Wilmington High School - Mirror Yearbook (Wilmington, VT)

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I may be absurdly idealistic, but I think that a public school can be a positive, productive institution. Like everyone else, I sometimes feel like a victim of the undefinable, but omnipotent system . The banging of the lockers, the buzzing of the bells, the swarms of notices, and the clutter of attendance sheets grate on my nerves and dampen my spirits. The feelings of hostility and apathy frustrate me to death, forcing me to ask my- self, What's this all for? What are we doing here anyway? At times like these, I can only answer my own question by grinning wryly and clenching my teeth. I don't think school has to undergo such periods of despair. If I pretended to ignore the disenchantment I see, I would be a hypocrite. If I resigned myself to it, I could not be an educator. The process of learning is very exciting to me. When we share our insights and knowledge, we are discovering, as we discover, we come alive. In a public school, every individual must work to create the possibility for discovery. When we don't, we have only ourselves to blame for its absence. During times of involvement in learning, I never hear the lockers bang or the bells ring. I don't sense any feelings of apathy or hostility. lVly teeth relax their grip on each other, and my wry grin turns into a happy smile. Kathy IVIacridis KATHY NIACRIDIS--English. 16 BERTHA BOYD--Home Economics.

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You owe it to the generations of realists who have preceded you, the very people who now criticize your idealism, to offer your solutions, your ideas, and your ideals. And when you make your offer do not accept rejection. lVlerely understand the basis of its origin and continue towards your goal whether it be peace, love, or a nourishing meal for someone who needs it. These goals are achievable , you will say. Ten thousand years of human experience have proved you wrong , the realist will reply. Who cares? So what? Perhaps your goals will be unachievable. But in striving for the impossible goals you will accomplish much more than those who attempt only the achievable. And when you are forty, or sixty, or eighty, and your idealism has been diluted by life's pain, show your yearbook to your children or your grandchildren. Then it will be their turn to ask, Why can't we just love everyone? David Larsen CHRIS SIIVIPSON--Art 84 Spanish. DAVID LARSEN--History.

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I was once given a verse by a friend and I want to share it because sharing is beautiful. A smile costs nothing but gives much. lt enriches those who receive, without making POOYGI' those who give. It takes but a moment but the memory of it sometimes lasts for- ever. None is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it, and none is so poor but that he can be made rich by it. A smile creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in business, and is the counter-sign of friendship. It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad and it is nature's best antidote for trouble. Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give. Unknown author Sue Andrea SUE ANDREA--Nurse. JOHN STETZE L--Phys . Ed. 17