Pekin High School - Pekinian Yearbook (Pekin, IL)

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SENIOR EDITION Page 17 All School Play ‘Stage Door’ Uncovers New Talent Given a bevy of attractive girls with aspiratons to the stage, a few boy friend producers, actors, and playwrights, and such talented high school performers as Dolores Basco, Li lab Lohnes, Marilyn Rankin, Hcllyn Cooper, Gaylord l.anrasirr, and David Hammer, you’re sure to have Jusf what the all-school play. Stage Door, was on Oct. 27-28—a hit. Dolores Basco played the part of Terry Randalls, a girl with definite ambition for a stage career, which she had a chance to attain at the play’s conclusion. Kaye Hamilton, portrayed by Lilah Lohnes, created quite a sensation when she committed suicide after being unable to hold her small part on Broadway. Marilyn Rankin enacted the part of Jean Maitland, who preferred a movie career to the stage. Hellyn Cooper merited many a laugh as the irrepressible Judith Canfield. David Hammer as the eccentric plnywright, Keith Burgess, and Gaylord Lancaster, who portrayed the part of David Kingsley. Hollywood producer, gave convincing portrayals of their characters. Choir Sings at Big 12 Meet. Approximately five hundred and sixty-seven voices (out of which sixty were from Pekin) sang In a mass choir for the annual Big Twelve Music Festival at Champaign, Illinois, on May I 4. under the direction of Nobel Cain, well-known composer, and director of the Chicago NBC a cappella choir. The choir presented their program over radio station WDWZ. Mr. Coolman and thirty-five orchestra members were there to play in a combined orchestra of Big Twelve schools, under the direction of Oscar Anderson from Chicago. Rehearsals were held at ten and one-thirty, both orchestra and choir performed, and for the last number on the program. Mr. Cain directed a mass choir and orchestra number, “O God Our Help in Ages Past.” Thespians Present Play On December 17, Thespian Troupe No. 146 of Pekin High School presented a one-act play, The Queen’s Christmas. Nancy Richards played the part of Queen Elizabeth, who. in the company of court friends, visited the palace of Seldingham. played by John Caster, on Christmas eve. The plot of the play was the transforming of the Queen by the Christmas spirit, so that she is convinced of the trickery of her court members. Lord Coventry, tContinued on page 22. Col. 1) Band, Soloists, and Ensembles Compete in State Contest;—Go To Regional at Battle Creek, Michigan Under the capable direction of LaVon Coolman. Pekin High's eighty-seven piece band competed in the district band contest at Peoria Central on March 30. 1940. The band played “Symphony in C Minor” by Ernest Williams, the required number, and two other selections, “Finlandia” by Jean Sibelius and “Amparito Rico” by Jaime Texidor. A first division rating in Peoria gave them the right to compete in the state at Champaign on April 20, 1940. At Champaign, with Peoria Central. Manual. Woodruff, anti Quincy as competitors. Pekin again came out on top and was recommended to play in the regional at Battle Creek, Michigan, on May 16, 17. and 18. Through donations. dances, card parties, tag day. and the splendid cooperation of band parents, enough money was raised to take the band to Battle Creek where their first trip to the national contest was made a successful one. This year the district ensemble’ and solo contests were held at Woodruff High School on March 16 with many P. C. H. S. students participating. The ensembles placed as fol-; lows: brass sextet—Robert Guni-bel, John Houston. Bruce Brisen-dine, Noel Francisco. Kathleen Shores. Betty Anderson, first division; cornet trio John Russell, Lois McClintick, Nancy Richards, first division; woodwind trio Bill Richards, Philip Peterson. Bill Jefferson, first division; mixed clarinet quartet —Angelo I Karagianis, Bob Stephens, Doro- ' thy Oiberle, Eleanor Galbraith, first division; B-flat clarinet quartet—Patty Rohrer, Ruby Conrad. Lois Gehrig, Betty Andrae. second division; woodwind quintet—Carroll Itunkle, Avis Busby. Robert Stallings, Vernon Lewis. La Verna Eschmeyer. second division; brass quintet—Harold Yocum. Bob Heckman. Walter Cannon, Elmore Keller, Gene Ambrose, due to lack of competition. were given the right to go directly to state; trombone quartet—Bill Moore. Mardell Oltman. Ray Sunderland. Jim Bush, second division. The solos that placed were flute —Philip Peterson and Marjorie Hackler, first division; cornet Lois McClintick. first division. Richard Seelye. second division: bass Bruce Brisendine. first division; marimba Lenora Wilson, first division; bassoon -Avis Busby. first division; trombone- -John Houston, second division; H-flat clarinet Bill Richards and Angelo Karagianis, first division: piano Nellie Mae Schaefer, first division; twirling—Jim Richards, first division. All solos and ensembles that were placed in first division were given the right to compete in the state contest held at Roosevelt Junior High School in Peoria on April 6. Long hours of practicing were spent before the first division winners went to the state contest in Peoria. Those winning first and a recommendation for regional competition were woodwind trio, mixed clarinet quartet, and soloists, Philip Peterson. Bruce Brisendine. Lenora Wilson, and Bill Richards. Students that took second division. but were still recommended for regional were the brass quintet and Jim Richards. However, a new ruling has gone into effect by which all students winning first division rating will be allowed to compete in the regional. This included the cornet trio, and soloists Marjorie Hackler. Lois McClintick. Avis Busby. Angelo Karagianis. Nellie Mae Schaefer and Mary Gleich accompanied them. Placing in second division was the brass sextet and Nellie Mae Schaefer. The Regional Contest this year was held in Battle Creek. Michigan. on May 16. 17. and 18.

