Bement High School - BIM Yearbook (Bement, IL)

Text from Pages 1 - 82 of the 1949 volume:

The of 1949 PUBLISHED BY THE SENIOR CLASS OF BEMENT HIGH SCHOOL WV, flu senior class of publish this Annual with the sincere desire that it will furnish our classmates, teachers, parents and friends with many enjoyable hours. Our staff includes representatives from all four classes, who have tried to present a realistic picture of our school year. In doing so we hope that we have not slighted one phase of school life nor glorified another. If the pages of this book kindle happy memories for you, we shall have accomplished our purpose. The Annual, formerly known as Retold, now has a new name. Because of school district reorganization, our high school took the title of Bement Community Unit Xo. 5 High School. Refold (Bement Township High School) was no longer appropriate. The staff sent out a plea to the students urging them to give suggestions for a new name. George Cavanaugh, an Ivesdale sophomore, submitted Bimcohi. From this, (he name RIM (Bement, Ivesdale, Milmine) was derived. (fatteafo Board of Education Faculty Seniors Juniors Sophomores Freshmen 4ctivitie Publications Student Council Student Librarians Music Clubs Highlights Athletic Football Basketball Track Baseball B Club Snaps Calendar It is a pleasure to write a message for our annual appearing under its new name, BIM. In a reorganized district, there are usually many adjustments to be made, but the students and faculty of the Bement High School have, by their cooperation, made this an easy task. To all the seniors and to other students as well, I would like to say in the words of Shakespeare, “This above all else to thine own self be true . . . Thou canst not then be false to any man”; and, in the words of Burns, “O would some Power the giftie gie us To see ourselves as others see us! I am sure that if we apply these quotations to our lives we will be good citizens in a country where democracy comes first. With the right attitudes and ideals and with the willingness to help others, the Bement High School will, through her students, win an enviable name in the country and in the world. ) - P 0 t- Dear T)iarv, Here ii is just a week before school starts. A new family has moved in next door and 1 soon found out that one boy, Homer, was to be in my class at school. I offered to show him around school and help him get acquainted. Today I took him over to register and to iron out a few of his problems. When we arrived at the school, we saw a group of men assembled around the table in the superintendent's office intent on what was evidently very serious business. I explained to Homer that this was the Hoard of Education, who give so freely of their time that we may have an ever-improving school. The members of this group are Mr. E. A. Stout, president, Mr. A. E. Hodman, secretary, both from Bement; Mr. Lynn Rainey7 and Mr. Clarence Lefever from Milmine; Mr. C. J. Tabaka, Mr. IT. E. Eckstein, and Mr. Russell Rodgers, from Ivesdale. After this meeting had adjourned, 1 introduced Homer to the new superintendent, Mr. Walter Slater, who was also to teach physics. Mr. A. E. Wehmeier, the assistant superintendent and math teacher, and Mrs. Max Moore, our secretary, were assisting Mr. Slater with last minute registrations. As soon as Homer had his schedule fixed up and was straightened out as to books, we took our leave. We met two teachers as we left the building. Mrs. S. C. Hammond, the commercial instructor, was in the typing room cleaning typewriters. Mr. L. A. Hodam, agriculture teacher, was in the shop checking the equipment. In the afternoon Homer voiced a wish to go out and see about starting football. Mr. Ray Smith, coach, and Mr. Wilson Day, assistant football coach and head basketball coach, were putting the boys through their paces. I told Homer he would meet these men again in the social science classes. Dear Diary, The first day of school! 1 took Homer to meet the rest of the teachers, lie met Miss Isabelle Houston, English instructor and librarian, and Miss Pearl Swaim, the Latin and English teacher. lie saw Mr. Taylor about getting into the band, lie also became acquainted with the new instructors about school—Miss Charlotte Lefever, a Bement Alum who is our home-ec teacher; Miss Ann Allen, who teaches girls’ voice and girls’ P. E.; and Mr. Albert Tucker, who started teaching science here this fall. Dear Diary, I was happy to be a member of the class of '49 and proud of the way my class upheld the traditionally high standards set by our Alumni. I shall always remember my classmates by these characteristics. Dean Wright—“Bristle”—Class President “The Milmine Romeo'' who is noted for outstanding speed on the track. Jerry Gallivan—“Boone”—Class Vice-President His two chief interests are sports and a woman—gentleman prefer blondes. Charles McCabe—“Chuck”—Class Secretary-Treasurer An ex-soda jerk who runs” our local movie theatre. Short in physique but it is all friendship. Arlen Rittenhouse—“Rit” The possessor of the three L's; long, lean and lanky—having a fine knowledge of everything in general. Bill Cooper—“Doc” Known by his characteristic frown—usually found in the company of “Trees. Carolee Patterson—“Pat” Sparkle, sparkle little diamond. Her heart is true blue—Plymouth, that is. Bill Strater—“Bill” One of our eastern citizens known for his dependability and willingness to help others. Charles Lawson—“Basil” Mainspring at the theatre—he is at home at school or on the athletic field. Charlotte Tiffin—“Tiff” She thrives on politics and is always in the mood for a rousing party. Joe Schum—“Hair” The Ivesdale wit known for his ability to take life easy. Arlene Rittenhouse—“Toots” Our D. A. R. winner. If brains were gold, Carnegie would look broke beside her. Daraleen Still—“Darling” Long in stature and long in friends. Dwight Boyd—“Dusty” An ex-navy man who excels in the finer art of bookkeeping aided by numerous other students. Jean Wright—“Sally” Shy and demure, this Miss makes a friend every time she smiles. Peggy Bradley—“Duchess” A farmerette known for her fine literary collection. H|3wAV HI HIM +H l ajjlix Him tlP| IUt|4 | . 111 111111:1 imhv � || IU|| tif M •WPMIS IIHI j mI.h.,! u 1:1 w r Swear rfctivitica Phillip Bales—Chorus 1; F. F. A. 1. 2, 3, 4; Library Club 2, 3, 4. Dwight Boyd—Chorus 1, 2, 3; Football Varsity 3, Manager 4; B Club 4; F. F. A. 3. Bradley—Band 1, 2, 3, 4, Librarian 3; Chorus 1, 2, 3, 4; Twirler 4; Annual Staff 4; News Staff 2, 3, 4; Class President 1; Class Secretary-Treasurer 3; Student Council 3; Basketball Cheerleader 4; Queen Attendant 3; G. A. A. 1, 2, 3, 4, Secretary-Treasurer 3; F. H. A. 1, 2, 3, 4, Photographer 4. Jack Carlin—Chorus 1; Football 1, 3, 4. Varsity 3, i; Track Vars ty 3, 4; B Club 3, 4; F. F. A. 2, 3. Bill Cooper—Chorus 1,3; Football 1. 2, 3, 4, Varsity 3, 4; Basketball 1, 2, 3, Varsity 3; Track Varsity 2, 3, 4; Baseball Varsity 2, 3, 4; B Club 3, 4, Secretary 3, Vice-President 4, President 4; Annual Staff 4; News Staff 3, 4; Student Council Vice-President 4; F. F. A. 1, 2, 3, 4, Reporter 3; Senior Play. Genevieve Durbin—Chorus 1; Annual Staff 4; News Staff 3; Student Librarian 4. Joan Fisher—Chorus 1, 2, 3, 4; News Staff 3; G. A. A. 1, 2, 3, 4; F. H. A. 1, 2, 3, 4. Jerry Gallivan—Ivesdale 1, 2; Chorus 3, 4; Football Varsity 3, 4, Co-Captain 4; Basketball 3, 4, Varsity 4; Track 3, 4; Baseball Varsity 3, 4; B Club 3, 4, Vice-President 3, President 4; Annual Staff 4; Class Vice-President 4; Queen Attendant Escort 3; Queen Escort 4; F. F. A. 3, 4; Senior Play. Mary Della Heckman—Chorus 1, 2, 3, 4; Sextet 4; Trio 2, 3, 4; Solo Contest 2, 3, 4; Annual Staff 4; News Staff 3; G. A. A. 1, 2, 3, 4; F. H. A. 1, 2, 3, 4, Historian 3, Scrap Book Co-Chairman 4. Bonita Hixson—Chorus 1, 2; Class Vice-President 1; Cheerleader 3; Football Cheerleader 4; Queen Attendant 1; G. A. A. 1, 2, 3, Secretary-Treas-uivr 2; F. H. A. 1, 2, 3, Treasurer 2. Charles Lawson—Chorus 1, 3, 4; Football Varsity 2, 3, 4; Basketball 1; Track Varsity 1, 2, 3, 4; B Club 3, 4; Annual Staff 4. Charles McCabe—Victorville, California 2; Chorus 1; Football 1, 4; Basketball 1, 3; Track Varsity 3, 4; Annual Staff 4; Class Secretary-Treasurer 4, Rose Mary Mundy—Chorus 1; Annual Staff 4; News Staff 3; Student Librarian 1, 2, 3, 4 ; Senior Play. Carolee Patterson—Band 1; Chorus 1, 2, 3, 4; Twirler 1; Sextet 4; Solo Contest 1; Annual Staff 4; News Staff 4; Student Council Secretary 4; Cheerleader 3; Football Cheerleader 4; Valentine Queen Attendant 4; G. A. A. 1, 2, 3, 4; F. H. A. 1, 2, 3, 4, Reporter 1, District Treasurer 3; Senior Play. Dean Phipps—Chorus 1; Football 1, 2, 3, 4, Varsity 3, 4; Basketball 1, 2, 3, 4, Varsity 3, 4; Honorary Captain 4; Track 1, 2, 3, 4, Varsity 2, 3,4; B Club 3, 4; F. F. A. 1, 2, 4; Senior Play. Lowell Redman—Chorus 1; Football 1, 2, 3, 4, Varsity 4; Track Varsity 3; B Club 4; F. F. A. 1, 2, 3, 4; Annual Staff 4. Alien lUttenliouse—Band 1, 3, 4; Chorus 1; News Staff 4; Class President 3; Student Council 3, 4, President 4; F. F. A. 1, 2, 3, 4, Secretary 2; Student Librarian 4; Senior Play. Arlene Rittenliou.se—Band 1, 4; Chorus 1, 4; Annual Staff 1, 4; News Staff 2, 3, 4; Class Secretary-Treasurer 1; F. H. A. 1, 2, 3, 4; Senior Play. Joe Scliuin—Ivesdale 1. 