Hancock Place High School - Momento Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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0 Zideaounea' pealffo . . . THE SKYSCRAPEH--SYMBOL OF AMERICA When we secured our independence from England, we found ourselves still tied to Europe'sapron strings. Even our Capitol in Washington was designed by foreigners be- cause they were considered the best archi- ECCIZS. We gradually developed the art of de- signing buildings. We imitated several styles but wanted something original. When we finally developed astructure,we start- led the world wdtdnthe tall, graceful lines of the skyscraper. It is logical that we should compare something thus purely American with our ideal and way of life. Our skyscraper has forty-eight stories. Texas, being the largest, is on the ground floor and the other forty-seven rise into the sky according to size. The smallest, Rhode Island, being on top. The steel braces are the government imbedded in concrete and based on solid rock. The concrete and rock are the rights of men and the sacred freedoms on which our government is based. This structure would be useless without the brickswhichsurround it. These are the people. The mortar is the American spirit which holds the people together. The windows are our -lookout on the world. The clear panes of glass, our free press, are never blackened by the suppression of the news. The doors, which we find ever open, are the right to come and go as we please. The floorboards are our freedoms. We walk over them day by day and never really realize what they mean to us. It is only when the termites chew into the wood and a board breaks that we realize how valu- able they are. Under the Federal Constitution, a state can do what it wishes so long as it con- forms with Federal law. Thus we find the various floors ofour'skyscraper developing their own personalities. For instance, if a state wants strict marriage laws and legalized gambling that is its privilege. Our forefathers left us this building in sacred trust. we must constantly be on the alert against the termites which would destroy it from within. It is up to us to make sure no rust collects on the steel girders of government by our electing the wrong officials. We must make sure the bricks are held securely in place and any chipped mortar is quickly repaired. It is only by caring for this building that we can leave for our children that precious heritage of democracy that has ever made our America a beacon of hope to a troubled world. Lana Sue Welker Class of '53 THE EXODUS The glance at a clock, The ring of a bell, And awakening students Stampede pell mell. They dash out of rooms Slamming the doors, Hun to their lockers On o e of three floors. They throw in their books, And pull out some more, Then grab the jackets Or caps which they wore. They stop for awhile Tb chat with a pal, And continue on With 8 big fat smile. Then a sudden ieace And you askf'why?' Oh, of course,' you say, Three o'clock's gone by.' Mary Ann Blake Class of '53 TREE BESIDE THE ROAD Straight and sturdy md stalmch it stands, Its life not affected by uman h nds. Its branches not burdened by the day's sorrows, It patiently waits for the brighter tannrrows. Tiller it grows throughout the years, Thru the Sun's smile and the rain's tears. It uttersnoounplaint when colu winds blow, As it rests contentedly in the drifting snow. Iiohumn being could endure what it nustg No lowly man could show such trusm No doubting woman could carry life's load As does that sturdy tree beside the road. Shirley Schneiderbeinze

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e 0070, ZZ our Jiking THE WHISPERING WINDS The whispering winds are here once more Murmuring soft me1odies round my door 'Ihex whispering winds that bring content The swaying breezes that God has sent, The ranpant waves no longer leap As the soothing winds lull them to sleep, Stately trees sway to the sighing tune That the whispering winds softly croon, Peace- has come with this comforting breeze, Peace to the waves and eace to the trees. 1 P A' message of canfort, of peace, and content In this whispering wind that God has sent. , Slirley Schneiderheinze - - Class of '53 HELP! TARZAN? HELP? 'Ihere I was, lost in the wildsof central Africa, not knowing which way to turn! Everywhere I looked I saw dense thick un- derbrush and towering trees that in many places completely hid the s1m's rays, And the maddening noises - that incessant chattering of the monkeys in the trees, the howl of ajungle beast in the distance, the- whirring humning sound of the swarming insects, and, worst of all, the continuous beat of the tribal drums. Theybwere after me! I had escaped from them and I knew that they wou1dn't stop lmtil they had found me, 'Ihe sun beat down mercilessly and several times I fell from utter exhaustion, but each time managed to struggle to my feet because I knew that my only hope for survival was to keep moving. Onward and onward I ran, a lone unarmed woman striving to keep alive when every muscle and nerve in my body was crying out Stop and rest for just a little while. Trying hard not to pay attention to my fa- tigue, I repeated over and Q-ver to myself, If I can only make it back to camp--if I cm only make it back to canpf' Theabrmnbles and briars in the under- growth became groping, clutching fingers reaching eagerly for me as I passed, tear- ing angrily into my arms and legs, leaving trickles of blood, but still I pressed on. The drwns were getting louderandthat-mon- otone echoed in my throbbing head, boon... boom...boom...boom! My brain was spinning dizzily, beads of perspiration lined my forehead, and my ragged clothing was hot, damp, and sticky. The sound of the drums grew more loud and I had the strange uneasy feeling that I was being watched, either by a native or a hungry lioness. I stared about me and saw nothing, but that feeling would not leave me--someone or something was watch- ing every move I made. Faster I ran, furi- ously fighting the vines and barriers of nature that lay before me and safety. Then I 'tripped and fell. All of a sudden, every- thing was hushed and sti1l.' It was quiet, deathly quiet, and I lay there afraid to open my eyes. I became aware that whatever had been watching me was now leaning over me: I could hear it breathingafiealizing that this was the end, I slowly opened my eyes and there, hovering over me, was.g... my mother saying, Fay, get up and get dressed! You're going to be late- for school! Hurry now! ! l Fay Thrasher - - Class of '52 THANKS I have often wondered, --Maybe you have too-- Why teachers want to be teachers When there's other things to do. They have college educations, They could do just lots of things, Yet, they' re satisfied to help us find The success that knowledge-brings. 'lhey sacrifice their leisure hours, --Grading papers can't be fun-- And what thanks do they get -----Absolutely none! So I for one, would like to say, Thanks , for all the help you' ve given, And- may you someday be rewarded, If not on earth,--- -------- in heaven! Fay Thrasher - - Class of '52

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fgeffko P0177 me WQYZFQ e e 7 Tris, lhyllis, and Marcella of yesteryear. Richard Thomas prepares for an occupation. ThP Four Acesn--a popular foursome Norma J. and Peggy P., two slick chicks. Miss Hensley,our'new physical ed. teacher. Basking in the spoils of athletic victory Ruth Bradley entertains the student body This good friend pays us a weekly visit The prospect of a pleasant day lies ahead A congenialand popularbrother-sister team rw F 9 we v x. p X W ., XX, xy, N it X . '-