Byron Area High School - By Hi Yearbook (Byron, IL)

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“January Thaw” Presented by the Senior Class of 1950, November 11 and 12 CAST OF CHARCTERS: Frieda, the maid......................................................... Marion Fransen Herbert Gage, the father who liked modern conveniences ................... Jerry Weaver Sarah Gage, a young child who was set in her ways......................... Wilma Dillow Paula Gage, the daughter who stuck by her father to the end ........... Betty McCormick Marge Gage, the mother who liked antiques ........................... Marguerite Johnston Barbara Gage, a girl of 21, very much in love ........................... Ramona Nelson George Husted, a lovesick young man ...................................... Cecil Dillow Jonathan Rockwood, an old man who hated them modern conveniences .. . Elwood Himes Mathilda Rockwood, a little old lady who decided that them modern conveniences were pretty nice ............................................................... Jo Love Mr. Loomis, the lawyer..................................................Gene Heidenreich Uncle Walter, an old man who didn't speak to people unless he had to ...... Dick Myers Matt Rockwood, a young man who liked all girls ............................... Pat Riley Carson, a detective who had a slow process of finding anything .............Dick Palmer January Thaw was a sparkling comedy about New England life that brought frequent and explosive laughter . . . the lines crackled across the footlights and set off a pandemonium of mirth. The Gages and the Rockwoods lived in the same house, but not by choice, for the Gages liked the modern way of living; the Rockwoods did not. This unhappy living situation was brought about by Mrs. Gage who, thinking the Rock- woods were dead, bought the house regardless of the stipulation that if the Rockwoods (the original owners) returned they could move in again. January Thaw was perhaps the most difficult play ever produced at Byron High, and the director, Mr. Sunderman, made it one of the best. Each character did exceptionally well in his part and the play was interpreted in a nearly professional manner. The two student directors, Loretta Cassell and Gwen Stebner, along with the class members not in the play, helped quite nicely with practice, costumes, stage properties, publicity, and tickets. As a result November 11 and 12 became two bright spots in the cal- endar for the school year of 1949-50. Senior May Dance The highlight of the school year was the traditional May Festival sponsored by the Sen- ior Class. The climax of this event was the crowning of the King and Queen and presentation of the court. The impressive grand march led by the King and Queen and the winding of the May- pole took place in the gymnasium which was gayly decorated in the traditional spring theme.

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The Seniors BILL MULLEN Roosevelt Junior High, Rock- ford 1; West High, Rockford 2- 3, Basketball 2; Football 1-2. RICHARD MYERS Leaf River High 1-2-3; Softball 3, Basketball 1-2-3; Track 4, Boys' Chorus 1-2-3, Mixed Chorus 1-2-3-4; F.F.A 3; Leaf- let 3, Press Manager 3; Oper- etta 2; The Groom Said No 3; January Thaw 4. RAMONA NELSON Roosevelt Junior High, Rock- ford 1; Class Secretary 2-3-4; G.A.A. 2-3-4; Girls' Chorus 2; F.H.A. 2-3-4, Secretary 3, Point Chairman 4; By-Hi Assistant Business Manager 4; Inkspot 2-3-4, Humor Editor 4; Camera Club 2. Y-Teen Club 1; Cheer- leader 3-4; January Thaw'' 4; Gray Bread 4; Verse Read- ing 3-4. DICK PALMER Student Council 3; Softball 3- 4; Basketball 3; Boys' Chorus 3-4; Mixed Chorus 3-4, F.F.A. 1-2-3-4, Treasurer 4, Camera Club 2; January Thaw 4. SHIRLEY POTTER G.A.A 1-2-3-4, Reporter 4; Girls' Chorus 1-2-3-4; Mixed Chorus 1-2-3-4, F.H.A. 1-2-3-4, Secretary 4, Inkspot 4, Cam- era Club 2; January Thaw Publicity Chairman 4; Sextet 4. PAT RILEY Class Vice-President 2-3; Stu- dent Council 1; Boys' Chorus 3, F.F.A. 1-2-3-4, Treasurer 3, President 4; January Thaw 4; Extempore Speaking 4. GWEN STEBNER G.A.A. 1-2-3-4, Treasurer 4; Girls' Chorus 1-2; Mixed Chorus 1-2; By-Hi Editor 4; Inkspot 2-3-4, Assistant Girls' Sports Editor 3, Sports Editor 4, Camera Club 2; Latin Club 1-2; January Thaw Student Director 4; Verse Reading 2-3. JOE VOGEL Inkspot 4; Camera Club 2, Re- porter 2; Spanish Club 4, President 4, Latin Club 1-2. BOB WEBER Roosevelt Junior High, Rock- ford 1; West High, Rockford 2- 3; Student Council 4. President 4; Softball 4; Football 1-2; Bas- ketball 1-2-3-4; Golf 2-3; Jan- uary Thaw Stage Manager 4. DIXIE WHETSEL Class Secretary 1; G.A.A. 1-2- 3-4, Point Secretary 4; Girls' Chorus 1-2-3-4; Mixed Chorus 1-3-4; Inkspot 4, Literary Edi- tor 4; Camera Club 2; Latin Club 1-2, Vice-President 1-2. 11 —

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Senior Class Will We, the Senior Class of 1950, being of sound mind and body, fully aware that our high school activities are coming to an end, hereby will and bequeath something that we don’t want, which will probably get in the way in the future, to the remaining ambitious under- classmen of Byron Community High School. Individual bequests are as follows: I, Frances Blanchard, leave my ability to hold a steady job at the telephone office to Mabel Harmon. I, Bonnie Campbell, leave my ability to have a good time and still get passing grades to Nancy DeFouw. I, Loretta Cassell, will my singing ability to Shirley Shelton. I, Jesse Copeland, bequeath my easy going way and carefree manner to Ronnie Hels- don. I, Cecil Dillow, leave my athletic ability to Gene Marks. 1, Wanda Dillow, leave with big plans for the future. I, Wilma Dillow, leave with both Cecil and Wanda, but I’m taking Jerry Weaver with me. I, Genny Dirks, will my sewing ability to Eunice Wright. I, Dick Dove, bequeath my knowledge of agriculture to Wayne Hagan. I, Marion Franson, leave my sense of humor to Marilyn Gruben. I, Gene Heidonreich, leave my scholastic ability to Bill Colwell. I, Elwood Himes, will my ability to speak extemporaneously to Vernon Radatz. I, Virginia Hruska, leave my famous horse laugh to any one who can stand to have it. I, Marg Johnston, bequeath my pleasant personality to Faith Featherston. I, Jo Love, leave my headaches and worries as Editor of the Ink-Spot to Dick Swanson. I, Betty McCormick, will my ability to have one admirer in every neighboring town to Mary Vanstone. I, Bill Mullen, leave my ability to love 'em and leave 'em to Kenny Dove. I, Dick Myers, leave my ability to miss practice for the senior play to any of next year's seniors who can't think up a good excuse. I, Ramona Nelson, bequeath my cheerleading ability to Marvel Nelson. I, Dick Palmer, won't leave a thing because I may find out that I need it. I, Pat Riley, bequeath my ability to carry on a successful political campaign and still lose to Leary Kennedy. — 13 —