Grand Junction High School - Tiger Yearbook (Grand Junction, CO)

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MILESTONES « f- 1941 - 42 I SCHOOL Fluorescent lights, new bulletin boards and blackboards, and a counciling room for club meetings were some of the improvements made on the school building this year. A new period system was inaugurated. The classes convened at 8:35; home room period was arranged between the first and second hour, and a sixth period was added as a compulsory study hour. One of the year's outstanding events was the Hidden Talent program sponsored by the Publications department. The Tigers lost the chance to compete for the state football championship when they were defeated in the quarter-final game with the Salida Spartans, 18-0. The wrestling team led by Mr. Whatley copped the state championship by overpowering the strong East Denver team. Students proved that they were behind the defense program 100 per cent by holding patriotic assemblies, buying defense bonds and stamps, sponsoring a war-benefit carnival, and Red Cross dances. LOCAL Grand Junction residents participated actively in home nursing and first aid classes, defense committees and other war work. Plans were made for a canning factory to be erected in Palisade. Since Western Air Lines is establishing a base here, on the route from Las Vegas to Denver, a new airport was built. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL United States had an apathetic attitude toward the war in Europe and Asia until December 7, 1941, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and the Philippine Islands. General MacArthur, with inferior forces and equipment, is still holding the Philippines. The fall of Hong Kong and Singapore formed another step in the tragic battle. As a result of America's actual participation in the war, citizens were forced to make sacrifices. Draft laws were made more rigid, the sugar and rubber shortages became acute, taxes were increased, and prices boomed. On the European front the tides have reversed against Germany. The Russians have repulsed the Germans and are driving them off from Russian soil. Instead of Germany invading the British Isles, it now appears that Britain is planning an invasion of the continent.