Vergennes Union High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Vergennes, VT)

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THE BLUE AND WHITE. 3 The Blue and White. Editorial Board. We are sorry that some of the jokes and nicknames in the humerous section of the paper really did grind. However, it is only just to add that we are sure no ill feeling was intended. Editor-in-Chief, WM. II. CARTER, ’06 Associate Editor, JENNIE A. HARRIS, ’Oi Exchange Editor, ALICE S. MULLEN, ’06 Alumni Editor, GEORGE DAVIES, ’06 Athletic Editor, LEO E. PRATT, ’07 f ARCHIE S. HAVEN, ’08 Assistant Editors, ARLIE F. ALDEN, ’08 ( ERNESTINE BRISTOL, ’09 Business Manager, WM. T. MIDDLEBROOK, ’08 The Blue and White will be published once each term, or tri-yearly, Necessity compells us to again call at-N. B. tention to the financial needs of the “Blue and White.” We now ui gently request your support not only that we may succeed but also that we may exist. The expenses of this issue have been cut down as much as possible. Shall we or shall we not have a school paper? Other schools support one. Ii we fail in our attempt we admit that our neighbors and rivals outdo us. We do not wish to complain, but only to arouse enthusiasm. Can you not find or persuade some one to purchase a copy ? If so, our manager Mr. Middlebrook will supply such, both gladly and promptly. If we work together, success is assured. Terms. Price per copy, Twenty-five Cents. Von. 1. Vkrhew'ks, Vt., March, 1906. No. 2 Editorial. It is unnecessary to say that the FORMER blame for the errors or omissions in MISTAKES, our first issue rests entirely with the editor. First we wish to give tardy credit to Alden, 08, for his interesting story, “ A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” It may not be fully understood that all athletic reports are written by Pratt, 07, our athletic editor, and likewise that the alumni editor, Davies, ’06, has charge of the alumni department. Lest we claim to exhaust our sub-A ject we limit it. Our aim is to sug- SECRET gest material profitable for thought. Op Abstract principles are good as far SUCCESS. as they go. We should hold the principles sacred, which we think or know to be right. The force of habit is a powerful one, for good habits cling as well as bad. Do we ever stop to think that daily habits are forming our characters ? Good habits, then, go far toward solving our problem. Good habits arid intentions, however, must be seconded by ambition. This ambition should spur us on to something more than air castles, and inspire us to honest endeavor in work of the humblest kind for which we expect no direct reward. Work itself has often been called the secret of success but this statement must be broadened. In looking back over the careers of noted men, we are prone to sav that their success was due to particular characteristics, such as M ashington’s integrity or Lincoln’s humor. In this we generally

