Onarga Township High School - Onarquois Yearbook (Onarga, IL)

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Either we weren’t the angels we thought we were or other places had more attraction — anyway several of our class left us. Elwin Lambert, Margaret Martin, Harry Neal, and Grace Lei-decker all found other places to go. Advancing a little further into our Sophomore year we gave the Freshmen a small idea of initiation by the Spohomore Reception. We could really look with amazement at the way the Freshmen all clung to their seats before classes began. Mary Dannehl piloted the ship with Burt Keever, Marilyn Davis, and Elsie Wright helping along the way. Mr. Seaney acted as sponsor while Miss Nordell was replaced later in the year by Mrs. Taylor because of the former’s resignation. Honest, we’re innocent. Some of us tried our luck in biology learning what made the snake wiggle or what made the frog croak. That last one didn’t present any problem for us, we all knew it was our knives that did the trick. Our fellows and girls were very ably supporting our second year of undefeat in football either directly or indirectly. Barney Brantley joined us from Piper City. Norma Templeton rejoined us only to leave us in our Junior year. To help the entire school celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we put on a program in the true O’Rourke spirit. One of our most pleasant victories was the crowning of our candidates for King and Queen at the carnival. Marilyn Davis and Marion Harris received the crowns and corsages. Mr. Seaney found us to be so irresistable that he was promoted right along with us as Junior sponsor. Mrs. Pease did a fine job of assisting, particularly when the banquet came around. Our Junior Play “All Gummed Up” set a new high in net profits. This was just the beginning of an extremely busy but enjoyable year. June Hahne was the busy manager with Moe Harris, Beverly Russell, and Leo Kanosky as the other class officers. We thought of everything — with a little added — to make some money to give the respected Seniors a big send off. Our last Christmas program as a class was given with Jolly Old Saint Nick visiting all the happy O. T. H. S. students. For those that had been good chil’en he had special gifts. Basing all preparations on the old fashioned garden theme, the banquet and prom were very royally carried out. The O. M. S. band furnished the music in grand style. If you can remember, it all took place in a cloud burst to say the least. Oh well, “rain makes all things beautiful.” Our big dream was a reality, seventeen of us were Seniors. We gained June Banez, Marion In- gersall, and La Verne Reiter. The misfortune of losing Mary Dannehl, Marion Harris, and LaVerne Price befell us. The latter, after receiving a release from Merchant Marines, came back and took up his books once again. To start the year off right, we sponsored a sweater and sock dance. The Freshmen still didn’t feel at ease in our presence; so we planned a nice little get-together as a remedy. Initiation was enjoyed by all, even by the Freshmen as they rested in a line in front of the assembly being perfect chinamen. For dramatic purposes a pantomine, “And The Lamp Went Out”, was presented for the entertainment of the assembly. Then on St. Valentine’s Day in the very midst of a blizzard, we gallantly gave our Senior play, “You Can’t Always Sometimes Tell,” a side-tickling farce. Mr. Goodwin took over the duties of sponsor with Miss White as co-sponsor. Their able assistants were Marilyn Davis, President; Burt Keever, Vice-President; Beverly Russell, Secretary; Martha Greiner, Treasurer. In January a near miracle was performed. Afer waiting for what seemed like centuries our rings arrived. We had a crowning achievement of winning 2 out of 4 years the King and Queen of the carnival. It was but fitting that our candidates Marilyn Davis and Leo Kanosky should be victorious our last year. Since the war was over, our class was able to take a trip. Alter putting all our ideas together, it was decided a class picnic at Buckner’s Cabin was just the thing. Our last social event of our school days made us realize how much fun we had really enjoyed together. To show our ever lasting gratitude to the school, we left something that could very nicely be put to use. It was decided a sofa and chair was needed for the dramatic productions of O. T. H. S., so we proceeded to do what we could about it. If they are not on the market yet, glass enclosed bulletin boards will be substituted. To finish our active school days, the Juniors gave us a very nice banquet and prom. The alumni banquet and dance followed with the class colors, green and white, and our flower, the Talisman Rose, prevailing in the decorations. All that was left for us as students was Commencement. On May 30th the eventful night arrived. The diplomas certainly looked nice, but with them came a feeling of mingled sorrow and joy. Keeping our class Motto in mind, “To Thine Ownself Be True,” we raised our eyes to face the future with a smile.

