Aitkin High School - A Book Yearbook (Aitkin, MN)

Page 17 text:

This year's basketball activities stress- PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM All students showed gains in weight and height throughout the year, averaging from 7 to 12 pounds and from l to 6 inches in height. All popular sports were covered during the year with fundamentals, rules, and team play being specially stressed. Posture, weight, and height were checked regularly. Some tumbling and games of lower organization were also included in the yearly program. FOOTBALL With barely a handful of experienced can- didates as a nucleus, football practice was started a week before school began. Approxi- mately 45 boys answered the call, 35 of these showing the necessary spirit to stick lt out for the entire season. From the standpoint of actual victories the season cannot be called a success. However, from the standpoint of im- provement ln technique and determination it was a success. Football should be better for next fall since there will be 22 experienced men back again. BASKETBALL ed the teaching of the simple fundamentals of the game to as many students as possible. Prac- tices were held for all boys from the fifth grade up through high school. About sixty to eighiyboys received supervised instruction in this sport. Old basketballs have been recon- ditioned and weather-proofed and given out to about twenty boys throughout the school dis- trict. Better players are expected in the next few years. Our season's hi-lites were our two victories over McGregor High School. Twelve of the fifteen 'A'squad members will be back for competition next year. JUNIOR HIGH BASKETBALL The following boys were members of the junior high basketball team: Richard Kopp-L, Harold Mushel-L, Willard Lofgren-L, Charles Sanford-L, Charles Warner-L, Allan Pearson-L, Robert Kane-L, B111 Cline-L, Kay Carlstrom-L, Donald Hendricks-L, Charles Hanson-L, William Christensen-L, William Beal-L, Herbert Carlson -L. Russell Oxley and Robert Anderson also played basketball on the junior high team. Only two games were played but these boys were out regularly and deserve commendation for their playing. TRACK Track activities this year were confined mostly to physical education classes and the annual Hi-Y Pentathlon. The Pentathlon this year produced new records in all of the five events besides having a new record for contest- aries. About 150 to 160 boys tookan active part in the event this year as compared to 106 last year. Steve Kurtz, senior broad jumper, placed second in the district meet with a ju p of nineteen feet and two inches. Other entrants in the district meet were Eugene and Ralph Howq Burton Stuart, Oscar Anderson, and Duane Haney. NOON HOUR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION Our noon hour athletic PPUSTBE this Year had a much larger membership than that of a year ago. This year we had from 100 to 120 boys taking an active part ln our league competitimm The fall program consisted of a soccer league and a touch football league. The winter program was confined to an interesting eight team bas- ketball tournament which created quite a bit of enthusiasm from spectators as well as play- ers. On some days the teams played before crowds of noon-hour students numbering near two and three hundred. This spring our program was filled with a kitten-ball tournament and, de- spite the torn-up playground space, much ri- valry and competition were in evidence. The officers for this. year were Douglas Cline-president and Pete Houwman--secretary- treasurer. G.A.A. The Girls' Athletic Association is an or- ganization for girls who are interested in sports and recreation--who play for the fun of playing with others and for the game itself-- not for individual glory and reward. The dues are 25! for the year or 15d for a semester or any part of the are used to buy the numerals which are given to the girls This money ls also used for portation to the G.A.A. High year. These dues and letter awards, for participation. the club's trans- School Play Dey at the University of Minnesota in the fall. The girls who have earned 500 points will have the privilege of attending Winter Camp fweek-endl at their own expense. Those who have earned 250 points will have the privilege of attending Summer Camp for one week at their own expense. This camp period will give the girls a chance to apply the knowledge they have gain- ed throughout the year and to use the initia- tive a recreational program is supposed to de- velop. Points are given for swimming, hiking, and so forth, all of which fit in very nicely with a camp program. The colors of the G.A.A. are the reverse of the colors on the boys' awards. This is so they can be distinguished one from the other. A G.A.A. dinner is held at the end of the year for the purpose of granting the awards and of giving team recognition. There will be a Junior High and a Senior High Club. Points earned in Junior Gym Club can be applied to the numeral earned by three year's participation or 900 points - 300 of these points or ninth grade work can be carried over to Senior High G.A.A. Points may be earned through class activi- ties or noon recreation. The following points may be earned in Senior High G.A.A.: president- sports head-25 50 points, secretary-25 points, points, captain-25 points. lOO points entitles member to buy a pin Cl5dJ, 500 points entitles a member to an emblem, and 1000 points entitles a member to a large 'An. Not more than 300 points may be earned in a year excepting points earned as captain, of- ficers, sports head, and life-saving. During the past year the girls partici- pated in such sports as kitten-ball, field ball, volley-ball, basketball, ping-pong, and track to earn their awards. The high light of the year was the basketball .tournament between the Noon Recreation group and the G.A.A. The G.A.A. were the victors of two games out of the three games played. Next year, under the new program, the girls will be able to specialize in certain fields. So here's to a large membership! The officers of the Girls' Athletic Asso- ciation for the year 1938-1959 were: Jean Beall, presidentg Blanche Moore, secretaryg and Miss Hopkins, adviser.

