Published each month of the school year, October through June. To order SCHOOL LIFE send your check, money order, or a dollar bill (no stamps) with your subscription request to the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. SCHOOL LIFE service comes to you at a subscription price of $1.00. Yearly fee to countries in which the frank of the U. S. Government is not recognized is $1.50. A discount of 25 percent is allowed on orders for 100 copies or more sent to one address within the United States. Printing of SCHOOL LIFE has been approved by the Director of the Bureau of the Budget.

THE Office of Education was established in 1867 "for the purpose of collecting such statistics and facts as shall show the condition and progress of education in the sev eral States and Territories, and of dif fusing such information respecting the organization and management of schools and school systems and methods of teaching, as shall aid the people of the United States in the establishment and maintenance of efficient school systems, and otherwise promote the cause of education throughout the

country."

'OR THE FOURTH consecutive year the

Office of Education endorsed the Voice of Democracy contest sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters, the Radio-Television Manufacturers Association, and the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce.

The four national winners in this year's contest were Marcia Anne Harmon, 16, of St. Bernardine High School, Del Rosa, Calif.; Ricardo Romulo, 17, of St. John's College High School, Washington, D. C.; Norita Newbrough, 16, Baton Rouge High School, Baton Rouge, La.; and Robert A. Burnett, 17, St. Mary's High School, St. Louis, Mo. Each was the recipient of a $500 college scholarship. The Honorable Frank Pace, Secretary of the Army, presented the contest awards.

Those who chose the four winners in the final judging were: Erwin D. Canham, editor, Christian Science Monitor; Rabbi Norman Gerstenfeld, Washington Hebrew Congregation; Hon. Frieda Hennock, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commis

sion; H. V. Kaltenborn, news analyst, National Broadcasting Co.; Corma A. Mowrey, president, National Education Association; Hon. Frank Pace, Jr., Secretary of the Army; W. L. Spencer, president, National Association of Secondary School Principals; and Lowell Thomas, news analyst, Columbia Broadcasting System.

Presentations of the four national Voice of Democracy contest winners follow.

MARCIA ANNE HARMON

St. Bernardine High School
Del Rosa, Calif.

"When I pondered on the title of this year's contest, I asked myself, 'Who really should speak for Democracy?'

"In my mind's eye I saw the battlefields of Korea and the boys who are fighting and dying over there for the ideals of democracy. And I thought-Yes, these could probably speak-but then, No! These soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen of ours, fight and die, but they remain

strangely silent concerning those sacred principles so dear to them. They act; they do; but they do not boast, nor speak.

"Who or what, then, would represent democracy's case? Across my mind floated two symbols of democracy.

"One was that of a tall, graceful, alluring statue, standing, holding aloft the torch of freedom at the entrance to New York's Harbor. Lady Liberty expresses all that democracy means. Her famed sculptor would have her say to all: 'Welcome to my home, a shrine of freedom, O you oppressed of other lands. Here is your chance to use and share your talents in your own way for the good of all. Here, you can carve out your fame, embellish your name, lay the foundations of your home and family, and participate in the cultural, economic, and political betterment of your equals and on the same footing with them. My torch, burning brightly, symbolizes light for your paths, truth for your minds, and a promise of freedom for your God-given rights.'

"While I was still considering Lady Lib. erty's words, her picture faded out, introducing another symbol of democracy-the ballot box. I wondered what this symbol would say and then realized this would be its proclamation: 'I am your voice of democracy. In your desire to procure democracy, to protect it, and to dedicate yourselves to the ideals of freedom, I act as a depository for your conscientiously considered attempts to maintain honorable men in official positions. You choose me to secure for you the treasure of good laws, through legislation, initiative, and referendum. You are a person, thinking and doing; I am your voice in proclaiming the good for all.'

""True, you are' I thought-but then I realized the ballot box was saying to me: 'You are a person; I am only your voice.' And I suddenly realized it is the voice of youth, the youth of our times, who must bespeak democracy's worth. And this is what youth would say. This is what I would say!

"I speak for Democracy, because I want the freedom that democracy is. I want the right to such education as I am capable of receiving; the right to choose and pursue a career, to travel where I wish, to live as simply or as luxuriously as my income or taste indicate. I want the right to individuality, and accepting the good and discarding the evil, I want the right to expect that my life will have been of some value in the Creator's great plan. I want to worship God in my own faith. I do not want to be the henchman or stooge of some power-mad monster, and know only what he chooses to allow me to know, and do only what fits his purpose. Neither do I want to be the tool of greed, envy, or hate. I want to be true to myself and a vital part of my own democratic government- -a government of which I, as much as any one person, am responsible. I want to accept that responsibility with intelligence and gratitude, and share in the work, the costs, and the benefits of democracy.

