A for (War) Effort

September 5, 1942, Menasha Record

Much has been said (and written) about the war effort at home and for the most part, we tend to think of Victory gardens, rationing, and Rosie the Riveter, i.e., women joining the workforce en masse in industrial occupations.  But schools made a contribution too, taking part in the obvious rubber and scrap metal drives but also, as shown here, altering the curriculum to reflect an emphasis on getting students ready for military service.  Science and math were especially emphasized, with the faculty knowing only too well that some of their students could be in uniform at any time, especially the older ones.  Some left school early to serve, some waited until graduation.  Needless to say, America came together in ways not seen since that time.