Byron Center High School - Re Echo Yearbook (Byron Center, MI)

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to CLASS HISTORY In September of 1950, forty-two little green plants appeared in Byron Center High School. Miss France and Mr. Burt gave them advice on how to take care of themselves and learn how to keep from being run over by the big lawn- mowers. when he was away tumbling, Linda Bazan took over. The one who wrote down what the little shoots did was Shirley Chase. Lloyd Barton collected the raindrops for their benefit. Elgin McConnon kept the plants acting their best. Our choice rose in the queen's court was Norma Bartz. The student council representatives were Edward MacDonald and Linda Bazan. we sponsored the donkey basketball game that year. In our Sophmore year the big weed was Ron Sabin. The next biggest weed was Melvin Berkompas. Bob Beute wrote down the elements. Leila Monroe kept the plants in order. Mr. Folkert and Mr. wells gave the plants food.. The student council representatives were Ron Sabin and Margie Pitsch. Our sun- flower 1n the queen's court was Chris Dyer. The plants that wilted were Ted Ecker, Charles Colegrove, Shirley Schild, and Florence Ensing. In our Junior year, we had sprouted into a bed of forty-six growing plants. Chris Dyer presided over the blossoming group. When she was struck by a hoe, Shirley Chase took over. Norma Bartz kept track of the year's happenings. Edward MacDonald took the gold out of the golden rods. Don Dykstra kept the group ln hand. Miss France and Mr. Klinesteker were the gardeners who save us our vitamins. Our carnation in the queen's court was Linda Bazan. We all busied ourselves getting ready for our play nSpr1ng Fever.N Student Council representatives were Leila Monroe and Chris Dyer. By the time we were Seniors we found ourselves grown into a sturdy and blooming bunch of forty-three plants. We picked the following flowers who helped throw a little sunshine our way: Henry Pratt was president, Gerald Grasman, vice-president, Theressa Lameyre, secretary, and Bud Van Der Lugt treasurer. Miss Burk, Mr. Klinesteker, and Mr. G. Wells were our advisors. Student council representatives were Melvin Berkompas and Henry Pratt. Our Queen was Jerri Mann. Our lily-of-the-queen's court was Theressa Lameyer.The plants that wllted were Don Dykstra, Marjorie Vander welde, Wayne Gaines, and Fred Kastner. On October 8, 1953, we had our pictures taken. We rustled our leaves and prepared for our play nEveryth1ng Happens To Us' on November 19 and 20. Our Baccalaureate was held at Byron Center Reformed Church on May 30, l95U. Our Commencement Exercises were on June 2, l95b. CLASS PROPHECY A In September of 1965, I a representative of the Michigan Government was ap- pointed by Govenor Bgg Vander Lugt, to investigate Byron Township in regards to tneir recuest that the state build a mental hospital in byron Center. Since I vraduated from Byron High School in 1954, I thought it would be an interesting Business trip back to my old town since my many years in politics. I arrived at the Lansing airport where I was to board a plane to Byron Center. Much to my amazement I found my pilot to be Jim Silvernail, and the pleasant looking stewardess was Diane Terpstra. Both of them former classmates of m ne. N At the Byron Center airport I was met by the Byron Center Mayor, Henry igqtt, and with him was his private secretary, Norma Bartz. Sence it was almost noon Mayor Pratt suggested going to the Byron resturant before going to his off flee. We stopped at a very exquisite place called the uTown Houseu. It stood in tne place of the former nCenter Cafeu. We were told by a waitress Phyllis Qglf that ggtherlgg Klunder and Alyce Burmanig were owners of the resturant. After eating a delicious dinner we returned to the mayor's new car to proceed to his office. On the way there I noticed that Byron Center nad grown and there were many new buildings and estsbllsnments. Some of them were sein: run by form- er classmates of mine. 13

