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

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VERGENNES HIGH SCHOOL 28 eight grades, he or she was considered fairly well educated and if they wanted to, could teach. Men for the most part did the teaching, the girls of wealthier families went to school but the bigger majority stayed home and learned to do household tasks in preparation for marriage. In our father's time a high school education was considered quite enough to get and hold a good job. Most of the colleges then were for training people to teach, for the practice of medicine and for the ministry. At the present time, not only a high school education is required to get a successful job, but a college education is sometimes necessary. At the present time it is quite easy to get a job as a secretary or a job working in a store with just a high school diploma, but every day more and more positions are requiring people to have college degrees. Many students on graduation from high school say that they are tired of studying and have a chance to work at the local grist mill or the local dime store. Anyone who has the chance to go on to college, even if they have to work their way through, should take the opportunity immediately after completion of high school work. Colleges are getting more crowded and now is the time to further your education while study habit is familiar, not two years from now when you are better off financially. In many states there are colleges which give generous scholarships and state universities which are practically tuition free. A person who really wants to further his or her education, but does not have the money, can find a job that will take care of room and board and still leave tune for studies. Scholarships and summer employment will be a good boost to college expenses. As education progresses parents should encourage their children more and more to go on to college, for in the near future in order to hold a successful job not only a college degree will be needed but a master’s degree. Jobs at the present time may be plen- tiful but in the future more of them will require higher education than high school and those that went on to a further education will be thankful. Grace C. Hawkins, ’51. SCHOOL ACTIVITIES 1950-1951 This year’s school activities got off to a good start with the Freshman Reception held Friday, September 22nd, at the gym. James McNulla was the Master of Ceremonies. The program consisted of piano selections, tap dancing, baton twirling, and solo and group singing. Refreshments and a dance followed the program. The annual magazine campaign got under way with the following leaders: 7th grade. Celeste Tucker; 8th grade, Ann Berry and Paul Bristol; 9th grade, Jane Ripchik and Robert Ross; iOth g.ade, Neldon VVhitty; 11th grade, John Stephens; and 12th grade, James McNulla. Business manager was Alan Russett and assistant business manager was Colleen Bargfrede. The high sales man for the first week end was James McNulla who sold $37.25. The grand total for this year was $1504.60. High salesmen were as follows: Colleen Barg frede, $218.50; James McNulla, $174.55 The class officers elected for this year were: Freshmen: President, Robert Grant; Vice President, Robert Marshall; Secretary, Margaret Hanna; Treasurer, Donald Little; Sophomores: President, Raymond Plankey; Vice-President, Nancy Clark; Secretary and Treasurer, Jeanne Sullivan; Juniors: President, Alice Tucker; Vice-President, Robert Stebbins; Secretary, Pauline Gibeault; Treasurer, John Fisher; Seniors: President, James McNulla; Vice-President, Helen Field; Secretary Elaine French; Treasurer. James Hanna The band organized this year with approximately 35 students under the leadership of Mr. Wm. Andrews. Sr. Officers elected are as follows: President. Dorothy Jaquith; Secretary and Treas-

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BLUE AND WHITE 27 STUDENT VOTE Most Popular Girl..........Helen Field Most Ambitious Girl........Helen Field Cutest Girl ..............Janice Clark Best Looking Girl .......Florence Poulin Biggest Wolfess....................Alma Danyow Best Sport.................Helen Field Quietest Girl ..........Helen Hawkins Most Cooperative G;rl......Helen Field Best Personality........Dorothy Jaquith Best Dancer....................... Alma Danyow Wittiest Girl ....Gwendolyn McGrath Most Studious Girl ........Helen Field Least Studious Girl.........Alma Danyow Best Disposition...........Joyce Tracy Most Likely to Succeed.....Helen Field Least Conceited .......... Helen Field Best Dressed Girl.........Elaine French Most Popular Boy...........James Hanna Most Ambitious Boy.........James Hanna Best Looking Boys, John Stebbins, James McNulla Biggest Wolf ...........James McNulla Best Sport ..............James Hanna Quietest Boy ..........Sidney Barnard Most Cooperative Boys, Francis Hoose, James Hanna Wittiest Boy ............John Stebbins Best Personality........James McNulla Best Dancer .............John Stebbins Most Studious Boy......Sidney Barnard Least Studious Boy.........George Rose Best Disposition..................James Hanna Most Likely to Succeed...James Hanna Least Conceited..........Francis Hoose Biggest Flirt...........James McNulla Best Dressed Boy.........John Stebbins FACULTY VOTE Most Popular Girl.........Helen Field Most Ambitious Girl...Marion Moorby Cutest Girls,....Janice Clark, Helen Field Best Looking Girl....Florence Poulin Most Likely to Succeed....Helen Field Best Sport........Gwendolyn McGrath Quietest Girl ....... Helen Hawkins Most Cooperative Girl ..Marion Moorby Best Disposition..........Helen Field Wittiest Girl....Gwendolyn McGrath Most Popular Boy......James McNulla Most Ambitious Boy.....John Stebbins Best Looking Boys, James McNulla, John Stebbins Biggest Wolf...........Jolm Stebbins Most Likely to Succeed....James Hanna Best Sport .............James Hanna Quietest Boy .........Francis Hoose Most Cooperative Boy.....George Rose Best Disposition......Sidney Barnard Wittiest Boy ..........John Stebbins THE NEED FOR A HIGHER EDUCATION In our great grandfather’s time the only education needed was reading, 'ritirg and ’rithmetic. The only reading in the earlier time of America was the BIBLE and PILGRIM’S PROGRESS and a few letters that were oc-casionallv received. The ’riting was for keeping in contact with friends and keeping journals. The ’rithmetic was for adding and subtracting accounts at the general store. In our grandfather’s time an eighth grade education was necessary. If a person had successfully completed the