2; Football 3; Track Varsity 3, 4; B Club 4; F. F. A. 3, 4. Ronald Smith—Chorus 1; Football 1, 2, 3, 4, Varsity 3, 4; Basketball 1,2; Baseball Varsity 3, 4; B Club 3, 4. Daraleen Still—Band 1, 2, 3, 4; Chorus 1, 2, 3, 4, Secretary-Treasurer 3, President 4; Drum Majorette 2, 3, 4; Dance Band 4; Octet 3, 4; Sextet 4; Trio 2, 3, 4; Solo Contest 2, 3, 4; All State Chorus 4; Annual Staff 4; News Staff 2; Queen Attendant 4; G. A. A. 1, 2, 3, 4; F. H. A. 1, 2, 3, 4, Scrap Book Co-Chairman 4. Bill Strater—Chorus 1, 3; Football 1,2, 3, 4, Varsity 2, 3, 4, Co-Captain 4; Basketball 1, 2, 3, 4, Varsity 3, 4; Track Varsity 1, 2, 3, 4; Baseball Varsity 2, 3, 4; B Club 3, 4; Annual Staff 4; Athletic Board of Control 1; Student Council 2, 4, Treasurer 4; Queen Attendant Escort 1, 4; F. F. A. 1, 2, 4; Vice-President 2. Charlotte Tiffin—Chorus 1, 2, 3, 4; Twirler 4; Octet 3, 4; Sextet 4; Solo Contest 2, 3, 4; Annual Staff 3, 4; News Staff 2, 3, 4; Valentine Queen Attendant 4; G. A. A. 1, 2, 3, 4, President 4; F. H. A. 1, 2, 3, 4, Photographer 4; Senior Play. Ray Warner—Chorus 1; Track 2; Annual Staff 4; F. F. A. 1. 2, 3, 4; Student Librarian 3, 4; Senior Play. Don White—M'onticello 1; Annual Staff 4; F. F. A. 2, 3. Dean Wright—Chorus 1; Football 1, 2, 3, 4, Varsity 3, 4; Basketball 1, 2; Track Varsity 1, 2, 3, 4; B Club 3, 4; Class Secretary-Treasurer 2; Class Vice-President 3; Class President 4; Valentine King 4; F. F. A. 1, 2, 3, 4, Secretary 4. Jean Wright—Chorus 1, 2; Queen Attendant 2; Valentine Queen 4; G. A. A. 1, 2, 4; F. H. A. 1, 2, 3, 4, Secretary 3, 4; Senior Play. Richard Vincent—Band 2, 3, 4; Chorus 1; Annual Staff 4. Jack Carlin—“John L.” Strong, silent typo’—lives to be a locomotive engineer. Mary Della Heckman—“Stinky” Snappy, brown eyes—owns no hoop skirts but is an all modern girl. Ronald Smith—“Bud” The proud owner of a Model “A —keeps the roads hot between Monticello and Dement. Phillip Bales—“Uh” Always willing to give a helping hand. Dean Phipps—“Tootie” The other Toni twin known for his efficiency in all athletics. Rose Mary Mundy—“Rosy” A good book and a good friend and she has achieved her goal in life. Bonita Hixson—“Boo” Laughing blue eyes with a tinge of fun—takes life in her stride. Genevieve Durbin—“Genny” Quiet, reserved, secretary type. Her favorite day of the week is “Mundy. Lowell Redman—“Gobble” A future millionaire. He has an eye and a liking for anything enjoyable. Joan Downs—“Jody” Dynamite comes in small packages. Her heart lies in an Alaskan army camp. Richard Vincent—“Curly” An artist at heart, small in stature but numerous in talents. Donald White—“Don” A lover of taxidermy who has an immunity to bullets. A real all-around friend. Joan Fisher—“Joey” One of the gals who k eps the telephone wires humming—will soon be making her trip down the aisle. Ray Warner—“Red” A future game warden— known for his witty remarks and jokes. Ifc.lUlH lillr Dear Dairy, As I sit here thinking of my past years at Dement High School, I look back at them with joy and yet regret that my high school days are coming to an end. A memorable occasion in my life was the day when thirty-six other green freshmen and 1 entered high school. The various initiations which were designed to indoctrinate us into organizations were looked upon as some sort of torture, yet we all enjoyed it. Then as a sophisticated sophomore I was proud of the way my class came through with flying colors in all the activities. The social life was most enjoyable with both all-school and class parties. Last year as a jolly junior I participated in activities to the poiut where my head began to spin. My class had the all-stars in football, seven of whom took the coveted letters. Instead of t he usual class play my class sponsored a “Junior Jamboree” to provide for the beautiful moonlight and roses set at the Junior-Senior Prom. With eagerness 1 looked forward to my senior year remembering that it wouldn't be long until I, too, would pass through the portals of Betohi for the last time. Hurray!! I have now reached my four year goal as a serious senior. As commencement draws nearer 1 think back over the glorious times I have had at dear old Dement High. I shall always remember the exciting-basketball and football games, the all-school parties, and one of the best plays 1 have ever seen, the “Mummy and The Mumps , our senior theatrical production. My classmates and I completed our high school career on May 2G with a most impressive commencement exercise. The address of the evening was delivered by Mr. William Skadden. And now, Diary, since I have been reminiscing, let me say a few things for the future. The class of 1949 have finished the “best years of our lives.” We now face the future—a future of uncertainty. So with the foundation high school has given us we are eager to go out and seek our places as the good citizens of tomorrow. Dear Dairy, As 1 was looking into my crystal ball last evening I saw my classmates in the year of 1956. In the first scene that was brought through to me, I saw Dean Wright and Bill Strater trying for first in the S00 meter run in the 1956 Olympics. My vision was soon changed to a hospital where Dr. Charles McCabe was performing surgery with the assistance of liis two nurses, Jean Wright and Charlotte Tiffin. After a brief stay in the operating room I was visiting one of the wards where Phillip Bales was recovering from an explosion which occurred in his well known physics laboratory in the Adirondacks. The only person who survived besides Phillip was Lowell Redman, who was working on his famous Law of Reflection. My scene was changed to a more domestic scene where I saw Joan Downs, Carolee Patterson and Joan Fisher comparing new recipes obtained from the public library which was being superintended by Rose Mary Mundy and (Jenevieve Durbin. Next there came in view Ensign Dwight Boyd, getting some pointers from Bill Cooper, who has been third basing for the St. Louis Cardinals for the past two years, and Bud 'Smith, who is a steady pitcher for the (’ubs. The scene changed to New York where Mary Della Ileckman was modeling clothes for the famous dress designer, Jack Carlin. 1 then saw an airliner ready to take off with Peggy Bradley, the air line hostess, helping movie producer, Charles Lawson, get settled. Across the aisle was Richard Vincent who is now drawing cartoons for the Los Angeles Daily News. My scene was changed to Hollywood where Bonita Hixson was starring in the “Water Follies” which was under the able direction of Dean Phipps. Miss Hixson was using the new make-up which was recently introduced by the famous chemist, Arlen Hit teahouse. While I was still in the studio I saw Daraleen Still, the well known hair stylist, arranging Arlene Kittenhouse's hair. Arlene was making her debut in television by reporting on her latest book, “Brains are Cold.” In Ivesdale, our neighboring town, I saw the city government being run by Joe Sell uni, the mayor. Joe was talking to Jerry Callivan, an expert on all farm problems, who now heads the Grangers. As my crystal ball began to get hazy who should I see but Ray Warner, who is nominee for Congressional Senator, talking to Don White, who is trying to push a bill through Congress appropriating money for a school of taxidermy to be located in Bement. Dear Diary, According to tradition, the seniors leave to their friends, the juniors, those cherished possessions that were so much a part of their school life. Being curious as to what my class was going to leave, I inquired among