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Wf.n,jZ4fP-we Diane Terpstra Diane She believes in fun, even if she is quiet. Play Cast Prompter 3,4 Class Treasurer 1 Chorus M F.H.A. 3 Echo Staff M Anton Vander Lugt Bud Entered as a Junior Ready to help any fair maiden in distress. Baseball Chorus Football Class Treasurer Play Cast Clifford Van Hoven Entered as a Junior Burdens become light when ca aside. Football Baseball Phyllis wolf In school a quiet lass, she 3.4 3.4 3.4 4 U 3 cliff st 3.4 3.4 Phil seems to be, but who knows if 1t's true when she's free. F.H.A. 3 Echo Staff M Shirley Wolf Shirley A blush, beautiful but sometimes inconvenient. Chorus 1,2 Play Cast 3 Librarian n Student Monitor Q D.A.R. Representative 4 F.H.A. 3 Lorraine Wustman D1mp1SB Entered as a Junior Quiet? You should know her better. FoHoAo 3 Chorus '4' Librarian '4' Not pictured Richard Day I2 vb A wi ks , . V 1Hs,,,5

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+I piggy Qgnfsqggg had tsaen over the former Harkema Grocery Store and had several other chain stores under his jurisdectlon. Herman Klunder, and Wllllard Srowneqggg were co-owners of the barber shop and cigar store. Marlegg Dykstgg and Qplleen Martineau were busy making the Byron women look pretty ln their new Beauty Parlor. A new fire department had been built and the fire Cnlef, Qgggg Mohr, waved proudly as we drove past. The next building we came to looked like a modern, but small hotel. The sign out in front read, uD0nald Fitzpatrick and Richard Qgyy-Mortlciansu. Just down the street I saw another sign that read, hSh1rley s Studio and Camera Shopu. Norma told me one of our old classmates, the former Shirley Wolf, was operating lt. Next to the Camera Shop stood a large colonial style home owned by Byron's Justice of the Peace, Clifford Egg Hoven. Byron Center's sherr1ff's car passed us and much to my suprise it was Melvin Berkompas. Riding with him was one of his duputies, Burrell Stein. Mr. Pratt also told us of other changes in Byron. M55 Kroll had opened a home for the old people, and a new church had moved to Byron and Ronald Sabin was minister. The Church's orgainst and choir leader was the former Mary Baird who was happily married but still farming in the muck. Egelynne Beute is married to a Wustman boy now and she is President of the Wustman Products. I was told she had several little Wustmans. Shirley Chase is working as one of Eve1ynne's secretarys. We finally arrived at Byron's new Post Office Building where the Mayor's office and several other county and city offices are located. As we entered the building the first person I recognized was Robert Beute, who is head clerk of the post office. He was selling some air mail stamps to Tressa Morren who is not married and is still writing to all her male fans in the Armed Forces. We then rode up an elevator to the second floor where the mayor has his office. As we walked down the hall towards his office we past the offices of Kent County Agricultural Agent Edward Egg Donald. I stopped in to chat with him and I saw Jerri Mann working as his secretary. the next office I passed was that of Byronb Garbage Collector, run by Lyle Miller. Another was the office of the Comsomer Power Company controlled by the former Chris Dyer and her.husband. Farther down the was Ill B the the office of hall was the office of the Real Estate Agent, Lloyd Barton and next to him Nancy Ross Kent County Red Cross nurse. We then arrived at office where we discussed plans for the hospital. ne was going to appoint former Theressa Lameyer as campaign furn chairman to raise funds for the hospital. Theressa had just opened a new dry doods and variety store. After leaving the mayor' what changes they Pltsch who is now some of our former ing bathing suits s office I decided to go up to the old high school and see had made there. As I started down main street I met Margie married and living in Wayland. We got on the subject of what classmates were doing. She said Lorraine Wustman was model- for Marshall Field and Company in Chicago, and that Linda Bazan was living in Florida. She owned an orange juice factory. Leila Menroe had fulfilled her high school dreams and she was roping steers on her large plantation in Arizona. After chatting with her I proceeded on my way to the school. As I passed a new home I recognized the lady playing with her children. It was the former Julia gggtgg. I stopped and had a brief visit with ner. I finally ar ived at the high school grounds. At first I hardly recognized it. It looked more like a college campus. Several new buildings had been added and the old some of the typing out Klinesteker was time to hurry I ran walks. halls some business letters for the Superintendent, Gerald Grassman. Mr. is still Principal. After a short catch my plane back to Lansing. When into Qgn Buckowfng the school janitor buildings had been repaired to look like new. After browsing through I went to the school office. Inside was Ellen Adamson busy visit with them I realized it I left the building in such a who was sweeping off the side- After boarding the plane back to Lansing I smiled and thought to myself, this has been a pleasure trip as well as a business trip. Michigan Representative Shirley Ann Schuh I4