Vermontville High School - Verhian Yearbook (Vermontville, MI)

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SALUTATORY by Rachel Viele Parents and Friends: The Class of ’47 has bestowed upon me the honor of welcoming you to this, our treasured hour. But how can a weak word like “welcome” really convey the truly deep feeling which we wish to express ? We do sincerely welcome you here this evening for it is because of you that all nineteen of us have reached this goal. We realize now that it has been no easy task to steer us. Sometimes you merely used persuasion, sometimes you resorted to strategy, or even fore to see that we were among those present at school each day, and that we harbored no thought of stopping short of graduation. You set the example which we followed. We may not have followed that beaten path completely, but we did follow the out- line. So we are glad you are present to share in our final achievement as we realize that you were the ones to give us the timely pushes which were necessary. As I look around at all of you, I see faces which are so clearly marked with the lines of wisdom and wider experience that I realize that by comparison ours will seem very immature for many years. It makes me feel that it is really you who should bid us welcome. Instead, you have come to listen indulgently to all that we have to relate in this our hour; but we shall be your guests in your world to- morrow. We are joining you in the larger school of progress outside these doors; we are entering into your pursuits and pleasures, and we are joining you in the business and social circles which make up active life. How are you going to welcome us? Will you overlook our failures of the past? Will you see in us the good of today and the hope of tomorrow? For we do have use- ful qualitites which can be a credit to you. Each of us has his individual differences of opinion, ideas, and qualities but one thing we possess in common: we are all ambitious to become a factor in that better new world which is just dawning as we make our bow. When we the seniors, came to choose a class flower to represent us, it seemed appropriate that it be the carnation, for the carnation stands for ambition. The story is told that the carnation was once a simple, Wild-wood flower, humble and unassuming in its wild and untrained sweetness. But it was not long satisfied with this crude and ignorant way of existence. It was determined to better its situation, and to learn the ways of the world’s gardens and greenhouses, and so it became the flower of refinement and culture which it is today. Thus the carnation is the symbol of our devotion to progress. The carnation typifies power—power which comes from education, for the carnation has made its value felt in every community. The carnation finds a place in the grandest bouquets which appear at the best occasions. Similarly, educated workers get the best positions in life. Thus the carnation is the symbol of our devo- tion to adequate training. The carnation also ■represents endurance. When it is taken from the soil, its only source of life, and placed in a vase with other flowers, it will stay fresh and gay long after the others have withered andbeen thrown away. Thus, you see, the carnation is the symbol of our endurance and devotion to duty. And so, dear older friends, if you do welcome us into your world of advance- ment, we promise, like the carnation, to turn not only sweet and smiling faces, but useful ones, upon the world, ever receiving, ever radiating sunshine, cheering, brightening, and bettering any corner where you may place us.

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HISTORY by Priscilla Hall In nineteen forty-three, forty-seven freshmen left the carefree days of the grades to enter the serious years of high school. Frightened and bewildered by the apparent superiority of the upper-classmen, we were very meek and subdued, but soon we became brave and confident and took our rightful place in all activities that were ours. Our first clas-. officers were as follows: Albert Heath, president; Gene Walker, vice-president; Jacob Lenik, secretary; Orson Austin, treasurer; and Mrs. Gertrude Montgomery, advisor. Jacob Lenik and Rachel Viele were elected from our class to the Student Council. The Freshmen initiation by the Sophomores that year will always be remem- bered as a thoroughly terrifying experience. To this class and our teacher, Mrs. Hallenbeck, goes the credit of originating the now annual event--the Biology Banquet. It was a grand affair. This class also ranked highest in bond sales. In our sophomore year we had thirty-five class members. Miss Boyd was our advisor. Our class officers were: Orson Austin, Jacob Lenik, Rachel Viele, and Beverly Rogers. We wracked our brains to think of outstanding initiation stunts to try out on the new freshman class. The menu included angle-worm chowder, moth-ball stew, and sour milk. Among this year’s activities was the debate with the juniors on the question of Compulsory Military Training. The juniors won, but we felt it had been very much-worthwhile to inform ourselves on this timely subject. In September, 1945, our junior class numbered twenty-six. Class officers were: president, Jacob Lenik; vice-president, Priscilla Hall-; secretary, Pat Dickey; treasurer, Gloria Carey. Mrs. Allen was our class advisor. Due to her capable leadership we accomplished some very successful money-making ventures. The first one was a box social, then the magazine drive, and Christmas card sale, and last, our junior play, “Spring Fever,” directed by Mrs. Lamb. One of the greatest events of our junior year was presenting the seniors with a tentful of entertainment at the Junior-Senior Banquet. Having done our duty by the seniors at Baccalaur eate and Commencement we were ready for our Senior year. Here it was at last! The year that we had all worked and striven for ! Our officers were: Gloria Carey, president; Vernon Trowbridge, vice-president; Rachel Viele, secretary; Orson Austin, treasurer. The senior play, “It’s All in Your Head,” was one of the best mysteries yet produced. Albert Heath gave a memorable performance as the villain. Among our many and various money-making projects were; Christmas card sale, magazine sale, and rummage sale. We also sold refreshments at the dance in connection with the Syrup Festival. All were successful and brought us gradually closer to our trip to Washington.