East High School - Exodus Yearbook (Cleveland, OH)

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june ’40 exodus Class History Lessons learned. The page is turned 10B. A bewildered group of boys and girls entered the portals of East High in Sep- tember, 1937, to follow in the footsteps of those who before them had made this school an outstanding one. Little did they realize, despite their warm welcome, that somewhere within that labyrinth of corridors and closed doors lay the key to many hours of happiness and close friendship. Entering immediately into the social life that was offered, the 10B girls felt right at home when the Girls’ League entertained them at a Big-Little-Sister party in their honor. As the semester progressed, Miss Edna Grant’s and Marvin L. Johnson’s home- rooms combined their journalistic talents in publishing “Frosh Flashes, an expose of tenth grade triumphs. Even as freshmen, the class of 1940 were gaining attention, and soon a recognition assembly, the first one of its kind, revealed their varied abilities. Then the foot- lights winked hopefully at Sylvia Bardelmeier, as she accepted a small part in the Christmas play that year. 10A. As the class became a more perma- nent part of this alma mater, its members be- gan to assume more responsible positions. Pat Taylor headed the Voice Culture Club, Jean Pierson was elected president of the Junior French Club, and Alice Cotton became a familiar figure as a Lost and Found assistant. Highlighting homeroom activities, Miss Mary Louise Brack’s girls initiated their Hobby Lobby series, and entertainment pro- grams and genial get-togethers between the various homerooms were common occurrences. In the name of art and a strong school spirit, Clayton Ginnard and Joe Lombardo took prizes for their original posters publicizing hockey games. 11B. In step with the changing world, a remodeled office greeted us when we resumed our studies in the fall of 1938, and Room 4 became the headquarters for the Student Council, after an expanded program made such a room necessary. 11 A. Entering the 11A term, the class became prominent in more activities. Pat Taylor was elected secretary of the Student Council in a school-wide campaign and began her successful career in that organization. When the curtains parted on “You Can’t Take It With You,’’ Ann Richardson, Betty Lebby, and Bob Scarnecchia were there to thrill us with their dramatic triumphs. As the lovable Penny, Ann’s performance left us smiling for weeks afterwards, and we remem- ber Betty, whose grace and dancing ability enabled her to give a suitable characterization of Essie. It was at this time that Pat Wilson launched her enlarged cafeteria campaign. Newly painted walls, colorful draperies for the windows, and music from the electrola made the atmosphere of the lunchroom more cheerful. Then came Student Government Day, which stimulated school-wide co-operation. Everyone was given his chance to be inde- pendent, and we ended the day with the happy thought that the experiment was a suc- cess. Ann Lait won first prize in the 11A division of the book review contest—and the “Jones Journal, a homeroom newspaper, sold 1 5 0 copies. 12B. In the 12B we chose Vic Drobnic to lead us, with Bob McFadden, vice-presi- dent; Dolores Gibson, secretary; Leo Lipnicki, treasurer, and Jack Ensign, sergeant-at-arms, to carry on the duties of the 12B class officers. This year began our most memorable reign, and we accumulated laurels rapidly. Drama had its heyday. Bob Scarnecchia, Alice Cotton, and Bob Moser joined other seniors in “Murder,” a surprise comedy-mys- tery. Ann Richardson added another role to her fast growing list of dramatic successes as Dr. C. Spirit in the Christmas play. When the French department caught the footlights, Betty Lebby and Lois Cohen captured leading roles in “Le Voyage de Monsieur Perichon. Second prize winner of the charity game ticket drive, was Julius Paris who enjoyed his prize trip to Pontiac, Michigan, and Bill Gibbons’ poster for that game was judged best at East. Ann Lait happily accepted congratulations on being selected mantle orator by Principal F. L. Simmons. Over her shoulders was placed the traditional blue and gold mantle, a sym- bol of the outstanding qualities which the mantle orator must possess. Honor certificates from Oberlin to Anne Lait for English and James Savage for music were the first in a series of numerous scholas- tic achievements gained by the class. A radio star in the person of Pat Wilson, who assisted Dr. Emile de Sauze in his French radio lesson of the air, could also be claimed by the class. Helen Melby, Eva Scheer and Adele Tichulka supervised Athenaeum Color Day, festive with gay blue and gold ribbons and bright yellow “mums.”