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CLASS HISTORY Mingling our tears with the down pour from heaven, twenty-seven intelligent youngsters left their happy homes for their unforgettable first day of school. Under the supervision of Miss Harriet Cain, we managed to master the three R’s namely; Running, Romping, and Resting. Journeying across the hall, Miss Kathleen Artz, with a ready smile, met us at the door. Young as we were, we decided to do a little experimenting on the side to discover if money really would talk. After all chipping in, we visited old Man Winter in his frosty palaces. Sure enough it does, school was dismissed for several days. In our third year we studied under Miss Kath-ie Blackwell which was a special privilege as it was the one and only year she taught at dear old 0. G. S. In the mathematical department it was noted that not only 2 and 2 equaled 4, but 3 and 1 also did. Were our parents ever proud now!!! The great art of boat building was our next accomplishment. Admiral Julia Danforth gave us a few hints now and then. The speedy little model was Columbus’ Santa Maria. When it was finished, a clever skit was given. This was the beginning of our training for Thespians. We believed in the old saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”'- so consequently we started when we are juveniles. Finding the school unfit for our growng class, or was it the other way around, we moved to the 1. O. O. F. Hall to continue our studies while the school was undergoing a reconstruction job. Upon returning a new gym was ready for our use, and the custom of physical education classes for both girls and boys was established. Miss Charlotte Clarke had the task of being overseer of our first class expedition. Brookfield Zoo proved to be very interesting and educational. Now we could come back and draw pictures of oar second cousins as they swung by their tails. Several of our members began to develop their hidden musical talents as they joined the growing grade school orchestra. In keeping with the Yuletide spirit the stronger sex of our class constructed Santa Ciaus and his reindeers. We all took turns sitting on his knee and describing in full detail our wants and desires. Hubba, hubba!! Meanwhile, the girls were busy with the Nativity scene. By the sixth grade our artistic abilities were being produced. From ancient history we depicted several scenes for some murals. Later in the year, poppy posters were drawn, and one of our members won a dollar bill. Miss Fern Yaw was very determined that some Frankies or Bings would be developed; so we kept up on the latest songs of the time. Now let me see, Ah yes, “Three Little Fishes”, “Home on the Range” and many other too numerous to mention. Finding our thirst for knowledge was too much of a burden for one teacher, in the seventh grade we branched out and got two, Mr. Lionel Beavins and Mr. Merle Wright. In the interest of science we took a trip up to Chicago once again, but this time we took in all the museums and aquariums. This year we received our first taste of graduation glamor — at least we sang in the chorus. Now, at last the big year was here, and did we think we were “big stuff”. Mr. Wright, along with the help of Mr. Ira Onken, once again guided our steady steps. Our special delight was the English classes we never had. To help the rest of the school celebrate Christmas, a Christmas play and program was given. After passing all the tedious exams, twenty-four of us marched up to the stage to receive our hard earned diplomas. The annual Legion Awards were presented to Margaret Martin and Burt Kee-ber, the former leaving us our Freshman year. Again walking away with honors, Margaret Martin proved to be Salutatorian while Elsie Wright closed the graduation as Valedictorian. Our first main goal had been reached, and to us it seemed like a job well done. TIME MARCHED ON! After being told all kinds of stories twenty three of us rather hesitantly took our seats on the south side of the assembly at O. T. H. S. The rules and regulations were duly explained to us, and everything seemed to be going smoothly until the fateful day of November 30th arrived. The seniors wanted to make sure that we felt welcome; so they all put their heads together and came out with our initiation. How well we all remember— and didn’t we feel silly ducking under those desks? By Christmas time we had sufficiently recovered to put up a huge tree in the assembly which was the beginning of a new custom. Shortly following this a play was presented which showed what “little devils” we all were. Miss Hanson and Miss Suppes gave us our needed guidance and very patiently listened to all our trials and tribulations. All year we vied with the Junior class for the scholarship cup. They loved us for it! The ones chosen to manage our first year of high school life were President, Marilyn Davis; Vice-President, Wilma Krause; Secretary, Harry Neai; Treasurer, Beverly Russell.

