Elston High School - Elstonian Yearbook (Michigan City, IN)

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MAJOR ISAAC C. ELSTON Isaac C. Elston 5

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Plodding through the snow came a man with a certain gleam in his eyes. Crossing Lafayette Street he headed for the sheltered confines of the A. K. Smith Career Center. He hadn't seen the building in years but it still looked like its old, institutional self. Brushing off the snow on his battered army jacket, which had a peace sign inscribed on the back and numerOus ecology and stop the war patches on it, he entered. Running his fingers through his shoulder length hair, he at once noticed it was the same as he remembered: Nurse's office to the left, speckled linoleum floor and the display cases filled with some kind of articles. It even smelled the same. The visitor gazed at his surroundings and slowly headed up the stairs as if in search of someone. A few moments later he descended the stairs with a look of disappointment. He apparently had not found who he was looking for and so he sought out the aid of a hall monitor. Unable to find one. the stranger saw a student meander- ing down the hallway. Clearing his throat he inquired. Could you help me? 'lMaybe I can and maybe I can't. shot back the wander- er. I'm looking for Duke Johns, could you tell me where he is? CQNO.7I Getting impatient with the indifferent tone of the adoles- cent, the man tried to keep calm by gritting his teeth, smiling and asked, Why? Because he went to teach at another school and I don't know what school it is, That's why. Hey, don't you read the newspaper? It was in there. No. I haven't read the News-Dispatch lately. You see, I moved away as soon as I graduated a few years back and just returned yesterday. So I haven't heard anything that's been going on here in Michigan City. Since I was in town I thought I'd visit. I don't blame you for not reading the paper. Last year they had in there that the theme of the prom was the Gay 905 but the real theme was the Roaring 20's. Boy was the Junior class hot after that happened, smirked the student as she looked back. Anyhow, as the alumnus tried to get back on the sub- ject, I guess I'll go over to the academic building and visit Mr. Adams. I'll never forget those thrilling basketball games he provided us, those rousing pep sessions, those rousing cheers, those . . You can't seem him here, blurted out the student. Why not? demanded the visitor. He's gone. He's principal out at Rogers and Mr. Steinke is Head Basketball Coach now. The visitor stood with a glazed look in his eyes. Hardly audible, he mumbled, He's gone? Mr. Adams gone? That is unbelievable. Mr. Adams principal of of of that other school? Yep. replied the student definitely. 4 Isaac C. Elston But why? Why did he go? muttered the alumnus. I guess he just got sick of red and white, quipped the student. It seems so unreal. It's like the saying. America is base- ball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet. What? Well. Elston is basketball, Mr. Adams, Harriet, and Mr. Jones and you always expect it to stay that way. Speaking of Mr. Jones, I think I'll go pop in and see him. You'll have to go to the administration building to do that, said the student as she started to walk away since she was bored with the whole conversation. Why there? You're not going to tell me he isn't principal anymore are y0u Okay I won't. He isn't? shouted the visitor as he went running down the hall to catch up with her. Sure isn't. Mr. Harbart is the til guy now. Mr. Jones was offered a job on the school administration and he accepted It. Wow! Three blows in one day, I don't know if I can take it. Tell me is Harriet still here? Oh yeah, she's still here, the wanderer reassrued. At least something is still held sacred around here! he sighed. You should see what other new things are here this year. We have a new Physical Education Building with a pool, remodeled science labs, lots of new teachers around and we are now a four year high school complete with a new set of Freshmen. The alumnus stood flabbergasted. How can they do this to good ol' Isaac C? That's another thing, they dropped the Isaac C. and we are now known as Michigan City Elston High School. So many changes. I sure am glad I graduated when I did. How can there be any spirit with Mr. Jones and Mr. Adams gone. And all these changes, Elston is surely going to lose its sense of tradition! What? I cannot believe you are saying that. You even say you graduated from here. We still have our famOus spirit even thOugh Mr. Jones and Mr. Adams aren't here. Oh yeah we miss them but we're proud of what they have achieved. To keep from becoming stagnant you must keep changing and Elston has gone through a great metamorpha- sis in the past year. The world is constantly changing and to keep up we cannot dwell on our past for long. We must keep our minds open and accept alterations in the situations around us. Or we will be so wound up in the past that we will never be a part of the present. With that the bell rang and the student sprinted off to class before the alumnus could react. He stood among the marching students with a look of deep thought but then erased it and headed for the doors. On his way out he saw a garbage container near the door, paused, removed his coat, threw it in and left.

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The seasons change from summer to winter and so the trees begin their long drop into hibernation. They slowly freeze until the sap in their veins ceases flowing. But come spring, the warm Sun will once again bring life to the trees. The day changes from bright sunlight to the darkness of night and so the City falls to sleep. Traffic will almost stop until dawn. Then the rays will resurrect the town and the streets will come alive. Is this also Man's cycle?