Hastings High School - Saxon Yearbook (Hastings, MI)

Page 23 text:

Now it can be told SIGNS OF THE TIMES Football season was well under way, as could be seen by the abundance of black eyes and sore muscles of the seniors, who formed the bulwark of the team. On December 6, the class presented the senior play, “The Whoofenpoof.” Christmas vacation came and went and in spite of their splitting headaches (maybe because of New Year’s Eve) the students resumed their studies until the fate- ful week of January when the real headaches came, semester exams-Oh! All went well until we received our report cards. That ended that. In order to do something quick, the class then elected Cliff Dolan to manage things. Reynolds Cordes assisted Cliff in the reformation. Betty Patten interpreted her notes to the class, and Dorotha Smith signed the receipts. Basketball season swamped us. We just about won the tournaments, but — oh well! We can dream can’t we? Noragene Nielsen showed out- standing scholastic ability by placing fifth in the Pepsi Cola Scholarship test in Michigan. Vonda Webb was singularly honored by being chosen as the D. A. R. representative from Hastings. Spring rolled around again and thoughts turned to track, baseball, and perhaps even love. Senior privileges, spring dances, and the last J-Hop sped by in rapid succession until almost before 102 seniors knew it, the Doomsday Book came out, signaling the final week of their school days. Those last days were a flurry of activity. Bac- calaureate, final exams, and marching practices made the dream a reality. In their last fling the seniors let go with a rollicking Class night per- formance. Finally, after four years, the big day arrived. With a last procession of caps and gowns the seniors marched slowly down the aisle and, for the last time, mounted the stage. Colors: Green and White First Semester Robert Sharpe.......... Reynolds Cordes........ Betty Cappon........... Helen Walldorff........ Mrs. Garth Underwood Mr. Carl Damson....... CLASS OF 1948 OFFICERS ...president... .vice-president ...secretary... ...treasurer... ....adviser.... ....adviser.... Flower: White Rose Second Semester ....Clifford Dolan ...Reynolds Cordes .....Betty Patten ...Dorotha Smith Mrs. Mary Phyne ..Mr. Carl Damson SENIOR HONOR LIST 1. Clifford Dolan.......................2.887 2. Richard Groos.........................2.875 3. Vonda Webb............................2.68C 4. Noragene Nielsen ....................2.662 5. Reynolds Cordes .....................2.643 6. Alan Rider............................2.600 7. Lachlan Foster ......................2.539 8. Helen Walldorff ......................2.528 9. Frances Foote .......................2.472 10. Dorothy Bower .......................2.375 11. Carl Moore ..........................2.300 12. Robert Spillane .....................2.292 13. Neil Will ...........................2.278 14. Marylyn Wensloff.....................2.222 15. Alton Bennett .......................2.208 16. Barbara Welton.......................2.176 17. Kathleen Shellington ................2.143 18. Norma Hollister .....................2.125 19. Norma Ashdon ........................2.069 20. Phyllis Ritzman ......................2.026 21. Julianne Cooper ......................2.025

Page 22 text:

RECORD OF CLASS OF 1948 — After being introduced to the whole school, the 1944 freshmen, with characteristic pep, elected Bob Branch, president; Ken Smith, vice-president; Mary Jo Baulch, secretary; and Vonda Webb, treasurer. In those long-ago days we were still very much at war, and the freshmen were the first to reach 100 per cent participation in war stamps sales. Frantic appeals for waste paper were being made by the harried Public Service commission, and the class of ’48 responded with their usual enthusiasm. The arrival of the “Examiner” provided many a chuckle and muttered curse by panning the incumbent “Boss” Dolan administration. Not much came of it, Dolan didn’t resign, the editors were exposed, and the freshmen got ideas. The young lads showed the school what was to come in athletics. Dick Clark, Dick Allerding, and Bob Branch showed up well in football. Spring saw the un- usual occurrence of two freshmen, Lee Christiansen and Bob Branch, winning let- ters in track. When the second semester fight for office came around, Alton Bennett was awarded the chair, Owen Thomas was ready when Bennett dozed off, Norma Hol- lister took the pen, and Helen Walldorff took the money. Bitter tears were shed when the compulsory declamation contest failed to materialize, and the freshies were let off scotfree. The last real clean-up day for many years to come had the whole school win- dow-washing, wall-wiping, and slop-mopping to the tune of “My Gal’s A Corker.” And so it happened that the freshmen became sophomores without much noticeable change ex- cept a pronounced increase in self-importance. When time for passing out offices came, Alton retained his hard-won position, Marylyn Wensloff took the second spot, Reynolds Cordes was secre- tary, and Neil Will, treasurer. For their ability up in the guard spots, Ron Martin and Dick Allerding were awarded football letters. Lee Christiansen, Bill Kruko, and Bob Branch were the mainsprings of the reserve bas- ketball team, while Lee, Bob, and Neil Will took track honors, and Dick Allerding shone on the diamond. Ken Smith showed himself to be a good poli- tician when he served as school traffic commis- sioner. Numerous sophomores were almost stricken with brain short-circuits when the decla- mation contests came up. After spouting blue fire for weeks and then suffering the eliminations, our representatives lost in the final round, to two freshmen. Came second semester, Lach Foster talked his way into the presidency, Marylyn held fast, Jane Mullen took the secretaryship, and Carol Good- year became treasurer. Despite frantic attempts to stop it, a sophomore inspired cap and paper-wad throwing spree spread like wild fire. It was finally checked only after having reached gigantic pro- portions by the stern action of the front office. The third year rolled around fast and found more and more ’48ers hitting the line, and rack- ing up points on the basketball floor. To lead this energetic class we chose the following officers: Ken Smith, president; Marylyn Wensloff, vice- president; Frances Foote, secretary; and Norma Hollister, treasurer. This year was a full one for the class. They produced the smashing hit, “Our Town,” as the junior play under the direction of Mr. Alfred “Skip” Hinckley. Dick Groos did a super-swell job as stage manager and in interpreting the play, which was acted out on a scenery-less stage. The second semester was off with a bang, as the Dirty Deal party came into power with Dick Groos as the one in command. Betty Patten was next in line in case Groos was bumped off. Alan Rider printed and ran off with the green stuff, while Cliff Dolan kept books. The J-Hop centered around the theme “Star- dust,” which was portrayed by a star-shaped gar- den in the center of the floor. The juniors, headed by Betty Patten as general chairman, worked exceedingly hard but were well re- awarded. Spring athletics saw juniors playing a big part on our championship track and baseball teams. As time went by we were finally labeled “digni- fied seniors” — seniors, anyway. To represent our class in the all school offices the D. D. P. was defeated by Neil Will, as mayor, Norma Hollister, sanitary engineer; Chuck Trues- dell, chief justice; Bob Branch, public service chief; and Ken Smith, traffic manager. Class officers for the first semester of the last year were Bob Sharpe, better known by his friends and enemies and “Rube,” taking the “honorary” position. (After the D. D. P. the of- fice wasn't honorary. It was too much work rais- ing money.) Reynolds Cordes was runner-up, Betty Cappon pushed the pencil at class meet- ings, and Helen Walldorff rook care of the funds. Well-off with this good start, the “WHEELS” began to roll.

