Madison High School - Cauldron Yearbook (Madison, OH)

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Class Plopltecij I heard some of the fellows from the class of '43 got together for a stag party the other night. Among those present were: The Pethtel twins, ‘lorn Nash, Tony Perme, Joe Lastition who were all working for various defense plants. Incidentally I found out what the entertainment was. The host was that well known photographer, Ralph Skinner. He has been taking pic- tures for the Associators Press Wirephoto. However ,as a hobby he has taken many pictures of his former classmates in his spare time. Feeling the fellows would be interested to know what their classmates were doing, he conceived the idea of show- ing his film to them. In the first scene could be seen a huge factory. On the front written in bold type was Bailey Aircraft Company. As the scene changed, the fellows saw a spacious, well-furnished office. Sitting in a chair, drawn up to the desk was Dave Bailey. In a chair beside his desk industriously taking dictation, sat Dave's private secretary, Har- riet Jelenc. The next scene showed the interior of the plant. At the farthest end of the plant was a room with the words Factory Nurse written above the entrance. Inside the room the fellows saw Leta Scott in her trim white uniform. The next scene was that of a large fly- ing field with a number of army transports ready to take off. The boys immediately recognized Norman Tuuri. Ralph explain- ed he had been serving with the armed forces for two years and was about to be commissioned as a Command Pilot. What was that next scene? They couldn't quite make out what it was. Upon examining the picture more thoroughly the fellows could see the interior of an imma- culate hospital. Down the corridor stood Ruth Berwaldt. The next scene showed Ruth with scalpel in hand bending over i motionless patient. Who'd ever thought Ruth could be a doctor? Then Ralph showed several scenes of the fellows at the party at work in their respective defense plants. Thelma Fortney was standing behind the counter of a large delicatessen store in the next scene. Who should be sitting at the counter but Janis Jayred and Melissa Fell. Janis had achieved a position as Dean of Women in Ohio State U iiversity. Some- one mentioned that Melissa was employed as a secretary in one of the near-by insur- ance offices in Columbus. The next scene did not surprise the fellows to any great extent. It was the scene of a small house at the side of which stood Frank Behling and his wife Ruth Ze- man Behling. The Bronze Room in the beautiful Ritzy Hotel, New York, was the setting for the next scene. Quite a number were dancing to music supplied by the music maestro, Squires Bartholomew, with vocals by that class songbird, Jake Mavko. The scene changes quickly to that of the Mayo Clinic, where seated at a table in the dietitian kitchen, the boys recognized Irma Hensel. Mexico furnishes the setting for the next scene. Standing in the midst of the halls of Montezuma was Don Easterbrook putting into practice his skilled profession as an archaeologist. Ralph showed a number of scenes of the girls from our class serving in the arm- ed forces. Among them were Dorothy Askew, Margaret Lonser, in the WAAC's. Dorothy Orcutt, Mildred Ruzick, and Shir- ley Ostrander in the WAVES. The scenes showing the boys from our class serving in the armed forces included Bob Jones as a Sergeant in the Signal Corp, and Ed Struna as a doctor in a General Army Hospital. Whoa there, what's happened? Ma- chine broken down? I guess the boys thought they'd see no more pictures that night. Eugene Melville a mechanic? Yes, he had it fixed in no time. Three cheers for Melville! ! ! The next scene, with an airport for a background, showed several large passeng- er planes. Standing on the steps leading to one of the planes was Dorothy Klasen in a trim uniform of an air hostess. Occupying the last scene was that swimming enthusiast of high school days, Carol Melcher, receiving a cup as cham- pion of a swimming match held at Los An- geles, California. 18

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Class Histc'oj 'Way back in September of 1939 a group of hardy, hale recruits entered the training station of Madison Memorial High. After being sworn in at the first assembly (we signed up for four years), we were stationed in Rooms two and three. Imme- diately we endeavored to master the art of maneuvers and steering clear of danger zones, but the hardest thing to accustom ourselves to was discipline from our com- manding officers. Our activities were not limited even though it was our first year. We sent two representatives to the Advisory Board, and six of our Company 43 gained membership in the Scholarship Club. It was a proud day when we cheered for our own company on the athletic fields. Then came three month's furlough. With renewed enthusiasm, we return- ed to our station, but were disappointed to find that some of our company had sought destinies elsewhere. We advanced rapid- ly and were known to be quite sophisticat- ed. We even tried our hand at theatrics. In no time at all we found ourselves in the third year of our training period. Having completed our basic training quite satisfactorily, we engaged in a drive for funds to entertain Company 42 at the an- nual Junior-Senior Prom. It was a gala event held at the Mentor Yacht Club. We found it very refreshing after our routine drills and maneuvers. Following our third and final fur- lough, we were determined to finish with high honors and maintain the splendid rec- ords we had established through the years. It is true that we could now only count forty loyal, patriotic, well-trained individ- uals as many of our original number had either deserted, left for other units, or were just A.W.O.L. But we could still proudly say, Quality if not quantity. In April we presented an appropriate play, The American Way. Finally we reached the place where we had seen others fondly take their last cherished glances and bid farewell to the place that had prepared them for active duty. As a unit we said goodbye to our officers and friends, and as a unit deter- mined that Madison Memorial High should always be proud of Company 43. We also determined that we shall take our places in this unsteady old world and do our best with the training we had received to make it safe for democracies, religion, and free- dom. Although the single unit is being divided, we shall still be united in thought and creed, and shall all gladly take our stands for what is right. Now we bid adieu until we have once again completed our mission and victory is won. V . . 17

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Second Geutenants First row: Winifred Triskct.Morjorie Borry, Joon Wickcrt, Jomcs Carroll, Leonard Znidarsic, Lon Wirtz- bcrgcr, Walter Stickol, Florence Broinard, Violet Glouscr, Helen Rosencrans. Second row: Irene Horvoth, Charlotte Ellis, Shirley Gropatin, Frances New, Agnes Dcbcvc, Jean Harmon, Ann Balch, Mary Lou Kuhn, Ann Mavko, Louise Crofoot, Mr. Robinson. Third row: Joan Nosh, Elsie Mavko, Shirley Stanton, Neil Skinner, Roland Conklin, Ray Posco, Ernest Busch, Forrest Wickcrt, Laura Peckham, Betty Dodge, Martha Lcimbach. Fourth row: Joe Green, Robert Elmore, Richard Dorrow, Don Plonts, Leonard Wirtzbcrgcr, Maynard Brichford, Charles Bollard, John Spaulding, Robert Eland, Sheldon Whipple, Lawrence Wymor, Walter Noubort, Jack Page. Lawrence Wirtzberger Leonard Znidarsic James Carroll Walter Stickel President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Mrs. Trescott and Mr. Robinson—Faculty Advisers The Junior class came back last year prepared for the task of raising prom money. Everyone tried the Madame, may I interest you in a maga- zine subscription line with excellent results. We sold candy in the hall during the noon hours and during basket- ball and football games. The Juniors held their Christmas dance in December. A skating party entertained the student body in January at Keener's Shore Palace. Officers were: President, Lawrence Wirtzberger; Vice-President, Leon- ard Zindarsic; Secretary, James Carroll; and Treasurer, Walter Stickel; Class representatives on the Student Council were Agnes Debevc, Joan Wickert, Bob Elmore, and Sheldon Whipple. Our Prom was a glorious event taking place at the Madison Country Club on May 7. We happily arrived at the satisfying conclusion that our prom was decidedly worth all the effort and worries caused by the prepara- tions and financial drives.