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

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FLAMSTEAD CHALLENGE 15 The first printing press known to mankind was invented in Germany in the early 1400's. Although Gutenburg was the inventor, he did not receive credit for his great work from the people, however, he greatly aided the field of journalism in Europe. John Campbell, in 1704, published the Boston News-Letter, the first success- ful American paper. Soon journalism began to spread, adding to the enjoyment of the American people. Benjamin Franklin was one of the most outstanding beginners in journalism in America. His Poor Richard's Almanac won a hearty welcome from the Amer- ican press and soon found nation-wide acclaim. It was so well known, for it won its fame on its literary merit alone, that the people looked forward to its publica- tion with great anticipation. Critics today consider it an outstanding piece of journalism. Franklin's reforms, including the organization of a police force, a militia, fire extinguishing companies, and others, were brought to the public eye', through the Pennsylvania Gazette. It is difficult for us to imagine not knowing about daily happenings in local, state and national affairs, but during George Washington's day daily news was seldom known, for only weekly newspapers were published. As the telephone and telegraph were not discovered at this time, mail clerks and carriers were of great importance in transmitting the news to the publishers. Travelers to Europe and ship captains often were depended upon to bring news of foreign countries to the colonies, thus, news was outdated before it could be printed. Nevertheless, small newspapers were printed, and increased in size during the 1840,s when the tele- graph came into practical useg thus, news from the outside world could be received more easily and quickly. Daily newspapers began to be published, and the growth of the daily paper encouraged news writers to contribute to it. Compared with newspapers today, the colonial papers were very small, often only the size of typewriter paper, and usually only three or four pages in length. There were no sketches, pictures, or comics to make the papers more interesting, only bare news which the colonists grasped with eagerness. Soon journalists began improving newspapers. joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst, two outstanding men in the field of journalism during the nineteenth century, started the trend to improve newspapers by special feature columns, pictures and sensa- tional articles which appealed to the reading public. Today, it seems unimaginable that such conditions as those mentioned could have existed only two hundred and fifty years ago. Now, with the Associated Press and other wire services, the nation's newspapers have been reduced to a great similarity. News found in California papers is found here in the New England papers, written up by our own reporters, but bearing the same information. Right here, in the state of Vermont, there are numerous excellent newspapers bringing the world's events to the reading public. Even farm families in the rural districts receive their daily paper by subscribing to it, and having it brought to their homes by mail carriers. Others buy their papers at drug stores, or news- stands, eager to read about the world happenings. Now, with a circulation of millions, the nation's papers reach out far and wide to small rural communities, and to cities, releasing world news to everyone interested. Our own little school paper, the Chester Chatter, published monthly, relays news of school affairs and current events to the student body. I am happy to say that, aided by advertisements, the paper has been successful. This paper has undergone several improvements during the three years of its publication, and ranks well with the other mimeographed school papers in the state. This is only a small example of newspaper work, but one of considerable importance and experience for anyone interested in a journalistic career.