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2 TIIE BLUE AND WHITE. money hereby authorized to be loaned, shall exceed the said sum of seven thousand, five hundred dollars ($7,500) and said committee are hereby authorized to sell on the best terms they can, the brick school-house and premises.” The following committee were elected, viz : B. F. Young, George W Grandy and F. W. Coe. Mr. B. F. Young was authorized to build the present school-house which was completed in 1863 at an expense of thirteen thousand dollars ($13,-000.) The Eastern or Graded School, as it is now called, is a large three-story frame building with a basement, and until recently contained only four good departments, while formerly a room for the accommodation of the smaller pupils was hired across the street. 1 he Eastern and Western districts having been united, measures had been proposed for increasing the school accommodations, when in 1885, the Catholic school was established; this diminished the attendance about one-half, so it rested here until an increased attendance, some years later, compelled the fitting up of two other rooms. This was done by taking part of the Upper Hall and using the stage and south side for rooms. This was done for several years, but at last it proved a failure, as it was not only a poor plan, but also a dangerous one. For little children to go up so far, not only ruined their health, but also endangered their lives in case of fire, so with the combined efforts of Mr. Rodgers, our present Principal, and Miss Sul ton, who was teaching there at that time, the people of the city were aroused to the conviction that a different arrangement must be made at once. The usual meetings were called and the following committee, Dr. G. F. B. Willard, A. W. Norton, G. F. O. Kimball, T. Mack and J. G. Ilindes were appointed to carry out the plan presented by Architect Austin of Burlington. The school opened Sept. 19 with the best facilities afforded by the new addition, a credit to its promoter, Mr. Rodgers, and the people of the city. The new part centres on the back of the old, being 52 feet wide by 38 feet deep. On the first floor, one enters the new part through the old hall, or from the outside by double doors on either side of the new hall, which runs at right angles from the old hall, and is 32 feet long by 8 feet wide. Behind the hall, on the lower floor, are two large rooms, each of which, is well lighted by five large windows and contains all the modern improvements for a class room. As one ascends the stairs, as formerly, he finds the rooms as he knew them, with the exception of a door opening on the West side of the old Grammar Room, which opens into the new High School, the main opening of which, extends from what was known as the Recitation Room, this having been converted into a Cloak Room. The High School is a modern room, being large enough to accommodate about ninety pupils. North of the High School Room are two rooms, one a Recitation Room capable of seating a class of thirty-five; this is fitted up with seven settees each one being provided with five tablet arms for writing, the other a laboratory in which a dozen students can work at one time. New blackboards of slate have been placed in each room of the new part, and the walls have been adorned with celebrated pictures and castes among which are the following : Guido Reni’s Aurora, Hoffman’s Christ, Watt’s Sir Galahad, Raphael’s three groups of Madonnas, portraits of Washington, Lincoln, McKinley and Shakespeare, Sargent’s Prophets, and photographs of the Plaza of St. Mark’s and the Bridge of Sighs, Venice, and the Arch of Titus, Rome. A facsimile of the Declaration of Independence (on parchment), framed and presented by the Seth Warner Chapter of the D. A. R. The following castes are now possessed by the High School : has relief of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, shield of the Cellini family of Florence, Italy, relief of the head of Homer, Trojan shield in imitation bronze, telling the story of the sack of Troy, statue of Mercury presented by Mrs. William Watt, and bas-relief of child’s head and bust of Charles Sumner presented by Mrs. Henry I. Booth. The entire building is heated by steam, and an electric signal bell has been placed in each room and is operated from the Principal’s room. The school is now under the able charge of Mr. Rodgers, to whom much of the credit for the present condition is due, and seven competent teachers. It has an attendance of about two hundred and fifty pupils. The most recent change to be noted is the addition of one year to the High School course, an arrangement begun under our present principal.

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4 THE BLUE AND WHITE. err. No one quality makes the true hero. Virtue is necessary and honesty indispensible. Habit must be guarded and spirit oonta oiled. To balance work and pleasure, to diaw the line, to iind the “happy mean,” this is the secret. It’s discovery makes heroes in the common walks of life as well as in its crises. There is nothing so widely THE read to-day as the newspaper. VALUE Let us see what is the value of OF reading it. NEWSPAPER In the first place, the news-READ1NG. papers of to-day contain the history of our times. We read from books the history of past ages ; is it less important to know the history of our own age ? Again, newspaper reading keeps us in touch with the active life of the world. Political questions are discussed in them, and, especially for the men, an acquaintance with these is necessary. Newspaper reading is an aid to conversation. The news of the day is much discussed in intelligent circles, and if one neglects to read the newspapers, he is greatly handicapped. To be able to understand and speak intelligently of the important events of the time is a great advantage to one in social life. It is necessary for everyone to keep up with the times, and in no way can lie do this so well as through the newspapers. It is true that there is much objectionable and worthless matter contained in the modern newspaper ; but one must learn to read what is of value and pass over what is worthless. This in itself may be a valuable training for the judgment. Thus we see that no one can afford to neglect the reading of the newspapers. We have been compelled to shorten this issue to about two-thirds of the material on hand for financial reasons. On this account several articles will go over to the spring issue. Senior CJass Notes. ■Soon after the Christmas vacation the question arose as to how the financial resources of the class might be increased. After several exciting meetings the class finally d eided to give a play at some time after Easter. Therefore, when at length the play is ready, all sisters, cousins, aunts, beaux and general well wishers ■ f the c'ass are asked to ire present. Carter, while translating the speech of Anchises, said, “ and thus the Senior (vix ea fatus erat senior) spoke.” Miss Adams is convinced that “manifesta tides ” means only “plain insurance.” Several of the members of the class have been out of school because of illness for a few days but we are thankful that there have been no cases of prolonged sickness. Among those who have been on the sick list are Miss Burge, Miss Belle Parker and Young, who had a bad case of the measles. N. B. Prof, says that Young’s kind won’t work again. W anted : Now that he can no longer depend on Willis, Young wants a new prompter. Junior Opinions. Freshmen— We, the Juniors wish to say That your heads are very thick And that ’tis impossible For you ever to be quick. We just wish to tell you now That you take but little pains And that Latin is too hard For such wee, wee little brains.