Columbia High School - Mirror Yearbook (Maplewood, NJ)

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C(aSi J riitor ¥ When we entered Columbia four-hundred strong in September, 1954, the recently-formed Sophomore Orientation Committee had planned an extensive program to acquaint us with this new school. Within a few weeks we were completely adjusted, even though we missed a lunch period now and then. That fall, the Columbia student body was in- troduced to the Peter Kasen Memorial Room, in which club and committee meetings are now held. A new television, hi-fi,” and piano are now a part of this activities center. Probably the most significant change at Colum- bia, when we were sophomores, was the revision of report cards, using letter grades in place of the percentage system. In sports, Columbia’s Mermen captured the State Championship title from Trenton High after a gap of many years. As Juniors, we had a very exciting and eventful year. Columbia was proud and honored when New Jersey’s Governor Robert Meyner spoke in a mem- orable assembly program, April 18, the day Grace Kelly became a princess, and Paul Revere made his famous ride. Columbia’s extra-curricular program expanded with the addition of the Jazz Club, sponsored by Mr. Herman Mendelson. Other additions to Co- lumbia were the Ford Foundation courses in Ad- vanced Math, Chemistry, and English. These courses gave interested students the opportunity to excel in specific fields of study. The highlight of our year was, naturally, Junior Night. Long will be remembered Up ’N’ At’m” and the parties and breakfasts we held to celebrate this occasion. It was a hectic, marvelous weekend. It seems that this was really a prolific year, for Columbia had three foreign visitors. Besides Yo- riko Konishi, from Japan, and Chitranjan Kapur, from India, delegates of the Herald Tribune Youth Forum, Columbia had an additional foreign guest, Man Woo 'Lee, a Korean boy, who became a member of the class of 1956. However, we were sad to see Miss Cecelia Free- man, Miss Mildred Bullock, Dr. Helen Leech, and Miss Marjorie Nichols retire after teaching at Columbia for many years. On the brighter side, we again captured the coveted State Championship in swimming (by one-half point, Whew!), as well as collecting another trophy in chess. Spring was here and the halls were cluttered with colorful posters—election time. Speeches, flickering electric signs, and homemade buttons were all a part of this exciting campaign. Jon Kohn was victorious, stepping into Rich Updike’s shoes, while Fred Profeta was chosen to lead the Class of ’57. Another vacation, another year to go. As Sen- iors, we were busy spending fruitless hours in the chemistry lab, and studying for college boards and mid-years. There were many changes in the extra-curric- ular activities. Mr. Herman Mendelson became sponsor of the Columbian,” replacing Mrs. C. La Rue Crosson, who became advisor of the newly organized Showcase.” Two new clubs, the Future Nurses of America, sponsored by Miss Margaret Beach and Mr. Michael De Marco, and the Biology Club, sponsored by Mr. Theodore Jones, were es- tablished. And believe it or not, a cooking class for boys and a girls’ auto mechanics class were innovations also. Our Senior Play was presented in November. Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap,” a thrilling mystery, was directed by Mr. Lloyd Browning who did a marvelous job. In January, Mr. Curtis H. Threlkeld announced that he would retire in June as Superintendent of the South Orange-Maplewood School System. He will always be remembered for his devoted service to education. February was a memorable month, for General Carlos P. Romulo, the Philippine Ambassador to the United States, addressed Columbia’s student body on The Asia We Do Not Know,” highlight- ing this year’s assembly programs. We also welcomed Majgoub Obeid of Sudan and Niels Fisch-Thomsen from Denmark, repre- sentatives of the Herald Tribune Youth Forum. For two weeks these boys stayed at the homes of Greg Hewlett and Bud Orange, and participated in many school activities. Another foreign visitor was Miss Enriqueta Victoria Ibanez, a Fullbright scholar from Argentina. Sponsored by the United States Department of Education, she spent several weeks observing teaching methods at Columbia. These are our recollections of three of the most industrious and worthwhile years we have spent. Now, we are going into a world full of oppor- tunity, knowing that Columbia has given us an invaluable foundation on which to build our lives. Page 8

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THE STAR OF FAITH the only star by which the bark of man could navigate sea of life, and gain the coast of bliss securely . . ” —Robert Pollock

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LORETTA ALBINOWSKI 15 Hillcrest Street Maplewood Junior Night Usher 3. Remembered for: her congeniality, her conscientious effort in all endeavors, and her cheery hellos in the morning. DOROTHY ALDRIDGE Dottie” 52 Curtiss Place Maplewood Pan American Club 2, Vice-President 3; Personality Club 3, 4; Homeroom Chairman 3; Homeroom Vice-Chairman 2; Homeroom Secretary-Treasurer 4; Homeroom Social Chairman 4; Pep Com- mittee 3, 4; Nominating Committee 3; Junior Night Cast 3; Senior Play Costume Committee 4; Mirror Personals Committee 4. Remembered for: her bandbox appearance, her genial smile, and proving that good things come in small packages. GERTRUDE JUDITH ARGAND Trudy” 51 Coolidge Road Maplewood Parnassian Society 3, 4; Personality Club 3; Sophomore Dramatic Club President 2; Civics Committee 3; Fire Committee 4; Junior Night Dance Committee 3; Mirror Personals Committee 4. Remembered for: her dancing and acting ability, her cheerfulness, and her club activities in and out of school. KAY ARMSTRONG 78 Van Ness Court Maplewood Business Education Club 3, 4; Personality Club.3, 4; G. A. A. 2, 3; Twirler 3, 4; Junior Night Costume Committee 3. Remembered for: her perky twirling, her Rich personality, and her naturally curly locks. JOAN PATRICIA ALLAN Pat” 178 Killburn Place South Orange Future Teachers of America 4; Pan American Club 4; Personality Club 3; G. A. A. 2; Junior Night Cast 3; Senior Play Advertising Committee 4; Senior Play Usher 4; Future Nurses of America 4. Remembered for: her pert haircut, her flirtatious ways, and her aspirations to be another Lady With A Lamp. JOANN ANDERSEN 19 yermont Street Maplewood Business Education Club 4; Personality Club 3, 4; Homeroom Chairman 2' Junior Night Chorus 3; Junior Guidance Committee 3. Remembered for: her peaches and cream complexion, her decep- tive quietness, and her special interest in West Orange High. BARBARA ANDERSON Babs” 11 Second Street South Orange Remembered for: her winning smile, her trim appearance, and her willingness to help others. SAM ANICITO 426 South Fourth Street Maplewood Track Team 2; J. V. Football 2; Senior Play Scenery Construction 4. Remembered for: his fascination for cars, his quiet personality, and his sleek haircut.