North Coventry High School - Torch Yearbook (Pottstown, PA)

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Class History - Last on the agenda was a skating party held on May 27, 1947, at Ringing Rocks Park. There were many thrills and spills as everyone enjoyed himself at a night of good clean fun. fAnyway, the floor was well cleaned.J A vacation period of three months was just what we needed to help us grow up to the dignity of upperclassmen. JUNIOR J ESTERS The fall of 1948 found forty-eight juniors taking their place among the upperclassmen with Miss Lynch, Mr. Baker, and Mrs. Burbank ready to give us helpful advice. We were just one year away from our final goal and were determined to work and get the most out of our junior year. At our first class meeting the following officers were chosen: president, Stephen Bodolus, vice president, Phyllis Fulmerg secretary, Joyce Sweinhartg treasurer, Ellen Frain. Early in September we found ourselves admiring and displaying our beautiful class rings, which had arrived by this time. On December 23, 1948, we held our Christmas party in the library. Names were pulled and humorous gifts were given. This put us in a gay and spirited mood for our Christmas vacation. Our next task was deciding upon a suitable junior class play. After the reading of many plays, the committee decided upon a farce entitled, The Arrival of Kitty. The play was given Friday, April 8, 19495 and those who participated were Steve Bodolus, George Brown, Jr., Leroy Sands, Eleanor Brannan, Janet Christman, Betty Nesley, Chester Laverty, William McGlaughlin, and Gloria Fizz. All comments were favorable, and everyone acclaimed it a great success! The outstanding social function of the year was our Junior-Senior Prom, which was held on April 29, 1949. The theme was The Blue Room. It was carried out by blue lighting and decorations, which put the dancers into a sentimental mood. A rock garden, the center of attraction, was a beauty spot on the stageg and from a bar located in the garden, punch was served. Don Garrell and his orchestra furnished the music. Although the dance required a great deal of work, we were happy to plan and prepare for it in order that it might be a success for the entertainment of the seniors. On June 7, 1949, the final day of our junior year, after we had lost the title of juniors and gained that of seniors, we decided to celebrate. A picnic was planned and held at Sixpenny. Almost all the class was present for the last get-together of our junior year. Our junior year ended rapidly, and we left school with hopes of returning as seniors, looking forward to our class trip to Washington. SENIOR SOPHISTICATES The final year of our high school career began on September 7, 1949. The business of choos- ing officers was first and resulted in a re-election of President Bodolus, Vice President Fulmer, Secretary Sweinhart, and Treasurer Frain. An assistant treasurer, Joseph Smith, was added to the list.

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- Class History FRESHMAN FANCIES In early September of 1946 a new group of inquisitive freshmen was welcomed to Norco. They were bubbling over with eagerness to begin their high school career. In addition to our original group, South Coventry, East Coventry, and Union Township gave us some new pupils. Together these stu- dents soon found that they needed organization. The first step toward organization was the election of officers on September 10, 1946, which brought the following results: president, Stephen Bodolusg vice president, George Brown, Jr., secretary, Sandra Olsen, treasurer, Thorpe Ellis. On October 31, 1946, the freshmen were excited and thrilled to sponsor their first dance, the traditional Freshman Hallowe'en Dance. Dancing in a room filled with ghosts and gobblins was en- joyed by everyone. We boasted that this dance was a great success and were proud of the results of our hard work. The freshmen decided that they should know more about their state capital, so a trip to Harris- burg was planned on March 11, 1946. Mr. Grim and Mr. Gough chaperoned us, keeping us well in hand. In spite of a bus breakdown at Palmyra, We continued our journey to Harrisburg and spent a very enjoyable day touring the capital. A real treat was Governor Duff, whom we had the pleasure of seeing and hearing as he made his speech to the Assembly. We were also honored to be the guests of Senator Scarlett and Senator Meyers. Much was added to our knowledge about Harrisburg and we all profited by the trip when we applied our knowledge in civics class. Our trip home was an unforgettable one. Everyone was in good spirits and merriment prevailed. However, everyone rejoiced when we arrived home, since we were all suffering from fatigue. Our trip to Harrisburg will long linger in the memories of the Class of '50, because it was the highlight of our freshman life. So off we went to enjoy a carefree summer unburdened by school assignments. SOPHOMORE SCRAPS A smaller group returned in September, 194 7, after our summer vacation, willing to settle down and prepare ourselves for the coming year. Mr. Neal Burtner and Mrs. Sherman Burbank were our class advisors. As class officers for the sophomore year we chose as president, Stephen Bodolusg vice president, George Brown, Jr., secretary, Joyce Sweinhartg treasurer, Ellen Frain. Our first class get-together was a hayride in early November, at which time the riders were showered with rotten tomatoes and hedgeapples, which flew through the air without warning. After an hour of heated argument on the 18th of November, a motto, class colors and a class flower were agreed upon. The results were a motto, Nothing Attempted, Nothing Wong class colors, green and gold, class flower, yellow rose. The Sophomore Hop, which to us was the finest dance of the year, was the next event on our school calendar, on November 19, 1947. The gym was gaily decorated with gold and green streamers which pleased everyone's taste. We were very proud of our finished work and the profits it netted us. Late in November, we were delighted to hear an inspiring lecture delive1'ed by a Hungarian speaker, who related to us several of his wartime experiences. A topic which caused much discussion and confusion among our class members was the choosing of class rings. This, the most important decision of our sophomore year, was finally settled in a dem- ocratic way by a majority vote. We were all happy with our final decision and anxiously awaited the arrival of these rings.

