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

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THE MERCURY 7 Senior Class History The story that I am about to tell is one that will remain for years un- finished--the history of the Class of '32, We have, it is true, completed our career at B. F. A., but we shall go on, though in diverse paths, always making history for B. F. A. and ,32. Our carefree high school days, fel- low classmates, are over, and it is now time that we turn to the more serious side of life. Let us, for a few short moments, recall the events of our high school days, that they may always dwell in our memory. We look back on our first day of high school almost as though it were a nightmare, still I believe the majority of us wish we might live that day over again. During that memorable day and even the first weeks that followed, everything ran along smoothly for the older students, but as for us, poor freshmen that we were, it seemed im- possible for us to do anything without getting ourselves into difficulties. The first big event in our high school life was a Freshman Class meeting held for the purpose of electing officers that could safely lead us through our first year of high school. This meeting re- sembled a menagerie when all the animals are let loose, more than it did a group of sane boys and girls. After much discussion, the following officers were finally elected: Stephen Brouillette ....... President Edith Daily ......... Vice-president Kathryn Touchette ........ Secretary John Larry ............. Treasurer These officers did their best to make the freshmen seem more like high school students than like children, but there was one thing that couldn't be accomplished and that was to collect the class dues. That was an impossible undertaking. Considering that the sophomores looked upon us almost as though we were scoundrels, it was really a sur- prise to us when we were invited to at- tend a reception in the City Hall. It is very evident that the majority of our classmates thought the sophomores were playing a practical joke on them, because only three freshmen couples attended the reception. This reception ended, for the year, our activities as a class. We spent the remainder of that semester and the next in preparing for those horrible mid- year and final exams. The next September, we gathered back at the old high school with only a few of our number left behind. It may seem a trifle unusual, but it was the general opinion that we held the same sentiment toward the fresh- men as the class ahead had had toward us. Since we were now sophomores, wise and sure of our own opinions, it was not so hard for us to decide on our class officers. ln only one much more orderly assembly than that of the pre- vious year we elected Ernest Warren for President, Persis Start for Vice-president, Aldine Miller for Secretary, and Robert Cunningham for Treasurer. This year it was our privilege to give the freshmen a reception. We had one food sale to help, but our efforts were hardly necessary. We had an excep- tionally large class, and everyone, it seemed, was willing to pay his dues.

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V l THE MERCURY Senior epartment Class Poem of 1932 We are ready, Captain, Waiting for your command. We are armed with youth and courage, Weapons the War of Life demands. The battle front is veiled with mist, So dim and yet so near. Our knowledge of the battle then ls only what we hear. We are clamoring to rush ahead To face the enemy's fire, To fill the places left by the dead Midst smoke and shell and wire. We have been training hard for this At last the hour is near. Above the din these words are sent For the new recruits to hear: Fight fairly and squarely and man for Whether you have a low rank or high. Fall not on your sword, a coward! Be a hero, and with a hero's spirit die. event, man, !7 MARJORIE MCKENNEY '32, Class Poet

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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