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CLASS WILL We, the Senior Class of Onarga Township High School, State of Illinois, do hereby comma this to be our last will and testament. I, Burt (The Voice) Keever, do hereby will and bequeath my winning ways with the Freshman guis to Warren .Peters. I, Leo (Romeo) Kanosky, do hereby will and bequeath my broad shoulders and slim waist to nusseil HocKersmith. I, Colleen (Mousie) Wilken, do hereby will and bequeath my popularity at the Danforth dances to Marlene Wilken. I, Burnell (Barney) Brantley, do hereby will and bequeath my baby blue eyes and manly ways to Orville DuFrain. I, Marilyn (Davy) Davis do hereby will and bequeath my ability to get the best dancer in O. M. S. to Patty Althaus. I, June (O.M.S.) Banez, do hereby will and bequeath my week-ends in Chicago to Leila Dunlap. I, LaVerne (Don) Reiter, do hereby will and bequeath my shyness to Ina Dickenson. I, Beverly (Janie) Sumrall, do hereby will and bequeath my ability to exaggerate and talk to Francis Zeedyk. I, LaVerne (Slim) Price, do hereby will and bequeath my wonderful technique obtained in the Merchant Marines to Roy Ficklin. I, Beverly (Slinky) Russell, do hereby will and bequeath my interest in The Funeral Home in Gilman to myself. I, Elsie (Else) Wright, do hereby will and bequeath my violin to Margaret Kanosky so she can get even. I, Glenn (Banty) Nichoalds, do hereby will and bequeath my ability to exchange girls’ pictures for rides on my scooter to Robert Hendricks. I, Martha (Marty) Greiner, do hereby will and bequeath my ability to type and giggle at the same time to Peggy Tilstra. I, Marion (Inky) Ingersoll, do hereby will and bequeath my long blonde hair to Deloris Sumrall. I, June (Pooney) Hahne, do hereby will and bequeath my participation in school actviities to Margaret Lindsay. I, Wilma (Circe) Krause, do hereby will and bequeath my flirting ability to Elizabeth Peters. I, Veda (Vete) Ebert, do hereby will and bequeath my Chevy to Neil Talbert and hope that he will keep it in good condition. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names and affixed our seal on the I8th day of March in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and forty-six. We, the Senior Class of Onarga Township High School, State of Illinois, do hereby commit th.s to be our last will and testament. Witnesses: MR. GOODWIN, MISS WHITE. PROPHECY This is the year 1956, and the occasion is the Annual O. T. H. S. Carnival. As I look around I seem to recognize a number of the people milling about through the crowd. As I turn around, I am almost knocked down by a rather large woman wearing a lot of jewelry and furs. Looking closer I realize it is the former June Banez— noW Mrs. Ed Stark. When I ask her how she is getting along, she says she and Ed now have their own South American Cafe in Brooklyn. She is here on business trying to persuade the Jolly Sailors to come to New York and play at her cafe. I move down the midway and follow the sound of a booming voice. Drawing nearer I see it belongs to Glenn Nichoalds. When I ask why he is still participating in the Carnival, he tells me he came back for a post-graduate course, and he had so much fun he just couldn’t leave. Startled by a large hand on my shoulder I look up to see a tall man in top hat and tails accompanied by a beautiful blonde whom he informs me is his fifth wife. As we all know, he is known all over Chicago as “Diamond Leo” Kanosky. He tells me he made all his money on his new beer bottle with the hole in both ends. Going on farther I meet Marilyn Davis who says she and C. C.