the group and this is what they told me. I, Phillips Bales, will my knowledge of electricity to Tom Tucker. I, Dwight Boyd, will my bass voice to Wanda Strater and Della Mae Evans. I. Peggy Bradley, will my love for a good time to Dale Comerford and Francis Durbin. I, Jack Carlin, will my quietness to Ed Somers. I, Bill Cooper, will my pranks to “Choc” Royal. I, Joan Downs, will my height to Dick Cahill. I, Genevieve Durbin, will my slow and easy outlook on life to Jim Byerline. I, Joan Fisher, will my love for the country to Bette Weatherford and Eileen Christman. I, Jerry Gallivan, will my 8:20 rendezvous at the library table to Raymond Yockey—but the girl doesn’t go with it. I, Mary Della Heckman, will my distinctive laugh to Rita Hannon and Bill Tompkins. I, Bonita Hixson, will my position in the shorthand class to Kinzel Coffey. I, Charles McCabe, will my slight stature to Thurman Larimore. I, Rose Mary Mundy, will my position as librarian to Donna Jean Crook. I, Charles Lawson, will my “physique you like to look at” to Charlie Morris. I, Carolee Patterson, will my occupancy in the office, talking to Jean, to Jeanne Ford. I, Dean Phipps, will my oratorical ability to Bob Taphorn and John Metzger. I, Arlene Rittenhouse, will my rosy cheeks to Shirley Noe. I, Arlen Rittenhouse, will my executive ability to Jerry Clark and Marilyn Jordan. I, Lowell Redman, will my affection for school to Bob Clark and J. D. Cavanaugh. I, Joe Schum, will my retiring nature to Dean Stout. I, Ronald Smith, will my love for eating to Pat Gallivan. I, Daraleen Still, will my ability to design hair styles to Delores Pounds tone. I, Bill Strater, will my drawl to Carrie Ellen Sebens. I, Charlotte Tiffin, will my punctuality to Barb Cooper. I, Ray Warner, will my love for the outdoors to Bill Conklin. I, Dean Wright, will my love for “Chevvies” to Harold Weakley and Phyllis Murphy. I, Jean Wright, will my dark hair to Ruth McConaha. I, Donald White, will my “corny” jokes to Patty Loftus. I, Richard Vincent, will my green “flivver” to Ed Lamb. My junior pal, Carrie Ellen, certainly is proud of her classmates. After she had told me of some of their activities during their junior year, 1 could understand why. She began by telling me that to guide them through the year, they wisely chose Francis Durbin, president; Dick Cahill, vice-president; and Phyllis Murphy, see ret ary-treasurer. Barbara Cooper, Raymond Yockey and Dick Cahill were their Student Council representatives. They were assisted by Miss Lefever, Mr. Tucker, and Mr. Day, their class advisors. I'm certainly glad that she could furnish me with pictures of all her classmates. They are as follows, reading from left to right: First Row: Robert Taphorn, Lowell Royal, Betty Weatherford, Carrie Ellen Sebens, Charles Morris, Ed Somers Second Row: Dean Stout, John M-etzger, Kinzel Coffey, Marilyn Jordan, Edward Lamb, Rita Hannon Third Row: Ruth McConaha, Phyllis Murphy, Francis Durbin, Dick Cahill, Bill Tompkins Fourth Row: Eileen Christman, Raymond Yockey, Barbara Cooper, Ralph Van Vleet Fifth Row: Dale Comerford, Delores Poundstone, Jeanne Ford, Bill Conklin, Wanda Strater, Donna Jean Crook Sixth Row: Della Mae Evans, Bob Clark, John Cavanaugh, Shirley Noe, Jerry Clark, Pat Gallivan Seventh Row: Jim Byerline, Thurman Larimore, Oneta Smith, Tom Tucker, Patty Loftus. Harold Weakley f Dear Diary, Carrie Ellen told mo that just as the juniors settled down to work, a serious yet highly entertaining event came up, The Homecoming. Phyllis Murphy was elected candidate for queen by her fellow classmates. I see everyone agreed with them she would be a lovely queen, for she was elected. So they could raise money to put on the annual Junior-Senior Prom, they co-operated with the Student Council in sponsoring a Talent Show. Contestants from the surrounding territory participated in presenting this affair on the evening of March 2!) in the auditorium. Winners were from Monticello, Dement, Ivesdale, and Sadorus. Everyone including the Juniors and Student Council, who profited as well, enjoyed the fine performance. Boy! the juniors sure outdid themselves this year in presenting the annual Junior-Senior Prom. We all looked forward (o this event with joy, and we weren’t disappointed. Entering the gymnasium we found ourselves in the midst of a beautiful spring environment. At the south end of the gymnasium we found a refreshment table. Here the sophomore girls were waiting to serve us with sandwiches, punch, nuts, and mints. We spent the evening dancing to the music of Bill Oetzel's orchestra. At 11:00 P. M. we departed after a lovely evening. Xow at the close of the year, we are leaving the halls of B. H. S., but the juniors are ready and willing to take their places as the mighty seniors. Dear Diary, As I was strolling through the high school on the opening day, I met George, a member of the sophomore class, and he showed me this picture of his classmates. Reading clockwise from upper left corner: Ronald Moreland. Dorothy Phipps, Alan Harshbarger, Don Deering, Bill Neal, Aloha Durbin, John Smith, Ralph Cundiff, Doris Helm, Kenneth Pettyjohn, Delorus Relinke, Don Vandercreek, Nelda Mulvaney, Richard Stanton, Joan Hinton, Bill Shumard, Eugene Corum, Rebecca Strater Upper Inset: Lenore Royal, Bob Hodam, George Cavanaugh Middle Row: Norma Cole, Delbert Clark, Marilyn Slagle, Jerry Tompkins Lower Inset: Nancy Postlewait, Myrna Hord Dear Diary, Here it is nearly the end of the school year and yesterday 1 stopped to talk to George about class affairs. We talked mostly about the sophomore class of which I enjoyed hearing. He said that his class got right down to business and elected the following class officers: Bob Hodam, president; George Cavanaugh, vice-president; Lenore Royal, secretary-treasurer. They elected Nancy Postlewait and Mvrna Hord to represent them on the Student Council. 1 think they were pretty fortunate in having .Mrs. Hammond and Mr. Ilodam as class advisors. George said that twenty-seven sophomores started in September and that twenty-three remained in Ids class. Ronald Moreland moved to Oregon where he is now attending school. John Smith moved to Montieello and is now attending school there, and Delbert Clark and Kenneth Pettyjohn left school to work. All four of them left at the end of the first semester. The sophomores were a very active class (his year. I heard that they had representatives in all the extra-curricular activities. Some of the class members received letters for sports, and pins, medals and awards for other activities. I attended the sophomores' all-school party which was held on the night of November lo. The party was a grand success that included initiation of the freshmen, dancing, and last but not least, refreshments. While 1 was attending the Homecoming dance I saw Rebecca Strater as one of the Queen’s attendants. 1 understood that she represented the sophomore class and she certainly made a charming attendant. I think that now the sophomores know how to conduct their class activities very well and T am expecting them to be a very co-operative class when they reach their junior year. Dear Diary, 1 didn't know many of the freshmen who entered High School on August ill, 194S. Seeing Mary Jane, one of their group, 1 asked her to help me get acquainted with her classmates. She gave me these pictures of them: Inset; Jim Clark, David Dobson, RIary Deering, Shirley McCabe, Larry Rainey First Row: Roy Scott, Hilda Janssen, Tommy Fay, Dale Clow, Dorothy White, Del-mar Bentley, Richard Gallivan Second Row: Jerry Stanton, Raymond Hardimon, Norman Dnel, Peggy Goodman Third Row: Loretta Morris, Paul O’Hara, Dorothy Koebel, Bill Letner Fourth Row: Jim Drawhon, Wanda Depew, Bill Mundy, Carrie Ard Fifth Row: Bob Brewer, Virginia Gundy, Lulu Hinton, Harold Skeels Sixth Row: D'Arbra DeFore, Stanley Pettyjohn, Jack Kirwin, Carol Noe, Jerry Star-key, Charles Tucker, Bruc-a Hannon Seventh Row: Margie Lawson, Jim Born, Lefern Coffey, Frank Swaim, Norma Fom-belle, Jack Porter, Lorene Mulvaney Eighth Row: Donald Perry, Eilene Foran, Jim Day, Lois Bradley, Bill Vanatta, Fred Sebens, Bob Romack It seems as though the first thing they did was to elect officers. Jim (’lark was elected president, with David Dobson, viee-preideut, and Mary Deering, secretary-treasurer. At the same meeting they elected Shirley Dabe and Larry Rainey as Student Domicil members. Their class advisors were Miss Swaim and Mr. Smith. The energetic sophomores sponsored an all-school party a few weeks later in honor of the new “Presides. I was at the party and the freshmen appeared to have a lot of fun. Ilefore the “after effects of that party were over they became serious on the matter of electing a candidate for Homecoming queen. Shirley McDabe was elected and she made a very attractive attendant. The freshmen were thrilled when they heard the news of the February Formal. They were a little nervous at first but after they found out the details and were given a little advice they calmed down. Any of us at the dance could tell they had a swell time. I found that it didn't take the freshmen long to become a part of Dement High, for they entered into activities with zest. Most of the girls took part in (I. A. A. and F. H. A. Some of those girls attended play days and rallies. The boys (altered F. F. A. and helped sponsor the F. H. A.