East High School - Exodus Yearbook (Cleveland, OH)

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HISTORY OF THE JANUARY '43 CLASS By William Douglas, Class Historian Over three thousand years ago King Solomon said, “Of the making of books there is no end,’’ and the same thing might be said of class histories. Our history, however, is somewhat unique, because it is so inseparably bound up with the almost unbeliev- able turn of events during the last three years. When we entered East High in January, 1940, no one could have foreseen the pitiable fall of France, the miracle of Dunkirk, and the long, heroic struggle of Britain, the last bulwark of democracy in Europe. War was still remote from us. It was business as usual over here, in spite of ominous warnings. Hitler attacked Russia, but we still held to the firm belief that we were immune from danger. Suddenly, on that quiet Sun- day morning of December 7, 1941, like a bolt from the blue, the Japs struck. The feeling of the people was changed overnight. The nation was welded into one fighting unit, and from that day the life of every boy and girl in our class was to be affected in one way or another. But let us return to that morning in January when we met for the first time as high school students. We had parted from our friends at Addison, Empire, Fairmount, Patrick Henry, and Willson Junior High Schools, and now we were prepared to set sail on the sea of high-school experiences. After hav- ing our programs arranged, we went to our various classes, where teachers looked us over and — hoped for the best. We were not so optimistic. In other fields of endeavor many began to attain prominence. Ray Ber- wald, French-horn player, had already come to the front by winning a first division rating in the 1940 solo and ensemble contest. Effie Vamis and Stella Pastis were prominent in French activities, as Stella took a leading part in Les Francophiles and Effie played in a comedy presented in that language. It was about this time, too, that East High’s future Blue Bombers, Neuman, Taylor, Robison and Colacarro, began to show their prowess on the gridiron. Al Petek starred in sports as he played varsity hockey and baseball, and Dick Taylor distinguished himself by win- ning the 126-pound title in the Gol- den Gloves Boxing Tournament. Our second year at East was marked by a change in the school’s leadership as Principal F L. Simmons left to be- come a colonel in our armed forces, while James B. Fenwick stepped up to carry on as acting principal. Mean- while, class members continued to win just praise for their efforts. Doris Weber, Eleanor Drotleff and Dorothy Paliska sparkled in dramatics, and Ray Berwald donned the gold uniform of drum major. Athletes now made their bids for the varsity “E” as Neuman, Robison and Colacarro kept on playing good football and Duane Ross won a letter in basketball. The hockey team was aided by a fast-skating Bill Nagie and that gallant goalie, Bob Kellar. Frank Schweitzer won a track mono- gram, and Jack Neuman patrolled the center-field position for the baseball team. Students now began to consider what profession or branch of industry they would enter after graduation. With this in view, we studied books and heard talks by prominent people in the various fields. Now came one of the big moments of our high-school career. At an impressive ceremony toward the close of the 1 1A semester, Sanford Davis, Stella Pastis, Effie Va- mis, June Soeder, Donald Karbo, Flor- ence Kotabish, John Polder and Wil- liam Douglas were received into the East High chapter of the National Honor Society. Now, at last, we were wise old sen- iors. So, to direct our activities in this 12B semester, we chose as lead- ers Bob Cain, .president; Ray Bervvald, vice-president; Myrtle Hamer, secre- tary; Donald Karbo, treasurer; and John Polder, sergeant-at-arms. One of their first successful ventures was the 12B Mixer when we relaxed together, happily forgetting the cares of the classroom. During this semester, new members were inducted into the Na- tional Honor Society. They were Bob Ellison, Doris Weber, Dorothy Paliska and Harriet Witkowski. Soon we re- alized the responsibilities that were now ours when, at the June gradua- tion, Effie Vamis received the mantle of the school for our class. We knew that it was for us to uphold the ideals embodied in the traditions of East High and in her motto. Noblesse Oblige. As we entered upon our 12A semes- ter, we found that a new principal — 5

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COMMITTEES CLASS OFFICERS MIXER Eleanor Drotleff, Chr, Robert Adamich Edward Barcelo Ray Berwald Evelyne Nahra George Razek Dolores Vuick Doris Weber DINNER DANCE Jean Gombert, Chairman Milan Borota Sterling Buesch Carol Fogel Raymond Klug William Nagie Peter Petrovich Ruth Procter Nancy Schafer ROBERT A. “DUDE” DUNN 1191 East 1 14 Street President German Club, Hall Guard HARRIET “BLONDIE” WITKOWSKI 1 1 37 East 78 Street Vice-president Nat’l Honor, St. Council, Laurean, Athenaeum, Pres. Gym Leaders, H. R. Pres., Pres. Commercial Club, Intra- mural Rep., H. R. Sports SENIOR REVUE Sanford Miller. Chr. Edward Barcelo Robert Cain Jean Gombert Dorothy Paliska LOIS ARLINE “LOUIE” MATTHEWS 1422 Vi East 81 Street Secretary St. Council, B. and G., Exodus, Lau- rean, Athenaeum, Commercial Club, Triple Trio, Choral Club, H. R. Pres., H. R. Sports, Commencement Chorus, Senior Revue COMMENCEMENT SCRIPT WRITERS William Douglas Mary Hovany Donald Karbo Raymond Klug June Soeder Effle Vamis SANFORD “FLYNN” MILLER 1301 East Boulevard Treasurer St. Council, Inter-School Conference, Sgt.-at-Arms German Club, Choral Club, Hall Guard, Sec. and Treas. “Hi-Y,” Chrmn. Sr. Revue Script Comm., Chrmn. 12B Mixer, H.S.H. Central Board, H. R. Sports, Sgt.-at- Arms Chem-Cam EXODUS Peter Petrovich, Chairman Milan Borota William Douglas Eleanor Drotleff Jean Gombert Lois Matthews Effie Vamis ROBERT “BOB” ADAMICH 1410 East 52 Street Sergeartt-at-Arms Sec. Lincoln Club, Gym Leader, Sgt.- at-Arms La Fleur de Lys, Math Club, Orchestra, Chem-Cam, Hall Guard, H.S.H. Chrmn., 1 2A Mixer, Sr. Revue — 4 —

