West High School - Warrior Yearbook (Rockford, IL)

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l l Shoe shine, Lady? Traveler Judy Lundeen i allows Aline Olson to shine her slipper as Durele Brandquist and Carol Jennings stand hy to help the lady in her Chattanooga journey. Their act represented Chattanooga. Tennessee, in the travelogue theme. x 4446--.ti America. thc melting por. is well represented .is these three senior Chinese girls portray San l:I'.iUClSL'.1l'l Chingitiwan in their act in Happy Daze. Clad in koolic hats and Uhappiwtoatsf Sandy Bock, Par Bock, and Nancy Bernardo do a rhythm routine that suggests meal- time in the Orient with the use of chopsticks and wooden bowls. Happy Dazew unites talent be r X . Practice makes perfect is the motto adopted by these three sopho- more girls. As members of an act including an array of girls singing and dancing to the tune of There's Nothing Like a Dame. ,lan Olson. Jody Peterson. and Libby Wootlard perfect their routine. Immersed in the realm of the travelogue theme of Happy Daze are DiAnna Myers and lid Walker. These two, along with Diane Swen- son, formulated the narrators' script which united the variety show into a blend of entertainment and added humor and spice to the show.

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Repeating the familiar story of the birth of Christ was the privilege bestowed upon Seniors DiAnna Myers and Steve Wolf. As narrators of the 1959 pageant, their story, along with the Nativity scenes, wove an inspirational fabric of Christmas spirit for West. kindle spark in student life December ushers in the Christmas seasong and as it comes. West High is adorned and enveloped with Yule-tide decor. greetings, and spirit. The contagious good-will that belongs to this holiday time is spread among faculty, administration, students, and everyone in the building. The approach of the twenty-fifth induces preparation for the annual Christmas pageant held the last day before Christmas vacation. The choral groups, band, and orchestra enjoy prac- ticing favorite carols. Students exchange Christmas cards, gifts, and good wishes. Sometimes, captured by the bubbling spirits, teachers join in by giving lighter assignments. Homeroom cor- ners are brightened by decorated trees. West bustles with the spirit of Christmas. Then the day for the presentation of the pageant arrives. High-spirited activity is subdued to give way to the peace of commemoration of the glorious birth of jesus. This year's Nativity scenes were accented with the use of a net curtain and soft-colored lights which illuminated the manger scene. The resulting effect was similar to a painting and created an impressive view for the audience. Each new scene blended with the strains of traditional music provided by the Symphonette, band, and choral groups, includ- ing A Cappella and the glee clubs. Additional accompaniment was provided by Senior Diane Swenson on the organ. The nar- rators, DiAnna Myers and Steve Wolf, repeated the story from the Bible. Scenes, including the Annunciation, the Birth, and the Adoration, were re-enacted by students portraying the Biblical characters, a perfect highlight to a beautiful season. Greeting cards and Christmas gifts are tokens of the friendship and good-will which add to the gaiety of the holidays. Cindy Bouray and janet Anderberg of West take time out to express their best wishes to friends with bedecked gifts and joyful greetings. Despite their elaborate costumes fit for Kings and shepherds, these three cast members of the 1959 Christmas pageant, Seniors Joe Rokus, Bruce Black, and Robert Paul take time out between assemblies in order to restore their vitality with a quick lunch. 17

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As well as individual acts, Toot Toot Tootsie, the end of the 1960 variety show, Happy Daze, also required much preaplanning. Shown during dress rehearsal, the entire cast practices on stage for the finale. It was a big production with a multitude of Westites uniting their to create U. S. travelogue Honoring the United States. West's 1960 variety show, Happy Daze, was a travelogue of North America. Under the direction of Mr. Harry Lindberg and students, Sandra Erbe and Marcia Hartman, Happy Daze included a multitude of tal- ented songsters, dancers, and musicians. Sponsored by Student Council, Stagecrafters, and Publica- tions, the show featured geographical locations in the United States. Suggesting West Point was the ROTC Drill Team. Chicago provided background for Lessie Carter's solo, Hes Got the Wlitule XVorld. The Beatnik era was portrayed by a group to expose Greenwich Village. Baby It's Cold Outside was a song and dance routine pre- sented by a group in parkas ht for the Yukon, and cheerleaders chanted a cheer for Georgia Tech in the last number. These acts united with many other numbers, and the hnale burst forth with Toot Toot Tootsie at curtain time. varied talents to create a show that will always remain in their memo- ries as happy days. The movement and antics of the cast members suggests the keyed-up spirits in their hearts as the bitt: nights arrive when they must present their work to the audience. A dance routine prepared by Judi Anderson and Robert Mackey fea- tured the antics of the Beatniks of Greenwich Village. Many other SILI- dents, clad in the garb of a non-conformist group, portrayed the individualistic life of the Beatnik as an eflective background. Marcia Hartman and Sandy Frbe check attendance and direct Rick Magnusson, Linda Rutz, and Mike Villani to perform their acts on stage. As student directors of the variety show. they were responsible for the direction of the rehearsals to insure a finer production.