Mercer High School - Hi Times Yearbook (Mercer, PA)

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CLASS HISTORY Through careful planning and wise management “Cactus Cabaret,” our class party was a social bright light, worthy of the attention of the student body. We shall remember for many years our Junior Play, “Western Union, Please.” It was truly a product of the combined efforts of the Junior Class. Each class member who contributed his time and attention to the play’s production may claim a portion of its success unto himself. Without the splendid co-operation of the class, “Western Union, Please,” would not have been possible. Holding a high position in our school memories is the Junior-Senior Prom. The Prom held the distinction of being the first formal party in our school careers. A dance with that special girl, or a compliment sincerely paid will remain a part of us until all our remembrances are laid aside. Suddenly w'e were awakened to the fact that the Seniors had graduated, that we, next year, would be filling their seats and using their books. With this thought before us we adjourned for our last summer vacation from our Alma Mater. Now the final chapter may be added to these reminiscences, for returning to our seat of learning we realized that this was to be the last stroke of the brush on our canvas of high school experiences. Conferring honors upon four of our classmates, we elected them to the offices of: President ......................................... Martha White Vice-President ............................ Donald Feltenberger Secretary ..................................... Louise Thomson Treasurer ........................................... Paul Long As a booster to our financial status we presented our Senior Party, “Ghost Inn. Plenty of ghosts and spirits were at hand, to be sure, even the music was spirited away. The pinnacle of our dramatic ventures was reached with the production of “Arsenic and Old Lace.” The smell of grease paint, screams, elderberry wine, bodies in the window seat, bugle calls, insane asylums, trips to Panama, and charges up the stairs are never to be forgotten memories. With graduation approaching, let us realize that here as students we have shaped our future lives. Our work here is but a reflection of the service we will render in later live. As time speeds by, let us use it to our greatest advantage. Let us perform each task to the best of our ability, for once the opportunity has passed, it may be recalled no more. The moving finger writes; and. having writ, Moves on: nor all your piety nor wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line Nor all your tears wash out a word of it. —Kubaivat of Omar Khayyam— —Alfred H. Krall Page Twenty-Seven

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CLASS HISTORY “Freshmen in high school,” what a host of fond memories those magic words conjure up from the dim receding past. That we, who soon will don the cap and gown, were once in this category, seems almost unbelievable. But turning back the clock to nineteen forty-one finds us entering old Mercer High on the first phase of a four-year campaign to conquer knowledge. We were informed that in accordance with Mercer High custom our boys would have to run the gauntlet of Sophomore clippers, rain barrels, and hazing in general. Following this formal recognition our attention turned toward electing class officials, who would lead the class through a successful year. We elected: President ............................................. Rose Zigo Vice-President .............................................Thomas Harris Secretary ..........:.................................. Ella Brown Treasurer .................................................;...Lee Cotton To complete the task of organization we established as class colors, green and white, and selected “forward ever, backward, never,” for our class motto. Keeping abreast of new subjects, algebra, civics, and Latin, employed much of our time. Everyone, however, awaited spring with eagerness for we were then for the first time to try our hands at social entertainment. All of our carefully laid plans resulted in a new and unusual type of class party. “Club Torrid,” a high spot in the parties of the year was complete in detail even to a “coke” bar. We ended the term successfully by having a picnic and get together at Con-neaut Lake Park. Summoned back to school by the peal of the tower bell, we began our Sophomore year, a year full of class activity and scholastic achievement. Enabling us to carry on business, officers for the year were chosen: President ........................................ Mary E. Taylor Vice-President ...................................... John Strosser Secretary ......................................... Earla Vogan Treasurer ............................................ Paul Long The ordering of our class rings as Sophomores broke all precedents in Mercer High, but realizing the acute shortages we deemed the move a prudent one. Carrying out the theme of our Freshman Party, we presented “Swing Inn,f to the student body as our contribution to the year’s social activities. Heavy schedules and plenty of extra-curricular activities absorbed so much of our time that the culmination of our Sophomore year seemed premature. Hampered by gasoline rationing we were forced to hold our annual picnic at Grove City. However. the good time enjoyed by all is a strong link in our memory chain. Juniors at last and what a distinguished title it was! How proud we felt! Returning to school as if for the first time, we looked forward to a year of class activity. Insuring our success, we elected a group of officers whom we knew to be both competent and efficient. President .... Vice-President Secretary .... Treasurer ..... .... John Strosser .... Eddie Taylor Geraldine Masters ....... Paul Long Page Twenty-Six

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CLASS WILL We, the Senior Class of 194 5, of Mercer High School, being of sound mind, memory, and understanding, do make and publish this our last will and testament. As a whole, the Seniors wish to bequeath our class spirit and dignity to the future Freshman classes of Mercer High School. To the Sophomores we leave our best wishes and good will. To the Juniors we leave the Key of Knowledge, which we hope they will cherish as we leave the satisfaction of helping another class on its way to its place in the world. We also have a few things which we want to leave individually. Joan Alberty leaves her seat in Latin Class to Marian Strausser. Betty Amon and Pauline Miller sadly leave their places with the cheerleaders to any underclassmen with good voices and lots of school spirit. Alice Anderson and Jean Burns bequeath their long lasting friendship to Nancy Stepleton and Dorothy Cousins. David Barton leaves his high scholastic rating to David Noble. Adaline Beggs refused to leave her shining “Uay., Carolyn Boyd, with a sigh, leaves her Chemistry book behind, wth a warning to the Junior Class. Ella Brown is taking everything a“Long” with her. When we asked Helen D’Angio what she wanted leave, she was too “deep in the heart of Texas” to answer. Betty Hodge and Ruth Brenneman bequeath their little trips to Youngstown to Betty Millison and Mary Ellen Flannery. Have a good time, girls! August Poglitsch leaves his “Lab.” experience to Jim Boykan. Eddy Taylor was so anxious to leave, that he forgot about leaving something behind. Twila Stokely and Janet Sears bequeath their lovely complexions to Velma Hause and Roselene Kurtanick. Mary Taylor leaves her “alumni influence” to Doris Robinson. Bill Frye leaves his “down to the earth views” to Mickey Fabian. Lee Cotton bequeaths his latest dance steps to Bud Ryder. To anyone who is interested. Helen Winklevoss leaves her knowledge to roads leading to Pardoe. To George Lukacs and Bob Brown, goes the fondness for photography of those two “shutter bugs.” Earla Vogan and Jayne Pollard. Genevieve McElrath and Ruth McWhirter, being careful drivers, leave their ability to “dodge-em” to the coming drivers of Mercer High School. Clyde Snyder and Bob Stafford bequeath their F. F. A. experience to Jimmy Osborne and Bud Miller. Jean Johnston leaves her dimple to Marianne Boyd. Patty Reagle and Rose Zigo bequeath their good times in the Home Ec. Room to Helen Black and Judy Kirila. June DeCarlo leaves her “gift of gab” to Mrs. Laughrey to keep her company next year. Chuck Oakes bequeaths his bashfulness (?) to Jim Baines. Evelyn Rovle and Elsie Brown leave Leesburg to Lorene Davis and Hazel Foster. Page Twenty-Eight