Laurel Valley High School - Laurel Yearbook (New Florence, PA)

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Dear Diary, As I sit here thinking of the past, many fond memories come to mind of my classmates and the many wonderful days we spent together at L.V.H.S. It just seems like yesterday when we came together as freshmen in a newly formed jointure. We were practically all strangers then, but it wasn’t long at all until everyone became friends. Since we were a large group, consisting of seventy-six members, we were divided into two sections; but we still stuck together in spirit. The extra-curricular activities seemed to hold quite an added interest for our class. The freshmen were soon represented in almost everything, whether it was on the football squad, basketball team, band, chorus, the Hi-Lite staff, or even the honor roll. Yes, the honor roll appeared to be quite an appeal, too, for we’ve always had our share of names appearing on the list. This year, in spite of all the fun we had, we were also faced wtth a tragedy when one of our classmates, Jim Gibson, was killed while hunting. We all missed him terribly then and still hold the fond memory of his friendship in our hearts. With one year of high school behind us, we returned to Laurel Valley full of pep and ready for our sophomore year. With the beginning of this year, we were sorry to see that a few of our classmates had fallen by the wayside. The time came for the magazine campaign and with determined minds we really went to town. The 10-1 section won the ice cream party, but 10-2 also helped to share the honors. And of course, Christmas parties were always happy times. We were not only a studious group, but one that liked to have a good time. All in all, I believe we had three parties that year. They were always loads of fun and I’m sure we’ll never forget them. After three short months of vacationing, we returned to begin our junior year. Our first activity was the Hilloween Dance. The main attraction of the evening was the “spook dance ’ performed by members of the junior class. I’m sure everyone was simply “terrified”. Soon we had the thrill of receiving our class rings. Everyone seemed quite pleased with their selection and beamed with pleasure when an upperclassmen congratulated them. After many long hours of rehearsing, it was time for the production of our play, “The Junior Prom”, with Miss Cunningham as director. It was really a riot with punch-drunk fighters, dizzy dames, mud-caked faces, epidemics of measles, and a disgusted maid. Next in our ramblings came the Junior-Senior Prom. We had chosen “Oriental Gardens” as our theme with flowers, butterflies, an oriental scene, and much more to add to the atmosphere of the evening. Together with the Post-prom Party, an enjoyable time was had by all. We reached a long-awaited goal in the fall of 1955 when we at last were “sophisticated seniors”. During the football season the entire senior class worked hard at keeping the spectators well supplied with hotdogs, candy, potato chips, coke, and piping hot coffee. This was our first big money-making project and it proved to be quite successful. The play, “Boarding House Reach,” directed by Mrs. Haire, was the next big event. It was a slap-stick comedy with rather eccentric characters running in and out at any unexpected moment. The time for the Washington trip finally arrived and was worth far more than all the fuss and frenzy preparing for it. Each of us gained a world of experience as well as having a highly enjoyable time. Indeed, here was the crowning memory of our high school days. May came rolling around very quickly and we gathered together as a group for the last time. Baccalaureate and Commencement rushed upon us all too soon and dismissed us from the halls of Laurel Valley. These are memories of the past, diary, but ones I shall cherish always. 27

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la and (Testament of Cdlass of tcjj6 We, the class of 1956, being of sound mind and body and realizing that we are soon to be graduated, hereby publish this, our last will and testament; and thus make void all other wills or promises made by any member of our class. Items: I. To Mr. Tarris and Mr. Bouldin, we leave the quietness of the summer vacation and deluge of next years students to follow in our footsteps. We leave also our sincere appreciation for all you have done for us. II. To our Sponsors, we leave a sincere “thank you for making all our problems end with a smile. We express our gratitude for sharing all our trials and tribulations so willingly. III. To the Faculty, we leave students hoping that they will be like us in our studiousness, our model conduct, our undivided attention, and our witty remarks. We leave also our gratitude for your guidance and inspiration. IV. We leave to the undergraduates our Senior dignity and privileges. We leave our undying school spirit and a continuance of all our brilliant ideas. We leave hardships, good times, and honors all to be endured and enjoyed in the course of the glorious years ahead. V. To the following students we offer our humble gifts; Bill Boske leaves his Manuel on “How to Disrupt A Class In 3 Easy Lessons” to Sam Martin. To Laura Burkett goes the sisterlike qualities of Marjorie Burkett. Robert Pendexter bequeaths all his null and void absentee slips to Jack Hughes. The job of doorkeeper in English Class passes from Beatrice Henderson to any ambitious unde rclassman. To Tommy Super go Fred Howard’s height and Jim Ambrose’s width. Lois Kline parts with her beautiful black curls, but hopes that Wanda Glacken will benefit from them. Since we will be needing a few new cheerleaders next year, Barbara Robinson wills her position to Bob Wagner. Good luck to the first male cheerleader in L.V. history! After having one last “toot” on his golden trumpet, Dennis Cook leaves Lyle Trexler his music and his horn but Lyle must promise to let Dennis play it every once in a while. Cecelia Henderson bequeaths her small waistline to Harriet Kastner. Vincent LaMantia will become heir to Sam Galbraith’s masuline voice. If Mr. Gorirossi is in need of clarinet players next year, Sara Meyer has promised to help him by leaving her clarinet and music to Margie Magnani. Jim Baird’s, many volumes of. science fiction comics are left to James Hearst. May your first trip to the moon be a happy one. Margaret Hunter wills her majorette’s uniform and shiny baton to Linda Henderson and wishes her much success. Is there a hillbilly in the house? Sally McKinney’s album of hillbilly records is for sale to the highest bidde r. Mr. Chobany is going to be in dire need of a new back next year, so George Parsha has promised to leave his ability to brother Tom. To Ray Ambrose goes the pass-catching ability of Ronnie Wadsworth. Richard Kirschner leaves his extremely dainty feet to Joe Burkett. The duty of making the bulletin passes from Helen Roby to Nancy Hepner. To anyone who is having trouble keeping their boy friends away, Janice Ritenour wills her watchdog. Judy Hewitt leaves her rides to Blairsville to anyone who wants to risk it. The right guard position of Earl McClure is surrendered to Dennis St. Clair. Betty Jane Houston leaves her conversations to Joy Ritenour and Sue Hood. Nancy Foltz receives all the tireless hours put into Shorthand II from Jean Hendricks. Darlene Baird leaves her position on the fyonor roll to James Wakefield. Warren Spare is the proud heir of Clinnie Gibson’s basketball ability. John Hendricks bequeaths his photography equipment, photography books, and the works to the 1957 Laurel Photography Editor. Jim Irwin leaves Mrs. Mabon resting in peace. I, Beverly Saxton, will my cheerful smile to Mary Cummings in hopes that it will help her throifgh her senior year. The shattered remains of a shotgun are left by Grant Gibson to Jim Carmichael. Jack Thomas has just enough energy to leave. The school will sound empty without Bill Toth’s horse laugh ringing through the halls; therefore he 'will leave it to Marianne Bottegal. 29