Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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The Reflector is one of the oldest traditions of P. C. H. S. The older alumni will remember when the Reflector appeared as a monthly pamphlet, and, still later, as a semi-annual journal. The present form has been the accepted pattern since 1926. Regardless of the type of publication, the purpose remains the same—to record your happy memories for future reference. When you’ve reached the grand old age of thirty, think what fun you’ll have, glancing through the Reflectors of your school days! And so, we, the Reflector Staff of 1942, do hereby present to you, our successors, our humble efforts toward making your memories permanent. We sincerely hope they will mean as much to you as they do to us, the graduating class. THE STAFF Editor........................Barbara Davis Assistant Editor............Juanita Douglas Organization Editor ..... Marilyn Peterson Sports Editor ....... Devore Killip Photograph Editor ..... William Eagan

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of my class. In the aeronautical engineering department, I had the surprise of my life! (Before I explain, I’d like someone to tell me why an engineer needs a secretary!) As I live and breathe, there was Marilyn Peterson, with a pencil poised over a shorthand notebook, taking down notes as dictated by Mr. James Jayne. Only—he wasn’t a mister any more, he was a captain; and she probably wasn’t a Miss either. Anyway, that was the situation when we walked in. In the other room were his three assistants, John Trickle, Hubert Piper, and Adrian Johnson, probably waiting to speak with him. Well, I was getting nowhere fast. A guy can’t very well take over the body of someone he knows or has known, and I was beginning to feel discouraged. Mr. Jordan provided an instantaneous lift for my spirits by suggesting that we take in the benefit show to be given that evening. He gave me a clipping advertising the event, and believe it or not, it featured Barbara Davis as the vocalist with a big name band. Included in the dancing ensemble were such notables as Esther Spung, Dorothy O’Hare, and Frances Salvage. After the show, we visited thq famous “Dirty Thirty” game rooms, a branch of that fabulous gambling syndicate owned and operated by Richard Cottrell, with Kenneth Dougherty as his able assistant and partner. (It had been okeyed by President Roosevelt as a good diversion for soldiers, since they don’t have to pay income tax.) Stopping at a restaurant for a little snack, we scared two waitresses, Anna Marie Plackett and Lucille Vaught, out of a year’s growth, and left several customers minus some food. I recognized a few faces, one of them being Maxine Kirsche, who was evidently married to the civilian instructor sitting across from her. A table of nurses included Mrs. Robert Short and Mrs. James Purtill, whose husbands had been drafted, and the misses Doris Swanfelt, Ruth Stearns and Mary Margaret Graham. Soldiers certainly have all the luck—and me without a body—what irony!! Next to the restaurant was the Carleton Bowling Alley, owned by Harold Carleton, and managed by Delbert Beckstrand. I recognized John Farley and Wilmer Smith at one of the alleys, and I gathered from their conversation that they owned a chain of grocery stores in partnership with an old friend of theirs. (Even that hadn’t kept them out of the army—Uncle Sam gets them all!!) A group of girls, including Patty Fuller, Mary Hendershott, Ruth Anderson, and Irene Nelson, were using one of the other alleys. From their chatter, I learned that they all had jobs as stenographers in various departments on the field, and, from appearances, they were doing right well. Their bosses included the familiar names of Ebert Siddens, Robert Duggins, and Harry Johnson, who had advanced rapidly since their induction into the army. I also learned that Barbara Adkins now operated a well-known beauty shop, ably assisted by her school chum, Marian Pearson. Her fiance was drafted, you know. Juanita Douglas was now Mrs. Virgil Naugle, successful undertaker, an affair which dated back to her high school days, if you’ll recall. Robert McDannell was well established as an army doctor, with Betty Hollister as his special nurse. Evelyn Weidner had worked only a short time, and was now married to her boss, a captain. Audrey Frette had taken the position left vacant by his romance, with Kathryn Gustafson as coworker. All of which goes to show you what can be learned from listening. But I still hadn’t found a body, and, although I had enjoyed finding out what had happened to all my schoolmates, I felt some concern on my own behalf. My troubles were solved the following evening. Mr. Jordan and I attended the championship bout between Louis Joseph and Simon Abeson, and I had no sooner seen that Joseph physique than I knew that my search was over. Naturally, Mr. Jordan agreed. Wbat man wouldn’t? Five seconds later, I was Louis Joseph. But there’s still one thing that bothers me, and that’s why I said, by way of beginning, that I was a bit confused. The point is, now that I’m Louis Joseph, does anybody happen to know what happened to the original? Mr. Jordan disappeared before I could ask him. Adopted from the movie: “Here Comes Mr. Jordan,” with my most humble apologies.

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WILLIAM EAGAN, President Band Swing Band Junior Class Play Class President (1, 4) Senior Class Play PATRICIA VAN FU Secretary Glee Club (3, 4) Paper Staff (4) Transfer Ludlow (3) On September 6, 1938, we entered P. C. H. S. as the class of 1942. Under the supervision of Miss Gracen and Mr. Bidner, we elected as our president, William Eagan; vice-president, Robert Smith; secretary, Doris Swanfelt; treasurer, Barbara Adkins. The Student Council representatives were Irene Nelson, and Thomas Ryan. Talent was shown by many of our group in both the band and glee club. The school honor roll included Barbara Davis, and Evelyn Weidner. Miss Swinford and Mr. Judd were our advisers for the sophomore year. We elected as our class officers the following: president, loan Wirth; vice-president, Kenneth Dougherty; secretary, Evelyn Weidner; treasurer, Lewis Dayton. Our Student Council representatives were Bonnie Brison and Stanley Peterson, while Doris Swanfelt served as secretary of that organization, loan Wirth was one of the varsity cheerleaders. The officers for our junior year were president, Stanley Peterson; vice-president, Barbara Davis; secretary, Juanita Douglas; treasurer, Barbara Adkins. Richard Cottrell was vice-president of the Student Council the first semester and president the second, as a result of the absence of Robert Froyd. The class was represented in this student organization by Evelyn Weidner and Lewis Dayton. Football lettermen were Richard Cottrell, Stanley Peterson, and Lewis Dayton. Cottrell also received a letter in basketball. The high point of the first semester was the class play, “The Hutchinsons—Bless Them,” directed by Miss Strong. However, the spotlight of the social year was the Junior-Senior banquet in a Mexican setting. Miss Piper, our other class adviser, had charge of this farewell to the class of ’41. For the last year in our high school career the officers were president, William Eagan; vice-president, Phyllis Holroyd; secretary, Patricia Fuller; and treasurer, Ruth Stearns. Our Student Council representatives were Maxine Kirsche and John Farley, with Dick Cottrell as president of the organization. Our class play was “June Mad,” directed by Miss Emsing. The annual class day program in which we the class of ’42 made our last will and testament and bade our Alma Mater a fond farewell was held on May 20. The high light of the social year was the Junior-Senior banquet.. As usual our high school careers closed with Baccalaureate on May 24, and Commencement on May 26, ending our childhood days and four happy and memorable years at P. C. H. S. PHYLLIS ANN HOLROYD. Vice-President Transfer Watscka (3) Glee Club (4) LLER, RUTH STEARNS, Treasurer Glee Club (2)