Columbia High School - Mirror Yearbook (Maplewood, NJ)

Page 15 text:

Senior I walked along a dusty path When I chanced upon three mates, And from their garb and talk I knew That they were the Three Fates. A conversation was started, (For I had never wanted more To know the brilliant future Of the Class of ’54.) And from a dusty country road The miles and years seemed to roll, The Sisters sped me on to the Future And the new State Capitol. Elections were being celebrated, And the halls of the House seemed to ring. With the music of Ralph Capasso Leading his band of swing. Famed hostess Anne Walthart With her fabulous personality, And charming Dick Lowenstein Rid the government of cold formality. I mingled with the famous guests, Through the crowd I could scarcely budge, And I saw famed scientist Dick Tinus, And Martin Steinmetz, Supreme Court Judge. Governor Chase spied me with Soccer Star Fred Beglietter, And danced me onto the floor, Where I met President Brooks, V. P. Cy Smith, And Marty Ritter, newly elected senator. Jan Winston, a well known diplomat Waltzed with Judy Barnes, the nation’s favorite, While News Reporter Cinny Ackerman Chatted with Ralph Ahlers of the Met. I learned of the success of Don Spear Who with business tycoon Ed Thorpe, Was slowly but surely reaching the stars From New York's Peterzell Airport. They said the Olympics were shaping up well, With Scheider, Sawicki, Engler, and Rose, And tennis star Ted Nieman keeps His opponents on their toes. Bing Cherry is National Golf Champ, (It was completely engineered by J. Betsch,) While all the women’s awards are won By Roemmele and Groffsky (of the weaker sex?) Football stars Iantosca, Van Cleve And Rothauser, silver trophies bring home. While Eric Brattstrom’s baseball team Keeps its scores high thanks to Cross and Nardone. The National League’s favorite basketball team Loved by the nation's millions Includes among the famous stars—Odell, Gomillion, Rosenburgh, and Williams. 'I learned of the entertainment world, Of each and every star, And learned that our own Top Secret” Was way ahead by far. Louise Mindell and Roseanna Kelsey star, And the audience always swoons To the music of maestro Don Stubbs, And when Mai McClinche croons. The dancing is beyond compare, as proved By Bopp, Schwimmer, Markensohn, Ziegler, and Carroll, While Sue Fresh, Barbara Erdmann, and Diane Schueler Designed the show's fabulous apparel. The show’s songs are on the Hit Parade,” For the tunes and words are catchin’, (They’re written by Sheila Wohlreich, Mariel Whitman, And Carnegie Hall’s own, Anita Katchen.) When the show is over, Then midnight high society meets At Paul Tracy’s nightspot, The Orange,” Near Minna’s Alley, and Sterling Street. And in the throng that gathers there, As a pedestrian wanders by. He sees so many famous stars From our own Columbia High. Mary Lou Odell, Mary Lou Koehler, And Ann Mecadon, whose crazy T. V. show Has the nation laughing every Monday night. Always come and go. Sandy Scoppettone and Betty Fritts, Whose humor in the show world Is always in demand, Are always there on hand. Pretty, blonde Sue Holmes Who owns many skating rinks Meets there, as does Ann Thompson, Who has now progressed to minks. Also seen are Vilma Smith, and Walt Fanburg, Who have taken New York by storm, Walt’s a famed doctor, Vilma’s noted for her form. Bev Ogden’s always in demand, With her one can’t even sup, And popular Shirley Mellotte’s date book For the next five years is booked up. Sally Ehrlich and Julia Eaker now Graduate students from their school of knowledge, While Siegelman, Halprin, and Henston Are the star house-party guests at Gilbert College. Meeting there are models such as Barbara Goldberg. And JoAnn Bausmith, whose pictures cover miles. While Joan Mack and Jane Schutzman are seen, (They’re noted for their Paris styles.) Proph ropnecy

Page 14 text:

