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

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The N. A. After bidding Helen “good-bye” I returned to my friends, the Captain and his wife, and announced that I was ready to go home. Much to my surprise I learned that trains were quite a thing of the past and that everyone travelled by planes which were run on a schedule. The next morning I departed in a plane and without mishap reached St. Louis where it was necessary to wait until the next morning for a plane to New Athens. Not knowing how to while the time which was laying rather heavily on my hands I decided to go to the Schubert-Rialto which was staging a Shakespearian play Macbeth. As soon as the character, Macbeth, made his appearance I recognized him at once as Albert Wilson who had received his first experience in dramatics at the N.A.C.H.S. His interpretation was excellent and I could see by the actions of the audience that he was famous. I was anxious to speak to him, for he was one of my class-mates but upon inquiring after the performance, I was informed that on no condition whatsoever would I be able to see him. For so many women who were enamored with him were constantly trying to see him that he absolutely refused to allow any of the feminine sex in his quarters. Finding my efforts useless I wandered about gazing in the windows which displayed many strange styles to me. It was still early in the afternoon, and not knowing what else to do, I walked into a beautiful church which was having services. The minister was preaching a beautiful, eloquent sermon. His gestures and voice at once identified him for me. He was Irvin Nuernberger, an old classmate who I had never dreamed would ever turn to a profession like that. After leaving the church, I went to an hotel and, after obtaining a room and making myself comfortable, sat down to read an evening paper. The first thing I noticed was a large picture of a fairly young man wearing glasses. Reading the title of the picture I learned that the man was Mr. Walter Sauerwein, a great chewing-gum manufacturer. His life story was told and it was said he claimed the success due to his indulging in gum chewing during school life. He explained that due to the number of times he was requested to dispense with his gum during English class in his Senior year he had found a method of making a species of gum which one could enjoy in a short time; so that by the time the teachers became aware of your masticating you were quite ready to throw it away. After laying aside my paper I went down to the dining room for dinner. At the table next to mine a rather tall and exceedingly thin young man was waiting for his meal to be served. He was gazing at his finger nails, which were highly polished and filed, in a way which caused me to think of a member of the class of '29. Who could be so proud of his nails but our old friend Lloyd Weible? As he looked up he caught my glance and recognizing me he came over to my table. During the course of the meal I learned that Lloyd was now a successful real estate man and that he still lived in New Athens and was happily married. Upon arriving in my home town the next morning I walked down Van Buren Street. There I saw a large parade coming toward me. The center of attraction was a large limousine in which a rather small young man was standing, a silk hat in his hand, bowing to people on every side. I asked a bystander who the man was and received the reply that he was Mr. E. E. Woodward, the new mayor. Sixteen