Vermilion School of Agriculture - Yearbook (Vermilion, Alberta Canada)

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□ VERMILION SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE (5) HAROLD JOHNSON —it seems we will never be done extolling the virtues of the Johnsons—but we must not overlook the fact that Harold of Hardisty has claim to a share of our ink. Considered a very solid student, he has done well with his work and has managed to escape the wiles of the “other side” of the dorm, until the last few weeks. We fear if the term were much longer that such trivialities as chemistry and botany might suffer, while woodworking, especially as a Turner, might receive more than the necessary attention. (3) GEORGE HORNER claims Ould Oireland as his home, but left it many years ago to tour the world as an operator on board ship. His experience in radio work was responsible for his being placed on the Committee for the purchase and care of a Deforest-Crossley combination Radio and Gramophone and he has taken an active part in almost all the student agencies that tended to develop the lives of those concerned. Likeable to a high degree, he has made manv staunch friends who will watch his progress through life with interest. It is rumored that he goes to the United States to a good position at the close of the term and our loss will be the gain of the Republic. (1) RUPERT FEARNLEY came over from England when he was but G months old, settling down at Gibbons, after having given the province the once-over. Being somewhat shy and retiring, he has not spent much time visiting the Girls’ Wing, but has centered his attention, curiously enough, on such work as he has been called on to perform. He has assist¬ ed in publishing “Radio,” and collects rare and cur¬ ious stamps. His pet aver¬ sion is anything having f do with a cow. His chief [iking is driving a tractor by girls as well as by boys. (6) ROY BENDIXEN, of Mar- wayne, Alta., the boy with the per¬ manent wave, is the envy of all the young ladies because he can keep his hair “in curl” without well regulated trips to hairdress¬ ers. Even on the gymnasium floor, in the heat of a basketball scram¬ ble, the wave remains exactly cor¬ rect. When perplexed, over chem¬ istry that seemed to have no solution, he would run his fingers through his hair and even then it would gently assume its wonted beauty. Roy is a good scout, liked (4) GEORGE CLAY pulled up in front of the dormitory in a high-powered car, threw out his ordina ry baggage and later emerged with a banjo carefully tucked under his arm. To say the least, he has greatly contributed to the success of all parties through his musical ability, and , even if he could not turn out to a Saturday morning class, after such parties, he managed to scrape up a speaking acquaintance with all subjects in the curriculum. Paradise Valley is his home and we wonder that the harp, and not the banjo, was not his choice of musical instruments. (2) CLARENCE CRANSTON blew into the scheme of things at V.S.A. with a craving for playing stellar hockey to the delight of the fans on the side-boards, and partially achieved his aim. Being long-geared, he has been able to hold his place in athletics and has shown up well in classes that had to do with the practical things, such as carpentry and blacksmithing. His quiet disposition won him many friends who will wish him the best of luck as he takes up the business of farming when he leaves the School. [ 15 1

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□ VERMILION SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE (2) JENNIE EDGSON is from Westlock, and on completion of her two years’ work at the School, she cannot but exert an influence for good in her district. Being twin sister to Fanny has provided her with a very effective source of enjoyment, Wallie, in his weekly!?) visits often becoming confused between the two sisters,—with a consequently large opportunity for embar¬ rassment. Jennie has been a good student and has absorbed dietetics and textiles in an amazing fashion. Her spare time, spent in skating and in the gym., have been utilized to good advantage and her time has not all been used for plugging. (4) FANNY EDGSON, in addition to being sister of Jennie, is also a twin, being of a quite similar age. Fanny and Jennie have run pretty close in exam, results, the former having won one of the $50 Scholarships in her first year by a very narrow margin. Generally popular with all about the School, Fanny has carved her little niche and will go down in our memories as one of the able students of our time. Charlie will doubtless re¬ member her and make occasional trips to Westlock in times to come. (1) EDWARD SWINDLEHURST shouldered his trusty violin and came to the College from Edger- ton to increase his sadly lacking knowledge of entomology and blacksmithing; along with succeed¬ ing in mastering these too great subjects, he has contributed much to the life of the School. Interest¬ ed chiefly in music and the arts, he has served most acceptably as Or¬ chestra Leader and Chairman of the Versatile Club. Winning the award for highest proficiency i: the entire First Year, he has con¬ tinued his successful acquisition of knowledge during his second term and will be a welcome addi¬ tion to the Matriculation Class when we re-assemble in October of 1930. His experience on the Students’ Council will be useful. (3) BARRIE SMITH drove in from Mannville, in the fall of 1928 to see what it was all about. After looking the ground over and seeing all the pretty East Wing students, he decided that this was the exact place he was looking for. Throwing his baggage down, he went to work and to play with like enthusiasm, and succeeded in turning in a good record for himself in his classes and in piling up a lot of fun besides. He is our dele¬ gation as a double of the Prince of Wales, by which name he has frequently been known. Sampson Johnson went so far as to ask him for his autograph. (6) OLGA MELNYK shook the dust of Star from her feet to enter College and obtain first-hand in¬ formation as to how to cook good meals for a man, sew on buttons and darn socks and render first aid. With all the information gath¬ ering, she has managed to take part in deliberation of the Athletic Committee, and plays a good brand of basketball. She has the happy knack of making the youth of the ' ’ou” t fit up and take notice and has several conquests to her credit in Vermilion. (5) PERCY HENLEY is engaged in farming with his father at North Edmonton, taking the course at V.S.A. with the view of improving his knowl¬ edge and eventually going on to the University. As a member of the “Ruf- neks” basketball team, he has shown to advantage on the floor and has lately taken up hockey as an additional pastime. We hope to welcome him back for the third year in the fall, and in the meantime hope he has a good crop so that mere financial worries will not stand in th° way of more “larnin”! r 14 I

