Dixon High School - Dixonian Yearbook (Dixon, IL)

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Superintendent Sherwood Dees (1955- 1963) In the fifties music became prominent at DHS. Mr. Rob- ert L’Heureux held the baton over the Dukes Marching Band and the Dixon High School Concert Band. In 1951 Dixon’s crazy German Band originated. The Marching Band brought added glory' to its name by participating in a pro- gram of marching and music at Illinois State University. In the years from 1952 through 1957 the band was awarded nine first place trophies for her excellent band shows. Cross Country, which had been added in 1949 with Mr. Winger as coach, proved itself in 1951 by winning its first district meet. This was followed by three more consecutive district victories. Tennis, with a string of twelve conference championships, proved to be Dixon s strongest sport from 1950 through 1961. Nevertheless, the sport was dropped from the curri- culum in 1960. Dixon still fields two teams which partici- pate in certain tournaments. These teams are supported by interested parents and businessmen. Mr. Sam Owens, varsity football coach in 1952, intro- duced wrestling as a competitive sport in high school. Mr. Robert Sonneman coached wrestling from 1957 to 1962 giv- ing Dixon a solid standing in the conference. Rich Lawton. German Band 1961 Jim Boyer, and Mike Wadsworth were among Dixon’s out- standing wrestlers. In 1956 coach Lyle Bogott led his basketball team to a conference title. His 1959 team was successful in becoming regional champs. A member of this team, Phil Keeley, is now playing on the varsity basketball team at Northwestern University. Mr. Sheldon Bross came to Dixon in 1955 to become principal of the high school. In 1956 Mr. Allen H. Lan- caster, superintendent of schools since 1932, retired, leav- ing his position to be filled by Mr. Sherwood Dees. Several other activities were introduced or further de- veloped in the fifties. In 1957 the Student Council received a state charter. The Future Teachers Club, the Future Nurses Club, the Campus Club, and the Art Club were formed in 1958. Sabine Brodbuck and Harold Muelhausen, Dixon’s first exchange students, came to Dixon in 1959 from Germany. Since then Dixon has hosted two American Field Service Students Maria Raquel Escobar from Chile and Erica Endler from South Africa. In 1959 the new additions, which were a new’ room in the library, the north wing, and the new gymnasium, neared Foreign exchange student —Sabine and Harald 1959 Queen Francis Lahey and King Floyd Acker 1951 16

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still being used. Also, in the 1940's the Dixon High School Majorettes added new interest to the music department. The year 1941 saw the combining of the Latin and French clubs and the forming of the Travel Club. Librari- ans organized a club in 1942 under the supervision of Miss Heinlc who is still the advisor of this club. La Ter- tulia, the Spanish Club, originated in 1943. Quill and Scroll, a literary club, was formed in 1947 as was the Fu- ture Teachers of America Club. Two former graduates of Dixon High School who have attained fame arc Louella Parsons and Ronald Reagan. In 1941 they returned to Dixon for the Louella Parsons— Ronald Reagan Day when the first addition of the hos- pital was dedicated. The 1942 yearbook was dedicated to Ronald Reagan in recognition of his participation in sports and dramatics. World War II deeply saddened Dixon High School by the deaths of former graduates. Today, a bronze plaque engraved with the names of those classmates who were killed in the war hangs near the entrance of the new gym- nasium. The years from 1940 to 1930 found our city faced with many new problems. The war created a need for the Green River Ordinance Plant. With the plant came an increase in population. After the boom, some moved on while many stayed and became a permanent part of our com- munity. Fulfs, Toni’s, and Giannoni’s are remembered as the popular “hangouts of the 1940 s. FulFs was located next to the present Zeien Buick Garage, Toni's across from the present Dixon Theater, and Giannoni s on Galena Avenue. Basketball Team 1942 Conference and Regional Champs 1944 15

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Cross Country 1953 NCIC Golf Champs 1956 completion. The north wing included the cafeteria, the ag- riculture. wood, metal, and electric shops, and seven class- rooms. The gym, which was dedicated to A.H. Lancaster, has a capacity of 3,800 persons as compared to 1,200 in the old gym. In 1962 chemistry and physics students moved into the new labs in the west wing of the building. A long list of successful alumni has been compiled from which this representative cross section is taken: Education -Eugene Vest. Humanities Department, University of Il- linois; Science—Dr. Stanley E. Krohler, chemist, Dupont Company; Medicine Dr. Nan Warner, surgical pathologist. University' of Chicago; Dr. Howard R. Long. Southern Il- linois University; Military— Major General William L. Rich- ardson, USAF: Religion—Chandler Sterling, Episcopal Bis- hop; Government Lyle Snader, railroad lobbyist, Wash- ington, D.C. Fifty years has effected many changes in DHS, both physical and cultural. A new building was acquired and later, three more additions. Each teacher and administrator has left his mark on the halls and students of this school. Its history is rich with winning teams and famous graduates. Yet the oncoming fifty years hold an equal opportunity and challenge for the students of this school, Dixon High School. ■ Faculty members promote extracurricular activities. NCIC Champions 1958 Regional Champions 1959 17