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

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BLUE AND WHITE 11 on page one a flame of red which I later discovered was a bottle of ketchup. Immediately my mouth began to water, and I was forced to leave the fire and enter the cold pantry where I devoured sundry pastries and various other articles, each daubed with ketchup. Then, as though someone hit me, I felt a queer pain in my stomach. I told myself it was of little consequence, as it did nothing more than double me up in agony. I returned to my chair, again eased myself into it, again opened the magazine-—to page two, where I discovered a beautiful girl, all teeth, sweetly smiling at me. Just one glance reminded me to brush my own teeth, so I performed the task. Returning, I glanced at page three, where I saw a telephone which reminded me to call up Maude at the Hewses’. She asked me how I felt, and I said, “Never better in my life.’’ This reply-led her to invite me to come over and play bridge. 1 declined, however, and returned to my magazine. On page four I found a queer looking object which was said to be a stream-lined car, which, aflter having been tipped over on jagged rocks, showed not a dent. My car should be able to stand such a test. If it couldn’t, I would have to buy a new stream-lined one. So, with my stomach-ache still a stomach-ache, I piled rocks until midnight, and finally succeeded in tipping my car over on them. Result—car demolished, and damages done to my ribs, cheeks, collar-bone, and arms. I was taken to a hospital, where Maude brought me another magazine. I began a mystery story, but before long I was directed to turn to page 130, where, along with a part of the story, was the picture of a girl with a marvelous complexion which was gained by using one, and only one, kind of soap. I suddenly craved a bath with that brand of soap, so I rang for the nurse, who said she was busy. When the tears welled up in my eyes, she comforted me by telling me she could comply with my request in two hours. On the other side of the mystery story was an ad for gum—Spearmint. I’d forgotten how it tasted! I sent an errand boy to the store to buy me some. He brought it, and I began to chew. Only a few minutes had passed when I began to feel hungry, and, upon rereading the ad I found that gum stimulated the appetite. After that I went through the sweet mental and physical agony which results from hunger, and knowing that you can’t eat. I tried to forget it by continuing the mystery tale. Soon I reached a dramatic point in the story, but 1 couldn’t resist the interruption offered by a column of instructions for solving a puzzle. The puzzle was easy. Anyone could win a Sparrow car (the kind that defies jagged rocks). I scratched my head, and racked my brain, but to no avail. The next step was nervousness. It was so easy! Why couldn’t I get it? I was driven to insanity, and put under the care of a specialist. He took my magazine away, but for six weeks I was haunted with nightmares about the simple solution. When I finally regained my health, it was an absolute rule for me, “No more magazines!” May fate deliver me from ads like those And all the subsequent protracted woes. lEifftnrial PRO AND CON Edward Ryan, ’35 Recently we established an investiga- ions as to whether we should or should tion on our own account asking the not have five minutes recess during the Seniors of V. H. S. to give their opin- morning and afternoon session. Of the