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Class History We had barely a taste of school life before we rushed off to our nation's capital to cram a lot of sightseeing into the days of September 12, 13, and 14. Oh, those aching feet! After those days of tramping up and down steps and through museums, monuments, and famous places, we could certainly have made use of a chiropodist, also an osteopath to adjust our aching backs and necks. It was hard to settle down to school life, but, upon our return, we had to plunge immediately into money-making projects, such as, selling vanilla, emulsions, cards and wrapping paper. In October we had an opportunity to see industry in operation. The tour through the Spicer plant opened our eyes to the possibilities and responsibilities of that type of work. We enjoyed the refreshments served at the end of the tour. Then we went on by bus to Barbadoes Island to view the process necessary in the making of electricity. Another round of refreshments ended a most in- structive trip. Late in November we acquired the name of Public Nuisance Number One, when we began to canvass merchants, students, teachers, and friends for ads and patrons to finance the class play. This was our greatest effort to raise funds needed to meet the large budget which we had under- taken. Finally on the evenings of December 7 and 8, after a great deal of strenuous preparation, we presented the senior play, June Mad. This amusing comedy-drama pleased the audience with its humor, true-to-life scenes, and tender touches. A delightful interlude in school work was our long-awaited Christmas vacation from December 22 until January 3. After all, there is a Santa Claus! The vocational students, on January ll, enjoyed the exhibits at the Harrisburg Farm Show. Leonard Bauman and William Brower came home with merits of award for their outstanding exhibits. Early in February, Miss Head, a representative of the Unemployment Agency, came to discuss with the seniors the results of the aptitude tests which we had taken in November. She continued these interviews throughout the rest of the term. We are very grateful to this agency for its in- terest and help in choosing suitable careers. The annual Senior Dance on March 3 was our last effort to enrich our treasury. Beautiful spring weather helped to bring out the dancers, who enjoyed both the variety and choice of records and the novelty dances. We have always appreciated the fine messages brought to us by pastors of North Coventry and Pottstown churches at Christmas and Easter seasons. An inspiring musical program by the VVord of Life Hour group was presented to us on April 12. These young men from Wheaton College are devoting their spare time and their talents to spreading the message of the Gospel all over the world through song, personal testimony, and interviews. Our next memorable event was the Spring Concert on April 26, given by the Boys' and Girls' Glee Clubs. The first part of the program was a variety of spring numbers, the second part was an excellent rendition of parts of The Vagabond King. The Junior-Senior Prom, given in our honor, was held on April 28. The auditorium was most attractively decorated to carry out the theme, Twilight Time. Bob Hartman's orchestra provided music melodious and rhythmic enough to set any fe et to dancing. Members of the athletic teams were honored on May 3 at the tenth annual Athletic Banquet. Teachers, parents, and friends were present to witness the presentation of football, hockey, and basketball letters. Mothers of the players cooked a delicious meal, and good fellowship, laughter, witty remarks and jokes all combined to make the evening a delightful get-together of Norcoites.