-F. F. A. party. I saw the freshmen boys in football, basketball, baseball and track. Decause of such a good showing their first year as high school citizens I'm sure they will be a successful group in the future years. Dear Diary, I was just observing these group pictures of the Annual Staff, News Staff, Student Council, and Student Librarians. Quite a variety of expressions, aren’t there? ANNUAL STAFF Seated L to R: Gallivan, Patterson, Mundy, McCabe, Still, Stout, Miss Houston, Durbin Standing: Lawson, White, Cavanaugh, Sebens, Tiffin, Strater, Redman, Heckman, Rittenhouse, Bradley, Warner, Cooper, peering, Vincent NEWS STAFF Seated L to R: Tiffin, Miss Houston, Christman, Arlene Rittenhouse, Slagle, Murphy, Hodam Standing: Bradley, Arlen Rittenhouse, Postlewait, Patterson, Noe, Cooper, Clark, Stout STUDENT COUNCIL Seated L to R: Strater, Rittenhouse, Patterson, Bill Cooper Standing: McCabe, Mr. Wehmeier, Cahill, Rainey, Yockey, Mr. Slater, Barbara Cooper, Postlewait STUDENT LIBRARIANS Seated L to R: Mundy, Durbin, Miss Houston, Jordan Standing: Hodam, Slagle, Warner, Ford, Rittenhouse, Postlewait, Bales Can you guess what positions and offices these people hold? No? Well, I couldn’t either if 1 didn’t already know them. First, we have the group that constructed BIM—Co-Editors, Dara-leen Still and Charles McCabe; Assistant Editor, Dean Stout; Senior Editors, Charlotte Tiffin and Ray Warner; Feature Editors, Carolee Patterson and Lowell Redman; Sports Editors, Bill Cooper and Bill Strater; Club Editors, Mary Della Heckman, Peggy Bradley, Arlene Rittenhouse and Don White; Cartoonist, Richard Vincent; Typists, Rosemary Mundy and Genevieve Durbin; Business Managers, Charles Lawson and Jerry Gallivan; Junior Editor, Carrie Ellen Sebens; Sophomore Editor, George Cavanaugh; and Freshman Editor, Mary Jane Deering. Next there is the News Staff. The Editor is Arlene Rittenhouse; Assistant Editor, Eileen Christman; Business Manager, Arlen Rittenhouse; News Editors, Carolee Patterson and Nancy Postlewait; Sports Editors, Bob Ilodam and Dean Stout; Departmental Editors, Marilyn Slagle, Shirley Noe and Jerry Clark; Feature Editors, Phyllis Murphy and Bill Cooper; and Typists, Charlotte Tiffin and Peggy Bradley. Student Council officers are: President, Arlen Rittenhouse; Vice-President, Bill Cooper; Secretary, Carolee Patterson; and Treasurer, Bill Slater. There are no officers in the Student Librarian group, but each student has a certain study hall period in which he is the librarian. Dear Diary, Pictures are interesting and they sometimes tell a story, but I don't believe these pictures tell the whole story. I’m a bit tired—had several activity meetings today, but I want to record something more about these groups so that I will not forget them. I enjoy these activities down deep within me more than I will confess and I'm quite sure that school life wouldn't be complete without them. Look at our publication forces. Both the Bulldogs Bark and B1M staffs very enthusiastically jumped into the harness and tackled their respective tasks of presenting the community with a weekly insight into our school life and preparing The Annual, a cherished book of memories. Both staffs seem to have had quite an ordeal in acquiring new names to replace the well known BETOHI, but that was not characteristic of the entire year. The News Staff is open to any student interested. Three sophomores, five juniors, and six seniors comprise the staff this year. BIM is a senior class project, but the underclassmen are represented with two juniors, one sophomore and one freshman. Both staffs are under the supervision of .Miss Houston. At times some of these staff members were beginning to wonder if it was worth all the time and effort to publish 200 annuals and manage to get copy to the Bement Register each week; however when we saw our finished work we soon changed our minds. Our student government, the Student Council, has been up-and-coming. Its two freshmen, two sophomores, three juniors, and four seniors together with our superintendent and principal have been responsible for several undertakings. At the first of the year the students and teachers thoroughly enjoyed a little get together, thanks to the S. (’. And everyone will surely agree that the February Formal was an outstanding event, especially for the freshmen and sophomores. Oh! I mustn't forget the Talent Show, co-sponsored by the S. O. and Junior Class. It demands recognition on the list of successes too. And where would we be without the student librarians to assist Miss Houston during study halls? I, as well as many others, would be “up a stump.” They are very good about helping us find library materials, supplying information, and keeping the library orderly so that we can find materials with the least possible confusion. Throughout tin year the club has poster contests to attract an interest in our library and reading. At times I was led to believe that we had some prospective artists as well as student librarians. Yes, diary, it takes all of these people and more in other activities to make up our school, and now that it is soon to be all over for twenty-seven other seniors and me, I'm sure we will long remember these activities and the people connected with them and will justly be proud to say that we were members of any organization or activity connected with school. Dear Diary, Often during the fourth and sixth hours, I heard music coming from tlie south end of the corridor. Mr. Taylor told me it was the band and chorus practicing. 1 asked if there were any more musicians around school and he told me about t he octet and trio. The band consists of the following instrumentations. Clarinets: Fay, Westfall, Metzger, Evans, Clark, Murphy, Postlewait Alto Clarinet: Crook Bass Clarinet: McCollum Oboe: Still Flutes: Byerline, Joyce Day Tenor Saxophone: Coffey Cornets: Olinger, Don Stout, Turner, Hooker, Dean Stout, Vincent, P. Bradley French Horns: Lawson, Koebel, Jim Day Bassoon: Depew Trombones: L. Bradley, Swaim, Royal, Vandercreek Tympany: Arlene Rittenliouse Bass Drum: Arlen Rittenhouse Snare Drum: Gardner, Hodam, Carlin Bass Horns: Hardimon, Hannon Baritone: Neal Cymbals: Deering Conductor: Mr. Taylor CHORUS First Row: Mr. Taylor, McCabe, Foran, L. Hinton, Jim Clark, Jerry Clark, Cole, C. No-e, Goodman, Miss Allen Second Row: Mulvan-ey, Ford, Bradley, Lawson, Cavanaugh, Fisher, Heckman, Behnke Third Row: Helm, Slagle, Christman, Postlewait, Gardner, Vandercreek, Harshbar-ger, Patterson, Murphy, Tiffin, J. Hinton Fourth Row: Crook, Janssen, Sebens, Rittenhouse, Romack, Neal, Hodam, Gallivan, Still, Durbin, S. Noe, ‘Evans OCTET First Row: Still, Postlewait, Murphy, Tiffin Second Row: Vandercreek, Cavanaugh, Gallivan, Hodam Pianist: Crook TRIO Heckman, Still, Murphy Pianist: (’rook Dear Diary, The Bement band made a big hit with the general public this year. At the football games the marching band appeared for the first time under the new lights. Their principal features were their timely military marching and their symbolic formations representing various names and occasions. The band marched to a new type of formation using colored lights attached to their band hats to outline some significant emblems adding to their performance a colorful effect. In the Piatt County Festival at Monticello our band combined with other bands from different neighboring towns to give a concert. The annual Christmas concert was attended by a large crowd. The gym was adorned with Christmas decorations. I marvelled at the enthusiasm and work of the band members in their efforts to excel in both district and state contest. Those placing second in district contest were Don Vanderereek in trombone solo and Phyllis Murphy in piano solo. First place winners were Donna Jean Crook with an alto clarinet solo, Bill Neal baritone solo, and the clarinet quartet consisting of Phyllis Murphy, Della Mae Evans, Donna Jean Crook, Nancy Postlewait. The band won a trip to Macomb by winning first place in district contest at Bloomington. Dear Diary, We have three chorus groups this year: girls' chorus, boys' chorus, and mixed chorus. Some of the members of these groups represented Bement in the Piatt County Festival in Monticello. I heard all three groups sing at the annual Christmas concert. Numbers sung by the combined chorus and separate choruses were very beautiful echoing through the auditorium. The student body enjoyed the boys' singing in the assembly one activity hour. On occasions the girls' chorus would sing for different community groups. 