Pekin High School - Pekinian Yearbook (Pekin, IL)

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SENIOR EDITION Page 26 « Student Council Sponsors Many New Projects “On to a better PCHS is our motto, we’ve clone our best, and so good-bye until next year.” The 1940-41 Student Council, by far the biggest council ever to grace the halls of Pekin High, and one of the fastest-working crews, has been busy all year doing services that put Pekin on the map as one of the most progressive schools in the state. It would take the entire Senior Issue to enumerate the accomplishments of the year’s group, so we’ll just try to hit the highlights. Under the capable direction of Dean Me Naught on, athletic star, and sponsors, Mr. P. M. Peterson, Miss Edith Gramlicli, and Mr. Mason Grigsby, the council has flourished into one of the outstanding groups in Pekin High. First semester, the council in-augurated the Homecoming Dance. This big affair turned out to be one of our finest celebrations, and both students and alum- RECENTLY ELECTED TO NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY Chapter 305 of the National Honor Society initiated 26 members of the class of 1941 and nine members of the class of 1942 into its ranks during the chapel periods on May 21 and 22. Membership in this Society is the highest honor PCHS can give you. The Chapel program was presided over by Miss Ix la l aket, head of the Chapter, with members of the 1941 class elected last year taking charge. They were John Castor, James Diehl, Eleanor Galbraith. Bernard Mainline, and Dorothy Oberle. After an explanation of the Society, pins were presented to the neophytes by Mr. P. M. Peterson, principal. To become a member of the National Honor Society, one must rank in Leadership. Scholarship. Citizenship, and Character. Members of the Class of 41 are: Members of Class of 1941 who wrere elected last year: John Castor, James Diehl, Kloanoro Galbraith, Bernard Hainline, and Dorothy Oberle. New members of Class of 1941: Angelo Alesandrini, Dolores Masco, William Carey, Ina Mae Cross, Shirley Dennis, Jessie Frazier, Noel Francisco, Ruth Gerzetich, Yvonne Gillespie, Elroy (.olden. Xoreen Hilst, Bernadine Hoerr, Richard H o o e r, Jancy Kay Hughes, William Jefferson, Kuth Ivistner, Hilda Lnnnert, William Mayer-Oakes, Edna McClint ick, Mary K. McDaniels, Dean Me-Naughton, Patricia Moore, Virginia Newman, Ruth Schroeder, Lois Simpson, and Barbara Trauh. Class of 1942 are: Loraine Bailey, Bruce Brisendine, Robert H e c k in a n, Adeline McDaniels, Kenneth Miller, Hazel Perkins, Mary Alice Renfer, Lois Splitt-gerber, and Mary Ellen Thomas. ni enjoyed the dance immensely. The Chapel programs planned by the Student Council, including the Variety Show and the exchange program with Woodruff High, have proved to be more interesting than ever, and besides this big job, the council has shouldered the task of sponsoring the Pe-kinois, backing the Student Activity Ticket, and the planning of the lyceum programs (remember George De.Mott and the Swiss Family Fraunfelder?). Another service offered to the students through the work of the council is the Book Exchange, open in the spring, fall and midsemester to take care of selling second-hand books. Also along this order is the Lost and Found system. This one function, more than anything else, benefits ev-• eryone in school by receiving all those hard-to-hang-on-to things and holding them for four weeks for the owner to come and claim them. The big project of the second semester was the Social Room, made possible by the contribu-; tions of the different organizations in school. The Student Council shouldered the responsibility of making plans, buying the furniture. and keeping the room I open, and by thus doing so. i permission was granted to go ahead and use Room 215 for a new Social Room. If you have I visited this room, you can readily i notice the great change-for-the-better that the new. colorful furniture and drapes have given it. These are only a few of the “big’’ things carried on by the council, not to mention the many i “little” things that never get publicized, such as the ushering during the Quarter Finals and the Spring Frolic, and keeping checkrooms for the Association of Commerce Banquet. Officers for this last semester, i and doing a really fine job of it were: President - - - Dean McXaughton Vice-President - - - - Bob Herget Secretary - Mary Pauline Bartliel Treasurer............Toula Rag las Corres. Secretary - - - Pat Moore