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10 VERGENNES HIGH SCHOOL A SWEET SUBJECT Joan Casey, ’36 1 ani sure that nearly every one lias some liking for candy. We may vary as to our favorites, but a person who has no sweet tooth is slightly deformed. We may begin with a very common type—the chocolate. Let us not worry about surplus avoirdupois. Some girls heroically turn away from the tempting bits for reasons of weight, but I shall never sacrifice my sweet-tooth to my waist-line. Chocolates suggest the candy bar. Here we expand and take a deep breath. Out of the hundreds of kinds of bars we can choose only a few. A generous bite of an almond bar is not displeasing to most- palates. A cocoanut bar often makes the precious tooth sing. Ribbon candy is reserved for the Christmas season, for some reason which I cannot guess. I should enjoy it at any time, for its colorful appearance and intriguing swirls add greatly to its delicious flavor. I shudder at the thought of a world without caramels. The melting sweetness that we can taste over and over is nectar fit for the gods, and who will deny that our trusty molars benefit by the caramel gymnastics. A quiet evening at home is well spent with the making of fudge. Other types of home-made candy, also, may appeal to us: fondant, for example, or crisp peanut brittle. An experience not to be missed in any home is taffy pulling, fascinating for the uncertainty of its results. Novel and attractive shapes and appetizing colors, nowadays, feature mints on the candy counters. The homely herb that grew in our greatgrandmothers' gardens would never recognize itself in this modern dress. And gum drops! Who could resist the glistening tempters? I always choose the black ones, the licorice drops, and always wish there were more dusky ones in the hag. To ease the strain on groaning budgets, hard candies are recommended for their lasting quality. I have thought about all these kinds of candy without arriving at any conclusion as to which is my favorite. Some folks can decide without pondering, but I decline to show any partiality. For me, any good candy has its place and its time: that place is—anywhere, that time is—any time. Here is a lolly pop! Ah! I shall eat a toast to my sweet subject. From childhood on, we girls on candy dote. Especially chocolates. Boys, please kindly note. ON MAGAZINES George Noonan, ’35 The other day I strolled into the village drugstore and looked for something a little out of the ordinary with which to amuse myself. It is very unusual for me to sit down with a magazine and read, but as I happened to feel in the mood, I purchased a popular periodical. That evening I eased myself into a Morris chair by the cozy wood-fire and admired the snappy picture which adorned the cover of my purchase. Opening the magazine, I saw

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12 VERGENNES HIGH SCHOOL thirty-eight pupils questioned nine were against the return of the recess schedule, twenty-seven for its return, while two gave arguments both pro and con. Following are the arguments against the reestablishment of recess. If we should have a five-minute recess in the morning and another in the afternoon, the total time taken up during a school year would be thirty hours or one school week. Would it be worth while? Another point discussed was the noise and confusion that comes with recess. Teachers are tortured by the aforesaid noise and confusion. One Senior claimed that it was childish to clamor for a recess. Furthermore, he said that in the bigger schools recess periods were not allowed. Recess breaks in on the studious attitude which one acquires towards the end of a study period. If a pupil stops studying to talk and laugh noisily, he has a hard time trying to concentrate during the next study period. A question raised in the minds of some of the Seniors is—will recess eliminate a certain amount of whispering? A goodly number think it would encourage whispering instead. The average student, after talking steadily for five minutes, continues during the following study period. The above are the arguments against the return of recess as stated by members of the Senior class. Now follow arguments favoring the return of that lost privilege—recess. Nearly all the pupils get nervous and jumpy after two periods of intense study. To have a quiet, efficient study hall these students have to work off their pent-up energy. Recess furnishes the necessary outlet in which they can relax, stretch, and prepare for the coming periods. One worthy member of our class went so far as to say that the Seniors should give up their speaking privilege, if necessary, to insure the return of recess. If he gained his way, everybody in school would have a chance to talk instead of just the Seniors. Stopping to drink at the fountains is discouraged by the faculty. With this situation the thirsty have to drink before and after school or during study periods, which is an inconvenience. Recess gives one a chance to relax, to visit friends and teachers, and to discuss topics of pressing interest. One might say that recess is the means to prepare for quiet, efficient study periods and to keep a happy, contented student body. It is said that in huge modern business plants recreation rooms are furnished, rest periods are allowed, and the contentment of the workers closely guarded. Why shouldn’t a school be as modern as a manufacturing plant in this way? As one Senior said—“Recess is like a dessert after a disliked dinner.” The opinion of the class as a whole is in favor of the return of recess. Although the Seniors are supposed to be the oldest and wisest in school, their opinions may not coincide with those of the underclassmen. Why don’t you of the lower classes do or say something on the subject? Do you want recess to return? Let the Faculty and the student body know how you feel about the question. The Faculty might take an interest in the affair. As I write, my eyes wander to the bust of Shakespeare which adorns the main room. By a proper display of feeling on our part the deaf ears of Shakespeare might be moved to listen. Understanding human nature, as we always believed he did, he might even quote a passage in our behalf which would influence the Faculty’s decision at the last moment. My advice is to win Shakespeare to your side as soon as possible. Faith Kenyon and Elaine Beach have made their comments in the Literary and Exchange departments in rhymed couplets which seem to be the closest approach in verse to the essay.