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

Page 53 text:

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

Page 52 text:

Arnold Richard Stenson, Jr. Entered Blake in 1944 Dramatics Association VI; Glee Club VI; I’iron; Football VI, V, IV—Captain VI; Basketball VI. V; Tennis VI, V. For what I will, I will, and there an end.”—Shakespeare Stanford For three years the name of Stenson at Blake has been synonymous with clean, hard-fought footliall. Earning a starting assignment at right guard as a Sophomore, Dick climaxed his football days at Blake as captain of this year’s M.I.S.L. championship team. Dick’s football ability was recognized by the league coaches when he was placed on the league’s All-Conference team. Dick has shown skill in tennis and basketball also: he should graduate with eight varsity letters to his credit. Dick is a memlier of the Dramatics Association and one of the deep-throated basses in the Glee Club. Long recognized as a leader not only of his class but also of the school, Stens was elected to the Union at the end of his Sophomore year. Besides athletics and extra-curricular activities, Stens has made a scholastic record that places him fairly high in the class. One of the most socially minded members of the class. Stens has amazed everyone with his faithful trek along the shores of Minnehaha Creek several times each weekend. The hike isn't long, but the regularity would certainly tax a weaker person. Dick can he seen in the midst of almost any senior room discussion, and his “playful arguments have led to the near destruction of many a classmate. However, Dick’s desire to make good and his unfailing support of any worthwhile cause will gain him many friends at Stanford. 48

Page 54 text:

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