1 sure was surprised that all three choruses received only second rating in district contest at Bloomington. 1 had thought they were good for a first. In solos Phyllis Murphy received a gold medal for winning first place. Shirley Noe, Mary Della Heckman, and Charlotte Tiffin each won a silver medal for placing second. Daraleen Still received third class rating. The octet's first appearance this year was their singing in the Christmas concert. The octet was an outstanding group in school activities. They met and practiced when they were asked to sing. They received first place at the district contest at Bloomington. This is the third year the girls' trio has sung together. They sang for the Juniority Club, the Woman's Club, and the Women's Auxiliary. Dear Diary, I stopped in front of the bulletin board this noon and saw that the («. A. A. picture had been posted. These were the girls I saw: First Row: McCabe, Deering, Miss Allen, Tiffin (President), Postlewait (Secretary-Treasurer), Slagle (Assistant Point Secretary), Christman (Point Secretary), Foran, C. Noe Second Row: Cole. L. Hinton, Heckman, W. Strater, Goodman, Depew, L. Bradley, P. Bradley, Weatherford, Mulvaney, R. Strater Third Row: Ard. J. Hinton, Murphy, Helm, Loftus, Sebens, Phipps, Fisher, McCona-ha, Behnke Fourth Row: Wright, Patterson, S. Noe, Durbin, DeFore, Still, Royal, White, Cooper, Janssen, Coffey Myrna Hord (Vice-President) was not in the picture. Dear Diary, I decided our country was assured of an abundance of farmers when I saw the number of boys who lined up for the F. F. A. picture. First Row: Cahill (Treasurer), Larimore (Reporter), Yockey (President), B. Tompkins (Vice-President), Wright (Secretary), Mr. Hodam Second Row: Perry, Fay, R. Gallivan, Rainey, Clow, Imel, Pettyjohn, Hannon Third Row: Sebens, P. Gallivan, Redman, Strater, Jerry Clark, Day, J. Tompkins, Vanatta, Shumard, Bentley, Jim Clark Fourth Row: Morris, Hardimon, Metzger, Letner, Kirwin, Cavanaugh, Weakley. Durbin, Schum, Lamb, Cundiff, Comerford Fifth Row: O'Hara, B. Clark, Tophorn, Cooper, Warner, Phipps, Rittenhouse, Coffey, J. Gallivan, Bales, Byerline, Born Dear Diary, I dropped in during the picture taking for the Annual and there were these F. II. A. girls ready for the shots: First Row: Still (Historian), Ford (Reporter), Cooper (Treasurer), Royal (Vice- President), Sebens (President). Wright (Secretary), Postlewait (Parliamentarian), Heckman (Historian), Miss Lefever Second Row: McCabe. Deering. R. Strater. N. Mulvaney, L. Mulvaney, Gundy. Fom-belle, Behnke, Cole, Foran, C. Noe Third Row: Goodman. L. Hinton. J. Hinton, Tiffin, Slagle. Fisher, P. Bradley, Murphy, Christman, Weatherford, W. Strater, McConaha Fourth Row: L. Bradley, Janssen. Patterson. White, DeFore, Rittenhouse. Durbin, s. Noe, Loftus, Phipps, Evans Dear Diary, Forty-two girls under the guidance of Miss Ann Allen formed the ’48-’49 G. A. A. During the basketball season, the girls had a tournament. The seniors were champions. One day I came t(, school to find many girls running around with their hair pinned up, makeup on half of the face, and sweaters or blouses on backwards. Some had a tennis shoe and a street shoe on. It wasn't until I saw their cardboard signs hanging around their necks that I realized it was initiation. That evening they were formally initiated and entertained with a chili supper. I enjoyed the Coke dance the G. A. A. sponsored after the Tuscola, game. Dear Diary, Larry, a friend of mine in F. F. A., has been telling me about the club. It is a national organization for both town and country boys interested in agriculture. The Dement Chapter consists of over forty boys under the direction of Mr. L. A. llodam. Their club holds its meetings during the last part of each month. The officers from all the clubs in this vicinity attended the officers training school in Mahomet. Together with the F. II. A., the F. F. A. planned and sponsored the annual home-ec and ag party. To aid their failing treasury they canvassed the town selling garden seeds. Some of the boys attended the district poultry judging contest at Arthur. Later they went to the dairy contest at Atwood. After school activities are over they will go to Champaign for the State Judging Contest. Dear Diary, 1 have been hearing a lot about the F. II. A., so being of a curious nature I asked Miss Charlotte Lefever, their sponsor, about it. She told me all girls who have had one year of home economics or are taking it are eligible for membership. Mrs. Kenneth Steidinger was elected chapter mother for MS-’49. One morning the new members came to school wearing lots of make up and clad in skirts upside down and sweaters on backwards. Their hair was piled high complete with ribbons. A rubber boot adorned one foot. Each girl carried a large purse and a lollipop which she licked frequently. During the sixth hour activity period the initiates sang a song before the assembly. After school they went through some more antics and were formally initiated into the club. This year the Dement Chapter co-operated with the F. F. A. in sponsoring the annual home ee.-ag. party. A St. Patrick’s Day theme was carried out. Their only other social activity of the year was the all-school coke dance held after a Freshman-Sophomore football game. Dear Diary, After the big Homecoming victory, I went to the Homecoming dance where a large crowd was eagerly awaiting the crowning of the Queen. A fanfare of trumpets announced the approach of the Queen’s attendants, Shirley McCabe, Rebecca Strater, and Daraleen Still, followed by the crown bearer, Lyle Slater. At the throne they were met by their escorts, Dean Wright, Ronald Smith and Hill Strater. After a pause of suspense Queen Phyllis Murphy, wearing a white formal with a purple and white train borne by Sunny and Sandy Strohl, took her place on the throne. Here under the glow of spotlights she was crowned by Jerry Gal-livan. Dear Diary, What would a band be without (he color and the enchantment of the high stepping twirlers? I thought of that today as I witnessed for the first time the spectacular exhibition of the twirlers decked in their pert red and white uniforms. And I hope always to remember these girls: Charlotte Tiffin, Barbara Cooper, Eileen Christman, Drum Majorette Daraleen Still, Betty Weatherford, Shirley Noe, Peggy Bradley, whose entertainment has been thoroughly appreciated on many occasions. Dear Diary, 1 really enjoyed the senior play, THE MUMMY AND THE MUMPS. Under the direction of Miss Isabelle Houston, the class of ’49 furnished an appreciative audience with three acts of rollicking fun on the evening of April 22. The members of the cast, as pictured, were: Standing: Dean Phipps-Racker; Rose Mary Mundy-Agatha Laidlaw; Ray Warner-Sheriff Perkins; Jean Wright-Pulcie Dumble; Jerry Gallivan-Francis Briscoe: Arlene Rittenhouse-Phoebe Beebe Kneeling: Bill Cooper-William Laidlaw; Charlotte Tiffin-Anna Hampton; Carolee Patterson-Maude Mullen; Arlen Rittenhouse-Sir Hector Fish Dear Diary, Arriving at the February Formal, I was a little hesitant, being worried about the newfound formality of this occasion, but upon realizing that this was the first formal the entire student body was invited to I bolstered up enough courage to enter, and