Bellows Free Academy - Alpha Omega Yearbook (St Albans, VT)

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TI IE MERCURY 9 more dignified and splendid than ever before, for we were seniors. We were the classmen to whom all others owed respect. Uur first important duty was the election of class officers. Not just ordi- nary ones, but officers who could and would teach us the laws and customs of the Senior Class. When we held a meeting for the purpose of accomplish- ing this task, I must sadly relate 'that we resembled freshmen much more than we did seniors. After a heated discussion, the following officers were elected: William Dempsey ........ President Marjorie McKenney .. Vice-president Hildreth Russell ......... Secretary William Renaud ......... Treasurer I might add that these officers have fulfilled their duties perfectly. On December 18, the Friday after- noon before Christmas vacation, the in- telligent boys of the graduating class put on the annual Senior Boys' Farce. These unusual boys entertained the members of Bellows Free Academy in an unusual way. The skit, written by Joseph Vincent MacDonald and James Scully, was in the form of a very important contest between the A and B divisions of a his- tory class. The wise old professor, Francis O'Connell, questioned the two teams incessantly. The questions ask- ed pertained to the affairs of certain members of the audience, and the an- swers given did not add to the comfort of the victims. Many of these musical boys showed their talent by playing on their respective horns, and by giving vocal solos. Everyone enjoyed this famous skit, given by these famous boys, and there was the general feeling that the senior girls would have a difficult time to pro- vide an Easter entertainment that would outdo the boys'. The next event on the seniors' pro- gram Was the first Senior Supper. Wil- liam Dempsey and Marjorie McKen- ney proved their ability at being a very charming host and hostess. The dining room was decorated in keeping with Washington's and Lin- coln's Birthdays and St. Valentine's Day. During the supper, there was much merriment over the valentines members of the class had made for each other. After the supper, stories of Wash- ington, Lincoln, and of the origin of St. Valentine's Day were told by noted speakers of the class. The Albanians furnished music for dancing in the gymnasium where the seniors entertained guests. I am sure I can safely say that everyone of us had a good time at our first Senior Supper. On March 25, the senior girls gave the members of the school an enjoy- able send-off for a happy Easter vaca- tion. They presented the most original and, of course, the most interesting en- tertainment ever put on by the senior boys or girls of this school, an enter- tainment written by Marjorie McKen- ney. In this humorous skit, Dolores Guay was the Director of the B. F. A. Scan- dals, and the poor woman was having a perfectly horrible time trying to find a girl to work for her. No one knew just what kind of girl she wanted, nor what her duties would be. This in- formation was not disclosed till the very end, after many girls had answer- ed the Girl Wantedn sign. Not long after school opened for the spring term, there were rumors of an- other Senior Supper. This event took place on April 21. William Renaud and Hildreth Russell as host and hostess planned a very successful buffet supper. The supper took place in the B. F. A.

