New Athens High School - Vespa Yearbook (New Athens, IL)

Page 33 text:

On Sunday morning, June 31, 1956, the following article appeared on the front page of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat. BIG CLASS REUNION HELD AT THE CHASE HOTEL Many of the country1s Notable personage, including the president, present. St. Louis June 31, 1956 Last night the Starlight room of the Chase Hotel became the setting of the most notable gathering in the history of St Louis. Renting the entire room for the occasion, the class of 1946 of New Athens Community High School from New Athens, Illinois held its first reunion in ten years. Tickets for the dinner were sold out far in advance, and for a month the hotel management has been in a frenzv preparing for this gala occasion. An extra police force was stationed around the hotel entrance to keep back the autograph seeking crowd, which had been gathering on the sidewalk since two o'clock in the afternoon. Voted by its administration the class Least likely to succeed this New Athens class of 1946 has turned in a record of sky-rocketing fame that has astounded the entire world. It is the only class in history whose every member has made Who's Who. And all this in a mere ten years. The master of ceremonies at this outstanding occasion was one of its own members, Vernon Fiet-sam, who is ohief announcer for the NBC to be with his class. Dossy, as Mr. Fietsam is called by his friends, has a world wide reputation for his intelligent views on world situations with not one soap box program to his record. His remarkable broadcasting talent first came to light in his senior high school year when he broadcasted a rousing pep talk from the back of an automobile for a torch-light parade. The Fietsam family was well represented, for Dossy's twin brother, Verlan, was also present. Babe Fietsam has long been acclaimed as the country outstanding basketball coach. Yale, Babe's school, is finding it difficult to secure opponents to meet his lightning strategic team. One of the most glamorous persons present was Miss Delo Hentzel, the famous scorch singer now with Harry James' hot Jive orchestra. Whenever Delo sings, she packs them in until there's swooning room only. Miss Hentzel 's skin tight, beaded dress was designed especially for her by Mile. Koenitz of the exclusive Betty Ann Shoppe on 6th Ave. Miss Koenitz also a member of this illustrative class, later in the evening made a brief speech on her 5oth visit to Paris to the fashion shows. Miss Koenitz's monotonous air trip across the ocean was relieved somewhat by invigorntigg bumps . Accompanying Betty on her - ••• :; SENIOR CLASS PROPHESY