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BLUE AND WHITE 29 urer, Helen Looby; Business Manager, James McNulla; Music, Robert Steb-bins; and Chairs. James Hanna. The annual Teachers’ Convention was held in Burlington on October 5th and 6th. School recessed for this convention. The senior play “We Shook The Family Tree” was presented November 17th, 1950. The cast consisted of the following seniors: Gwendolyn McGrath Jack Stebbins, James McNulla, Alan Russett, Helen Field, Roger Gibeault, James Hanna, Marion Moorby, Alma Danyow, Carolyn Cowles, Dorothy Ja-quith and Elaine French. Other members of the class worked on production committees, helping to make the play a huge success. Miss Helen Field represented V.H.S. at the United Nations meetings in Lake Success. Each class presented an assembly program this year. The juniors led the list and presented a “Talent Scouts” program. Others were “Truth or Consequences.” and “Vergennes Varieties” All members of the classes took part. Also we enjoyed assemblies put on by such professionals as: Nutchuk. an Alaskan Eskimo pianist and lecturer; Pierre and Pierrot, professional roller skaters; Paul Burke, a cartoonist from California; and The Holbrooks, impersonators of great personalities. The Christmas concert was held at the gvm on December 19th. All the choruses participated and there were solos by Carolyn Cowles and James McNulla. The band and orchestra were under the direction of Mr. Wm. Andrews, Sr. The chorus director was Mrs. Sherer. The Christmas recess began Thursday, December 21st and school reopened January 2nd, 1951. Mid-year exams were held January 11th and 12th. After the resumption of school this semester, several events have taken place at V.H.S. which are worthy of special mention. The seniors went to Montreal Febru- ary 3rd and 4th on their class trip. There they enjoyed the 1951 Ice Follies. They went sightseeing and shopping and had a memorable time. They stayed at the Laurentian Hotel. The senior English students, accompanied by Miss Moulton, journeyed to Burlington March 7th to see the movie “Macbeth.” The seniors had recently completed studying this Shakespearan tragedy. The boys’ and girls’ basketball teams both had very successful seasons. In honor of their tournament bid to the southern Class B championships the Rotary gave the boys’ team a banquet and awarded them individual gold basketballs. This banquet was held April 3rd at the Vergenes Inn with Mr. Larry Gardner. Director of Athletics at UVM as guest speaker. The Woman’s Club gave recognition to the girls’ basketball team with gifts of engraved sterling silver basketballs for members of the first team and the manager. The girls’ team took first place in the Champlain Val'ey League. The seniors formed a debating team this soring and debated for the Addison Northwest District Teachers’ meeting in Ferrisburg. The topic was: “Resolved : That the minimum draft age shall be 18.” The affirmative members of the team included Tack Stebbins. Grace Hawkins and Roger Gibeault. while the negative side was composed of James McNulla. Georpe Moorby and Gwen McGrath. Francis Hoose acted as alternate. After so much interest was shown in debating the juniors and seniors combined to form opposing debating teams. Debates for the Addison and Vergennes PTA were given. The ciuestion involved was: “Resolved: That we shall not send more troops to Europe.” The affirmative side was composed of Jack Stebbins, Roger Gibeault. Gwen McGrath and George Moorbv. The negative sid“ was represented bv Tames McNulla. Colleen Barg-frede. foanne Charbonneau. and John Stephens. Helen Fields was chosen Good Citi-