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

Page 18 text:

□ 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 ]

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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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□ V E R M I LION S C IH QOL OF AGRICULTURE □ (5) HOWARD BENNETT left Niagara Falls, N.Y., to move to Paradise Valley as the first step on a sublime journey; finding something lacking, he continued his journey to V.S.A., where he has spent two pleasant and profitable years. His favorite stunt is wrecking beds when no one is looking, and his most noteworthy saying is “Chemistry is the bunk!” (3) ALEC. HARRIS joined the two-in-ones and is keeping well up in the bunch; paying little attention to the girls, Alec has plugged hard and the results of his labors are apparent in his marks. An Englishman by birth, he forsook the old land to investigate the new and seems well satisfied to settle down and carve a home for himself out of the materials provided by Nature. We wish him the best of luck as he undertakes the pioneering plan on which he has set his heart. (1) HAROLD WEBB spent his first first term at V.S.A. as a Town boy, boarding outside the dormitory. The life around the School had a great appeal to him, however, and he found a room inside for his second term. As a member of the “Hicks” bas¬ ketball five, he has become a fa¬ miliar figure in the gym. and has kept his weight within bounds, so that when he goes back to the land at Clover Bar he will be able to turn out bright and early in the morning to start the day’s work. (6) LLOYD McGHAN has been alternating years at V.S.A. with his brother, and finishes first by virtue of being the older of the two. They are engaged in farm¬ ing, with their father, at Clover Bar, and Lloyd will be able to show Dad a wrinkle or two when he returns to his home. His best work has been done in the black¬ smith shop, where he spends a good deal of overtime. Living in town, rather than in the dormi¬ tory, he has not had a favorable chance with the other boys in his attentions to the girls. (4) WILLIAM CAMPBELL advertises Fairview as his home town and has a decided bent for aviation. He has been a splen¬ did student, winning one of the major scholarships in 1928-29; his outside interest is the study of “Roses,” in which he exhibits a healthy growth of knowledge. Of splendid stature, he has been a bulwark of strength in the gymnasium, where he plays as keenly as he works in his classes. He will be a ' student long remembered by his classmates and we will watch his future progress with interest. (2) HAROLD WIGHTMAN was first rocked in a cradle in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and came west to Westlock some years later. He is engaged in farming in that prosperous district and will put his knowledge, gained at the V.S.A. into practice there after closing takes place. The Challengers basketball team has been strengthened by his help and he has made many friendships which we hope will be renewed each year at re-union time. 1 17 1