Emerson High School - Emersonian Yearbook (Gary, IN)

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Are Essential for Good School Spirit Excited Homecoming fans cheer their team onward. Those boys participating in varsity sports were not the only ones privileged enough to have cheer¬ leaders. The reserve cheerleaders did a commend¬ able job in getting the pre-game crowds to cheer for the reserve teams. Appearing at the pep sessions, they reminded people to come early to the game and back the reserves. Emphasizing the fact that the reserves would be Emerson’s future varsity team, the reserve cheerleaders helped draw larger crowds to the games with the promise of two exciting games, instead of one. Homecoming always drew large crowds of exu¬ berant fans, and it seems that no matter who the opponents were, Homecoming was always the most exciting game of the year. Emerson girls, wearing their gold mums, and Emerson boys, always shout¬ ing encouragement to the team, seemed to enjoy themselves regardless of the weather or the outcome of the game. The dance following also drew large crowds of both Emersonians and Emerson alumni. It served as a perfect ending to a perfect evening. RESERVE CHEERLEADERS—1 to r: Nancy King; Dawn Davies, head; Carol Ignelzi; and Mary Parnell.

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VARSITY CHEERLEADERS—1 to r: Charlice Cline; Bridget Hennessy; Johine Ignelzi, head; Pat Burns; and An¬ toinette Bodnar. Emerson Varsity and Reserve Cheerleaders Just as school spirit was an essential part of school life, so were the cheerleaders essential for good school spirit. Sponsored by the Booster Com¬ mittee and headed by senior Johine Ignelzi, the varsity cheerleaders did their best to make the crowd come alive and cheer. The pep sessions, held after school on game days, really pepped things up and put the cheering block in the right mood. Even be¬ fore school started, the cheerleaders were busy learn¬ ing new techniques and cheers. These new cheers made the games more interesting and exciting for everyone. Whether the basketball games were at Memorial Auditorium or at the other team’s gym, there were always Emersonians there to back the team. Many students gave up their nights out or even brought their dates along to the games so as not to miss a single, exciting game. This enthusiasm showed, with¬ out a doubt, that Emerson possessed tremendous school spirit, something no school should be without. Basketball games draw many excited fans. 12

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Familiar Haunts Frequented by Emersonians “M-m-m, good!” say hungry Emersonians at the Flamingo Lounge. During the 1962-63 school year, there were three places which attracted Emersonians during the week and on the week-ends. The Dunkenburger, located on Route 12-20, was the gathering place of students after the Chapel of the Dunes dances or Saturday night dates. Here, students stopped to exchange the latest news, meet friends from other schools, and enjoy the teen-age favorites—hamburgers and french fries. Another attraction to Emersonians was Polly’s, a local restaurant. Emersonians laughed and talked while listening to the latest record hits and drink¬ ing a Coke or Pepsi. This small, wood-paneled stu¬ dent haven housed students before school began, during lunch periods, and at the end of a tiring school day. On game nights, the Flamingo, a local pizza palace, was the gathering point for Emersonians celebrating a victory or mourning a defeat. Almost every Emersonian can remember table-hopping and enjoying pizzas or beef sandwiches with Seven-Ups or Cokes. 14