was indeed pleased that I did. The gymnasium was gaily decorated in red and white hearts with a huge valentine above the Royal throne. After the traditional grand march, the Wright twins, Dean and Jean, the King and Queen of Hearts, made their entrance preceded by their court attendants, Phyllis Murphy, Carolee Patterson, Charlotte Tiffin, Jerry Gallivan, Lowell Royal, and Raymond Yoekey. After the coronation ceremony everyone danced to the music of Paul Douglas. Oh, yes, don't forget those tasty refreshments. But alas, everything must come to an end and this was no exception. So once again the gym was shrouded in a dismal silence. • Ill Dear Diary, I made my first visit to the football field today and was surprised to find that a new fence had been built around the field and that new lights will be erected in time for the first game. I also found that forty boys had reported to Coach Smith for the opening of football practice. The members of the entire squad were: First Row: Brewer, Perry, Scott, Rainey, R. Gallivan, G. Cavanaugh, Dobson, Clow Second Row: Shumard, Jim Clark, Strater, Wright, Lawson, J. Gallivan, Phipps, Carlin, Cooper, R. Smith, Redman Third Row: Jerry Clark, B. Tompkins, Somers, Comerford, Ilodam, Coffey, Royal, Larimore, Durbin, Yockey, P. Gallivan, Stout Fourth Row: Coach Day, J. Smith, J. Tompkins, Corum, J. D. Cavanaugh, Deering, Romack, Kirwin, Byerline, Boyd, Harshbarger, Coach Smith We got a tough break today when we learned that Co-Captain Bill Strater had dislocated his elbow in practice and will be out of play for at least four weeks. Well, anyway, the team is shaping up pretty well for our first game with Lovington. September 10: Hurrah! we won our first game of the season last night. It sure was a toughie. The Bulldogs-displayed some good defense and emerged victorious by a 7-0 count over a strong Lovington eleven. September 17: Last night I journeyed out to our newly lighted field to see Bement win its second game 12-0. The Cerro Gordo Broncos were the victims this time. The Broncos had a pretty good team, but they just couldn’t cope with Bement’s speed. September 24: Oh! Oh! The Bulldogs journeyed to Areola last night and suffered their first setback of the season by a 19-0 count. But even as they went down in defeat, our boys were out there fighting to the last, and it looks as if they’re going to be plenty tough from here on out. October 1: Hot Dog! The Bulldogs sank their teeth into the Rajahs’ pants last night and never let go. After one of the most hotly contested games of the season the Bulldogs emerged victorious 14-13. October 7: Oh! that awful rain! It sure didn’t help any last night at Sullivan. Before (lie end of the first quarter the players and spectators were soaked to the skin. The Bulldogs played their hearts out, but the Sullivan eleven, winch boasted the biggest team in the conference, finally won 8-6. October 14: Our Homecoming was off to a smashing success when the Bulldogs pushed Villa Grove all over the field the first half, piling up a 19-0 lead. The starting team sat on the bench through a good part of the third quarter while the reserves proved their ability and battled the visitors to a standstill. The final score read Bement 23, Villa Grove 6. October 22: Whew! the Bulldogs met the toughest team in the conference last night, the Tuscola Warriors. The Bulldogs fought hard all the way and Bill Shumard made a 103 yard runback of a kickoff, but Tuscola's over all power proved too much for our boys and the Warriors won 40-14. October 29: Say, the team put on another display of offensive fireworks this evening against Farmer City and ran them into the ground. - Jf Some good passing, along with fine defense, highlighted the entire game. The Bulldogs’ frequent interceptions of visitors’ passes thrilled me. The final score was Bement 39, Farmer City 0. November 11: This afternoon the Bulldogs played their only day game of the season against their traditional rivals, the Monticello Sages. The Sages scored a safety in the third quarter which proved to be the margin of victory. Each team scored a touchdown and Bement added an extra point. But the game ended before Bement could retaliate and the final score score stood Monticello 8, Bement 7. This game marked the turning point for nine Bement seniors who will not be around when the gridders take the field next fall, but I am sure wherever the paths of time lead them they will continue to carry on the fine qualities of sportsmanship they displayed while members of the student body and of the football teams of Bement High School. Dear Diary, Our, new assistant coach, Wilson Day, sure has those freshmen and sophomores kicking up their heels. I heard that the Bullpups had a good team so I decided I would attend their games also. September 27: The Bullpups, lead by Dale Clow, beat Cerro Gordo by a score of 19 to 13. October 4: Montieello’s young Sages downed the pups by a margin of 19 to 12. October 11: Reserves lost to Tuscola 12-0. October 20: Jim Clark’s passing to George Cavanaugh for the touchdowns was plenty to beat Villa Grove 13 to 0. November 8: The Bullpups ran off with Sullivan 37 to 0 ending their season with a 3-2 record. Dear Diary, 1 attended the football banquet this evening. The tables were gaily decorated with miniature football fields. After a delicious swiss steak dinner served by the home-ec girls, toastmaster Charlie Strohl started the festivities with a few remarks. Reverend George W. Cartwright gave the invocation. After George Wilkinson, the president of the Lions Club, welcomed the guests, Mr. Slater and Mr. Wehmeier expressed the school’s appreciation. Burt Ingwersen, line coach at the University of Illinois, then gave the main address followed by the presentation of letters. Coach Smith presented letters to (See pictures in V): Co-captains Jerry Gallivan and Bill Strater, Francis Durbin, Ed Somers, Jack Carlin, Jerry Clark, Bob Ilodam, Lowell Redman, Thurman Larimore, Dean Phipps, Bill Shumard, Dean Wright, Dean Stout, Ronald Smith, Lowell Royal, Charles Lawson, Bill Tompkins, Bill Cooper, Raymond Yockey. Managers Harshbarger and Boyd were recognized. The cheerleaders, Mary Della Heckman, Bonita Tlixson, Joan Hinton, Carolee Patterson, Myrna Hord, and Marilyn Slagle, also received letters. So ended the 1948 football season. Dear Diary, These are the boys who represented Bement High on the hardwood this winter: First Row: Stout, B. Tompkins, Royal, Phipps, Coffey, J. Gallivan, Durbin, Strater Second Row: Shumard, J. Tompkins, Harshbarger, Conklin, Hodam, Deering, Van-dorcreek, Stanton Third Row: Hannon, Clow, Clark, R. Gallivan, Hardimon, Dobson, Day, Rainey At the end of the season letters were awarded to the following players: Jerry Gallivan—Fighter, worked hard at all times, will be missed next year. Senior. Dean Phipps—Senior center, dependable shot and fine rebounder. Bill Strater—Alert on defense, senior guard who improved as the season went along. Bill Tompkins—Fast, alert on defense, good shot; only a junior. Dean Stout—Clever ball handler and dribbler; will be back next year. Kinzel Coffey—Tough rebounder; should be strong under the boards next year. Bob Hodam—Big boy and just a sophomore; has a fine pivot shot. Lowell Royal—Aided by his height, should be playing all the time next year. Francis Durbin—Junior guard who played a lot of varsity ball, and looked good. Ed Somers—Was always on the job as manager. Peggy Bradley, Edward Lamb, and Mary Della Heckman led the cheering section. Dear Diary, As I was passing through the gymnasium on November 13,1 observed forty-one boys reporting to Coach Wilson Day and his assistant, Coach Ray Smith, for baketball. These boys seemed very alert and anxious to get started practicing, knowing they had a hard season to face, since lack of experience handicapped the team this year. Returning letter-winners were Bill Cooper, Bill Strater, Dean Phipps, Jerry Clark, and Lowell Royal. Although the Bulldogs won few games this season, they never gave up but played harder each time and their fighting spirit was high. The team showed good sportsmanship, and never lost the desire to play throughout the season. During the latter part of the season the team seemed to work together much better, and as a result they showed remarkable improvement and played some excellent games. The Bulldogs put up a terrific fight with Sullivan