Our stay at Columbia has ended. As graduates, we now stand on the threshold of a bright and promising world. And yet, the memories of these past three years are the thoughts that mainly fill our minds, for only now do we realize how wonderful our sojourn here has been. We came into Columbia one bright autumn day in 1951, a crowd of nervous, chattering sophomores. Everything was unfamiliar: the teachers, the rooms, and the other students; but we had finally arrived.” During those first few weeks we were easily distinguishable; our rushing, our desire to please, and our curi- osity pointed out one word, sophomores. In the fall and winter that followed we became a real part of the school by joining clubs, working with committees, and assuming positions of leadership. Our first year was filled with both tragedy and victory. During the previous summer, Mr. Crehan, the principal, had died. Mr. Sheeley brilliantly assumed the responsibilities of principalship. To him go our deepest thanks. The bright spot that fall was the football team. Loyally and joyously we trooped to game after game and victory after victory. Who will ever forget that late October day when mighty Montclair was toppled, or the assembly in which the state championship trophy was presented? April is the month of school elections. We had never seen anything like them; the fierce campaigning, the rows of posters and streamers lining the corridors, and everyone wearing the button of his candidate. No manager of Ike” could raise such shouts as those for Peter Kasen and Jim Rose. When the hubbub had died down, Peter was the winner and successor of the capable Peter Campisi. Thus ended our sophomore year, the most tumultuous in our lives up to then. Through the fall and winter of our junior year plans were being prepared for Junior Night. Everyone was busy writing songs, cultivating mellow voices, and perfecting his theatrical abilities. After much re- hearsing and loads of fun, we proudly presented Top Secret.” It was an overnight success. For months the whole school sang and hummed The Graduating Class of ’54,” State’s the Place, and all the others. To be specific, it was terrific!” On the heels of Junior Night came elections at which we were now old hands. After the usual furious campaigning (What an uproar there was when Martin Ritter platformed on smoking rooms! ) Art Brooks came out on top. That spring, Joe Carter was elected the Senior Class President. Perhaps the most significant happening in our junior year was the entrance of Mr. Amsden into our lives. All of us, of course, knew that he was the principal, but within an amazingly short time we learned that he was a man interested in us as individuals and desirous of our confidence. A bond of mutual respect, the healthiest of feelings, quickly grew between us. The first days of our senior year were black. Peter Kasen, beloved and respected by all, had, on a seem- ingly carefree excursion through the West, taken his step into eternity. Much has been said concerning his death, but th£ words, Death is swallowed up in victory,” seem the most appropriate to describe the even- tual effect on us. The entire student body rededicated itself so that the gap made by his passing might be filled. In October, Miss Helen Snyder, the head of the home economics department, passed away. Her loss was deeply felt for she had, in her thirty-two years of teaching here, become an integral part of the school. One of the fondest memories of our senior year will be of a mustachioed Chilean, Senor Tomas Gray. One of several guests from foreign nations who lived, ate, and studied with us over a period of nearly six weeks, he helped us to understand better his country and people, and, more important, ourselves. In March, as part of the New York Herald Tribune international youth program, Sergio Santiago of Madrid, Spain and Peter Hudson, of Northumberland, England, spent two weeks visiting our school. Our last year was filled with many other important happenings. The comedy, The Curious Savage,” was chosen for our senior play. Ably acted and mounted, it received enthusiastic applause from all who saw it. After much anxiety most of us succeeded in passing our driver’s license test and the college boards. In our last spring at Columbia we made definite decisions as to our future. Some of us decided to enter the armed forces, others, to enter the business world, and still more were admitted into the college of our choice. Now we are looking forward to graduation. Soon, with the last strains of the Alma Mater” in our ears, we shall leave Columbia as did sixty-five previous classes. Basically we will be just like those preced- ing ones: the same types of people, with the same likes and dislikes, and the same deep devotion to our school, our community, and our country. And yet, one fact distinguishes us: these past three years belong to us alone. wJriitor y Viicfe 'Jen

Page 16 text:

CYNTHIA H. ACKERMAN 48 Oakland Road Maplewood Pan American Club 3,4; Parnassian Society 3; Platform Club 3,4; G.A.A. 2; Sophomore Dramatic Club 2; Eligibility Committee 3,4; Elections Committee 2; Junior Night Chorus 3; Senior Play Properties Committee 4; Columbian Reporter 2,3; Columbian Editor 4. Remembered for: being a great editor of the Columbian, her hard work in extra-curricular activities, and being followed by a cloud of dust as she races through the halls. s I ROBERT B. ACKERMAN 11 Sunset Terrace Maplewood Sophomore Dramatic Club 2; Homeroom Chairman 4, Vice- Chairman 3, Treasurer 2, Finance Committee 3, 4; Elections Committee 3; Track Team 2,3,4; Swimming Team 2,3; Intramural Basketball 2; Intramural Football 2; Nominat- ing Committee 3; Junior Night Ticket Committee 3. Remembered for: his many school activities, his appreciation of music, and his many friends. VIRGINIA ADRIAN 27 Wetmore Avenue Maplewood G.A.A. 3,4; Junior Night Usher 3. Our Lady of the Valley: Cheer leader 2; Chorus 2. Remembered for: her cute D.A.’s,” her fondness for a cer- tain member of the Rizzuto family, and her adorable petiteness. ROLF AHLERS 96 Harvard Avenue Maplewood Deutscher Verein 2,3, President 4; Junior Night Chorus 3. Remembered for: his wonderful singing voice, his delight- ful accent, and his refitied good looks. NANCY AHLGREN 22 Lenox Place Maplewood Personality Club 3; G.A.A. 2,3; Homeroom Vice-Chairman 2,3,4; Pep Committee 4; Lunchroom Control Committee 4; Junior Night Chorus 3. Remembered for: her vitality, her wonderful personality, and always willing to give a Tony” to her beautiful blond hair. FRANK CHARLES ALBERT 547 Prospect Street Maplewood Lunchroom Control Committee 4; Swimming Team 2,3; Intramural Football 4; Air Raid Rescue Squad 3,4; Senior Play Scenery Construction 4. Remembered for: being a member of the swimming team, his ability at wood working, and his cool” shirts. LILLIAN DORIS ALLEY 105 Franklin Avenue Maplewood Business Education Club 2,3,4; Personality Club 4; G.A.A. 2,3,4; Junior Night Usher 3. Remembered for: being a cute blond package, her love for a man on the swimming team, and her quiet, friendly dispo- sition. SUE AMOLSKY 10 Forest Drive Springfield Le Cercle Frangais 3; Platform Club 4; Fire Committee 2,4. Remembered for: her drum playing, her interest in the theater, and being quite a photographer.