Neponset High School - Zephyr Yearbook (Neponset, IL)

Page 23 text:

Moments we remember are of the many parties, band contests, Christmas and Spring Operettas, basketball, track, and cheerleading. These moments were made into memories as Mr. Floyd French spoke at our graduation. --Farewell, grade school. In 1957, we advanced to high school. We were eighteen terrified freshmen; however, we survived the book-carrying routines and penny pushing contests, along with the other initiation stunts, and held our first election. The winning candidates were Bob Redenius, president; Bill Holmes, vice-president; Les Dahl, secretary-treasurer; and Pat Stetson, reporter; with Mrs. Kathryn Crowson as sponsor. We held an all school Valentine's Party that year. After an all too fast summer, we found ourselves sophomores. Mrs. Arlene Molinerola and Mr. Vernon Luther took the sponsorship of our class. The big wheel of the class was Jim Hill, spare tire was Larry Pratt, minute girl was Marilyn Papacek, money spender was Susan Gerrond, and columnist, Audrey Bennett. The Homecoming Dance was our big project for the year. Another summer, even shorter, and we were juniors--upperclassmen, with all the rights of upperclassmen. Mrs. Molinerola and Mr. Luther took over as sponsors again. The students who ruled the roost were Susan Gerrond, president; Pat Stetson, vice-president; Bill Holmes, secretary; and Mary Swearingen, treasurer. The Junior-Senior Prom was the highlight of the year. We used Evening in Paris as our theme. Then came the big year, after a long wait,--or was it short? We became seniors. The activities piled up furiously! Under the guidance of the class officers, Jim Hill, Larry Pratt, Marilyn Papacek, Pat Stetson, and our sponsors, Mr. Luther, Mrs. Perry, Miss Kurz, and Mr. Lavelle, our year rolled along smoothly. We had to start to raise money for our annual and class trip; so we undertook several projects, most of which were successful to a high degree. We will always remember the magazine and candy sales. At our senior dance we honored the parents of the entire student body. The senior play, Bull In the China Shop, was a lot of work, but we also had fun. Our sincere thanks go to Mrs. Chesnutt, our director. Then came those hectic last weeks,--caps and gowns, finals, and addressing our graduation invitations. Finally, Baccalaureate, and then Commencement, one following on the heels of the other. And the realization struck us--we were through! As we leave the neat brick building on Harlan Street, we wish to thank all our teachers, from first grade through twelfth. 19

Page 22 text:

SENIOR CLASS HISTORY In the year nineteen hundred and forty-nine, the Neponset School System got its first look at the Class of 1961. The long awaited first grade became a reality. A new building was waiting for us. Miss Lewis had the honor of being our first teacher. Of the eighteen boys and girls who started first grade, there were ten who completed all twelve years together. They are Audrey Bennett, David Cannon, David Dana, Susan Gerrond, Jim Hill, Louise McKie, Larry Pratt, Marilyn Papacek, Bob Redenius, and Pat Stetson. Mary Swearingen, Les Dahl, and Jerry Swearingen have been with us except for a few months. Mary Carlson has been with us for nine years. Lee Bennett, Tommy Davidson, Charles Hechtner, Patsy Stout and Sterling Thompson were also present in the first grade. In our second grade, we lost Lee Bennett, Tommy Davidson, and Sterling Thompson, and Mary Carlson. We gained Mary Low and Sandra Swearingen. Mrs. Mock was our teacher. Mrs. Gould guided us in the third grade. Robert Lynn Berry, Mary Carlson, and Freddie Craig joined us. Patsy Stout left us. Mrs. Gould also led us in the fourth grade. Freddie Craig disappeared from our group. Mrs. Hazel Berry greeted our fifth grade class. To this class we added Beverly Maas and Robert Sellon, Charles Hechtner, Mary Low, and Sandra Swearingen left us. Mrs. Berry was also our sixth grade teacher. Mary Carlson and Beverly Maas were not present to be greeted this year. Our seventh grade teacher was Mrs. Edith Whaples. Bobby Bennett was the new man to join us and Bob Sellon set out on a different course. One find day in May of 1957, our group finished eighth grade. Miss Golby was our teacher who helped us finish grade school. We were joined by Mary Carlson, Allie Rednour, Les Dahl, and Bill Holmes during this year. Many other hands guided our way during this period, (1949-57). Miss Golby, Mrs. Whaples, and Mr. Paul Slocum were our principals. Custodians were Mr. Frank Stout, Mr. George Gerrond, and Mr. Tom Bigham. Athletic directors were Mr. George Gerrond and Mr. Paul Slocum. Music and operetta directors were Miss Shirley Stabler, Miss Jeanette Miller, Mrs. Gene Kessler, Mrs. Besse Heck, and Mrs. John Gerrond. Band directors included Miss Miller, Mrs. Kessler, Mrs. Heck, Mr. Edward Skwierawski, Mrs. L. Renner, and Mr. Howard Sundland. School board members were Marvin Kuster, Theron Lyle, Dr. Wm. Bertelsen, Tom Studley, Cecil Cinnamon, Ralph Stabler, Wilbur Blake, Joseph Papacek, Charles Wood, Willard Stabler, and Dean Scott. 18

Page 24 text:

GRADU