So, today, the Class of 1947 has chosen the name “The Innitou” for its “Looking Glass” of school friends and activities.

Page 12 text:

cA Aie33ag,e ZJo T)he Qraduating. Cla33 Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The true test of civilization is not the census, nor the size of cities, nor the crops, - no, but the kind of man the country turns out.’’ We also can say of our school that the true test is not the number of pupils, nor the size of the building, but the kind of stu¬ dent our school turns out. Formal schooling only prepares the boy or girl to learn. Each must be taught to think logically and constructively and can be given the primary tools of education such as reading, but it is his own responsibility to continue the learning process during his mature years. The main objective in high school is to teach one how to learn. The late Michael E. Fitzgerald, formerly Superintendent of Schools in Cambridge, Massachusetts, once stated that in addition to teaching young people the three R’s, that they also must be taught to be self-supporting, heal¬ thy, contented, and useful citizens. It is my contention that in order to be a useful citizen of the state, country and world a boy or girl must be taught and encouraged to be a good citizen of Woburn. In securing employment or acquiring a higher education beyond high school, one may travel afar, but his Woburn education and virtues practiced at home will go along with him. Consequently, each of you must know or be taught how to live in har¬ mony with your next door neighbor regardless of his race, creed or color. When you can do this with little effort, and when you learn to love and be proud of your own city, support its institutions, and share in its good government, then - and only then - have you acquired the standing of a useful citizen. Education in a democracy must not stop with graduation from school. The acquiring of a diploma is not the end; it is just the beginning. It tells all mankind, and especially all interested parties, that you have been intro¬ duced to the tools and skills of the learning process; that you have been pre¬ pared for a higher education, or to have a try at solving the intricate prob¬ lems found in employment. In closing this brief message, I would have it known that it is my sin¬ cere wish that each and every member of the graduating class find a useful and successful vocation in later life. Although I have not had the opportun¬ ity to know each of you personally, I do want you in years to come to con¬ sider me a friend. If at any time I can be of assistance to you in seeking higher education or securing employment, do not hesitate to call upon me. J. Frank Hassett Superintendent of Schools