Lena Winslow High School - Win Nel Yearbook (Lena, IL)

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William Campbell '41 Alden Niemeyer '27 Glenn Rice '32 xi LeRoy Ocker '29 Jacob C. Mani '41 Delvin Schneider '36 We Honor ur Dead Clarence Bergeman '42

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Q! G A A History The Girls' Athletic Association was organized at Winslow in 1924 by Miss Stewart. The or- ganization stands for health, loyalty, honor, pep, and above all-good sportsmanship. All members of the GAA are expected to live up to this standard. Before any girl became an active member of this association she had to earn twenty-five points and she also earned twenty-five more for each semes- ter spent in the organization. These rules have changed gradually over the years until the early 1950's when 225 points a year were earned by members who participated in various activities both in and out of school. The point system at the present time includes the earning of 75 points or more in GAA spon- sored activities. Any high school girl is eligible to become a member. In 1924 the organization consisted of a president, secretary, treasurer, and the cheerleader. Basketball was a favorite sport for the GAA in 1926. The song at this time was: When once you get in GAA, Your troubles have just begun. ,ji You must do something every day, 2 ' Or lose out on the fun. ' And when on a sweater your mind is set, There's naught can block your way, t You'll hike long miles some points to get, 'X And spoil the most of the day. L When at the end of four long years, The sweater you have won, In spite of all your work and fears, You've had a world of fun. The basketball interest was lost in 1927, and hiking, skating, and other forms of gymnastics were substituted. In these the girls earned points to obtain their awards. In 1928, those having 100 points received a numeralg 200 points a pin, and 400 points a swea- ter. These were paid for by the association. In 1934 a new constitution was adopted and points were earned by participating in physical education, skating, hiking, and kittenball. In 1943 the GAA took part in the annual basketball shooting contest and placed second in their district. Some of the activities of the GAA during the past years are as follows: the annual Christmas party which has been held each year, the annual basket-shooting contest, a Mother-Daughter Ban- quet yearly until 1951, and an annual hike. Various ways for earning money have been dances, a minstrel show, bake sales. roller skating parties, and the selling of stationery. An annual trip for GAA girls was begun in 1950. Every year, but one, the group has spent in Chicago. While there, the girls have attended stage plays and movies, have gone on tours to famous places, and have taken rides on the lake and subway. The one year not spent in Chicago was spent sight-seeing at the Dells in Wisconsin. There are three GAA camps, each accomodating 100-125 girls. The three locations are Cen- tral at East Bay Camp Bloomington, Southern at Little Grassy Lake, Carbondale, and the Northern Camp which Winslow attends at Conference Point Camp,Wi1liams Bay, Wisconsin. The state wide activities are bowling, golf, archery, and basket-shooting. At the present time there are 421 schools in Illinois who are members of GAA. The GAA Loyalty Song is: Tune- All the World is Waiting for the Sunrise Our name means growth In spirit, mind, and body We work and strive To reach our highest aim. The stars, the height Toward which we're ever climbing on GAA. Be worthy of your name. The Pledge of the Association is UI promise to uphold the ideals of the Girls, Athletic As- sociation by promoting interest in athletics and the out-of-doorsg by living so that I may be healthy and strong, by making good sportsmanship a constant factor in my conduct. The state colors are blue and white. if .Ali - . A 1 .X

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Alumni Mail Winslow High School in my time was extremely small and in a peculiar way that is what I value most about it. Today schools, like everything else, are getting to be big and sleek and regimented. In the small schools, we students had an opportunity to try everything-- whether we had talent in a particular field or not. Meagre acting ability did not keep me out of our class plays, nor lack of musical talent from the orchestra. My mother, I remember, was inordinately proud that I hit no false notes during my first public appearance. I couldn't. There was no reed in the clarinet, but the music teacher needed my presence to fill amother chair. Of course, the intimacy of the small school sometimes worked as a hindrance too. I allowed a teacher, who was never noted for his tact, to dis- courage me from taking shorthand on the grounds that I was too poorly coordi- nated to master it. But since life is made up of people telling you what you won't be able to do, perhaps it is as well that I learned my lesson early. Acouple of years a.go,Iaccompanied Lucille Ball to her class reunion. For her it was an emotional trip, punctuated by squeals and tears. Afterward she apologized and said she hoped that I would understand her reactions. I suppose it upset me so because this is where I learned about life, she said. Afterward when I went away, I found myself pigeon-holing people, saying, 'Oh, hets like Frank. She's like Fay. I understood completely, since it expressed how I feel about Winslow. Sincerely, George Eells Being a lifetime resident of Winslow, I attended both grade school and high school there during the period from 1936 to 1948. Many names of former grade school and high school teachers often come to mind. I firmly believe a well-rounded primary and secondary education was then and is now offered for those who might wish to take advantage of it. An important part of any school system is its sports program. During the years 1944-48, I am sure there was as much student and community enthu- siasm over sports as there is today. Basketball then, as now, was considered the major sport. The year of basketball which I enjoyed most was 1947. That year we could beat our old rivals, Orangeville, anytime we wished. The other members of this team were Jim Galway, Buss Youtzy, Earl Holloway, and Dick Miller. We were coached by Mr. Jack McKenna, whom I am sure-we shall never forget. It was rumored that it was worth the price of admission to watch coach McKenna and Coach Keuler of Orangeville during a close game! The climax of that season was our defeat by West Rockford in a close contest in the Freeport Regional Tournament. A school forms the backbone of any community.I feel that it is imfortunate that Winslow is to lose its high school. However, since it is inevitable, I hope that the people of Winslow will support the new school plan and feel a part of it. I am sure the students fromWinslowwill continue to represent her as well in the new school as they have represented their own school in the past. Sincerely, James D. Mani George Eells is Entertainment Editor of Look Magazine. He lives in New York, but generally spends between two and three months of the year in Hollywood. He is single. 5 James Mani has an M.A. from the University of Illinois and teaches in Dixon High School, Dixon, Illinois. I-Ie is single. Editor's Note: These letters were selected for publication in full as representative of the many fine letters received from alumni. 27