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

Page 27 text:

BLUE AND WHITE 25 SENIOR PLAY The night of November 17, 1950, brought to the senior class the culmination of weeks of studying lines, days of painting scenery and lugging furniture. At precisely 8:20 the house lights dimmed, the curtain slowly ascended, and the audience got the first glimpse of the Senior play, “We Shook The Family Tree.” This rollicking play kept the audience laughing from that moment on. Hildegarde Dolson, played by Gwen McGrath, is desperately anxious to attract some eligible male for the dance Saturday night. For, in the words of Hildegarde, “It's almost Saturday night and no one has even hinted.” She wins the school debate with an impassioned plea against drinking, but instead of attracting the boys, she succeeds in convincing everyone her father is a drunkard. Sympathetic women call her mother (Carolyn Cowles) and ask if Father (Jack Stebbins) beats them very often and one even suggests sending him to Alcoholics Anonymous. Despite all this Mother realizes Hilde-garde’s plight and decides to take action in procuring for her a date for the big dance. Mother says she knows one of the nicest boys in town and immediately goes off to call him. Of course Hildegarde is in ecstasy at the thought of going to the dance. Using her vivid imagination she tells her friends. Ellie-Mav and Jill (Alma Danyow and Marion Moorby) about her “secret admirer.” She really exaggerates, the result making her secret admirer sound better than a Broadway idol. Poor Hildegarde ! How could she know that the boy Mother had called was Freddie (Jim McNulla), the only boy in school who wears knickers. In a screamingly funny scene. Hildegarde finds out the truth in front of everyone. She pleads with her father to break the date, but Father is mad, for everyone is convinced now that he is a drunkard. Furthermore. Freddie is the son of his boss, Mr. Schermer, and it would be best not to antagonize him further. Meanwhile, Hildegarde has given a little girl she was supposed to watch. (Helen Field), some envelopes to play mailman with. But the envelopes that get distributed to all the neighbors turn out to be her father's old love letters to her mother. That settles it! Hildegarde can expect no mercy from her folks and she’s in despair. Hildegarde reads about Beauty Mud and sends her sister (Elaine French) out to buy some, in hopes that it will help her to cause a stag-line stampede. While all this has been happening. Father has invited Mr. and Mrs. Schermer (Alan Russett and Dot J acjuith) over to tea in an attempt to prove to him that he has a very normal familv. While they are there Hildegarde rushes in, her face covered with beauty mud. screaming that there is a “bass in the bathtub.” Her brother Jimmy (Roger Gibeault) has placed it there in want of a better place to keep it after he had caught it. Of course the boss is shocked. Then Freddie bursts in wearing long pants. He has borrowed them from Hildegard’s brother Bob (Jimmy Hanna) without his knowing it. Then her brother rushes in and tackles Mr. Schermer, thinking that he is Freddie. This really looks like the end but of course everything comes out a'l right. Freddie gets a new suit by selling his graduation present, a watch, and he and Hildegarde finally leave for the dance. The seniors could not have produced the plav without the able direction of Miss Moulton. We also wish to express our thanks to Mr. LaPorte for the use of the furniture. Those who did not have roles in the play, served behind the scenery by helping to make the actual production possible. Francis Hoose acted as stage manager. Roger Gibeault. George Rose and Grace Hawkins handled the advertising. The properties were in charge of Alan Russett. Sidney Barnard and Regina Yattaw. Costumes and make-up were in charge of Joyce Tracy, Janice

Page 26 text:

24 VERGENNES HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR CLASS TRIP On a memorable morning in early February, a chartered bus arrived at V.H.S. to take the Seniors on their long-anticipated class trip to the Ice Follies in Montreal. Going up, there was much talking, singing and merrymaking so the trip seemed much shorter than it would have been otherwise. The early hour of 7 :45 A. M. didn’t dampen anyone’s eagerness. We arrived at the Hotel Laurentian, on Dominion Square, about 11 :00. While entering the city there was much cramming of necks to see what the city looked like. After being shown to our rooms, which we found to be very comfortable, we went out to lunch. Many of the students found that the hotel restaurant suited them while others went exploring for other places to eat. During the afternoon we divided up into groups of three and four and went out to do the city. Many of the seniors went to the Wax Museum, Saint Joseph’s Shrine, and Notre Dame Cathedral. Some looked through the department stores and tried out some French pastries. That night most of the boys went to see a hockey game while the girls went to the movies. Everyone was in at 12:00, as was designated, but that is not saying that everyone was in bed shortly after that. Everyone was up surprisingly early, considering the time that some retired. On Sunday morning some of the seniors and their chaperones went to church while others went out walking or sightseeing. After dinner everyone gathered in the lobby, got their tickets for the much awaited Ice Follies, hired taxis and were off to the arena. When we arrived at the Montreal Forum, we were ushered to our box-seats by a courteous usherette. After the Ice Follies many remarked on the unique way of changing scenes. Everyone agreed that there was certainly a lot of time and thought put into the making of the Follies. Some of the main attractions were: Corps de Ballet, The Baker’s Treat, Pastry Maids, The Swing Waltz, A Beautiful Rainy Day, The Great American Pastime, and On The Eve of the Bullfight. The costumes were very colorful and well planned; the skating was very good. Our chaperones were Principal and Mrs. Berry and Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Grandfield. We arrived in Vergennes Sunday night around 11:30, happy and tired but feeling that our money was well-spent on an enjoyable weekend. Grace C. Hawkins. CLASS WILL (Continued from page 20) To Jeanne Sullivan, Regina Yattaw leaves her report card with a few A’s. Just in case of emergency, Jeanne. To the faculty, we leave our sincere thanks for their help in making us the brilliant, outstanding class that we are. Signed, sealed and declared as our last will and testament by the Senior C lass of Vergennes High School, Ver-gennes. Vermont, on this fourteenth day in June in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fifty-one. Janice Clark, ’51. CLASS PROPHECY (Continued from page 22) one of the most praiseworthy classes which ever graduated from Vergennes High School, have certainly left our mark on the world. Regina Yattaw, Class of ’51 ADVICE TO UNDERCLASSMEN (Continued from page 23) —enjoy your school years because you'll find them the best years of your life. They will pass so swiftly that you will not realize their value until the days come when you must leave. Adieu! George Moorby, ’51. Jack Stebbins, ’51.

Page 28 text:

26 VERGENNES HIGH SCHOOL Clark and Lucille Wood. Helen Hawkins, Marion Moorby, George Moorby and Edmund Atkins had charge of the lighting. The services of all these committees proved very valuable. Gwen McGrath Class of ’51 CLASS POEM As we look back across the years— The years so swiftly flown. We see the treasures they have brought. Which truly are our own. Gladly we’ve studied without complaint Through many a tedious day, Endeavoring to absorb deep inspiration To broaden and brighten life’s way. We live again the years gone by Realizing our work is just begun, And ever bright in memory keep The class ties of Fifty-one. Alan Russett Class of ’51 CLASS HISTORY (Continued from page 19) For a fitting climax to this most memorable year we held a picnic at Bayside. where a good time was enjoyed by all. The senior year got under way by electing the following class officers: President, James McNulla; Vice-President. Helen Field; Secretary, Elaine French; Treasurer, James Hanna. On November 22, we held our Senior Play, a three act comedy “We Shook the Family Tree,” which, under the direction of Miss Moulton was a great success. Everyone in the class contributed to the producing of the play. We journeyed to Burlington on November 21 to see “Hamlet,” starring Laurence Olivier, and later in the year we had the opportunity to see the movie “Macbeth.” Since we had just finished the play of Macbeth, this movie was very interesting to us. Orson Welles did a splendid job in portraying the title role. To raise money in our senior year we sold soft drinks and candy at all of the home basketball games. The former patrol room was converted into a concession room, an electric refrigerator was installed, and we were able to sell candy and soda at recess, also. We sold Christmas cards and wrappings to defray the expenses of our trip to Montreal to see the “Ice Follies” on February 4. We journeyed to Montpelier on March 28. We were shown through the National Life Insurance Building and the activities of the various departments were explained to us by the guide. We visited the House of Representatives and watched the procedure while they were in session. We also went through the museum of the Vermont Historical Society. Helen Field was chosen as Good Citizenship Girl from the Senior class, and was also chosen to visit the United Nations. Many of the seniors have participated iti the music, sports, and patrol activities. We have all enjoyed our period of education at Vergennes High School and hope we have contributed as much to it as we have received from it. Our appreciation and thanks go to our teachers who have helped us through our four years here. Sidney Barnard ’51 A GLANCE FORWARD As graduation time draws near, We think of all those seniors “dear” Who are ready to leave old V.H.S. And begin the career which they think best. The teachers will be relieved, I guess, But as a junior, I must confess That we are just as noisy. I fear As those seniors whom we’ll replace next year. Joyce Larrow ’52.