before bowing to them by three points. In the Okaw tournament the Purple fought hard against the Tuscola Warriors, leaders of the conference and the tournament champs. Against Windsor, one of the best teams the}' played all season, the Purple gave Windsor all they wanted throughout the game, but lost to them by a non-convincing score. The Bulldogs led the third place team of Champaign County Conference, Mahomet, throughout the whole game, but lost to them in the last four minutes by four points. In the Decatur Regional the Purple and White gave St. Teresa a battle all the way before losing to the greatly favored team of Decatur. Dean Phipps, who played center for the Bulldogs, was high scorer for the season and was elected hononary captain. Bill Tompkins had a perfect attendance record at practice. Dear Diary, After watching those Bullpups on the hardwood, I would say they are promising material for next year. They played eight games during the season, two of which were tournament games. At the Cerro Gordo tournament the team took fourth place. At Weldon the Pups lost the first game to Deland-Weldon in an over time 33 to 32 in the tournament. The freshmen and sophomores had to play without Bob Hodain, who had played in too many tournaments with the varsity. Outstanding members of the team were Jim Clark, Dale Clow, Alan Harshbarger, Jim Day, David Dobson, Don Deering, and Bill Shumard. These boys will be bidding for a chance on varsity next year. Dear Diary, It is too early to get a picture of this year's track team, but pictured at the right are the boys who were particularly active in track last year. They are, (left to right): First Row: Yockey, Lawson, Tompkins, Wright, Strater, McCabe Second Row: Royal, Phipps, Coffey, Carlin, Durbin, Cooper. Shumard and J. Gallivan were absent when this picture was taken. Recently I spied the tack team going out to the track for a workout so I decided to tag along too. I saw Coach Day and went over to get a short interview. He said that he had a squad of thirty-nine boys of which ten were lettermen. The boys have already won a triangular meet with Newman and Villa Grove, finished second in the Paris relays and also grabbed a sec- ond in a meet at Monticello in which five teams were competing. Mr. Day says the team is working hard and should better last year’s third place Okaw finish. Dear Diary, The baseball season is not yet in full swing at BCHS, but the team has been having some practice and hopes to have a good season. The lettermen from last year who are pictured at the right are: Stout, Strater, Smith, Hodam, Cooper, and Clark. Jerry Gallivan, also a ’48 letterman, was absent when the picture was taken. Last year’s team had a record of six wins and five losses, and this year’s team will strive to better that record. Dear Diary, As I strolled through the upper corridor today I saw a group of boys in Mr. Day’s room. Later I managed to corner one of the boys and asked him what was going on. lie told me that the “B” club had been holding a meeting. The “B” club, he continued, is made up of boys who have won a letter in one of the major sports. These are the boys who joined the club this year and their advisors: First Row: Mr. Day, Durbin Treasurer), Gallivan (President), Cooper (Vice-President), Yockey (Secretary), Mr. Smith S' cond Row: Shumard, Strater, Tompkins, Wright, Lawson, Clark, Stout, Redman Third Row: Harshbarger, Sehum, Larimore, Royal, Cahill, Phipps, Hodam, Carlin, Weakley I asked him what some of the club’s objectives were. He answered that their main objective just now is to raise enough money to put up an electric scoreboard for the football field. Toward this they printed a program for the Armistice Day game and sold refreshments at some of the basketball games. I also found out that they helped in many other ways around school, such as parking cars at football games and ushering and taking tickets at basketball games and the Christmas concert. Dear Diary, While in the office (a favorite resort of many celebrities) I noticed a collection of photographs lying on the desk. When I inquired about them, Jean said they were to be used in this year's Annual. The first picture was a snapshot of the cafeteria attendants, Mrs. Liestman and Mrs. Rucker. Mrs. Scott and Mrs. Rogue were not present in this picture. It is said a photograph never lies, but it was hard to believe in this case. There were the patrons casually eating, while in their flight to the cafeteria they would have made Chief Thundercloud and his Apaches on a warpath appear to be amateurs. Our faithful janitors, “Bunker” Hill and Orville Rucker, posed for the next snapshot. A perfect example of gaining grace and dignity through experience with a dust mop. Next was a bird’s eye view of our little beehive of ambition, namely our library, a haven of complete relaxation and center of many round table discussions to the complete dismay of our study hall teachers. Oh, my! what have we here? A physique that would shame Tarzan. Oh, it’s Francis Durbin working on an experiment in that chamber of dormant odors, the Chemistry Laboratory. Looking at the birdie from left to right, Huston Phillips, Francis McCabe, Lee Barnhart, Ira Woolridge, Lynn Crook and Keith Bell, composing our six man crew of valiant bus drivers. A football picture taken last fall displays the vim and vigor of our boys gathering for a huddle. Our dance band, the Redcoats, participated in various activities outside of school. For example: Alblingers’ hardware had the honor of their presence at the grand opening of their store. The Homemaking class is the source of delectable food and the latest trend in modern fashions. Typing is the class of many wonders—wondering why you enrolled and wondering how you possibly got through it. Here’s the study hall, the root of deepest thought, where we spend the majority of each school day studying intellectual subjects, reading, and occasionally resting our eyes. If you want to see what nature can do if she exerts herself, don’t miss the next picture. It is our dear physics class. This snapshot seems to have caught us in one of our more tranquil moods. I sincerely hope that these snapshots will refresh and enlighten your thoughts and memories as they did mine. SEPTEMBER—The Month of Beginning. Something new this year—freshmen came to school the 31st of August and then the upperclassmen came on the second day of school. There were eighty-seven boys and fifty-seven girls roaming the halls. By the third day of school the schedules were worked out and everything was in full swing again. Cheerleaders tried out on September 18. Football cheerleaders were Myrna Hord, Joan Hinton, Marilyn Slagle, Bonita Hixson, Mary Della Heckman and Carolee Patterson. News staff met to select a new name for the paper since “Betohi” could not be used anymore. Bookworms organized (student librarians—that is). September 10 the F. H. A. and the F. F. A. organized. Bement played first home game under lights—Bulldogs victor over Cer-ro Gordo. September 21 we held an all school party honoring the freshmen. “Bulldogs Bark” was the new name given to school news. It was submitted by Tom Tucker. Student Council elected—six thorns among five roses—Arlen Rittenhouse elected Student Council president. Areola dumped Bement 20-0 on September 24. Freshmen win over Cerro Gordo 19-13 on September 27. Bill Cooper, Carolee Patterson and Bill Strater elected as vice-president, secretary, and treasurer of Student Council. OCTOBER—Well On Our Way. Student body had big pep meeting down town (Rah! Rah!). The Bement Bulldogs won Homecoming game by successfully beating Villa Grove—Phyllis Murphy made a beautiful queen—After the crowning the students and alumni danced to the music of Paul Douglas. The senior pictures were taken by Mr. Blankenburg from Kankakee. Individual pictures taken of all students in school (smile pretty). Mr. Fred Lux Jr. came to school to talk to us on 4-H work—it was very interesting. President Truman came through town and all the students got out of school to see him. The Bement band went to Villa Grove to play for their Pan Cake Festival . . . They sure got their fill of pancakes. NOVEMBER—On to December. Voting—the student body may not be twenty-one years of age but they cast their votes at school for the men and women they would like to see run our state and national government for the