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□ V ERMILION SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE □ (2) WILLIAM MANDZUK arrived in the fall of 1927, unable to speak much English but more than willing to learn it. His progress has been one of the high lights of the work of the School since his entrance and he has mas¬ tered the English tongue, the manners of the gentleman, and the mien of the scholar. Winning the prize offered by Mr. Malaher, last year, for the greatest progress made in the study of English, Billie has aroused the interest of many persons, both inside and outside the School. A year ago he contributed a poem to the Radio and its excellence so impressed Dr. Wallace of the University that he asked for a copy of the paper that he might retain it. Wm. Mandzuk will no doubt be one of the outstanding members of a race of people who have been happy to make their homes in Alberta. (1) WESLEY PLUMMER left London, Eng., in the spring of 1929, to take a month’s course in practical farm work at V.S.A. On his arrival at Vermilion, his eyes were dazzled by the bright lights and the streams of traffic; putting in the summer on a farm, he re¬ turned to the College in October to enter the course, taking the two years in one on account of having Grade XI standing. He has delight ed audiences with his pleasing voice, has contributed valuable ser¬ vice to the Radio Broadcasting Committee and has, generally, made his influence felt. We prophesy a bright future for him in the province of his adoption. (3) DONALD HORN is another Yankee who came to Canada in search of the “Last Great West.’’ Residing for some time at Hardisty, Donald became interested in the V.S.A. through the efforts of H. W. Scott, District Agriculturist, and came to Vermilion to see what it was all about. Don is likeable, even though he can get away with more tricks than most people—he is especially keen to awaken sleeping classmates by the use of a pin. Being a good judge of the fair sex, he managed to hold the admiration of Mabel, despite the vast difference in their ages. (4) DOUGLAS HAY was wafted down on a north wind from the vicinity of Athabasca, his father being manager of the Co-op. store at Colinton. Douglas has a leaning toward farming, and with the training he has taken advantage of, he should be able to produce good crops on the available land around Colin¬ ton. Much interested in hockey, basketball, tennis and in comb¬ ing his hair, and exclaiming “Gee Whillikins!” (6) LEE MURRAY is a city fel¬ ler with a love for rural life. He plans on farming later in life and felt that V.S.A. offered great op¬ portunity for one with such plans in the back of his head. His con¬ tribution to the Orchestra has been much appreciated. Claims to have done more carpentry than any other student, having made 38 pieces for a tool-box cover before getting one to fit. He spent last summer on building con¬ struction near Fort Nor¬ man and this summer his address will likely be “In care of the H. B. Co.,” somewhere up back of be¬ yond. (5) CHARLES MITCHELL drove west from Lloydminster district, entering into the school life with interest. A good student, especially interested in car¬ pentry and agronomy work, he has still taken time to cultivate some of the finer arts, and might be seen almost any night making his quiet way to the East Wing, there to discuss the problems of rural life with Fanny, or was it Jenny? Someone has suggested placing a bell with a well-known tinkle on the right young lady as considerable embarrassment has been caused in mixing the twin sisters on visiting night. [ 16 ]