East Grand Rapids High School - Interlochen Yearbook (East Grand Rapids, MI)

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PROPHECY OF THE CLASS OF ,43 For a long time that evening I listened to my radio. I had nothing else to do until it was time for me to dress to go to the theatre, where I was to see a new play called School Days , the biggest hit Broadway had seen for years. But for the time being I sat back indolently, while the radio played my favorite programs. The first one I heard as I twirled the dial was Seth Bidwell in f'Tell It To The D.A. . This pro- gram was one of the nationis favorites, since Seth in person presented some of his own experiences as the young and successful District Attorney -of New York, where he had been called after a short but brilliant career as a criminal lawyer. Everyone knew that Sleepy had almost single-handedly put down the crime wave after the Second World War. A sports broadcast by Gerald Muir followed. Geraldis play-by-play descriptions of football games and his shorts in the movies rivalled Ted Husing's in popularity. Then came the Crown Cola Hour, starring Martha Roderick singing the music of Will Gay Bottje. Bill's music equalled that of Gershwin in the eyes of both critics and public, while Marty had man- aged to combine successfully an opera career with domestic life. She had been happily married for several years. An added attraction on this musical program was Eugene Bellis, who had been hailed as the most superb crooner of his time. I turned off my radio just as the announcer remarked that these programs had been made pos- sible through the expert technical assistance of the noted radio engineer, Bill Oliver. It was time for me to leave for the theatre. I happened to know that School Days dealt with a supposedly fictitious graduating class, but that the class in question was none other than the senior class of 1943 of East Grand Rapids High School. I was eager to see what had become of my old classmates and to find out how accurately I had guessed when I had written the class prophecy years ag-o. From my seat in the third row on the aisle, I noticed Roberta Ames, scribbling busily on a tablet. Bert was the editor of a nationally syndi- cated gossip column which finally drove Walter Winchell from the tabloid field in disgust. Carefully scrutinizing all the members of the audience was Boy Clements, the brilliant detective and head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Two rows back I spotted Phyllis Buckman, edi- tor of '4Clubby Clothes , which sold more copies per issue that either '4Vogue,, or G'Mademoiselle . With her was Bob Chance, the original and clever fashion designer, whom we had all expected to become a band leader. I noticed that Phyll was looking fixedly across the aisle, and following the direction of her gaze, I saw George Gregoire, proprietor of Gregoire's Model Agency. With him were three of his beautiful models: Nancy Ten Broek, Jeanne Moore, and Susanne Wade. In a private box I caught a glimpse of General .lim Cowdery who had distinguished himself so signally during the Second World War. With him were .LaVange Coleman, head of all the W.A.A.C.'s in the United States, Phil Cornelius, the eminent aeronautical engineer, and Paul Olsen, a pilot who probably knew more about dive bombers than any other man alive. The house lights were dimming and I had time only to glance at my programme to see that 'iSchool Daysi' was produced, directed, and acted in by Ted Brink, with Phyllis McVoy as the leading lady. Ted had frequently been compared by critics to a cross between Orson Welles and Noel Coward, while Phyllis had been a brilliant actress even in high school. This pair was frequently known as HThe King and Queen of Broadwayw. The play was apparently to be a series of short sketches regarding the lives of each member of the senior class. Patty Muir was the first occupant of the stage. She wore the pointed slippers and bouffant skirts of a ballerina, and I remembered having heard that she was the premiere danseuse at the Russian Ballet that winter. Bob Cole, foot- ball coach at the University of Michigan, whose crack teams had won the Big Ten championship for the past seven years, was said to have gotten the idea for one of his most successful plays from a dance step of Patty's. Jerry Byrne was the next occupant of the stage. In his businesslike-looking overcoat and soft hat with a pencil behind his ear, he presented the per- fect picture of a busy reporter. There was no need to explain the situation, for everyone knew that Jerry was one of the top reporters and news ana- lysts in the country. The end of the first act had come, and I arose and wandered out into the lobby. I saw John Mackay, Senator from Michigan for twelve years, standing there in a crowd of admiring friends and autograph seekers, all wishing him well in his campaign for re-election. I went over to speak to N-gitffllllff 0 xi 0 . - JF A ' ts ell LIB