"Many great minds have blended their wisdom to build this democracy of ours. Many brave deeds and many noble lives have been required to keep it alive. To extend it on to others in other centuries will call for even deeper wisdom and greater bravery than ever before, but with God's help, the Youth of America for whom I speak will learn to live wisely and bravely in order to keep Democracy shining. "Yes, I speak for Democracy!"

THIS IS A TIME for fundamentals-for straight talk about freedom, democracy, and brotherhood—for clear thinking about the spiritual values that have made our Nation great. If we mean to preserve our heritage and save western civilization, we must grasp the full meaning of individual dignity and equal opportunity, and we must put these ideas to work in our daily lives.

Sham, hesitation, or double-talk will not suffice on this anniversary of Washington's birthday, for the hour is perilously late and the danger to our way of life is total and relentless. At this moment, the disciples of Communist Imperialism are beaming their Great Lies about the Free World, about the United Nations, and about the United States to every corner of the globe. Their "upside-down talk" makes mockery of our institutions and our beliefs. It is of crucial importance that we seize every opportunity to speak out against the evils of totalitarianism, and at the same time affirm our belief in devotion to the ideals of democratic living.

It is especially significant, therefore, that today in Washington we are paying special tribute to four young people who speak for democracy. These high school students-two girls, age 16, and two boys, age 17— have shown that they know how to talk straight and think straight about the fundamentals and about the moral principles that really count in this free society of ours. They are about to receive scholarship awards honoring them as winners of the fourth annual "Voice of Democracy" contest. In this contest the United States Office of Education has taken a part since its inception in 1947. One and one-half million young people took part in this year's contest in the second, third, and fourth years of high school.

It has been apparent to those who have heard their words that our young people fully understand the meaning of democracy and appreciate the significance of the present attack upon its values. Their statements bear eloquent testimony to the fact that in our schools young people learn that democracy is as democracy does. Our

youth know what they believe in and what

they are willing to defend. they are willing to defend. In these words. a former winner of the Voice of Democracy contest recently explained why it is im portant that young people speak out for democracy. He said:

"America never has had, and most likely never again will have such a need for reaffirming support of democratic principles. The Voice of Democracy contest did this for me, for I can see that only democracy and its degree of individual freedom can stand as the ray of hope beyond the blackness of tomorrow. Working among America's high school generation, the contest is of highest importance in helping young Americans grasp that thread of idealism. which is the only hope for maintaining our national integrity."

I believe that you, like me, must get a great elevation of spirit in hearing the expressions by these young people of the ideals and the ideas for which this country stands. I am sure, too, that you, the adult members of this audience, feel very humble. I am sure you feel some soul-searching is necessary to discover to what extent we live up to these high ideals. I never leave this meeting without feeling a great deal of satisfaction and great sense of security with respect to the future of this great country. The other members of this audience will forgive an educator if he says that in a small way he gets personal satisfaction out of being associated with a profession which, to be sure, is not entirely responsible for these performances because it shares that responsibility with the church and the home, but which, nevertheless, has these young people in hand for a large portion of their daily lives. I feel, when I hear these statements, that the school teachers of the Nation are doing a pretty good job in perpetuating the traditions and the ideals of our country. For you I express to these two young ladies and young gentlemen a great admiration for what they have done and through them to a million and a half others. And I am sure that I on their behalf express their gratitude for the distinguished group that has come to meet with us here today.

RICARDO ROMULO

St. John's College High School
Washington, D. C.

"I speak for Democracy.

"Because I hail from the Philippines where my forefathers, generations ago, did not know it, and now thanks to America, my country is democracy's outpost in Asia. "Because I know what democracy has meant to my country-where before its advent there was no freedom; but now freedom has given us progress, better standards of living, unity, happiness, and content

ment.

"Because whence I came my people were benighted and enslaved until democracy

came.

"I speak for democracy

"And I speak the language of courage, because at this critical juncture in history, when there are evil forces that would destroy it, only the strength that comes from the united will of a people can overwhelm those that would subvert it.