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Page 25 SENIOR EDITION INQUIRING REPORTER In a recent senior inquiry by your inquiring reporter for the benefit of you underclassmen, it was discovered that each and all of you have a bright future to which to look forward. The question was, “What year of school did you like the best, and why?” LaVerne Campbell states that he enjoyed his senior year the most. “Although it w’as the toughest, there were more activities, and you know more people.” Bruno Rometti, flashy football athlete, proudly states, “I most fully enjoyed my senior year, because I just started gettin’ around.” Marion Zimmerman, the girl with the canary voice, chirped, “My sophomore year was my favorite because of the parties, hikes, and picnics that my classmates and I participated in.” It seems that there should be many graduating seniors who can recall the same good times. Ray Becker, the man about town, is sincerely thinking of returning to PCHS for another enjoyable senior year, “With the many activities available.” Roy Athey, the basketball hero, also enjoyed his senior year year because, “I started to get around.” Noreene Hilst, the studious essay-contest winner, says, “I mostly enjoyed my junior year, but I do not know why.” Your inquiring reporter believes this was the year that Noreene came to Pekin High. Bernadine Hoerr. the senior sweetheart, also liked her junior year. She says. “Because I was in more plays and could look for- j ward to more things like the prom and such.” Yes, I really believe Bernadine would enjoy proms. Betty House, that studious little girl with the large I. Q.. believes she likes the senior year the best because, “I have taken part in more clubs and general activities. Every moment has been joyfully filled, especially the out-come.” Dean McNaughton, our president of the Student Council, is | in favor of the senior year because, “I made the football team.” G. R.’S “GIVE THE BEST” Girl Reserves of PCHS can look back with pride on a year filled with many accomplishments. The Mother and Daughter banquet, Springfield and Decatur conferences, Lantern parade, and Gypsy Patterran all were big successes, because the Girl Reserves u’ore so enthusiastic in following their code. There are six advisers for the clubs. Miss Eleanor McCoy is the chairman, and Misses Gladys Brainard, Maurine Kemp. Helen Moore. Florence Munson, and Grace Speers are the other leaders. Girl Reserves, too, are guided by the PCHS motto. “On to a bigger and better PCHS.” A Capella Choir The Big 12 Music Festival, held at Champaign, Illinois, attracted ninety students from Pekin, who combined with approximately five hundred other music lovers from this district to present the mass musical fete on May 10. The program was broadcast over the local station, WDWZ. Mr. Langley directed sixty A Capella Choir members who sang in the mass chorus. The songs selected w’ere: For boys—“The Elf Man” and “The Bow’der Ballad”; for girls—rtThe Staines Morris,” and combined—“Hear Me Pray.” “I Want to Be Ready,” and “Roll. Chairot. Roll.” The last two selections, both familiar to PCHS students, were written by Nobel Cain, well-known composer and conductor, who directed the choir. Earlier this season, the music department presented the operetta “Maritana,” and received much praise for this picturesque production. As the curtain opened, you found yourself in the city of Madrid. gay and colorful. A band of gypsies were singing and dancing in the square. With them was a lovely, young girl w’ith a beautiful voice. Maritana. Don Caesar, played by Claire Leiby, entered the scene. He immediately became involved in the case of Lazarilla. Lorraine l ewis, an ill-treated servant girl who tried to drown herself and was rescued by Tony, Allen Weber.

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Page 2 7 SENIOR EDITION THREE HITS IN SEASON DIRECTED BY ATKINSON The drama department has completed another successful season with three hits. The season began with “The Tavern” by George M. Cohan. In directing the play. Mr. Atkinson worked with a double cast, one of th most popular methods of casting at PCHS. “First-nighters” found Judy Donahue, Mary Nea-vear, Pauline Rinaldo, and Mary Catherine Velde in the female roles. On the second evening the girls making their debut were Madeline Wostrope, Mary Galbraith, Shirley lh nnis, and Jean Myer. The boys, who appeared both evenings, were John Caster, Clare lyeiby, AI O’Hara, Jim Diehl, Jerry Maloney, Douglas Wade, Bernard Van Auken, Howard Marquardt, Bernard Halnline, Glenn Duley, and Earl Holland. The Junior class play, “Spring Dance,” by Philip Barry, came next. The scene was a college for girls in New England. Several fellows are arriving for the sorority’s spring dance. Alex, played by Mary Alice Renter, is in love with Sam (dare Leihy) and awaits his arrival only to learn he is going to tour Russia with the Lippin-cott, portrayed by Harry Williams. Alex’s chums do their best to keep him from leaving and he finally walks into a trap set for him by the girls, Sally, played by Jean Myer; Mady, Jean Powers; Edith Simonrini as Kate, and Mary Ellen Thomas as Francis The biology teacher was ably portrayed by Richard Seegar. George Glass ford, as Hat, lost his heart to “beautiful but dumb” Frances; and Buck, A1 O’Hara, swept the effusive Sally from her feet. Contributing strong character parts were Dorothy Rohrs as the prim house-mother. Miss Ritchie; Norma Besson in the role of Mildred, the maid; and Ned Hough as Doc Boyd, a Princeton man. The Senior class completed a year of stellar productions in PCHS with the stage version of Lloyd C. Douglas’ hit novel, “Magnificent Obsession.” Pekin High Bernard Van Auken, as Doctor Wayne Hudson, eminent brain surgeon, married Helen, Dolores Basco, a school friend of his daughter, Joyce, played by Ruth Kistner, and brings her to his house. Dr. Hudson is drowned when the boat of Bobby Merrick, Jim Diehl, upsets; and Bobby, who was nearly drowned, remains at the home of the Hudson’s to ! recuperate, where he falls in love with Helen. Monty, Helen’s cousin, was played by John ('aster. Others in the cast are Lor- MR. W. KIRTLEY ATKINSON seniors were the first stage group to present this play and photographs of the production were sent to the publishers of the script for use in advertising. laine Lewis as Nancy Ashford, a friend of the Hudson’s; Howard Marquardt as Dr. Hudson’s colleague, Dr. Malcolm Pyle; Barbara Traub as Marion Dawson, wife of Jack, and Bill Mayer-Oakevs in the role of Jack Dawson, a friend of Bobby's. Contributing character roles were Virginia Newman as Martha, a housekeeper; Don Bonk cast as a handyman, and Mary Neavear portraying Mrs. Wickes, an acquaintance of Dr. Hudson. DEBATE TEAM PLACES FIRST IN DISTRICT MEET Debaters emerged from the 1940-41 season with flying colors. Under the expert coaching of Mr. T. F. Nelson, the squad, consisting of John (aster. Jack Hackler, negative, and Bruce Brisendine, Boh Heckman, affirmative, made a fine showing throughout the year. As a result, the team entered its second national tournament at Lexington, Kentucky. In order to participate in debates. the team journeyed to Galesburg, Lincoln, Rock Island, Monmouth, Dupo, and the district tournament which was also at Monmouth in which the team placed first. A second team including Tod Johnson, Nita Mar Allison, ('aro-lyn Jurgens, Jo Ann Heckman, and Jack Rosenberg is being built.