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

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Mrs. Esswein Leslie Geake MRS. ESSWEIN This friend of ours came to V.S.A. from the wilds of the far away Peace. There she and her husband live ten miles from their nearest neighbor and thirty miles from the nearest post office. Thus the life they lead is very different from ours. In this far away district Mrs. Esswein’s cheery disposition, absolute unselfishness and willingness to help others has made her a host of friends. Nor are her friends confined to her district alone, for Mrs. Esswein has been both a popular and influential member of our two-in-one class. She left a month before the end of term to fly home by air, an enthusiastic “booster” for the V.S.A. In her we feel a real link with the north country. LESLIE GEAKE Riverton: Every year sees the arrival of one or two outstanding individuals at our school; these young men or women contribute something out of their personalities to the well-being of their fellow students. The V.S.A. owes much to such as Leslie Geake, and though un¬ able to point proudly to him as one of their illustrious graduates, owing to his leaving to accept a teaching appointment before the end of the session, regard him with affectionate regard as an ex¬ student, who will always prove to be a credit to himself and his Alma Mater. Burton: “I ' ve worked out this question six times.” Mr. Malaher: That’s fine.” Burton: “And here are my six answers.” Herbert: “I asked her if I could see her home.” Gordon: What happened?” Herbert: She said she would send me a picture of it.” Student: “Hello, Percy! What’s this you are making? Percy: “Cottage Pie. Same Student (after supper): “I guess you were right, Percy, I found the foundation stone.” [ Page sixteen] The V.S.A. Alumni Association A S YOU review, in this book, the memorable days you spent at the V.S.A. we hope you will pause for a moment to think of The Alumni Association which continues where the Year Book ends. In making this small contribution to the Year Book we realize the ex¬ cellent opportunity afforded to review the past history of this organization,- to outline its aims and objects, and to extend a sincere and hearty invitation to all students to join with us. In 1915 the foundations for the present association were laid by the first graduating class whose members drafted the con stitution and set out its aims and objects. That the constitution and the aims of the association should remain practically the same throughout the past twenty years is a splendid tribute to the spirit and the earnestness with which the first group carried on their work. It was the hope of that early organization to unite all students and ex¬ students for social purposes,- to promote annual reunions,- to keep ex-students in touch with activities of the Agricultural School,- to advance the cause of Agricultural education, and the development of rural home life within the province, and to urge the graduates to continue the study of Agriculture along the lines laid down at the school. In many ways their hopes have been realized. Today we find our ex¬ students in all walks of life. Some are making their contribution as practical farmers and taking an active part in community life, others as professional agriculturalists are doing their part in research and extension work. Today, our hopes, our aims and objects with certain modifications are the same as in 1915. It is true that agriculture has advanced rapidly in the past twenty years. We may not face some of the problems that confronted the students twenty years ago—new ones may have taken their place— but it is still our duty to solve them. We are planning to carry on our work with the Radio,- to consider seed distribution and seed fair activities,- to continue to distribute fruit and other tree cuttings, and to organize an annual reunion. A Summer Reunion will probably be dispensed with, for the coming season, if our plans for a birth¬ day celebration next November are successful. In November, 1934, the Olds School of Agriculture held its coming of age celebration and reunion. With the approval of the Department of Agriculture, the assistance of the Vermilion School staff, and the co¬ operation of the Alumni Association, it is hoped that a similar celebration can be arranged for Vermilion. The actual date for this gathering will be set later. However, plans are being laid and arrangements made for the occasion. The Alumni Association performs a very real service in keeping alive the spirit of enthusiasm for the V.S.A. and its work. It can be of greater assistance to the school if its members encourage new students to attend. Remember, this is YOUR organization. Its success will depend upon your cooperation, and your efforts to give material assistance. Membership fees are necessary for the association to carry on its work. We are looking forward with pleasure to have you join with us in building up the Alumni. PETER WYLLIE, President.

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Kathleen Young Ramon Filipkowski Beth Henderson KATHLEEN YOUNG Lloydminster: Short and sweet and full of fun, Liked? you bet, by every one. Basketball and social too, She ' s right there to see us through. Ambition: To be a nurse. Then watch the boys get sick. Favorite Saying: I can’t miss a free night. RAMON FILIPKOWSKI Vermilion: This dark and handsome young man claims Vermilion as his home town for the time being, but we prophesy that he will move on soon, having a strong gypsy complex. Ramon is full of bright ideas, sometimes practical, and this gives him a good line. A good student, and vigorous basketball player, his violin selections will long be remembered by his friends at the V.S.A. Ramon will be heard from. BETH HENDERSON Mannville: Few have contributed more this year for the benefit of the students than Beth. Having already three years teaching experience, she has obtained a steady first class in all her work and, at the same time, has been the main prop of the orchestra and a regular ac¬ companist at the chapel service and Glee Club. We are all proud to have known you, Beth, and value your friendship. Mathew C. Brimacombe Anna Marie Pokraka J. Stewart Brimacombe MATTHEW C. BRIMACOMBE Vermilion: Matt has punned his way about Vermilion since 1913. Grad¬ uating from the Edmonton Normal School, he succumbed to the manifold attractions of the V.S.A., and the sight of Matt and his Jessie walking up and down the paths and sometimes into the snow drifts, has been an inspiration to us all. His favorite tree is the Hazel, and his famous huddlebuggy has been a welcome re¬ sort, sometimes for two, sometimes a crowd. A musician of parts, Matt has made himself a popular member of our lively two-in-ones. ANNA MARIE POKRAKA Holden: Anna is a capable waitress and at the same time she has managed to keep a good class standing. With a leaning towards farm life, she will be a real home maker. We can picture Anna in her gingham dress feeding the chickens, and nursing the young lambs, on her own place. Good luck, Anna Marie! J. STEWART BRIMACOMBE Vermilion: Stew is a laddie with a keen sense of humour, and an unselfish enthusiasm for every worth while project at the V.S.A. No lover of the spotlight, his loyal support of the orchestra, at dances and chapel, his dramatic and debating talents, his basketball and gym. work, his conduct as President of the Versatile Club and Editor-in-chief of this Year Book, indicate the tremendous con¬ tribution he has made for our general welfare. At the same time he is always at or near the head of the class. Whether Stew continues teaching or not, our very best wishes go with him, and we count it a privilege to have his friendship. ( Page fifteen ]