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8 THE MERCURY The committee in charge of the dance spent many long and toilsome hours in decorating the City Hall for the occasion. When their task was fin- ished, the appearance of the hall cer- tainly was a credit to the class. Our spring vacation was several Weeks longer than usual this year, not because the school board thought we needed an extended rest, but because we were waiting for the construction work on Bellows Free Academy to be completed. Finally, on April 28, 1930, we en- tered the new school, appreciative of our new home, yet timid, for We knew not how to find our way about. Not only we, the sophomores, but also our so-called superiors, the juniors and seniors, and the unfortunate little freshmen. For once We were all in the same predicament. We liked this new and beautiful building, yet it was hard for us to for- get the old Academy with its creaky stairs, its icy rooms, and leaky study hall. In June, we were given the honor of decorating the new auditorium. Though we could not be the first to graduate from Bellows Free Academy, we were happy to think we could be the first to decorate our beautiful auditorium for the best loved of the commence- ment activities. Our junior year was an eventful one under the leadership of the following capable officers: john Callaghan .......... President Hortense Marchessault Vice-president Marjorie Hodge ......... Secretary William Dempsey ....... Treasurer Early in the fall, there arose the question of publishing a school paper. When, after considerable discussion and careful planning, it was decided to start what seemed to some an impos- sible undertaking, a meeting was held and the following juniors were chosen for the Editorial Staff: John Larry ....... Athletics Editor Dolores Guay ..... Exchange Editor Joseph MacDonald .... News Editor Business Staff: Edith Daily Assistant Circulation Manager William Renaud Assistant Advertising Manager Although the seniors did their best towards making this paper a success, that success was not attained without assistance from the juniors. The work of ,32 was evident in many departments of the magazine. Even the cover design was a piece of art done by a member of our class, Robert Fitz- gerald. As juniors we were confronted with maintaining the tradition of giving the seniors a farewell ball. With the constant demanding and pleading of our competent treasurer, nearly every junior paid his dues, enabling us to make this ball a success. The last event of the year was the Junior Prize Speaking Contest. The spirit of the juniors was shown by the exceptionally large number who con- tested. The prizes Were won by Char- lotte Gaither, Ernestine Best, and Per- sis Start. As We sat in the audience on Com- mencement Night of 1931, watching the graduating class, a thrill of pride went through us with the thought that in just one more year We should be up on the stage, but this thrill of pride soon turned to sadness, as We realized that in only one short year our high school days, the happiest days of our lives, would be over. In the early fall of 1931, we entered Bellows Free Academy just a little

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10 THE MERCURY Club Rooms. Between courses of the supper, several members of the class entertained with musical numbers, and a number of the teachers demonstrated their ability to act as comedians. After supper, music was furnished by the Albanians, as usual, but this time, although many of the young peo- ple enjoyed dancing, there was a large number who seemed more interested in playing cards. The most important event of the year was the long awaited Senior Play, Come out of the Kitchen, by A. E. Thomas, produced under the direction of Miss Barton. We sympathize With Miss Barton because of her difficulty in choosing the cast. As I have said before, this class has unusual talent for acting, and Miss Barton certainly realized this When it come to tryouts for the play. When at last a selection was made, the fol- lowing people had places in the cast: Olivia Dangerfield, alias Jane Ellen Isabelle McCann Elizabeth Dangerfield, alias Araminta Dorothy Deso Mrs. Ealkner ..... Elizabeth Corliss Cora Falkner .... Persis Start Amanda ...... .... D olores Cvuay Burton Crane ...... William Renaud Thomas Lefferts ..... Robert Derick Solon Tucker .... Joseph MacDonald Paul Dangerfield, alias Smithheld James Lorimer Curtis Charles Dangerfield, alias Brindlebury John Larry Randolph Weeks George Trudell The characters proved their ability to please When, on the evenings of May 26 and 27, the auditorium of Bel- lows Free Academy was filled to its capacity. We Wish to thank the undergradu- ates for their hearty cooperation in selling tickets, and also to thank Miss Barton for her untiring efforts to make this play a success. It is needless to say that this was the best play ever given by any Senior Class. The school paper, THE MERCURY, Which was so successful in its first year, has been equally successful under the direction of the following capable seniors: Editorial Staff Marvin Courtney ........... Editor Joseph MacDonald . Managing Editor Elizabeth Corliss .. . Literary Editor Dolores Guay ....... French Editor Edith Daily ......... News Editor Marjorie McKenney . . Alumni Editor Business Staff William Renaud .. Business Manager Persis Start Circulation Manager John Larry Advertising Manager It must not go unsaid that the faculty advisors have been exceedingly valuable in making THE MERCURY a success. In these pages, We have traced the activities of the Class of '32 from the beginning of its high school career to the end. We have seen how a scat- tered group of care-free freshmen has developed into the best and the most dignified class that has ever graduated from this academy of learning. Al- though We leave with smiles on our faces, it is not Without aches in our hearts. We shall miss the advice of our kind and patient teachersg We shall miss Mr. Dickinson's snapping fingers and funny stories, We shall miss our books and lessons, these quiet and pleasant classrooms, and this beautiful school where our class has thus far made most of its history, and above all, we shall miss the happy gatherings that this class had. For is it not probable that we shall, after this Week, never be together again as a class? We leave this school with our past