Delaware Township High School - Rampant Yearbook (Cherry Hill, NJ)

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winamp- hist ry A , T In September, 1956, Delaware Township High School was born. From our classrooms in D Building, we could watch the workmen laying the tangible foundation of our school, while we, on the inside, began molding a foundation for its character. At first, our steps were slow and faltering, but we learned from our experiences, and it wasn't long before we were standing on the path of progress. The first great task was to unify a student body that had been drawn from over a dozen area schools. The Lion's Roar was one such cohesive agent. In its pages were recorded the first field trip taken by Mrs. Elder's general science classes to RCA at Cherry Hill, and the first big dance for the freshman class, which was held at the Community Center at Christ- mas. It was there that we, the class of '80, chose Mrs. Hansen for our advisor. New activities sprang up. Mr. Mayo organ- ized the radio club and Mr. Burley literally created a band from a hedge-podge of instru- ments and would-be musicians. We grew academically, too, and by the end of the year had begun a chapter of the National Latin Honor society. The school crest was designed proclaiming the rampant lion our official crest. A majestic emblem deserved royal colors, so purple and white were selected. Beneath these royal colors fought our first baseball team, coached by Mr. McFadden. Accomplishments that year may sound meager, but it was then that our school spirit developed by working and building together for a common cause. Our sophomore year was unhampered by the physical disabilities of confinement to one wing. We diffused into the rest of the newly- completed buildings. The abundance of win- dows and happily-colored corridors contribut- ed to the cheerful atmosphere in which we be- gan our '57-'58 school year. The cornerstone was laid at an impressive ceremony and from that time, the school be- longed to the community. The residents of Delaware Township did not ignore their re- sponsibilities to support our school's activities as evidenced by the admirable work of the PTA, the Lion's Club, the Rotary Club, and various civic organizations. A youth week gave students a chance to trade places with town- ship officials for first-hand experience in the mechanics of politics. By now our newspaper was printed and there were countless new activities to adorn its pages. The band gave concerts, clubs and choral groups were formed. and the usual circuit of dances evolved. We had a new sport and another team to cheer, as the Lions broke into IV basketball. To lead the roaring crowds at games and pep rallies, we needed cheerleaders, and cheer- leaders we got-twelve lively lasses who in- stilled a victorious spirit in players and spec- tators alike. The year's work was climaxed by a round of exams and the first honor assembly. The Order of the Lion was established for the top 3 stu- dents of each class. By the time our iunior year began, neighbor- ing schools had begun to take notice of Dela- ware Township's formidable position athletic- ally, as well as academically. We entered our football team in the Olympic Conference and shocked area schools by compiling a record of semi-varsity play unblemished by tie or de- feat. Equally notable was the success of the basketball team which walked away from the l958 Christmas Toumament at Mount Holly with the school's first trophy tucked under Coach Oliver's arm. The track team maintained the formidable name of Delaware Township in the world of sports by capturing second honors in a regional meet. Finally. we seriously began to plan for the future. Career conferences and college inter- views were influential factors in these plans. The carefree atmosphere of the sophomore

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15 -fx gf Y CLASS IULIET: Elaine Wickham and Class Romeo: Peter Pike MOST ATTRACTIVE GIRL AND MOST HANDSOME BOY: Karen Thorsen cmd Robert Ilflcmder CLASS CLOWNS AND CLASS FLIRTS: Peter Pike cmd Mary Beth Albertson .N Y' ia ,Mm lf Not included as cr senior superlative, but certainly deserving of mention as cx who's who ore the designers of the school crest: Sue Yoder and Robert Ilflcmder. 5 ki it E Ives:

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aware Township High School is born eptember 1956. year was replaced with the more serious atti- tudes of students awakened to their own indi- viduality in a world larger than Delaware Township High School. Classmates began to distinguish themselves as leaders throughout the community as well. The student council skyrocketed to promin- ence with its scores of projects for school im- provement. For the first time the student body had an effective government and true repre- sentation. Studies were somehow sandwiched in and a unique series of science and mathematics lectures were held frequently for advanced students in those fields. In addition to the regular exam schedule, were added Merit Scholarship and CEEB tests for future col- legians. Our junior year was not limited to sports and studies, for it was then, too, that we began to organize as a class. Blueprints for the year- book were drawn up and a finance board was formulated to thwart the eternal problem of big plans and a little budget. The junior prom was an amazing success credited to the efforts of a hard-working prom committee. As May faded into Iune, another school year drew to a close. Students deserving special recognition received awards at athletic and honor assemblies. Of particular mention was the presentation of a citizenship award to Elaine Del Duca. The summer of 1959 saw the high school grow again. The cafeteria was more than doubled and countless new rooms and facil- ities added. At last we were ready for our state accreditation early in the fall of '59. The senior year commenced right where the preceding one had ended. We immediately burst into another victorious football season which, for the second time, netted us the Olympic championship. We developed a staunch rival in Camden Catholic, but upheld such high standards in sportsmanship that the school was honored with the coveted Brooks- Ervine sportsmanship award. In the music department the band and majorettes were uniformed in tones of purple and white to add a patriotic tint to their color- ful routines. Choral groups led by Mr. Barclay added a professional quality to our annual Christmas assembly. These same groups have entertained the public with periodic musical presentations ranging from show music to re- ligious pieces. A new event on the 1960 agenda was a variety show prepared by Mr. Barclay, com- plete with l7 acts and a cast of over a hundred. Also making its premiere to the calendar of events was an athletic banquet held at Ken- ney's Suburban House for all varsity partici- pants in the high school's sports program. In addition, the National Honor Society held 2 inductions which honored the membership on a basis of character, service, scholarship, and leadership. Senior activities commenced anew, directed mainly toward replenishing the class treasury. The class participated wholeheartedly in the yearbook ad drive and a candy sale, among other projects. The senior prom at the Ivystone Inn high- lighted our 4-year high school career. The Colonial Cotillion as it was named will in- deed be foremost in the memories of our senior year at DTHS. Being a senior granted prestige, but it re- quired an equal amount of responsibility. We had to pioneer for senior activities which will set a precedent for all other seniors to follow: we carved our way through scholastic and social frontiers: and we provided the leader- ship for underclassmen. At the same time, we had to keep up our grades, as the prospects of college or employment gnawed at the back of our minds. This was especially difficult with the introduction of honor courses and 4th year languages. Our senior play, The Night of january 16th. was proclaimed a success by countless ova- tions from the audience. The curtain calls were, indeed, well-deserved thanks to the able direction of Mr. Collins. Almost before we realized it, we were prac- ticing for commencement. Graduation was the culmination of all our hopes and dreams, yet we were sad. We remembered the big things and the little ones that meant so much to us, the good times and the bad, and the security that lay behind those brick walls. But if we remained sad, those four years would have been void of pur- pose or meaning, as they were a preparation for bigger and better things. The time had come when we, the class of 1960, had to walk proudly down that aisle to new horizons. Our diplomas, clutched tightly in our hands, were our tickets to the future and our record of the past. Yes, little things do mean a lot, and in the future we shall pass again and again through the halls of our alma mater in reality or con- templation. And when we do, we shall be proud to remember our own small contribu- tions to the heritage of a great school which will undoubtedly produce great citizens. W- t..mrs.-l sfs...ff -..,-.-r.-an --lull w f 'lKf '