"I also speak the language of faith be cause in the history of mankind never has there been a beacon light that has offered such guidance and inspiration to millions of people everywhere as democracy has done and shall ever do.

"Here in America, democracy is the liv ing mortar of the American people's unity. It belongs to all of us, even to those who are its guests, because democracy has many interpretations within the pattern of our daily lives.

"In America, we accept freedom of religion as a divine right under the proposi tion that all men are created equal before God. Today, throughout the 48 States, stand some 250,000 churches, representing almost every known creed, denomination, and faith. For democracy means a faith for every seeker. And in this land wherever and however religious services are held, democracy means the right of every man to seek out God in his own way.

"Democracy means more than casting a vote and abiding by the will of the majority. America's system of government demands. of every citizen a deep sense of personal responsibility and vigilance. For democ racy works like a wheel, with government at its hub. Between the Congress-which guards the people's liberties-and the people it leads, there must be constant interaction along the spokes of public opinion. "Democracy has made America a land of opportunity-where energy, enthusiasm, and an economy of free enterprise have con

verted its natural wealth into the highest standard of living on earth. This year, Americans at work will earn more than 200 billion dollars. But behind this enormous national pay-check lies a vital meaning of democracy-the right of every man to choose his own trade. And whatever his trade or profession, here every worker has the chance of becoming the boss. For free enterprise is the economic dividend of democracy.

"In action, democracy can never be selective. It is a give-and-take proposition, by which the God-given right of any one man to speak his mind must be the right of all without prejudice or restriction.

"To work, democracy must come from the people. It means inquiring into the workings and problems of government at all levels. It means thinking through critically-yet with common sense.

"This then is democracy. To each of us it conveys a different personal meaning. But to all it means freedom, opportunity, and happiness.

"Thus I have spoken for democracy because I want to live a useful full life as a good citizen and because I want to die a free man."

NORITA NEWBROUGH

Baton Rouge High School
Baton Rouge, La.

"I speak for Democracy.

"I have no franchise yet, no voice in who shall make the laws, or what those laws shall be, still, democracy and I have been acquainted for some time now. Very early, since before we learned to walk, all of us were learning those fundamental things which democracy is based on. We stumbled upwards from our first ideas to others, always adding to our knowledge about the democratic way of life. Sometimes, acquiring that knowledge was painful.

"In the home, we saw how decisions are arrived at by a majority vote, and that even if sometimes we do get stuck because we are in the minority, we have to swallow our protests and abide by the wish of the largest number of people, if we want others to respect our voice. You see, we first learn tolerance of views opposite ours when we come to recognize the fact that the man who stands against us is every inch as tall, and counts as much, as the man who stands with us. The key phrase in understanding democracy then, is understanding and respecting the individual.

"Few of us have ever lived in a totalitarian state. But we have all seen the Nazi and the Fascist, and the Bolshevist, manifested in the emotional attitudes of individuals we have known in our home, school, and civic circles. These are the people who haven't learned their social lessons well. They are immature in essentially the same way that Communist states and Fascist states are immature. The Fascist you and I know is the boy who overvalues himself and undervalues his companions, who hasn't yet learned the awful consequences involved when he trifles with the rights of others. The ability to live democratically is the big test of an individual's maturity.

"Ever since time immemorial, wise men have stressed the word individual. God, Himself, has made it pretty clear what He thinks of the individual. Men have talked about His importance, and now we are talking about it again very loudly today'til sometimes, some of us think that perhaps we have overdone our eloquence. Yet look what has happened in countries where the individual has been underplayed. Look at the men who are willing to sell individual rights for a song about a party. Look behind into the history of the countries, and find out why those men think the way they do study the social and economic conditions which fostered their criminal

unconcern.

"There are some people who say we are headed toward a totalitarian state. They say that democracy, as we know it, will give way to socialism, as it exists in England

...

then to communism, as we see it today in Soviet Russia. They say that government, all government, must move in that cycle. Now maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me we learn from history that only slavery makes anarchists of men, and that anarchists eventually enslave themselves. There we see a cycle of political mistakes, one following, of necessity, on the wake of the other. But-is democracy a political mistake? Really free people, free in the truest sense of the word, freely adhering to principle, and therefore free from the consequences of license, people like that can never be slaves, and can never be anarchists. So there goes your cycle.

"The leaders of today have said over and over again, that we the youth of America, are the architects who will inherit the job of building a better America. Lately we have been told that the responsibility of building a better world is ours also to (Continued on page 126)