Page 16 text:

Zfvt- V -www Yfvl? I '.,,,,l , I Wg? ,4 4,1 , .:, ,Sf - A , ' ' 0 WWC Music is probably more universal in its appeal than any one factor in our cultural life today. In its best forms, it arouses our fin- est and best emotions, giving vent to them through satisfying expression. It stimulates the imagination, frees and rests the mind, up- lifts the spirit, and unifles effort. Since the influence of good music is bene- ficial to adults in proportion to their contact with it in childhood, and since we are helping the child of today to become a good citizen of tomorrow, it behooves us to consider the neces- sity of musical instruction from early child- hood to adulthood. Few children will be ultimately performing musicians, but the great mass of children should learn to listen, to understand, and to enjoy the best in musical expression. Music is being enjoyed by millions today who didn't have an opportunity to enjoy it a few years ago. It is taking an important place in our educational systems--which is as it should be, if education is to fit one to live a more happy and wholesome life. There is no sound reason why music should not be taught in our public schools, from the primary grades thru high school. As Rubenstein says, nThe study of the musical language is like the study of all other languages, he whc learns it in infancy can become a master of it, but at an advanced age it is almost impossible to acquire 1t'. The Aitkin Public Schools is making it possible for every student who so desires to take part in some form of music. In the lower grades the Tonette class offers an opportunity for very little cost and gives the student a foundation for further study. For the upper grades, below the Junior High School, there is the grade band which gives the student training, on a regular band instrument and experience in playing band music. The first and second bands comprise students from both the Junior and Sen- ior High Schools. The High School Band has just completed a very successful year in which it appeared before the Parent Teachers Associa- tion at its state meeting in Duluth and was in- vited to take part in the ceremonies honoring the King and Queen of England at Fort William, Canada. It, of course, has appeared at all athletic contests and has taken part in many programs in Aitkin. The band officers for 1958-1959 were: Flo- rence Risberg, presidentg Donald Higbee, secre- taryg Bruce Wakefleld,asslstant conductorg Bar- bara Larson, librariang Thomas Cline, sergeant- at-arms. The bands are looking forward to next year when they will move into their new rehearsal rooms in the new building. These rooms will be scientifically constructed and acoustically treated in such a way as to afford the student instruction under the best of conditions. With these improvements it is our hope that the various bands will continue to grow and pro- gress and that interest in music in our schools and community will reach a new high. Our school, being aware of the values of a musical education, maintains through its glee clubs and vocal ensembles, opportunities, for interested pupils, in the development and appreciation of vocal music. GRADE BAND The following were members of the grade band: Joyce Ellig, John Murray, Marjorie Saw- yer, Elisabeth Ratcliffe, Jean Stutleberg, Ger- aldine Dozark, Patricia Megarry, Fred Olson, Stanley Benson, Billy Hudson,Carrol1 Oien,.Don- ald Wickman, Bobby Wickman, Eldon Shaffer, Billy Lovegren, and Jack Hanlon. TONETTE BAND The following boys and girls comprise the Tonette Band: Sterling Benson, Jean MacDonald, Jean Wakefield, Georgia Wilson, Lois Marmon, Richard Megarry, Howard Tarr, Patricia Erland- son, Joanne Klee, Jack Nelson, Mildred Way, Gerald Mushel, Patrick Plunkett, Jack Cline, Eugene Anderson, Phyllis Chatelle, Cora Riley, Jerry Petraborg, Lorraine Newton, Jeanne Ander- Odine son, Robert Herrick, Raymond Bennett, Wolff, Gloria Dlouhy, Melvin Watson, Joan Pin- nell, Elaine Lofgren, Esther Johnson, Ruth Ol- son, James Alfs, Maribeth Dotzler, Charles Tif- fany, Milton Vlolett, Adeline Watson, Leonard Schroeder, Muriel Tarr, Clifford Grubb, Richard Roden, Harold Schave,- Leslie Geving, Arlene Wolff. Miss Green and Mr. Herman are the di- rectors. SENIOR HIGH GIRLS' GLEE CLUB The following girls sang with the Senior High Girls' Glee Club: Jean Beall, Anita Carl- strom, Alice Foreman, Margaret Hanson, Eliza- beth Johnson, Luella Julum, Lorraine Lafferty, Alice Nygaard, Dorothy Peterson, Rosemary Mon- son, Dorothy Ziske, Patricia Larson, Mary Schanno, Ardele Steece, Frances Copley, Carolyn Kellerman, Elin Johnson, Lois Sugrue, Constance Lund o JUNIOR HIGH GIRLS' GLEE CLUB The following girls sang with the Junior High Girls' Glee Club: Betty Jane Parks, Helen Pittman, Leota Kelly, June Nesbit, Adele Acker- man, Irene Wagner, Pauline Wagner, Rachel Rice, Colleen Fleming, Marguerite Bye, Helen Bain, Pearl Kreiner, Glyndora Erlandson, Eileen West- erlund.