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j u n e ’40 exodus “Now you are your own educational adviser, and still there is choice of major and minor.” GRACE A. MARTIN “You will be able to keep your balance in the world into which you are graduat- ing only if you add to the acts which you have gained in school and continue, always, to seek facts.” ROBERT H. OWENS “Forty years of educational leadership lie behind the class of June, 1940, at East High School. In all these years your school has proved faithful to its obligations to boys and girls. May your experiences here assist you in your efforts to fulfill your own life obligations.” F. L. SIMMONS

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june ’40 exodus 12A. Whose names and deeds were to remain forever in the memories of the June ’40 class? Once again Vic Drobnic became president after a close race, and Alice Cotton, Julius Paris, Adele Tichulka, and Leo Lip- nicki became members of his cabinet. After many long hours of work and re' hearsals, Alice Cotton and Bob Scarnecchia carried the XL Revue to a new high in sen- ior activities. Stars like Marion Kuhar with her “Merry Oldsmobile,” Betty Lebby, sensa- tional Spanish dancer, and blues singer, Con- stance Abney, contributed to its success. Seniors in sports also rated honorable men- tion. With boys like Bill Antall, Ralph Hol- linger. Bob McFadden, and Edward Gettling, the hockey team swept the ice for a success- ful season. Football boasted such heroes as Vic Drobnic, Leo Lipnicki and Ernest Myslen- ski, whose sparkling performances on the grid- iron brought many cheers from the crowded stands. Benny Neuman, star player, captured a coveted position on the second All-Scholas- tic team. With a team of top-notch players to sup- port his tactics, Sam Bitonti, as captain, maneuvered the basketball squad into second place in the senate. Victorious among twenty-five top ranking students, Mary Lockhart and Grace Jones at- tained scholastic honors with scholarships from Fenn College, and Mary Ann Byrne topped other candidates for a scholarship to Ursuline College. Anne Lait won a Barnard College scholarship, and Marion Kuhar gained one at Mount Union. “Holiday” brought many class members into the limelight. This year the annual play was double cast for the first time, and Alice Cotton and Sylvia Bardelmeier played the feminine lead on different nights. Bob Moser portrayed the hero with professional finesse, while Ann Richardson, Lois Cohen, Bob Scarnecchia and Bob Schulteis, in supporting roles, took their curtain calls with poise and stage presence. A close school-wide election resulted in Pat Taylor’s becoming council president, and Charles Ipavic was given the vice-presidency. Under the management of the student coun- cil, the honor study halls took a definite step toward a more liberal and democratic school system. Once again the Blue and Gold was awarded an All-American rating by the National Scholastic Press Association. Ellen Wiseman managed the paper through many changes in make-up and style. Rising to the top in jour- nalistic achievements, Mary Lockhart’s clever features, and Julius Paris’ sports column be- came weekly habits of the readers. Bill Gib- bons cuts, captioned “Are You One of These?” on the editorial page were proof of his artistic talents, and Paul Lande contrib- uted his skill in his hobby photography. National Honor inductions were always exciting. Everyone in the audience was breathless with anticipation as the scroll bear- ers called each name. Featured in the cere- mony for this semester were June Lahti, pro- logue; Pat Wilson, spirit; and John Vamis, scholarship. A1 Fumich, president of the Na- tional Honor Society, had such able commit- tee chairmen as June Lahti and John Vamis to make the meetings interesting. Our high school days were rapidly coming to an end. The dinner-dance was an exciting occasion. Promises of “A night you will al- ways remember” were fulfilled, and everyone appeared and remained with an outward dis- play of anticipation and enjoyment. There was Bob Scarnecchia, toastmaster, to lead the round of speeches, and Tom Oblak’s musicians played for the dancing. White-frocked maidens, and young gentle- men in dark suits occupied a large stage. It was commencement night, the last time that our mighty band would carry on its proceed- ings as a unit. Many tried to smile, but others allowed the tears to flow freely when they realized the true significance of this fare- well meeting. Proud parents beamed at their graduating offspring as each one received the diploma which sealed his final departure. Prepared by a diligent staff of writers and research students, the program presented the audience with a kaleidoscopic view of forty years of school and world events, with appro- priate music to highlight the eras. Thus another class, no longer a bewildered group, closed the doors of East High forever, to open others in far-reaching fields. They left their experiences and achievements to guide those who were to follow, and to make way for them who sought new learning. They had found that precious key. They had found three years of happiness; and now they parted, eager with new hopes, new desires, and new aspirations.