Denison High School - Monarch Yearbook (Denison, IA)

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reflecfions of administration sermiors L11ldE?17Cl3.SSYY1G1'1 departments athletics fine arts activities -5-

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reflecfions of '53-'54 S a glistening pool reflects the image of the freckle-faced boy and his fishing pole, so the windows of the school reflected the rising flag and the upturned faces of attentive boys and girls. It was the Twelfth Annual Flag Raising Ceremony, and on this occasion, Miss Jesse Parker, retiring state superintendent, discussed the changes in education she had witnessed during her lifetime. Following the singing of the Star Spangled Banner, and a welcome by the new principal, Ernest Gustafson, upperclassmen made their way class- ward reluctantly, while self-conscious freshmen darted nervously here and there looking for their respective rooms. In devastated Korea the guns were at last silent, though elsewhere fight- ing and unrest continued. The situation in Indo China, where French troops had long been fighting the Communists, became more serious. More than two million people stood cold and wet to watch the Coronation of Eliz- abeth II, and the fiftieth anniversary of Orville and Wilbur Wright's famous flights at Kitty Hawk marked a half century of world progress in aviation. ln spite of unrest in the farm scene, an alarming rise in unemployment, the bombast of McCarthy investigations, and the invention of new and more deadly weapons of destruction, life of a student in Denison High School was much the same. He voted for his class officers, joined the band or glee club, cheered or groaned as athletic contests were won or lost, helped select home- coming, ice carnival, and track queens, and became a member of one of a number of clubs. Harvest Time was the theme of homecoming festivities, and the jun- ior's Horn of Victory was judged first. The cast of the junior play, Little Women, turned in a professional performance, and an atmosphere of quiet reverence was created during the Christmas Vesper program. Semes- ter tests, county tournaments, and the Band's Pop concert climaxed the re- flections cast during the first half of the school year. Along with unseasonably warm weather came the realization that the year was rapidly coming to an end, and students began preparing for various vocal, speech, and instrumental contests. A variety show was presented through the combined efforts of the fine arts department, and the seniors staged the fanciful comedy, The Curious Savage . April 24, high school girls appeared gracefully arrayed in a swirl of soft colors on the arms of their best beaus for the top social event of the year, the Junior-Senior Prom. To the strains of Pomp and Circumstancen graduates marched deliber- ately in to the annual Baccalaureate service. Finally, on graduation evening, the senior, clad in cap and gown, saw his mom, his dad, his teachers, his rela- atives, and his friends sitting in the auditorium. Then he realized that on their faces as well as his own was reflected the story of his life thus far. Pic- tures of trial, anxiety, failure, and success flashed across his mind, and he wondered what reflections he and his classmates would cast on the pool of life. .4-

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. . . dedication O Mr. Rex Ruch, vocational agriculture instructor, and Mr. Wendell VVoodall, basketball coach and driver education instructor, the staff of the 1953-54 Monarch dedicate this annual. Mr. Ruch began teaching in Denison in 1928 and has taught here for 25 years. During his resi- dence in Denison he has become well acquainted with a good many townspeople and neighboring farmers, all of whom respect him deeply. In addition to teaching vocational agriculture, Mr. Ruch has taught chemistry, social problems, mechanical drawing, in- dustrial arts, FFA athletics, has been assistant principal, and has chaperoned the FFA boys on several trips to Canada. Active in many organizations, Mr. Ruch is a member of Delta Sig- ma l'hi, a social fraternity, Alpha Zeta, an honorary argicultural frater- nity, Phi Mu Alpha, an honorary music fraternity, and Gamma Sigma Delta and Sigma Alpha, both honorary teaching fraternities. Mr. Ruch graduated from high school in Pierson, Iowa, in 1921. I-le re- ceived his ll. A. at Iowa State College and later his M. S. degree. Ile then taught a year at Orient, Iowa, before coming to Denison. Mr. Ruch's students, successful in farming and various other fields, owe their primary agricultural knowledge and their will to advance to a man who has won not only their friendship, but also their admiration as a fine instruc- tor. This year Mr. VVoodall, who in previous years taught general science, concentrated his efforts on coaching varsity football and basketball. He also supervised classes in physical education and driver's training. Mr. VVoodall graduated from Webster City High School in 1943 and that year was named to the all-state basketball team. After serving 27 months in the Army Air Force, he enrolled in Drake University, which he attended for one year. Ile then transferred to I-owa State Teachers College, where he received his B. A. degree. Mr. VVoodall is active in social organizations, being a member of thc American Legion, U. P. O. E., and Driver, National and Iowa Education Associations. Taking or having taken an active part in basketball, football, track, and golf, he is an avid fan of any and all sports. Mr. Wootlall came to Denison in 1950, and in his four years here has become one of the most popular and best- liked teachers in the entire school. Alumni, who revisit school on furloughs or week ends, come to see him, their well remembered coach and instructor. To these two teachers we dedicate this an- nual in the firm trust that the class of 1954 will remember with eternal friendship and gratitude the days that they spent in this school under the guidance and leader- ship of men like these. .-5..