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

Page 13 text:

cShomii®® Let your mind wander back, past mini-skirts and flower children .. . back, past sack dresses and pointed-toe shoes ... back to September 1953. Instead of earth shoes and toe socks, it’s saddle shoes and bobbie socks. Instead of Robert Redford and Farrah Fawcett-Majors, it’s Marlon Brando and Marilyn Monroe. Instead of Camaro, it’s DeSoto. Instead of now, it’s then. As the first school bell of the day begins to ring, teenagers fill the halls rushing to their classes. Leather jackets and cashmere sweaters are cast carelessly into lockers. Saddle shoes and sneakers leave imprints on the floor as students proceed to learn the required basics, “reading, writing, and ’rithmatic.” Between classes, the water fountain becomes the local meeting place. The topic being discussed? After-school and evening social plans. Whether to go to the sockhop, Jane’s, or the local roller rink proposes a diffic ult decision. The only solution is to hit all three places. Breaking the school’s rigid dress code, teenagers change into casual clothing before beginning the evening’s activities. Jeans, which weren’t allowed in school, replace dress slacks for the guys. Girls don straight-leg slacks with stirrups instead of “poodle skirts.” After an exciting night at the football game, the gang heads to Jane’s (now the Hessville Restaurant) for a cherry phosphate and then on to Pow-Wow for a quick cruise around the parking lot. Ponytails, bobbie socks, crew cuts, DA’s, sockhops, and soda shops are reminiscent of those yesteryears. And that’s the way it was when Oliver Perry Morton Senior High School began. Some things Seniors Diana Cox experience shared by two. ✓

Page 12 text:

“Hessville was an isolated down-state community with a fantastic parent following, especially in football. Family influence was much stronger in the 50’s. Students had more respect for their elders. I feel the work ethic has ruined school spirit, extracurricular activities, etc. It’s too easy to get a mill job. Less emphasis is placed on acquiring an education now.” — Mr. Jack Georgas, social studies teacher “Rebels are more open now in their defiance of authority. There was less absenteeism from school in early years. Boy-girl relationships were more reserved in public . . . little open showing of affection and caressing then. The average student today seems to spend less time studying and more time watching T.V. School spirit rises and falls. Students seem to be apathetic now.” — Dr. W. Winston Becker, principal 8 — Anniversary

Page 14 text:

The vast increase of student driving over the past 25 years has-proved-bazardous at times. Morton has the worst record for traffic violations in the Hammond schools. 10 — Anniversary