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Page 16 SENIOR EDITION Annual ‘Rhapsody in Black' Marks Up Another Score m 9r. wmu Time: November 17 and 18, I}»:{! Place: P. (’. If. S. Auditorium Event: The annual RHAPSODY IN BLACK Music! Lights! Places! Curtain! . . “Speedhall Wilcox, “Zeno-bia Dieiil, “Fluff Guy (and the ‘Les Enfants’ make Debut Twenty-five members of the Freshman - Sophomore dramatic organization. In's Enfantes have completed a most successful first year. Practicing for plays they presented for the Thespian Troupe occupied most of the group's time this year. Jim Richards. Hetty Jean Saltier, and Wayne McGlinn took parts in “Red Carnations.” givin gtheir effective dramatizations for the Thespians, and in a true “drainer of the hills.” Jack Hackler. Dawn Pabst, and John Houston had roles. For their own group's entertainment, members Wilma Neuman, Earl Holland and Wayne McGlinn presented a farce. “Whose Money.” One of the top-notch programs of the year for the freshmen and sophomores featured recordings of Raymond Massey's stage version of Abe Lincoln in Illinois' along with interesting facts about the picture of the same name. I little wig that wasn’t there). ' Casanova Callahan, “Granny Niovar, and “Bubbles Lutticken as the famous dead men I mean ! end men. and John Caster, “super dumb” interlocutor, are in evidence. Making up the boys’ choir, sing ing “Ol Man River and Kentucky Babe, are Vernon Lewis, Hill .Mayer-Oakes, Angelo Karn-gianis, Merle Hlackahy, Everett Walbert, John Westrope, George I Zimmerman, Clare L-ilij, Harold Yocum, l«arry Becker, Jim Preston, Forest Hughes, I .oil is Schim-uielpfennig. Jim Hush, Douglas Wade, Vernon Kitterman, Harry Williams, and Hob McDonald. The three balladiers—Forest Hughes. Charles Timm, and Everett Walbert, sing On the Road to Mandalay.” I Poured My Heart Into a Song.” and “Until, respectively. as the show moves on. In Part II. Over the Rainbow is the general theme, with the Jazz orchestra dressed in nursery rhyme costumes. In the opening cone, Mary Woods, as a poor working girl. sings “Stormy Weather.” Larry Becker’s singing “The Umbrella Man brings on a group of eight tap dancers Singing in the Rain.” As the scene changes again, ‘Best ’39=’40 Thespians’ To Receive Drama Awards Bone, Art Department Head, to Model ‘Oscars’ Activity book holders who voted for the best Thespian girl and boy selected two students outstanding in major productions this year, from a group of over 30 candidates. M iss Hcllyn Cooper, class of 1940, was elected as the girl who has done the most outstanding work in dramatics this year, and Hill Richards, also from this year's graduating class, was chosen as the most outstanding actor among PCHS boys this term. Miss Cooper played prominent roles in both the all-school play. Stage Door. and the senior class play. Bachelor Born. New Idea of Double Casting Works in Junior Play June Mad, junior class play this year, inaugurated the doublecasting system for plays at Pekin High School. Friday and Saturday evenings. February 9 and 10, equally en- King Cole, portrayed by Hobart Browne, appears singing 01 King Cole” and a call for Little Boy Blue” is sent out. while Jack and Jill” entertain the king with their tap dancing. The stage is darkened. and with a loud crash of thunder, a beautiful ballet enters. Then, in the grand finale, Mary Jane Al-mone takes Mary Woods “Over the Rainbow. with the entire choir forming the background. The curtain falls, and another annual ‘black-out’ is past! tertaining performances were done by casts headed by Lorraine Lewis and Helen Parsons as Penny Wood, and Pete I’bben and Kill Mayer-Oakes, as Chuck Harris, glider-minded beau of lively fifteen-year-old Penny. Supporting casts for both evenings were also double-cast, and excellent characterizations were done by Dolores Basco and Shirley Dennis as Mrs. Wood. Jim Diehl and Vernon Lewis as Elmer, Gerald Maloney and Hill Nelson as Mervyn Wood, and Barbara Traub and Wilma Hayes as Effie. Especially adaptable for a junior class production, the play featured the trials of adolescence as discovered by Penny and Chuck, and