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the pretty girl who had just arrived. This turned out to be Frances Paquette, who was perfectly capable of making her own decision. Another arrival who had caused fluttering in the hearts of the young ladies was Bill Torgerson. In the second grade they had been joined by a witty fellow, Fred Perkins. That year Tom Finch and Bob Paley, both new arrivals, had introduced the exciting game of Hcop and robbersw, and Doro- thy Snapp had entertained them with her first tap dance. Timid little Bill Oliver could be seen sitting in the corner instructing Bill Webb in the use of the multiplication tables. The third grade had brought difficulties in the line of spelling. Susanne Wade and Anne Patterson had arrived just in time to aid in figuring out this new puzzle. Bud Powers had also put in his appear- ance and suggested that Mrs. Lair get them some goldfish la step which she always regrettedl. The fifth grade had added two popular young ladiesg .leanne Moore, whose long brown curls and sparkling eyes immediately captivated the heart of the unsuspecting Artie Clements, and Martha Roderick, a young lady who amazed them all with her skill in playing Hop Scotch. Bruce Clark also arrived to increase the musical talent of the fifth graders. This talented young group presented an elaborate version of 'LHansel and Gretelv. Bud Powers, in charge of the scenery, produced a candy house - the like of which none of us had ever seen. The sole addition to his clan in the sixth year had been Tom Warren, who definitely did not like hooks. The Safety Squad appeared at that time, and ,lim and his friends paraded in their elegant arm bands and safety badges. Passing into the seventh grade, his joy had been complete. At last he could catch a glimpse of the interior of the senior high school. Gail Rice had arrived from Ottawa that year, and her genius for writing had produced a great many humorous poems about all of them, particularly a young lady named Charlene Golay, who had gotten on entirely too well with the teachers. Nancy Ten Broek had also joined them and was quickly acclaimed the most glamorous of the seventh grade beauties. Mary Lou Cork had made her appearance at the beginning of the eighth grade. She was a busy little girl always at the center of a chatty gathering. They had also been joined by the radiant personal- ity of Robert fPittsburghJ Boyer, who showed the up-and-coming socialites how to dance the way Miss Travis did not teach them. Phyllis McVoy joined them too, and was always bubbling over with new ideas. Ottawa sent another addition, Bill Haynes, who, the girls agreed, had the only line that sounded anywhere near sincere. Handsome Jim Cowdery came too, and the girls began looking with scorn at the other eighth grade Romeos. Last of the new arrivals was Bruce Veltman, who spent his time explaining what went into the Veltman cookies. Jim could never forget his freshman year. His grade had been greatly increased by the arrival of twelve new students. He remembered well how Peggy Furhee had poked her head in the door, to be greeted by several loud complimentary whistles. The freshman class had also annexed Jerry Byrne, who didnit mean to sound funny, it just happened. The girls had immediatelly flocked around Libla Bloomstrom, who promised to conduct classes in how to make rag dolls. Louis Wickman was already showing his love for sports and could be seen tack- ling anybody, any place, any time. Saint Stephens had given them Joe Pierce, who distinguished him- self for his habit of not taking school too seriously. Jeanne Schaap, a very serious student, and Louanne Johnson also put in their appearances. Welcome additions to the stag line'were Ed Fritz and Ted Aalsburg, who just loved mathematics. Among the female newcomers ,lim remembered Charlene Pois- son and Pat Crothers, the girl with that handsome brother. Then there was a dashing young fellow named Paul Olsen who could often be found telling a group of interested companions what had hap- pened to him back in Marinette. The next year the sophomores had welcomed John Mackay, who quickly' won himself the title of class wit. Bob Cole and Winnie Knape had left Ottawa to join them, and George Gregoire was inspiring East's cheering section with his unique method of ucheer leading. Nancy Harkness was quickly accepted by them, all as a gal who was definitely Mon the beam. 'They had also found in their midst a certain Ernest Malkewitz, who was destined to become the Einstein of algebra four. The eleventh grade had presented the problem of acquiring money for the Junior-Senior Recep- tion. The Young in Heart filled the treasury. That year Phil Corneliusihad arrived at East to make life more complicated for the teachers with that well-known phrase tl'rat's the one I didn't do, and Ted Brink had arrived with his excellent imi- tations of Charles Boyer, ,lohn Barrymore, and Boake Carter. Miss Brumbaugh was faced with another startling discovery-John Bissell's love for a good argument. To ,lim the senior year was more vivid than all the others. Gerry Potter arrived in time to show them all how ujitterbuggingn should be done, while Bob Healy, an expert in the field of photography, arrived from Royal Oak. Gerald Muir had also returned in time to graduate with his chums. The midsemester brought Phyllis Buckman and her snappy clothes. However, East lost four of its young geniuses. ,lim Cowclery had entered Kenyon College as a meteorologist, while Will Gay Bottje, the talented musician, had enrolled in the ,lulliard School of Music. Ted Brink and Virginia Verhey had taken up jobs in their chosen fieldsg Ted, an announcer, and Virginia, a business secretary. Jim recalled the football game the seniors won from the underclassmen, and the senior assembly in which Paul Olsen and Bob Paley had been pre- historic monsters. Also vividly pictured was his role as a detective in their senior play, 'lWha-t a Life. At last, with slow and unsure steps, they had paraded down the aisle to graduation. The classes, pep meetings, and teachers would be lost to him, but he still had a little of that good old East High spirit and a group of friends that he would never forget.

