New Athens High School - Vespa Yearbook (New Athens, IL)

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The N. A. 55 9 GftSI' SENIOR CLASS PROPHECY of ’29 One day shortly after I had graduated from the New Athens Community High School, a famous woman flyer asked me to take an aeroplane trip with her across the ocean. I agreed at once and after due preparation we took off in our plane amid the cheers of a crowd that had gathered on the field. The first day of our trip was beautiful and we flew for miles without a mishap. However, that night a terrific storm came on us and our plane was forced down into the ocean. I thought that the end had come, but as we were struggling in the water, trying to keep above the waves, my companion saw, during a flash of lighning, a strip of land a short distance away. Taking heart we swam desperately and finally, almost ex-hausted, we reached the shore. Staggering up on the land we saw by means of brilliant flashes of lightning, that we were on a tropical island. Finding a sheltered place, we lay down and despite the storm, both fell asleep. The next morning dawned beautiful and clear. After exploring, we found that we were on a deserted island miles from a human being, without transportation or any method of calling for help. Days passed into weeks and weeks swiftly into years as we lived a barbaric life on this island. Fruit was our chief food, our clothing, the tatters that were left when we first reached the island. Year after year passed as we watched every day for a ship or an aeroplane to rescue us. Finally after we had been there for ten years, we succeeded in attracting the attention of the crew on a ship which passed near the island. They immediately changed their course and a boat was sent ashore to rescue us. Inside of two weeks we landed in New York where the Captain’s wife supplied us with clothing. I was very anxious to get back to my old home town and made preparations to leave as soon as possible. But many were the strange sights which greeted my eyes. The most noticeable difference since my departure was that the streets were at least three times wider than before. Also there were hardly any automobiles but aeroplanes of every imaginable model and color. Just as I was walking along noticing all this, a small blue plane landed in a park' ing place next to the sidewalk upon which I was walking. A young woman who appeared vaguely familiar to me stepped out. I looked at her closely and as she came toward me I recognized her as an old class mate, Evelyn Schmelzel. I was overjoyed at seeing her and after talking to her I found that she had entered into the aeroplane business, a profession which she had always dreamed of in her High School days. After leaving her I decided to visit a beauty parlor. Walking several blocks I came upon a very attractive little shop which I at once decided to patronize. Going into the place I saw a very pretty young woman come toward me. I recognized her at once as Helen Wellenkotter, another old classmate. She recognized me at once and in the course of a long conversation I learned, much to my surprise, that she still lived in single blessedness and was the successful manager of the shop we were in. Fifteen