how their families were affected by their “growing pains. Debate Team Has One of Most Successful Seasons In History; Receives High Rating in National Contest This season has marked the most successful one in the Pekin debate club's history. For this school an almost unheard of feat was accomplished this year, when the debaters, under the capable tutelage of Coach Nelson, traveled to Terre Haute, Indiana, to participate in the National Forensic League National Debate Tournament. There they received an excellent rating, or one slightly above the average of the other championship teams, winners of the Forensic District tournaments. gathered at Terre Haute. In this state there are two N. F. L. District tournaments. Northern and Southern, and in the entirety of America there are some 'oventy-five. each sending one or two teams as entries to the Indiana National. The distinction as to whether one or two teams enter depends on the number of teams in the district. If twelve or more are entered, two teams, first and second. are sent to National; if less, only first placers are sent. Pekin went by virtue of their second at the Jacksonville District. All season, some seven tournaments have been attended by the Pekin debaters, either by first or second teams or both. These tournaments were held at Lincoln, Jacksonville (District). Wesleyan, and the Terre Haute National. One of the four members of the A division squad, and three members of the B division group will probably make up the ’41 team. They are John (’aster. Jack Hack-lor, Bruce Brisendine. and Hob Heckman. The graduates are Dick Hell, Hill ()l crlr. Browning Jacobs, and Betty Hornan. Next year Mr. Nelson expects to have a fine group of students sn his team, and says he would like to complete his outfit with a humorous declamator, original orator. a group of actors for the one-act play contests, and all the others who will make a full group. He states that he has already reserved some hotel suites at Washington, D. C., the scene of next year's National.

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Pape 18 SENIOR EDITION The opera presented by the and Sullivan. Harry Langley dimusic department this year was rected, assisted by Paul Chronic “H. M. S. Pinafore, by Gilbert and Carolyn Wilkinson. ‘Bachelor Born,’ Senior Play, Draws Large Crowd Bachelor Born, a comedy with an English boys' school as its setting, gave PCHS seniors an excellent opportunity in which to do theii last bit of fine acting before graduation. Bill Richards as Charles Donkin. beloved Housemaster at the school, portrayed the leading role in a most creditable manner. David Hammer as Donkin's good friend and fellow instructor at the school. Frank Hastings and Gaylord .'Lancaster, as the Reverend Edmund Ovington. Headmaster of Seniors Look Forward to - - June 2—Baccalaureate S—Semester Review •I—Senior Class Day 5—Semester Examinations 0—School dismissed Marbledown, concluded their work in high school dramatics with fine performances. Mary Alice Conkel and Marjorie Hackler, whose first major production appearance was in this play, enacted well the part of Miss Barbara Fane, aunt of three! harum - scarum girls, Button. Chris, and Rosemary Faringdon.! who invaded the boys' school. Double casting was used for the j girls' parts and honors were equal-1 l.v shared by Phyllis Wooddell! and Delores Seggerman as Button. Hellyn Cooper and Frances Hancock as Chris, and Lilnli Lohnes and Joan Rogers as Rosemary. Delores, Hellyn, Lilah, and Joan had appeared in other major productions during high school, but Phyllis and Frances as well as I some of the male members of the cast appeared for the first time in a major production. Joe Hudson, Larry Becker, Everett Wal-bert, Ed Ohlfnger and Philip Peterson all gave fine performances in their various roles. In the cast were: Buttercup ...... Barbara Laird Sir Joseph Porter .............. Forest Hughes Cousin Hein .... Lorraine lxkwis Dick Deadeye Bill Mayer-Oakes Boatswain......... Jim Preston Boatswain’s Mate ........... Vernon Kitterman Josephine .... Frances Hancock Ralph Racks!raw ................ Larry Becker The various committees who i worked to make a success of the j production were Mr. Bone, who designed the scenery, and Mr. Thompson and the stage craft j class. Mr. Holman, Henry Yanderhey-den, Ray Becker, Miss McCoy. Mary Woods, and Henrietta Wilson were in charge of costumes. Miss Sybil Johnson, Mr. Chronic, Mr. ami Mrs. Herbert Adams, Barbara Traub, Mary Ellen Thomas. Iona Galloway, and AUyne Rosenberg had the task of making-up the sailors and their pretty ladies. Properties were rounded up i by Mr. Dowell, Bernadinc Hoerr, Walter Ringwald, and Darwin Ewers. Ijoralne Bailey, Nadine Hornback, Marilyn Snyder. Virginia Woolsey, Dorothy Hill, Mary Scliappaugh, and lola Harding assisted Miss K. Johnson with ticket sales. Largest Thespian Troupe In History Ends 1940 Activities Thespian Troupe Number 147 has the largest membership it has ever had, this year. Including those initiated after the senior class play there are fifty-six members now in school. A new form of formal initiation service was introduced this last semester, with candle lit ceremonies conducted by members of the group, and the gesture that officially declares one’s status as a Thespian. i— 'ommencement 7—Students call for report cards Honor Chapel 7—Alumni Banquet An unusually attractive stage setting, an excellent supporting cast, and fine committee work made Bachelor Born a splendid presentation. To conclude the activities of the group for the year, and celebrate the finish of a successful year,; the Thespians picnicked at Mineral Springs Park on May 20. Til K I’KKI NOIS Co-KtlilorH: L. Loll nos. It. Laird: ltii»ino%» .Munajcers: .1. Schwartz. L. ( Iiliou: Column: M. Ibioklor, J. Schwartz: Oirl- Sports: II. Wuintnnn : lloy Sports: G. Maloney. !•'. Schulze. .1. tiny, V. Kitterman; Keportlnic stuff: M. Vaughn. E. Galbraith, S. Dennis. M. NVeyrleh, M. Friedrich. L. Johan nos. .1. Solniff. M. Paine. It. Ainsworth, G. Wli-s hi. J. Walkington, It. Sohroeder. It. bushy, I’. Moore. J. Khrhnnlf. It. Sutter. J. Hackler. A. Glassford, M. Itan-kin, b. Gasper. Williams, II. Parsons. It. Miller: Typist : D. Pierson, M. Liescheidt. H. Parsons. Pekinois Announces '40 Staff; Board To Be Used An entirely different Pekinois Staff set-up has been devised for 1940-41, and although the board is yet tentative, it is probable that it will receive little “shaking-up” in the fall. The main change in the plan for next year is that there will be no editors in full charge of the paper. Instead, there will be an editorial board. The Pekinois' make-up editors will be Pat Moore and Shirley Dennis. Jack Hackler is to be feature editor, with Bernadinc Hoerr and Buth Busby as assistants. Gerry Maloney has been chosen sports' editor and will be assisted mainly by Richie” Diepenbrock. Copy editing will be supervised by Eran . Schulze and Betty Miller. Proof readers will be Martha Wey-rich and Melba Paine. The news editor will be Eleanor Galbraith, assisted by the general reporting staff (the remnants of this year’s staff). Comprising this group are David Fox, Jay Schaff, Mary Stowe, Virginia King, Wilma Hayes, Kutli Scliroeder, Ewell Layne, Bob Grossweller, and Vernon Lewis. Helen Parsons will be the main bet as typist, but will be assisted by others, yet to be chosen. So there Is the next staff of the Pekinois, sweating and straining to produce a worth-while paper for you—P. C. H. S. students! Further staff members will be appointed from this fall’s journalism class, but the preceding journalists will carry most of the paper. Let's give them all the support possible—they’ll need it! Thanks! J Since this is the last issue j of the PEKINOIS for this I year, it is time to square up | our accounts with everyone concerned. To our advertisers and to all the members of the staff go our most sincere thanks. You have all helped to make this publication a success. Congratulations to next year’s staff. We hope that you will be able to uphold the editorial policies that we have tried to carry out this year. Running a school paper isn't an easy laBk to do well, but we know that you will do a grand job of it. Barbara Laird and Lilah I olincN --------------------------——