next four years. Armistice Day—no school—football game with Monticello. B-Club moved into action—provided attractive football programs for those who attended the Bement-Monticello game. F. H. A. formed a committee to solve student problems. The problems dealt mainly with boy-girl relationship. No water—fountains shut off. During the afternoon intermission each day the students dashed to the janitor’s room to drink cokes. The Bement water was contaminated and we had to drink something. All school party—sponsored by sophomores—music by Ralph Cundiff. Juniors took University of Illinois test—this helps guide the students in their plans for the future. New cheer leaders—Mary Della Heckman, Peggy Bradley and Edward Lamb —were elected for the basketball cheerleaders. Forty-one boys went out for the first basketball practice. Six weeks grades out—did everyone pass? DECEMBER—The Month to Remember, Music Clinic and Festival held at Monticello was a huge success. Basketball—Mr. Day and some of the basketball boys acquainted the student body with basketball rules—the students know what a foul is now. The basketball team was keeping up with the football players in dress. They wore new purple uniforms on th-e road this year. No school—except for the teachers—there was a teachers' meeting at Monticello. F. F. A. initiation—the upper classmen had the lower classmen sweating—but why shouldn’t they? Identification cards passed out—picture of students on left side and their name on the right side—Mr. Slater’s signature was also on the right side to certify that the person was in high school—these were used all year for all sports. • Music department entertain-ed the public with their annual Christmas concert. Christmas tree in study hall—a few students stayed after school and decorated the tree. December 21 marked the last day of school until after Christmas vacation—a school program was put on by the students. JANUARY—A New Year. School again—we came back to school January 3 after our Christmas vacation —everyone seenved worn out from the vacation instead of being rested. Semesters—after the exams were over and grades were passed out, the seniors were urged to check in the office about individual grades and credits—we wondered why! Physics students were baffled—they were told the General Motors had a stove on which you could freeze ice cream and fry eggs at the same time. Arlene Rittenhouse was chosen by the graduating class and faculty for the D. A. R. (Daughters of American Revolution) Award. Pictures—Mr. Blankenburg took group pictures at school January 18. Surprise vacation—shortly after dinner an assembly bell was rung and it was announced that school would be dismissed for the rest of the day due to icy roads. March of Dimes—students received a cardboard pad in which they could put their dimes—at the Monticello-Bement game the cheerleaders carried a blanket around the gym and fans tossed in donations. FEBRUARY—Girls Donned Formals. New name needed for the Annual—because of consolidation, the former name, Betohi, will not be usable. Mrs. Evelyn Zwigard came to school to show the boys a few new dance steps—• the students are in the “know how” now—they can really swing it. Valentine formal was very successful—Paul Douglas furnished the music. G. A. A. initiation—the girls were brought back to their childhood days—they had to carry a doll around with them all day—what a sight! Agricultural judging contest—several boys went to Arthur to judge poultry, grain, and weed seeds—they placed fourth in grains and seventh in poultry. Biology department is studying the classes of birds—this excludes jail birds. Dance band reorganized. February is the shortest month of the year. MARCH—On. The Redcoats played in Ivesdale for Alblingers’ opening. This is the first time they have played on such an occasion this year. Spring is here. Everyone walks around as if he had forgotten to go to bed the night before. They call it spring fever. Talent show under way—co-sponsored by the Student Council and Junior Class. This show gave people a chance to use their ability and to share it with others. Play practice starts—students in the play practiced at nights starting at 7:15. The senior play proceeds are used to present the school a gift from the 194 9 graduating class. In the past such things as pictures, trophy cases, score board, honor roll, magazine rack and public address system have- been donated. March 16—Dement band journeyed to Cerro Gordo to give a concert to the students there. The band played an hour and the twiriers performed for a few minutes. On March 23 the Cerro Gordo band played for the Bement students—this exchange was very enjoyable. The teachers had a visiting day when they went to other schools where they discovered new and constructive ideas to bring home. This was also a holiday for the students. A bus load of talent headed for Bloomington to the District Solo and Ensemble Contest. They brought home five firsts and five seconds. Nice going! Gum chewing picking up. Dentists say it causes decay and the teachers just don’t like for students to chew gum in class. They say it must come to a halt. APRIL—Not Long Now. The 1949 track team got under way with a big bang—band and chorus members went to contest and brought home five firsts which entitled them to go to the state contest. The band had their pictures taken for the Piatt County Journal. April 14 was a day of gladness—why? Why, Easter vacation of course. After returning from vacation the seniors presented the class play, “The Mummy and the Mumps.” Bookkeeping class visited the bank—maybe one of them will be a successful banker. A group of seniors journeyed to Normal and Charleston on visiting days. Solo and ensemble groups went to Macomb for state contest; band journeyed there the next day. The closing event of the month—Junior-Senior Prom—a thrilling evening in a beautifully decorated gym and with the music of Bill Oetzel to dance to. MAY—And There They Go. The seniors entertained the juniors by giving a gay party. Urbana relays start. The music department gave a spring concert which everyone enjoyed. All the seniors enjoyed a day at the U. of I. where they visited the library and physics department. Several of the boys went to Atwood to a judging contest. Near the clbse of the school year the seniors were honored by Baccalaureate services. Rev. C. R. Lockard delivered the message to the class and the parents and friends. And then came semester exams for everyone except the seniors with passing grades—lucky ones. The seniors had final practice for Commencement which was followed by an all-school picnic the next day. And then, ah! Mr. William Shadden gave the commencement address, and high school activity for the seniors was over. Oh happy day! Dear Diary, Lockers banging, feet shuffling, voices shouting, students loafing on the lawn—to some, this spells confusion but to most of us at Bement High it spells life in the corridors. Sometimes when I close my eyes, I can still distinguish voices and faces out of the muddle swimming before me. In fact there are some things I can’t forget: Lulu Belle Hinton always at the mirror combing her hair. Ralph Cundiff being so shy and talking about his dog “Shep”—whenever he does talk. Nance Postlewait and Ed Somers walking the halls and sitting in the library. Jeanne Ford and her everlasting chewing gum and chatter. Those exams everyone hated to take. Rose Mary Mundy and Genevieve Durbin being such good friends. Those familiar nicknames such as: “Weeds,” “Porkehops,” “Picks,” “Trees,” “Beartraps,” “Choc,” “Hardnose,” and “Tishamingo.” Donna Jean Crook and Della Mae Evans spending all their free periods in the music room. Tom Tucker and his broad knowledge. Bill Neal’s rendition of “All I Want for Christmas.” I Eugene Corum’s knowledge of the sports world. Jim Byerline “souping” up his Studebaker in the shop. Jim Clark’s interest in the eighth grade. Donald Perry’s high pitched voice. Rita Hannon and Patty Loftus always being seen together. Eileen Christman’s fondness for “Chocolate.” Mary Deering’s photography bug. Phyllis Murphy and her bell like voice. “Dusty” Boyd’s shuffling down the hall with the most popular song on his lips. The distinctive stride of “Chick” Morris. I am sure that we will all remember the good times enjoyed and the numerous friendships made while in the corridors of Bement High.