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him and he called my attention to his private sec- retary, Lois Stegenga. She was as quiet and retiring as ever, but I knew that she efficiently took many cares' off the shoulders of the busy statesman. HI couldnit get along without herf, John con- fessed. i'Do you remember .Iohn Bissell, the carpet- sweeper magnate? He's been in Washington the past six weeks, lobbying for big business. And then there's Lou Cork. She's been a Congress- woman for quite awhile, and now she's Speaker of the House. She wants Nancy Harkness, the able ambassador, sent back to London, but I want her to go to Paris this time. Did you know that Fred Perkins was appointed Secretary of the Treasury last week? Look at her, she's drawing more of a crowd than I am. I glanced in the indicated direction and saw the glamourous Margot Beaver, who had been Peggy Furbee until Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer had changed her name. She was Hollywood's most beautiful movie star, and had been officially given the title of Sweetheart of the U.S.A.',. I wondered if she remembered when we had called her HThe Sweet- heart of the Senior Classf' The lights were dimming again and I hurried back to my seat just in time to see Elizabeth Bloom- strom come in. Liz had become a distinguished architect, and had recently received great acclaim for designing the PeninsulariState Building in Detroit, the tallest building in the world. With Libla was Ted Aalsburg, a civil engineer of inter- national reputation, in collaboration with whom Liz was said to be designing a bridge across the Atlantic Ucean. Pat Crothers. her efficient and self-possessed private secretary, accompanied her. Suddenly there was a commotion, and the manager came out on the stage, raising his hand for silence. 'fls there a doctor in the house? he inquired. A tall, vaguely familiar man arose. He had handsome features, graying hair, and a gray mous- tache and goatee. I realized with a start -that it was none other than Bill Torgerson. Can I help?', he asked. 6'Tom Finch, the famous test pilot, has just been injured trying out a new parachute. He jumped from the Empire State Building and the 'chute didn't open. They brought him in here. Would you come and take a look at him? Dr. Torgerson disappeared backstage, but in a minute he was back. 'There should be an imme- diate operationf, he saidf I am afraid Captain Finch has hurt his head badly. I am not a surgeon, unfortunately - Is there anything I can do? All eyes turned to a pretty girl who was making her way toward the stage. HDL Anne Pattersonlii exclaimed Dr. Torgerson in relief. You'are the only brain surgeon in the world who can save Captain Finchln MI can't do it alone, Dr. Patterson replied. I must have a psychiatrist as ja consultant. The audience was tens with excitement, for Tom Finch was a nationa hero. .Louis Wickman soon appeared in the doorway of -the centre aisle. He had been informed of the need for a skilled psychiatrist and had come in from the street to volunteer his services. A call for nurses went out. and Jeanne Schapp, Dorothy Snapp, and Ellen Platte came forward. These three girls had saved the lives of countless soldgrfrs at the risk of their own during -the Second . orld War, and upon their appearance it was felt that the idol of the populace had some chance for recovery. The little party disappeared into the wings of the theatre. followed by Captains Arthur Clements and Joseph Pierce. I remembered that during the war these two, with Tom, had been known as the Three Musketeers of the Air , and it had been due to 'if Q rj' l --.. r 7