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

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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

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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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Winslow High School Or- chestra, 1929-30, with Mr. Nuss, director. Winslow High School Glee Club, 1935-36, with Mrs. Hirst, director. Winslow High school Or- chestra, 1937-38, with Miss Swaney, director.