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The Golden Opportunity A PARABLE, by Barbara Villy Cormack O LD MRS. ALBERTA was worried, distinctly worried, she worried about it all the time she baked, and scrubbed, and swept, and did her spring cleaning, and she kept on worrying even after she tumbled into bed at nights. She was trying to decide what to give all her children for graduation gifts. You see, the spring is such a time for graduation of one sort and another. There are the University students, Normal students, High School students, nurses—and, first of all to come out, all the farm boys and girls who have been attending the Schools of Agriculture. ”1 must think up something specially good for them,” said Mrs. Alberta. So she got out her big catalogue—in which she always found her presents and gifts—and ran her finger down the index. It was the Catalogue of Opportunity. A few years ago the little old lady had had nothing to worry about. The catalogue had solved all her graduation gift problems for her. In it were hundreds and thousands of Opportunities all ready and waiting for the young people as they graduated—and a choice for each of them. Here were teaching opportunities, professional opportunities in medicine, law, nursing, and the like, opportunities to make good money farming—all shapes and sizes of opportunities, to be had for the asking. Today, though, as the little old lady peered at the index through her spectacles, there was a difference. Most of the opportunities had shrunk so much that you could hardly see them. A lot of them seemed to have disappeared alotogether. What were left seemed to be priced so high that Mrs. Alberta shook her head over them sadly. Even with the savings she kept in the old sock she couldn’t manage anything like that. She just put her head down in her arms on the table, and had a good cry. They ' ll just have to go without,” she sobbed. There are hardly any more opportunities left. There doesn’t seem to be any work left for them to do any more.” Suddenly there was a tap-tapping at the door. The little old lady put up her head and listened; outside a little voice was laughing away as hard as ever it could. Let me in, I say,” said the voice. “Let me in. That’s a good joke, that is. . . . No more work left to do. . . . No more work left to do. Ha! ha! ha! ha! The laughter was so hearty that old Mrs. Alberta found herself laughing too, as she hurried to undo the latch. In marched a cheery little fellow, dressed from head to foot in bright gold cloth that glittered in the sunlight. Come, come,” he chuckled, “Don ' t you recognize an Opportunity when he knocks at your door, old lady? Mrs. Alberta peered at him through her specs. You’re a new kind, she said. I don’t remember ordering any like you before.” No, said the sprite, drawing himself up to his full height, “I am unique. I am the Golden Opportunity, and I have come to offer myself and my brothers—any amount of us you may specify in your order—as graduation gifts for all your children. The old lady delightfully clapped her hands. What do you offer them?” she asked. Offer them! my good woman. Why, seriously you don’t really believe the nonsense you were just saying, do you? That there is no work left for them to do?’’ That is what they all tell us,” said Mrs. Alberta, sorrowfully. It’s just utter nonsense,” said the sprite. Have all the things been invented now? Don ' t the people on the farms need any more comforts than they ' re getting? Are there enough schools, and colleges, and hospitals? Does everybody get all the education, and the leisure time, and the medical care they really should have? Have all the books been written, and all the gardens planted, and all the pictures painted? Nonsense, my good woman. There is all kinds of work to do” And where do you come in?” said Mrs. Alberta. I, said the sprite, Am the the Golden Opportunity of Service. Never before had there been such an opportunity for young people as the present time. There is lots of work to do. That the professions and trades seem to be full is just because things are all so muddled up. There are lots more teachers needed, lots more nurses, lots more good farmers. The trouble today exists because we don’t seem able to distribute their services widely enough. But that is man’s fault. You can ' t blame it on our Op¬ portunity Catalogue.” What can the young people do with this Golden Opportunity?” said the little old lady. They can use the training they have, and the knowledge they have to think sanely about things, and help to bring the old sick world out of the mess she’s in. The worse times are, you know, the bigger is the oppor¬ tunity to make them better. Nothing to do, indeed! I’m surprised at you, old lady.” Mrs. Alberta smiled happily. And will all the young graduates use you, Golden Opportunity? she asked. The sprite smiled. That is for them to say,” he said, slowly. The Opportunity will be theirs, but we cannot force them to take it.” Mrs. Alberta was quickly scribbling out an order form. I want a rush order, she said, “One Golden Opportunity for each graduate of the Schools of Agriculture—the best graduation gift I have ever given! [ Page seventeen ]