Orleans High School - Sword Yearbook (Orleans, VT)

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Better roads and streets, better laws and enforcement—and above all else, better driving—will bring this evil under control. No sudden or temporary crusade will do it, but the persistent effort of millions of people, each doing his part, will. In this movement for greater safety on the highways every one of us is needed. And the least we can do is drive our own cars just as well as we know how— and let’s start tonight. Greta Messier, ’46, Salutatorian. Valedictory JUST TALK? Rather than speaking about an international problem, or the atomic age, about which I know practically nothing, and quoting uninteresting figures, I’d like to think with you for a few minutes tonight about this once prevalent idea of a new gymnasium for Orleans High School. It’s certainly a problem with which we in Orleans are concerned, from you townspeople, who could act now, to you future students, who would benefit directly from results of such action. This subject has been discussed openly in the American Legion and Auxiliary, the Chamber of Commerce, the P. T. A., and prac- tically every organization here in town. In the beginning we hoped that enough interest would be aroused, so some course of action would be taken. Unfortunately, this new interest diminished; all discussion was dropped, and talk of a new gym simply died away. Although it faded orally, publicly, in my opinion there is still a great deal of thought and real interest. Therefore, let’s consider the question again, reviewing the advantages. In the first place, is there a need for this gymnasium? Our present gym would suffice—but that’s what everyone thought of the horse and buggy before the automobile came into use. Progress is definitely not made without change or improvement. One advantage, concerning the basketball games particularly, would be the use of a larger floor with ample seating conditions. You fans realize what a limited capacity we now have. It is practi- cally impossible to enjoy a game which is well attended. Without any obstructions, such as stairs or a balcony, we could possibly wit- ness a good game. It is very difficult to practice on a small floor and become accustomed to a larger court, like the one at the tourna- ment. It takes time for the boys to adjust themselves to the differ- PAGE TWENTY-SEVEN

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money alone, but in human lives and suffering—must be taught unsparingly to all concerned in accidents who are still able to take lessons. The pessimist says, Nothing can be done! There have always been accidents! There will always be accidents!” The optimist says, It must be done! Accidents can never be prevented entirely, but the number can be reduced decidedly!” When a large number of persons begin to study safety, and to practice safety, our accident toll will decrease. The last is particularly important, for Portia was correct when she said, I can easier teach twenty what it were good to be done than to be one of the twenty to follow mine own teach- ing.” Is the young man Absalom safe? About three thousand years ago King David asked this question concerning the fate of his rebellious son. In this machine age any parent who reads the news- papers must be seriously concerned much of the time for the safety of his children. Who can feel safe upon our highways today? Who can be sure that his turn will not be next? It is the outstanding scandal of American life, the supreme shame of the nation. It cries for attention and redress from everyone of us who drives a car. It seems that our only way of reducing the number of accidents lies in teaching pupils to think about safety, to practice safety, and to preach safety to others. What then is more logical to teach them? Study the causes of motor accidents and at least one remedy appears clear. Two-thirds are due to errors in driving. Too many drivers have not yet learned the exacting and difficult task of oper- ating high-powered cars safely in modern fast-moving traffic. It is up to each of us to learn the technique of driving for him- self. No matter how much or how little you have driven, make sure you have mastered it. What subject today is more worthy of study and mastery than the art of driving a car? Nothing in your lives can so directly touch the safety of your family, your friends who ride with you, and yourself. Do not leave it to policemen, judges and hospital internes to make a good driver of you. If you are not will- ing to assume this fundamental obligation of American citizenship, be fair to your fellow human beings. Turn in your license plates and never drive a car again. We fail in our duty if we fail to remember that every man, woman and child ruthlessly slaughtered in the name of insane care- less speed or drunken driving is somebody’s mother, father, wife, husband, or child; and that those left alive, mutilated or not, will spend the rest of their lives mourning the hideous slaughter. Conditions like this must end, and this is the responsibility of the community of which every one of us is an integral part. The lesson should be learned from this moment forward—by the driver, the other occupants of the motor vehicle, and the pedestrian alike. PAGE TWENTY.SIX

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ence in size. Lack of ventilation is another factor which could be remedied. All of these hindrances could easily be avoided in a new and well-designed building. I believe I can truthfully state that some people regard Orleans only as a community which turns out a good basketball team each year. Unfortunately that is a poor and biased opinion to form. But, considering that belief, isn’t it strange that we do have such successful teams? Yes—outstanding ability and capable coaching do form the basis of a championship team, but practicing conditions and a good gymnasium certainly would contribute more to the results. Secondly, as to the cost, it would probably not make us debtors. Several local organizations have seriously considered some sort of advancement in the recreational field—a dance hall, bowling alley— such high hopes for the young people of today! The American Legion has been more than willing to see a step taken; they have offered to take it. It seems to me that through the combined efforts, planning, and financing of these various groups, some progress could be made. To raise the required amount of money is a question which can be answered in several different ways. Various methods have been suggested—control of Orleans County Fair, sales, lawn parties, and even individual donations. Taxation is the usual method of financ- ing such an undertaking. Through larger attendances at games profits would soon repay for the gym. Thirdly, we must consider a site for such a construction. No decisive location has been given but several suggestions have been made. The Legion’s desire to locate the building adjacent to its present hall has been argued against. One possibility could be the vacant lot beside or behind the hotel. Because the advantage of locating it near the school has been cited as a very important factor, someone mentioned the three-cornered lot at the further end of school street. This has several good points about it. If such a building came into being, its various uses other than for gymnastic purposes is unlimited. A combination gymnasium and auditorium with properly equipped dressing rooms, would be of great assistance to dramatic interests and for exercises such as graduation. The possession of a dance floor would be keenly appre- ciated by everyone. Another possibility could be the centralized unit consisting of a gymnasium, an auditorium, with Home Eco- nomics and Agricultural Departments also as part of the building. These last two ideas were discussed a few years ago but no active results occurred. The advantage and profit of such an addition to Orleans can definitely be emphasized with an example. Even towns smaller than Orleans have far better gymnastic opportunity. Morrisville, Milton PAGE TWENTY-EIGHT