Chester High School - Flamstead Challenge Yearbook (Chester, VT)

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3 FLAMSTEAD CHALLENGE We take it for granted that we will continue to live and, work here in our country without any interference from Communists, or Nazis. We just don't realize how easy life is for us. We don't have to work from early morn until late at night clearing the land or building a continent or nation. And yet we complain. We don't like the food we get, the prices we have to pay, the clothes we wear and the taxes we have to pay. What's the matter with us? Are we getting soft? Could we endure the hardships of crossing the plains in a covered wagon.? Would we be willing to spend a winter at Valley Forge under the same conditions that Washington had to face, for twen-ty-two cents a month? I should say not. We are used to having things easy. We don't know the dan- gers and -tears which were overcome for us. We had better gain a better knowledge of what our American heritage is and try to build a better one for posterity. IS THE MARSHALL PLAN THE WAY TO SECURE WORLD PEACE? Mary Bentley, '49 The second world war ended nearly three years ago. Is a third world war evident? There are several war stricken countries in Europe. They need help, but how? The Marshall Plan, proposed by Secretary of State Marshall, seems the most lo-gical method of giving aid. The Marshall Plan is to have sixteen countries in western Europe specify what products they have and what products they can exchange with one another. Then they are to state what products or goods they need from the United States, and what ones they can exchange with the United States. Those who oppose this idea state that the United States cannot afford to give so much aid, for it will drain our resources too much. Still others say that by aiding these countries we will establish them on a footing so that we -may be enveloped in a third world war. If this should occur, what will happen to the world? There are people, a large number, no doubt, who: support the Marshall Plan. They sta-te that we cannot have lasting prosperity in this country unless the rest of the world is prosperous. If these countries arenlt helped, how can they pur- chase products from the United States and how can we trade with them? By aiding these countries in establishing a high standard of living we destroy one great cause of war-poverty and discontentment. They also say that in the future these countries may turn to Russia for leadership, and if they turn against us, it may cost us more to defend ourselves than the Marshall Plan will cost. All the above is true, and I can say that I agree with certain parts of the Marshall Plan. Giving aid to foreign countries is worthwhile, especially as we will be able to trade with these countries and have them on our side should another war arise. But I also disagree with some points. What about some of the people here in the United States? There are several people who need help right here at home. High prices make it hard for some peope to purchase enough food and other supplies to make their living. When this plan is carried out, I believe that it should be carefully watched and supervised to see that it isn't carried into the wrong hands or carried on to the harm of this country. Only through understanding and co-operation can world peace be obtained and a third world war avoided. ,

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FLAMSTEAD CHALLENGE 7 THE VALUE OF MUSIC Henry Trombley Richard Wagner once said: The language of tones belongs equally to all mankind, and melody is the absolute language in which the musician speaks to every heartf' How true this is when we think back to a concert which we have attended. Some musical numbers make us laugh, others make us sad. The composer truly has to be careful when composing a song, opera, hymn or what-have-you, to put in the right chromatics, tempo and the other musical terms that are necessary in the work. Then, someone has to play this music. These people must always be on the alert, watching for the expressions and being positive that they carry out the idea set in the number by the composer. Students in high school, or any grade for that matter, can start their begin- nings of musical knowledge while they are in school. If they learn what the different expressions mean, then they are able to understand a composition more fully. Chester High has been fortunate in that it has such a wonderful music pro- gram. Everyone who takes part in the program, including the teachers, enjoys every bit of the time spent with music. Much value is derived from each minute used to the advantage of music. Perhaps the most important value is that music appreciation is much grea-ter than before. If a student learns to play an instrument, he always retains the ability to play the instrument and can fall back on playing the instrument if for some reason he cannot make a success of the career he has chosen. Recently the newspapers announced that C. Petrillo said, If your child wants to become a musician, discourage him unless he is a genius. Good musicians are always needed to fill in the places that are left vacant by the death of musicians or other reasons. With reasonable practice every day, any boy or girl can become a fairly good musician. If every boy and girl could play some instrument, most of the petty things that make this world of ours as bad as it is would disappear. Let's everyone of us be most grateful for the things we have here in C. H. S. All the programs and clubs that are carried on in school are developing our char- acter and personality. Music, surely, has as great, if not a greater, role than the rest. TAKE IT FOR GRANTED! Cecil Waldo, '49 How many people today realize the value of their American heritage? Not many! Do we as Americans evaluate our health, prosperity and general welfare to the fullest extent? If any of us are sick we take it for granted -that the doctor will come and administer a few cc.'s of penicillin-which has been perfected by scientists-and we'll soon be up and around. Not so long ago we would have lain in bed, sick and racked with fever, not knowing which 'breath would be the last. Today we take too much for granted. We think it only natural that we can go across the street, enter the store and then come out with what we want. It's only natural that the boy next door will grow up to be a man and not have to die at a young age simply because there is no cure for his sickness.

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FLAMSTEAD CHALLENGE 9 MARGARET EVA AMSDEN, Peg Place of Birth: Londonderry, Vermont. Date of Birth: May 15, 1930. School Last Attended: Londonderry High School. Course: Commercial. Activities: Softball 1213 Glee Club 131: Minstrel Show 131 Future Intention: None at present. CHARLENE LORA BAKER, Charlie Place of Birth: Belvidere, Vermont. Date of Birth: July 3, 1930. School Last Attended: Barstow Memorial School, Chitten- den, Vermont. Course: College Preparatory. Activities: Basketball Manager 131, 141: Varsity Basketball 111, 121: Drum Majorette, 131, 141: Chester Chatter Staff 131, 141: Flamstead Challenge Staff 131, 141: Band Con- cert 141g Patrol 1313 3 1-Act Plays 121, 131, 141: Senior Play 141: Operetta 1211 Vice President 131: Class Secretary 121: Student Council Representative 111: Librarian 111, 121, 1313 Silver Basketball 1413 Town Oiiicer 121, 131, 141: Prize Speaking 141: Future Homemakers' Club 131. Future Intention: Surgical Nurse. COLLEEN NORMA BINGHAM, Cork Place of Birth: Chester, Vermont. Date of Birth: January 28, 1929. School Last Attended: Chester Graded. Course: General. Activities: Home Ec. Club: Senior Play 141. Future Intention: Undecided. CYNTHIA JEAN BUSWELL, BuzZy Place of Birth: Springfield, Vermont. Date of Birth: August 1, 1927. School Last Attended: Chester Graded School. Course: Commercial. Activities: Future Intention: Undecided.