Ionia High School - Ionian Yearbook (Ionia, MI)

Page 25 text:

Brighten Our Year John’s sleepish grin and quiet charm are well-known to all. From Raphoe County, Donegal, Ireland, or Eire, as the Irish prefer, came Joy Bell to live with the C. G. Harwood’s for a year. Taking well the usual taunts about leprechauns and the Blarney Stone, Joy settled down, and received such academically superior grades that she was invited to join the National Honor Society. Her most serious interest outside of the classroom is music, particularly singing. She also enjoys swimming, hockey, tennis, and reading. Domestic at heart, Joy also likes to cook and sew although she has not had much chance to pursue these interests this year. Joy plans to become a nurse, and hopes some day to return to America. Attending Ionia High School this year was John Melin, an exchange student from Oulu, Finland, who stayed with the family of Ed Laar-man. John, who speaks Finnish, Swedish, German, and English, proved his academic superiority, being initiated into the National Honor Society. He also participated in varsity sports and was a member of the Key Club. His favorite hobbies are skiing, hockey, and drawing. John plans to further his education in Finland and become a doctor. His smiling face and delicious sense of humor will long be remembered by students of IHS. Relaxing in the home of her American parents, Joy's face glows with friendly warmth. 21

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Exchange Students Lars Bolander, a native of Hammerdal, Sweden, and living with the Clifford Hales for a period of one year, showed himself to be a skilled photographer while a student at Ionia High School. His interest in photography soon became noticed by all who knew him. for everywhere that Lars went, his camera went also. When his talent in this area was discovered, he was asked to become official photographer for the Spotlight. A young man who is interested in almost everything, by his own admission, Lars also enjoys playing tennis very much. When Lars returns to Sweden, he still has schooling and military service to complete, and then will study in preparation for becoming a doctor. Lars states that Sweden and America are much alike, and that he will never forget the wonderful times he had in this country. Lars' interest ranges from photography to jazz. Paul Guenther came from Germany, as an exchange student, to live with senior John Odinga and his family. Quickly accepted by fellow students, Paul showed a great interest in sports, participating in gymnastics and later in track. Hunting appealed to him, as did the game of golf, which he had not had an opportunity to try at home. After semester marks were announced in February, Paul was initiated into the National Honor Society. On his return home he plans to continue his studies towards becoming a doctor of medicine. His friends and classmates are confident that he will be a good one. 20 Paul demonstrates his domestic ability.

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German-exchange student Brigetta Graebor and Doug Redick pass by our camera during the grand march. Junior Prom Is Enchanted Evening” Linda Cooper, Jerry Stedman, Vickie McMahon and Mitch Skelding pause for re-freshment. 22