Hastings High School - Saxon Yearbook (Hastings, MI)

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On September 7, 1949, Hastings High came alive once more. After a short summer of idle- ness she was all decked out in new paint to greet the shining faces of 603 students, a record enroll- ment. New to H.H.S., besides the “freshies,” were five faculty members: Mrs. Williams, Miss J. Smith, Miss Y. Smith, Mr. Hulbert, and Mr. Withers. It wasn’t long before the old brain factory was rolling again. Coach Hanson’s Saxon gridmen, who had begun practicing a week before, were becoming accustomed to their lot, de- termined to do their best for Hastings High. The seventy-five member band, under the direction of Lewis Hine, would be led this year by Arkie Meinert, as soon as a long enough uniform could be obtained. As September rolled into October, Stan Pierce was elected captain of the football squad. Also about this time the pheasant hunters began look- ing foreward to October IS, for on that day they could go hunting without facing the dreaded blue slip on their return. The Saxon football team won cheers as they chalked up the first win ol the season over the Grand Ledge Comets. On October 16, Miss Julia Smith and Myrna Knowles simultaniously gave a sigh of relief, for they had been working their heads to the bone over the “Spotlight” since September. Now it was over, and a credit to those who gave their time and talentf?). As October gave way to November, football gave way to basketball. Bob Bradford was destined to become captain of the varsity quintet. The Ag-He departments were also busy, for they were to hold the annual open house on November 12. Pat Davis and Bernard Neubert were chair- men of the fair. Not to be outdone the music department presented the fall concert of Novem- ber 19, with glee clubs, choir, and band partici- pating. The next night was the first school party, presented by the F.A.A. So for all social pur- poses, fall danced out of the picture at the Autumn Swirl.

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FA

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Spotlight on U. S. DEBATE Identification — Seated — Neva Bryans, H. Stebbins, E. Gwinn, Miss J. Smith, coach, R. Silvernaii. Standing — A. Voisard, W. Cortrighr. Beginning her first year as debate coach at Hastings High, Miss Julia Smith turned in a re- markable job. With only two debators returning from last year’s squad she turned out a team that finished the season with four wins and four loses. With the presentation of the annual “Spot light” taking much of their time, the squad had until November to prepare themselves on this year’s topic, “Resolved: that the United Nations now be revised into a federal world government.” They were helped in this task by a debate forum held at Lansing Eastern High School, which featured a debate by University of Michigan team. The H.H.S. debaters opened their league season in good fashion by winning both debates with Portland. At Grand Ledge and Kalamazoo they split with their opponents, winning one debate at each encounter. At the end of the season, how- ever, the Hastings teams met two powerful Muskegon Heights teams, and came out the losers in both debates. Six students were given awards for participation in league debates. They are Helen Stebbins, com- peting for the second year, and Myrna Knowles, Roberta Silvernaii, Evelyn Gwinn, Janet Osborn, and Dona Young, all competing for the first time. The 1948 Spotlight titled by the debate class, “Spotlight on U. S.” proved to be a big success; many called it “the best in years.” Scenes ranged from a distorted version of the Boston Tea Party and New Orleans sidewalk cafe to the Radio City Act crammed with musical talent. Bonnie Singleton and Blanche Belsito as “Sadie and Clem,” and Dick Carl’s novelty band entertained between some acts. But the queer little man who kept things going until every cur- tain rose was Looie. Protrayed excellently by Bill Cortright, in shorts and garters, he sucked pickles, ate odds and ends, and adlibbed when his lines didn’t quite fill the space. General chairman was Myrna Knowles assisted by the acts chairman, Helen Stebbins, publicity chairman Janet Osborn and other committees consisting of debaters. The audience was generally pleased with the whole production and future Spotlights will have to be worked on to reach the success of 1948.