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

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BLUE AND WHITE 27 His sight. They too are Americans, they too have a right to everything this bounteous land has to offer. If you truly try to do this you will succeed. Perhaps someday we may reach a goal when we all will he able to say with a clear conscience, “I AM AN AMERICAN.” Marie Bodctte, ’49 LIFE’S LITTLE INSPIRATIONS Baby sitting can be fun, but when it is over and the babies are lying asleep and you are lying, it is an excellent chance to get an inspiration; especially if you hear a knocking at the window that makes you so scared that you do not dare turn over in bed or breath through your nose. Lying there took me back to a night several years ago that I shall not forget in a hurry. This particular night is horrible to remember, but it is also humorous to think that nothing bad actually happened. There I was lying asleep when suddenly I woke up. On waking I decided to smooth out a wrinkle in the sheet — sorry, it was my sister’s arm. I proceeded to stretch my arms and upon reaching out my hand, I grasped a man’s hand! It was then that I opened my eyes to see the figure of a man silhouetted against the light from the window. After shaking hands for several minutes, I decided I must be meeting a blind date. I nudged my sister until she came to her senses — after she had lent me a couple of kicks that set my calves to bawling. Together we let out some yelps that should have wakened Father, but by this time he, the man, was under the bed. The springs began to resound as he bumped his head. My sister thought then its must he a dog and suggested throwing a shoe. I said no, that he might have a gun. Dogs do not usually carry guns, but this sure was a tall dog according to my measurements. The door was ajar and he succeeded in bumping his head on that for which I cheered si- lently. He made his way to the window at the end of the hall and escaped by way of the porch roof. But this time Father had made his way to the bottom of the stairs. Pop always slept down stairs in case of burglars. Incidentally the inspiration for this story was so great that I was tempted to get up and write it when it first came to my mind, but that quaint knocking at the window kept me well under the covers. Marjorie Husk, ’49 HIGH SCHOOL — HOW IT PREPARES YOUTH FOR LIFE Everyone knows that one express purpose of going to school is to learn many facts so that when specific questions are hurled at a student he will know the right answers. If this were the only result, high school would be very unpurposeful, and to say the least would have accomplished little toward developing stability of character and emotional maturity in a young person. In reality the acquiring of knowledge is only a fraction of what is to he gained by attending a secondary school for four years. I shall attempt to enumerate a few of the psychological and so-rial advantages of the present day high school. In a high school such as ours, where there is a comparatively small student body, no individual should lack an opportunity for self-expresson. Everyone should be able to take part in some of the many extra-curricular activities. Many of the students, being very versatile, are active in many things. It seems to me that each activity goes to develop a different quality in one’s character, the major and most basic one being the art of cooperation and getting along with your fellow associates. If one is to he an asset to the band, orchestra, drill team, or basketball team, he must cooperate perfectly and in ev- (Continued on page 29)

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BLUE AND WHITE 29 HIGH SCHOOL (Continued from page 27) ery case do his part to the best of his ability. It is good experience for one to be a member and eventually an oflficer on the School Patrol. It is equally benefit al to be an officer and a leader in your class. In both instances one learns to assume responsibility and feel some of the thrill of self-assurance and prestige which goes with these posi-tons. , Bv participating in various concerts, operettas, minstrels., plays, etc., a student is able to develop poise and stage presence to a certain extent. Many high schools offer dramatics as an exta-curricular activity and I believe that VI1S would do well to organize a dramatic club. A club of this type does much toward developing poise and self-assurance in a person. If someone else calls attention to one’s enunciation and voice inflecton, he will think more about improving it himself. By endeavoring to apply to everyday conversation, the English grammar one learns, one will discover after he gets out in the world that an important problem, common to everyone, is already solved. All these things come to light later in that personal interview, and depending on the nature of the job you are applying for, any one of these attributes might spell the difference between being accepted or rejected. A prospective employer takes all these into consideration, as well as whether or not your hair is combed and your shoes are shined. If a person spends the middle years of his teens in high school, he will have more broadening experiences than his classmate who dropped out in the freshman year. He has an 'equal chance with all the others of being chosen to go to the All State Music Festival, or even the greater distinction of going to Boys’ State or Gris’ State. Every senior girl is a candidate for the Good Citzenship Award; a higher honor may not be shown to any member of the class. He will have the opportunity of going on a class trip and finding his way around in a metropolitan area. He will have the experience of visiting the legislature, state institutions, etc. As well as losing out on the instruction which he would have got from his teachers, he is also missing a lot of personal help and guidance which they are capable of giving us. Our teachers are our superiors and of a higher calibre than the average laymen; therefore, we should be grateful for, and heed the advice which they can give us from previous experience. These are all major factors in the development of a young adult. These advantages of experience and environment all go toward moulding a well-rounded individual. How much broader will be his outlook on life because of the great blend of experience which he has had over this four-year period! Grant S. Laber, Class of ’49. BEAUTY Beauty is a wonderful thing, Whether it be physical or in the mind And souls of ones you love so dear. It s the changing of night into day. Of boats skimming over the rolling waves, Of winter changing into warm days of spring But most of all, it is the things Which are dearest to your hearts and souls. Marguerite Bradley, ’49 EXCHANGE Excellent Good Fair The Oriole, Highgate High School We received your Christmas issue, and we think your literary section is very well done. We especially enjoyed your sports and jokes section. We hope to receive many more of your school magazines. Searchlight, Richford High School We think your magazine was very well put together. Your short story