Page 24 text:

SENIOR WILL — We, the senior class of the year of our Lord, one thousand, nine hundred, and forty-eight, do hereby bequeath to less fortunate underclassmen and concerned other parties many of our characteristics and idiosyncrasies which have marked us throughout our high school career. I, Richard Allerding, leave my pitching ability to Robert Seay. I, Jeanne Anderson, leave my quietness to Phyllis Bugbee. 1, Juanita Arnold, leave for Ray — I wish. 1, Norma Ashdon, leave my ability to appreciate Miss Robson to all freshmen. I, Joane Baulch, leave my feuds with Mr. Rein- hardt in government to anyone who likes to read “story books.” I, Gerald Beckwith, leave my trips out of town to Gordon Finnie. I, Alton Bennett, leave my nickname “Boliver” to anyone who can stand it. I, Dorothy Bower, leave my job in the library to those who like cats. I, Cecil Boyer, leave my trips through the tunnel to anyone who can find his way around in the dark. I, Robert Branch, leave my self-assured ways to Chuck Jaksec, if he needs them. I, Geraldine Brown, leave my love for horses to Lou Ann Scobey. I, James Bridleman, leave my voice to Helen Stebbins. I, Robert Bryans, leave for my job at Krogers. I, Barbara Burkholder, leave my penmanship to anyone who will take it off my hands. I, Duward Cain, leave my shoes to anyone who can carry them around. I, Maebelle Cain, leave Lloyd to no one. 1, Betty Cappon, leave my first name and pep to Betty Fuller. I, Leland Christiansen, leave Margaret, but — I, Robert Christie, leave my ability to sleep in government class to those who stay out late. I, Richard Clark, leave my spirit to Ed Barrett. I, Norman Clinton, leave nothing. I’ll take it all with me. I, Norma Colledge, will take my diamond with me. I, Richard Cook, leave my height to Arkie Meinert. 1, Julianne Cooper, leave my nickname to the chickens. I, Reynolds Cordes, leave my position as manager of the basketball team to David Carrigan. I, William Cotant, leave my long walks to any one with enough ambition to take them. I, Robert Cunningham, will not leave “Margie.” I, Vern Curtiss, leave my car to those who don’t have one. I, lack DeFoe, leave my dark curly hair to Eve- lyn Gwinn. 1, Kathryn Denny, leave my size to Sally Brand- stetter. I, Clifford Dolan, leave the key to anyone who can find it. I, Eva Eaton, leave my studious-looking glasses to those who want to study. I, Frances Foote, leave to join Hand (s). I, Lachlan Foster, leave my varsity sweater to my dad. I, Beverly Fountain, leave my telephone calls to those who can pay for them. I, Mae Gardner, leave my art drawings to Bur- dette Kidder. I, Carol Goodyear, leave all my men to shift for themselves. I, Richard Groos, leave for permanent member- ship in the Strong Men’s Club of America. I, William Gross, leave my reasons for tardiness to my sister. I, Harland Guernsey, leave my soda jerking to any jerk who needs a job. 1, Norma Hollister, leave my voice to the future Spotlight. 1, Joseph Hubert, leave my basketball experience to David Steinke. I, Jerald Hurless, leave to plant watermelons. I, Robert Johncock, leave my trombone to the guy whose head I bump in band. 1, Keith Keeler, leave my ability to play pool to Gary Earl. I, Mary Ellen Kelly, leave my outspoken ways to all the timid underclassmen. I, Vera Kidder, leave, my weight-lifting to Louise Harry. 1, Karl “Bill” Kruko, leave my long shots to Bob Smith.