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14 FLAMSTEAD CHALLENGE PHYLLIS IRENE WHITCOMB, Phil Phyllis is little, Phyllis is snappy, She's always making, Someone happy. Place of Birth: Springfield, Vermont. Date of Birth: November 19, 1931. School Last Attended: Chester Graded. Course: College Preparatory. Activities: Cheerleading 123, 133, 1433 Home Ec. Club 123: Majorette 133, 143: Basketball Manager 133, 1435 Silver C 1335 3 1-Act Plays 1333 Senior Play 1435 Chester Chatter Staff 1433 Gold C 1435 Flamstead Challenge Staff 133, 143: Glee Club 133, 1433 Third Honor Essey 143. Future Intention: College. KAMELIA M. WIERZBICKI, Kamoochle ' Never idle a moment, But thrifty and thoughtful of others. Place of Birth: Proctorsville, Vermont. Date of Birth: December 18, 1931. ' School Last Attended: Proctorsville Graded. Course: General. Activities: Glee Club 113, 123, 1335 Girls' State 1333 Silver Basketball 1435 Varsity Basketball 123, 133, 1435 Senior Play 1433 Perfect Attendance 1133 Co-Captain of Basketball Team 1435 Minstrel Show 123: Librarian 133. lournalism---Yesterday and Today VALEDICTORY ADDRESS Mary Bentley Ever since the colonial period, when the first successful newspapers were printed, the newspaper has been an important factor in the molding of public opinion. We are impressed with the vast improvement which newspapers have brought about in the world, especially when we look backward to 490 B. C., the day of the Marathon Race. Because daily newspapers were unheard of, a Greek Olympic runner ran the distance from Marathon to Athens, twenty-two miles, carrying the news of the defeat of the Persians by the Athenians. After running this distance, the runner was so exhausted that he fell to the ground, shouted, Hail! We Con- quer! and fell dead. News was very slow traveling as is exemplified by the War of 1812. Peace commissioners from America were sent to confer with those of England, and the peace treaty known as the Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 14, 1814. Meanwhile, Andrew Jackson was sent to conquer New Orleans. With his troops he fought the most decisive battle during the war, conquering New Orleans on January 8, 1815, twenty-five days after the peace treaty was signed. We can see that it was because news traveled so slowly that a battle was fought after peace had been proclaimed.

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16 FLAMSTEAD CHALLENGE We all know that we would miss our daily paper if we didn't receive one. just think of all the news we can comprehend in just one hour! There are so many advantages of the daily and weekly papers that it is hard to find any fault with them, however, there is one large disadvantage. They may become vehicles for organized propaganda. This would affect the welfare of the American people so much that we must be on the look-out for such an occurrence. Journalism, within the last two hundred and fifty years, has become practi- cally an industry in itself, and reaches more people than any other big business in the world. Today, as never before, the people of the United States are able to grasp the news of the world simply by reading their daily paper. We must all agree that journalism has certainly spread nation-wide! Insirumenially Speaking SALUTATORY ADDRESS Lois Mansur A baton is raised-the conductor points his instruments to action. Imagine that you hear the smooth, swift beginning of a musical composition that suggests a mountain shower. Then a soft tremolo of the bass indicates thunder, and a sharp Hash of lightning, intimated by rapid ascending arpeggios, is followed by a swiftly descending scale. More thunder precedes the return of the little shower. After this, a rainbow is hinted. This composition has been written to give a definite effect. As you listened, you thought of something specific-the thunder, lightning, and rain, and a moo-d has been created. This is true of the music that falls into the impressionistic and expressionistic classes. What is behind the composition? Gf course, it has melody and rhythm, it is written in harmony-but the instruments express the musicg they suggest the picture. Then each one has its role of creating the mood or impression. Some assume the roles of familiar objects, animals, or even humans. One of the outstanding instruments in an orchestra that are personified is the bassoon. It has been called the clown of the orchestra. Perhaps this is because it makes a point of counterpoint with a twinkle in its eye. Of all instruments, I can think of none which presents a more beautiful portrayal of human feelings than the violin. It is no wonder that music has been conceived especially with the idea of bringing out its human quality. A particular symphonic suite with this idea in mind is Scheherazade, by Rimsky-Korsakov. It is based on tales from The Thousand and One Nights, in which a certain Sultan vows to slay each of his wives. Sultana Scheherazade saved her life by telling tales to the Sultan over a period of a thousand and one nights. Throughout the suite, the violin solo appears as the narrator, Scheherazade. Always the stern Sultan is the full orchestra. Scheherazade is a classical work for the listener's pleasure. As a way of contrast, the creation, Peter and the Wolf, has the primary purpose of teaching children to recognize the instruments of the orchestra. Of course it is enjoyedg it has appeal for both children and sophisticated adults. Like Scheherazade, Peter and the Wolf is based on a story. In short, the wolf has gobbled up a duck, and has threatened the safety of the cat and bird. The boy-scout, Peter, with aid