Page 18 text:

Beatrice Christensen Outstanding Girl- G.A.A. A 4 , ig! ,QL M 'll , Esther Dangers Outstanding Girl- Noon Recreation ROOTERS' CLUB The Rooters' Club was organized this year for the purposes of stimulating school spirit ln the student body and of creating an organ- ized section for the games. The club is an honorary elective organiza- tion with the returning members of the club making up the list of possible candidates and then submitting it to the faculty advisory com- mittee. This committee then decides on the candidates and returns the list of accepted candidates to the club for a unanimous election. The Rooter King or Queen is selected by competition and is judged by a committee made up of the following: the four class presidents, two non-competing club representatives, two members of the advisory committee, and Superin- tendent Murray. To be eligible for club membership a per- son must have a 'C' average, must be able to attend all practices and meetings, must have outfits lslacks by members, sweaters by schooll, and must have health o.k.'d by the physical ed- ucation teachers. The faculty advisory com ittee is appoint- ed by the club adviser and is approved by the superintendent. The club adviser is appointed by the superintendent and is considered chair- man of the group. The officers of the club and their duties are, president -not a senior and not the Rooter King or Queen, is to act as host or hostess, representing the school at all times, vice-pres ident - takes the president's place when pres- ident is absent, is to act as Student Council representative, secretary - is to keep notes of the club's activities and attendance, is to catalogue yells and songs, and is to carry on correspondence, treasurer - is to handle all funds and financial matters, program chairman - is to arrange for the pepfest programs, Hi-Lite Reporter - is to report the club's activities to the Hi-Lite. Anyone with three unexcused absences will be dropped from the club for the remainder of the year. The vacancy is filled by the ordina- ry procedure of selecting members. Officers of the Rooters' Club during the past year were: Beatrice Christensen, presi- dent, and Miss Hopkins, adviser. NATIONAL FORENSIC LEAGUE The National Forensic League, an h0n0T society for the promotion of inter-scholastic debate, oratory, and other forms of public organiza- To become must rank speaking, ls one of the two speech tions active in the Aitkin schools. a member of the League a student scholastically in the upper two-thirds of his class and must have participated in enough outer-scholastic forensic contests to have earned twenty credit points. After he becomes an active member he continues to earn points and may be awarded the degrees of Honor, Excel- lence, and Distinction. ' The local chapter entered nine contestants in the State Tournament which was held at West High School of Minneapolis on April 12, 13, 14. Patty Larson, humorous entry, was among the few semi-finalists who were chosen to give readings over radio station WTCN. The debate team, composed of Bernhard Er- ling, Franklin Draper, Irene Johnson, and Arvel Steece, won second place in the tournament and in doing so became eligible to enter the Na- tional Tournament held at Beverly Hills, Cali- fornia, in June. Full members of the National Forensic League were, Patty Larson, Bernhard Erling, Arvel Steece, and Franklin Draper. The follow- ing are registered and have earned some of the necessary 20 points: Elin Johnson, Duane Haney, Robert Jeronimus, Irene Johnson, Dorothy Peter- son, Emily Ann Plunkett, and Catherine Tierney. DRAMATIC AND SPEECH CLUB The Senior High School Dramatic Club was enlarged in 1958 to include students interested in other speech activities. The purpose of the organization remained the same--to encourage interest and participation in dramatics and speech and to provide funds for the speech ac- tivities of the senior high school. The members took part in six one-act plays during the year, one of which was entered in the district One-act Play Contest held at Brainerd. Their other activities included the sponsoring of candy sales, a movie, and an as- sembly program. The officers for 1958-39 were Letha Galar- neault, president, Robert Johnson, vice-pres1- dent, Pauline Tully, secretary. JUNIOR HIGH DRAMATIC CLUB The Junior High Dramatic Club was organ- ized according to the point system this year. Each person participating in activities re- ceived merit points. The club presented two one-act pla --'Wh, H b t' d ' Darlingu. li addxtiog 920 tils, Egg Pigggggg participated in the annual declamatory work. The officers of the Junior High Dramatic Club for 1958-59 were: Yvonne Anderson, presi- dent, Beverly Woodrow, secretary-treasurer, and Miss Kjalstrom, adviser. SOCIETAS LATINA The Societas Latina continued its activi- ties this year with the following officers: Patty Larson-president, Lydia Hyytinen-v1ce- president, Alice Hanson-secretary, Helen Dahms- treasurer, Nancy Ann Warner - student council representative. Meetings were held Tuesday noons so that the bus students might be able to attend. A number of Latin songs were learned and Roman customs were studied. The Roman Banquet cul- minated the activities of the club for the yean