Blake School - Reflections / Call O Pan Yearbook (Hopkins, MN)

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John Roger Thomson Entered Blake in 1946 Dramatics Association VI, V. IV'—President VI; Glee Club VI; Union; Waiter VI. V, IV; French Prize V; Declamation Winner IN'; Publications. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. —Emerson Harvard i W hen a pudgy little fellow named John Thomson left Wayzata to join the Blake sixth grade, the Class of 1953 gained a valued member. Down through the years John has I wen a constant source of amusement to his classmates. However, John’s antics in class have l»een carried on much to the chagrin of Blake teachers. It has even been rumored that his classroom activities were enough to drive a certain French teacher to seek a life of peace and quiet in the Army. Not a whiz in athletics, Thoms-babe, as he is affectionately called hv his closer friends, has certainly shown his ability in extra-curricular activities. His becoming president of the Dramatics Association climaxed a long and successful career on the Blake stage. The old actors’ creed, the show must go on. was carefully observed by John last fall when he delivered a starring performance in The Summoning of Everyman while lu was still recovering from a severe attack of laryngitis. On occasion John has been known to lend his booming l»ss voice to the Glee Club, and recently he has joined the Debating Team as an extemporaneous speaker. Over the years John has built up a reputation for his exploits with the fairer sex. Every few months he calmly announces that at last he has found the right girl. 1 hen he will go into a lengthy oration concerning the defects of his previous girl friend. Seriously though. John’s easy-going manner has won him a host of friends at Blake and is sure to serve him well in later life. 50 THOMS BABE

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James Wesley Swan Entered Blake in 1949 Class Treasurer VI; Dramatics Association VI, V; Glee Club VI, V; I'nion; Football VI: Swimming VI, V, IV. “Power is more safely retained Incautious than severe councils.” —Tacitus Princeton Tripping onto the stage of Northrop Auditorium we see none other than that dapper young salesman of anything you happen to need. Rusty Swan. Rusty’s acting for the Dramatics Association is only one of the many jobs his sense of school loyalty has prompted him to undertake. A charter member of the Glee Club’s bass section, Rusty helped form the bass group into a strong low range unit. As secretary-treasurer of the class Rusty has had the delicate task of handling a class account which sometimes totaled as low as minus ten dollars. His job of keeping the authorities off his neck for the class debt while calmly collecting huge sums from his fellow Seniors for the support and maintenance of the class cat seemed nearly im|x ssible, hut somehow Rusty did it. An enthusiastic athlete. Rust participated actively in football and swimming. Though he weighed only one hundred forty pounds. Rusty was one of the toughest linemen on the team. An “all-around” man on the swimming team. Kumpsty at different times was diver, breast stroker, and free style artist. A sketch of Rusty Swan would not Ik complete without mention of his active interest and participation in Senior bull sessions. Any time during the year when “the boys” got together and swapped ideas. Rusty was on the scene listening attentively, adding his own impressions, and generally livening up the gathering. Rusty’s is a bright future, for his strong interest in all things he undertakes should lead him far. Good luck at Princeton, Rust! “RUSTY” “RUMSKI 49

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Mark Ueland Entered Blake in 1949 Headboy; Class President V, IV; I’nion; Dramatics Assoeiation ’I, V; Glee Club V; Call O Pan Editor; Waiter VI. V; Football VI, V; Swimming VI, V. IV, III—Captain VI; Boy’s State V. Hail to the chief who in triumph advances. —Scott I larvard Cum Laude hen Mark entered the Freshman class with his shy. squeaky voice, few realized that he would soon he a leader of the school. His name was soon found on the honor roll as well as on the starting lineup of the swimming team. Better known to his classmates as die. Mark is one of those rare fellows who are natural leaders. As president of the junior class, die’s leadership ability proved itself when the class, for the first time in many a year, earned almost the entire amount for the J. S. As one of Blake's delegates to Gopher Boy’s State, lie was elected lieutenant governor. In his senior year, die was elected Head Boy. However, lie still had time to keep his name on the honor roll despite bucking the usual double-disaster of Physics and Senior Math, lie captained the swimming team and held a starting end position on the varsity football team for two years. Mark’s activities have not all been scholastic and athletic. He has spent countless hours on the CALL O' PAX. and many of his pictures fill the pages of this lx ok. He has often been seen playing the bass in one of the local music outfits or entertaining at the piano. His senior room arguments have proved to be a constant amusement to his fellow classmates, and whether right or wrong lie usually comes out the winner. Whenever there is snow on the ground, die takes to his skis. Being an ardent enthusiast of the sport, lie has spent the last two spring vacations at Aspen and Sun Valley, skiing and striking up new acquaintances. Mark's friendliness and willingness to help anyone have made him one of the most | opular members of the class of 53. W hen Mark goes to Harvard, Blake loses a leader, a scholar, and a friend. 51