Beaman Conrad High School - Trojan Yearbook (Conrad, IA)

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CLASS PROPHECY It was May 1962 and I was on my way to Hollywood, California to attend the annual class reunion of the class of 1952. This year it was to be held at the Brown Derby. I decided to leave by airplane from the Des Moines airport. The pilot was there to meet the passengers as they board- ed the plane. As I came closer, I realized it was a classmate of 1952, Francis Kopsa. Francis said he had been flying ever since high school days, and was now a pilot for a transcontinental airline company. We continued talking until time for the take-off, discussing our old school days. Have you heard from any more of our old friends? I asked. Why, yes. My co-pilot on this plane is Delos Hammond. We've been flying together for a year now, and are both going to the class reunion. Just then it was time for the plane to take off, so I said I would see him in Hollywood. Our last stop, before Hollywood, was Las Vegas, Nev. Several new passengers boarded the plane. To our amazement, the famous new comedy team, Dean Lewis and Jerry Martin, were boarding the plane. They turned out to be two of our classmates, Bill Griggs and Bob Oglesby. The boys had just signed a contract to make a movie in Hollywood. Their experience was gained in school, where Bill was in all music groups, and Bob kept the bookkeeping class entertained. when we arrived at our destination in Hollywood, our plane was met by the movie stud1o's head secretary. She turned out to be Lorraine Rattray, from the class of 1952. After graduating from high school, Lorraine went to a business college, and then got a Job in Hollywood, finally working her way up to head secretary. She had to take Dean Lewis and Jerry Martin to the studio but they said they would meet us at the Brown Derby the next day. I thought I could spend the rest of the day sight seeing, when I heard that a famous atomic scientist was appearing for a lecture. I de- cided to go. When I arrived, I discovered the scientist was none other than Professor Wescott, better known as Jim wescott back in Beaman High School. when in school, he could always be found in the science room, trying out some new experiment. This is where he got his start. After an interesting lecture, we talked for awhile., He said he was taking time out of his busy life to attend the reunion. That night I went to a pro- fessional basketball game. The team's star was Lee Arends, who got his start in basketball with the Beaman High teams. He made an average of 58 points a game, but tonight he made 62 points to lead his team. After the game we saw one of the sports announcers, finishing his broadcast. As I came closer, I recognized Bob Anderson. Bob informed me that he worked as a sports announcer during the winter months, and during the spring and summer played baseball with a major league team. He, too, gained ex- perience at Beaman High School. The day for the class reunion arrived. we had decided to meet at the Brown Derby. Suki Vint, another member of' the class of 52 . was there to meet us. She is the owner and manager of the popular Hollywood resturant. Suki's nutrition expert then stepped forward. We were all suprised to find that she was Doris Kitzman also of the class of 52 . We spent an enjoyable few hours reminiscing, before each of the old classmates had to hurry back to their busy lives. Each member of the class has been very successful in his chosen occupation. Although, the class is widely seperated, each and every one has a soft spot in his heart for his own school days in Beaman High School. 6

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CLASS HISTORY lt was the last week of August 1948, when eight freshmen, five boys and three girls, started their high school careers. Five members of the class, Suki Vint, Lorraine Rattray, Bob Oglesby, Leland Arends, and Jim Wescott, had attended Beaman School since the first grade. Francis Kopsa joined the class in the fourth grade, and Doris Kitzman and Delos Hammond in the fifth grade. During our Freshman year, Dennis Steenhoven joined the class. Our faculty for our first year in high school was Mr. LaVerne Carney, as superintendent, Mr. FTBQ Rohde, coach, Mrs. Campbell, music teacher, and Miss Ploog, home economics teacher. Bob Anderson joined the class at the start of our Sophomore year, but Dennis Steenhoven left near the end of the year. The faculty that year was completely different, with Mr. A. N. Rogers, superintendent, Mrs. Margaret Holcomb, music, Mrs. Mary Jean Bern, home economics, and Mr. Merle Sharp, coach. During February of our Junior year, Bill Griggs joined the class, making a class of ten, the largest in high school. Again our faculty was changed. Mr. Arthur Perry was superintendentg Mr. Harley McDaniel, coach, Miss Betty Janssen, home economics, and Mrs. Edra Campbell, was welcomed back as music and English teacher. Highlights of our Junior year were our class play UThat Brewster Boyn which was the first play presented in the new gym, as well as participa- tion in the Senior class play, and the Junior and Senior banquet, which carried out the nGay Ninetiesn theme, and was held at Stone's Cafe in Marshalltown- Our class remained the same for our Senior year, with the faculty the same, also. Highlights of this year were: Our trip to Eldora to have our senior pictures taken October 14, after which we took airplane rides, and spent the rest of the day in Des Moines, our class play, the Junior and Senior banquet, and, our senior class trip, being planned for a week-end in Chicago. Annual highlights each year were trips to attend the state basketball tournaments and the athletic banquets. Nine of the members of our class were out for basketball each year, and five of the boys played baseball. Francis Kopsa has been our faithful team manager. The boys of our class helped win the first trophies won by boys basketball and baseball in the history of the school. Most members of our class have been out for vocal music, being mem- bers of glee clubs, mixed chorus, and quartet. Bill Griggs, also, had vocal solos. Seven members of the class took part in band. We published the school paper during part of both our Junior and Senior year, and have put out the twelfth annual of the Beaman High School Class flower--Red carnation Class colors--Blue and Silver Class motto--He who looks ahead shall never fall behind. 5

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