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

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Recognition Students prove ability, receive top honors Few people are born with traits or talents that make them excel in certain areas. Most develop them. Determination to play a game gets the bench warmer through the season. Determination to play an instrument better than average plants the seed for tomorrow’s musicians. This year’s Hammond Junior Miss was Beverly Wolan. Besides receiving this title, she won first place in both the Creative and Performing Arts division and in the Poise and Appearance division. The 1975 Lake Shore Conference All-Star Football Squad included Morton players, Tim Costa, Dennis Domsic, Lester Kerr, John Muta, and Joe Miecznikowski. Pressure for equality between the sexes brought an end to a DAR tradition. Starting this year boys were eligible to receive the award. Many hours of practice attained for Beverly Wolan was named Hammond Dale Young a position in the All Junior Miss after winning the contest State Band. Dale is an accomplished sponsored by the Hammond Jaycees. musician playing several instruments. She received $300 in prize money. DAR recipient Julie Marlow took a three hour competitive exam to advance to a county level. The faculty chose her from 35 nominees. 22

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CLP BICENTENNIAL After its move to Hessville Park and major uplift, observers are welcome to visit the Little Red Schoolhouse or hold public meetings. © © © o §5 O © O ©; CO c © © © © o CO Portraying militiamen in the Revolutionary War, Hammond residents act out their part in the Bicentennial parade. Where the Kennedy Avenue Post Office is located today, a two-room schoolhouse was built in 1899. Later on, two more rooms were added on to provide more space. There’s truth to the stories heard about boys dunking girl’s braids into inkwells. The usual form of any punishment was to stand in the cornier of the room. It was rare when a student received a beating with a rubber hose. When assignments weren’t finished, students had to remain after school until they completed them. Truancy wasn’t a real problem. Most%tudents were from farm families; therefore during the fall and early spring most didn’t attend because they had to help with the fields. It’s hard to picture Kennedy Avenue lined on both sides by free growing oak trees. Early residents made their income by selling berries and by growing grains. Fish, ducks and other game flourished in the clean lakes and were also sold. Vigilantes tried to keep things under control. The only police protection was the sheriff of Crown Point. By the time he made it out to Hessville, it was usually too late. Gamblers would often come out to the fields from Chicago and have rooster fights. Until around 1913, people lived simple rural lives. The population had stabilized at approximately 125. Then from 1913 on, Hessville began to grow. Railroads were constructed; men came with them. Factories followed the railroads and brought more people. The railroads cut down the big oak trees for fuel. People came to Hessville from as far as East Hammond to cut down the young oaks for firewood. A minority of residents saw their wildlife diminishing and made futile efforts to save what remained. The Briar East area was some of the last natural acreage left and was owned by the Nichol Plate Railroad Company. When the conservationists were bidding for the land, they were out bid by land developers. Mr. Miff summarizes America’s 200 years by saying it was: “Conceived in Discontent; Born in Revolution; Nutured on Dissatisfaction’’ Community— 21

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Joe Miecznikowski became a member of the 1975 All State Football Team. For the past two years, he’s been on the Conference All Star Squad. Skill, performance and sportmanship helped Tim Costa, Mr. Football; Janet Goginsky, Ms. Basketball; and Steve Vermejan, Mr. Basketball win their titles. Awards — 23 A decision to finish high school brought Barbara Kender more rewards than she expected. She received the Betty Crocker Award. Diane Brnicky received the honor of singing in this year’s All State choir. This marked the first time a Morton student entered the contest.