Hamtramck High School - Cosmos Yearbook (Hamtramck, MI)

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Q jr, aa U an . . . CLASS HISTORY In the fall of 1931, a train of the Hamtramck Public School line puffed into the station at the suburban city of Hamtramck. About a thousand stu- dents boarded the train. There were some seriously bent on acquiring know- ledge, others had musical talents, still others were destined to be popular ath- letes and orators. There were tall and short students, broad and thin students -all equal on that train-all with the same purpose imbedded in mind. All aboard 1 shouted the school principal, E. M. Conklin, and the train pulled out of the station. flt must be said at this point that since then we have never heard Mr. Conklin shout.J It took but a short time for the pas- sengers to become acquainted with their new surroundings and the many un- familiar faces. Some of the students were prepared for study at the outset of the journey and the number was increased as time passed. The recreation car became a favorite haunt of Al Sosnowski, Marion Thompson and Stanley Si- kora, in particular. By this time, the passengers began to display marked tendencies in cer- tain lines. Mitchell Chojnowski strived to become a business man. Edwin Pezda's ideal involved athletics. Sabina Kisielewski aspired to become a school teacher. Ignatius Pupka, in spite of unfavorable indications, vowed to place his name among the immortal lawyers of the country. Casimir Klewicki became popularly known as Casey and felt a keen urge to displace his brother from the sport spotlight. Then, without warning, came the frightful bank crisis in Michigan. Stan- ley Sikora lost his dime bank and Harry Demesko has only recently recovered from the shock of losing the tremendous amount of eighty cents! The locomo- tive puffed on, however, tugging its valuable cargo. It passsed through a ten- below-zero wave in the February of 1933 and the following month Theodore Matey walked off with the school honors in declamation. At Junior Class Junction, a few more students departed, but this number was considerably less than before. With half of the important trip completed, the passengers prepared themselves for a busy social season. Efforts at class organization found Edwin Pezda president and Mr. Alex. Mentlikowski sponsor. Plans for the first social function were drawn up and on November 18, 1933, a most enjoyable and successful J-Hop was held. Rosalie Redlin was granted a stop-over permit to relate her Michigan Tuberculosis Society essay over WMBC to win third place in the state. -SQ.

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Q was GDM U ' A W' ., ., . 'um CLASS HISTORY fcontinuedj On the lonely observation car, enjoying the sights, were Vivian Adams and Frank Salley. Joe Petrow and Peter Kitzenski were becoming popular as prac- tical jokers. Matt Haamen's whistle took the train by storm. It was at this time that Theodore Matey began practicing for his operettic career and Virginia Merecki began using the soap of beautiful women which was later destined to bring her the title of the prettiest girl in the class. Banging on a typewriter in the remotest corner of the compartment, preparing himself for journalism, was Stanley Pawlik. It seemed that all of the important positions in the world would be filled by the June '35 graduates! The passengers filed out faithfully to see Hamtramck take the city foot- ball crown in December of 1934, aided greatly by Harry Demesko, Casey Kle- wicki, Bruno Mas, Marion Thompson and others. And then, finally, came the last stop before that end of the line -gradua- tion-and the dazed students found themselves Seniors-the supercilious Seni- ors! The great moment arrived and class elections were a breathless business -Mitchell Chojnowski was proclaimed president over Edwin Pezda. Mary Ku- bala became vice-president, Stella Zadroga, secretaryg Edward Mikrut, business manager for the fourth consecutive semester, Stanley Maksymowicz, treasurer g and Joe Rowinski and Frank Salley, sergeants-at-arms. Their chests swelled when Theodore Matey and Stella Zadroga talked themselves into the state eli- minations before losing a debate to River Rouge. And, eventually, came spring! Stephany Krecioch started Writing poetry, Stanley Sikorski declared himself in love, John Sliwa was absent two days a week and Irene Olejniczak began to look dreamy-eyed. Why, even Mr. Mentli- kowski began appearing at the study hall first hour a bit late. After several noisy discussions, peach and blue were selected as the class colors--coral peach and lotus blue. Excelsior, forever, that inspiring phrase, was selected as an appropriate motto. The talisman rose was the most popular flower and caps and gowns were rejected. On May 1, 2, and 3 the class presented Along Came Peggy with Mary Sokoluk and John Werenski in the leading roles. It was a huge success and laughter reigned supreme at the performances. The Senior Prom, featuring Benny Kyte and his Golden Tower Orchestra, held May 18, was the most im- portant event of the social season. Then there was the never-to-be forgotten day when the Seniors played hockey at the traditional skip day. One week after the Senior Farewell, on June 6, the OVGI' four hundred OC- cupants of the train step out into the world. It has been a lovely, enjoyable journey. We have few regrets at leaving. Excelsior fo1ivvf:l'. June T351 . 51 . '

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Y U W . o o o 'Um CLASS PROPHECY - fContinueaD Olga Luszczynski is one up on Fritz Kriesler and Ernie and his Wolverines have signed a radio contract which should boost their bank accounts. Louise Eidymt and Irene Rochek chaperon Hamtramck debutants. Speaking of soci- ety, Irene Mendrzyk and Eugenia Rasinski are the season's outstanding matrons. Leona Pietraskiewicz, after having received such excellent experience mak- ing faces at her classmates, is now a television artist, starring in ghost and mystery stories where her services are required. Harry Mirek has more than he can take care of in the person of his athlete companion, Clara Borowicz. Mary Third Degree Borchak has turned all tables and become the only woman judge in Michigan. People who think that only eggs get hard-boiled don't know Mary. After having raised Cain in Europe for some two years, Peter Kitzen- ski is back in the U.S.A. and planning to settle down. Josephine Hodas and Lu- cille Borowski are in charge of an orphanage for girls and the young dears fthe children, of coursej provide interesting material for the novel they are writing. And what about our sponsor? Mr. Mentlikowski is teaching the classi- cal languages at the U. of M. ,49L