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now guided the school. Emmet E. Smeltz came from Lincoln High to be at the helm of East High, and he soon won the friendship and admiration of all the pupils. To head us for “the last round-up,” we chose as officers Bob Dunn, president; Harriet Witkowski, vice-president; Lois Matthews, secre- tary; Sanford Miller, treasurer; and Robert Adamich, sergeant-at-arms. Heading an able Student Council was President John Polder, capably assisted by Vice-President Frank Schweitzer and Raymond Klug, sergeant-at-arms John also led the Lincoln Club, and Donald Karbo held the distinction of being president of the National Honor Society and of the Latin and the Math Clubs. In our backward glance, just praise is due to cheerleaders Bob Cain, John Polder and Peter Petrovich, who braved all kinds of weather in carry- ing out their duties. We would re- member, also, the fine Blue and Cold staff that won national recognition. Among this capable group of journal- ists were Editor-in-Chief Peter Petro- vich, Bob Cain, Mike Rahal, Lois Mat- thews, Frank Schweitzer, Jean Gom- bert, Ralph Cavano and Evelyn Nahra. Class affairs reached a pinnacle wTtbrthe rU3 Night-Mars, which was ■presented by an all-senior cast to a full house on the night of October 29. San- 'ford Miller was in charge of the script committee for the big event. We all will long remember Peter Petrovich and his side-splitting letter, “Dear John”; vocalists Florence Kotabish, Jean Combert, Ruth Forsyth and Bill Pierson (with his multi-colored out- fit) ; sweet trombonist Ralph Cavano, and William Hing and his clarinet. Oh, yes, let’s not forget the Mad Profes- sor! Remember Don Karbo and his blinking light? Credit is due to San- ford Davis and his band, who kept things right “in the groove.” A grand evening ended when the cast filed out on the stage carrying American flags, and the whole audience joined in sing- ing It’s a Grand Old Flag and our na- tional anthem. An important day in this semester for six seniors was the morning of De- cember 1 0, when they were received into the East High chapter of the Na- tional Honor Society. The new in- ductees were Ray Berwald, Eleanor Drotleff, Ray Klug, Peter Petrovich, Frank Schweitzer and Peggy St. Clair, and they were selected because they were outstanding in the qualities of scholarship, leadership, service and character. Taking the part of the Spirit in the ceremony was Dorothy Paliska, and Effie Vamis gave the pro- logue. Stella Pastis represented char- acter; John Polder, leadership; Donald Karbo, service, and Bill Douglas, schol- arship. On the evening of January 9 came the big social event to which every senior class looks forward, the dinner dance. It was at the Tudor Arms Ho- tel that we held our festivities. John Polder acted as toastmaster, and we got a glance into the future when Eleanor Drotleff dusted off her crystal ball and delivered the class prophecy. Also on the program were Mary Ann Lewandowski’s class poem, the class history, and speeches by our principal, Mr. Smeltz, and the presidents of the 12A and 12B classes, Bob Dunn and Bill O’Donnell. The dinner was served at six-thirty, and the fun was carried on into the night as we danced and had a general good time. In the John Hay Auditorium, on January 28, arrived the climax to our adventures together. The subject of our commencement was Aviation, and the theme was carried forward through speeches concerning the pres- ent status of the air world, as well as its future. It was with a sense of re- sponsibility that 117 seniors in caps and gowns received their diplomas, for we realized fully our duties to God and country, and were prepared to do our best. As we leave East to face the world, we must realize that these are not normal times. With the eighteen- year-old draft bill in effect, many of the boys from our class will be in the armed forces shortly after graduation, taking on the responsibilities of man- hood long before the usual time with- out the benefit of the “bridging over” period enjoyed by previous genera- tions. As for the girls, theirs will be the task of carrying on, on the home front. In homes and on assembly lines, they will do their part, in many places replacing fighting men in vital industries. When this business of war is over, however, and we all hope and pray it will be soon, ours will be the job of building a new and better world. It will be then that we shall remember gratefully our high-school education. For the time being, how- ever, “Act well thy part: There all honor lies.” — 6 — FINIS