Morton High School - Top Hat Yearbook (Hammond, IN)

Page 16 text:

rT ANXIOUSLY AWAITING her train, senior Linda Williams looks up from a list of scheduled activities to be disappointed by an oncoming freight train. Upperclassmen AWE-INSPIRING, the famed statue of President Lincoln reminds its visitors of Civil War days. PERCHED HIGH above every¬ thing around it, the weather- vane remains a famous part of Washington ' s home. Mount Vernon showed the visitors a type of historical study new to many of them.

Page 15 text:

merit honors for selves, families, school Enthusiasm and eagerness were two attributes that helped several Morton students to excell in various fields and to receive recognition for their achievements. Qualities of leadership, citizenship, scholarship, and service characterized the D.A.R. award recipient. Every teacher voted for the senior girl whom he believed most worthy of this honor. She then competed with girls throughout Lake County by taking a test in government. Selected on the basis of their interest in social studies, delegates to Hoosier Girls’ State and Boys’ State spent one week at Indiana University last summer. There, with representatives from high schools throughout the state, students actively participated in model govern¬ ments. State, county, and local administrations were examined. After mock elections young politicians held offices such as mayor, governor, and party chairmen. The National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, held during the junior year, helps students to learn their strengths and weaknesses in scholastic achievement. For those who score in the top two percent of this test, it also serves as a start toward a college scholarship. Four Morton seniors were semi-finalists in the National Merit program. Further testing and evidence of financial need determined finalists and scholarship recipients. Touring establishments supported by the United Com¬ munity Chest gave five Morton seniors a deeper insight into the needs of others. Selected through the Student Association, these students reported their experiences to the student body and launched the annual fund drive. Assigning territories to student volunteers and organ¬ izing collections were the main concerns of Morton March of Dimes co-chairmen, chosen by the Association. STOPPING BETWEEN CLASSES, Morton ' s Hoosier Boys ' State delegates Jim Rospond, Jerry Finley, Ron Volbrecht, and Den¬ nis Dawson discuss their experiences there. HOOSIER GIRLS ' STATE delegates Barb Burton, Sue Smaron, courtyard. A week at Indiana University helped the girls to and Hazel Witte take refuge from a hectic life in Morton ' s broaden their understanding of state and local governments.

Page 17 text:

receive welcome break on annual trip Abandoning all thoughts of homework assignments, impending examinations, and class lectures, 94 Morton juniors and seniors travelled to Washington, D.C., and New York City, late in October, with upperclass students from the other four Hammond high schools. The anxious travellers boarded the train Tuesday evening for an all-night journey to the Nation’s capital. Allowed one piece of luggage, the students arrived with paper sacks, large carry-alls, overnight cases, and other supplementary containers. After a long night on the train, they stepped once more on unmoving ground, only to discover that they must carry their luggage three blocks to waiting buses. Planned tours in Washington included the Wax Muse¬ um, the Archives, the Capitol, and the Library of Con¬ gress. During their free time students shopped and visited the Smithsonian Institution, the Washington Monument, and the Post Office Department. Tours of Chinatown and Greenwich Village gave the young tourists greater insight into a large city’s socio¬ logical problems. New York also offered the bright lights of Broadway and Times Square and the quiet peace- fullness of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Central Park. I IHtflllH l IimiiHlUili i l f i ii i tlttm CONSTRUCTION OF A MEMORIAL to the late President Kennedy had already begun when the students visited Ar¬ lington Cemetery. The flame which Mrs. Kennedy placed on his grave burns in constant memory of him. SHINING ALABASTER pillars be¬ fore the White House add to the majesty of the President ' s home. Tourists admire the building and the grounds, particularly the fountain. 13