Pekin High School - Pekinian Yearbook (Pekin, IL)

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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.

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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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SENIOR EDITION Page 28 Music! Lights! Action! Make Prom A Success When May 29th rolled around you found most of Pekin High’s Junior and Senior girls with their hair done up and smiling faces. The boys were not so happy, for they were wondering if Dad would get the car home in time and if they had saved up enough money for “after the Prom.” The occasion, of course was the long dreamed of Junior-Senior Prom, held in the Girls’ Gym. The floor show was in charge of Miss Rose Dentino and her entertainers. This year’s prom was bigger and better than any previous one, Senior B boys having been taught to dance by the girls during home room rnd there was also a date bureau for the more bashful juniors and seniors. Decorations were entirely along the naval line, from the invita- j tions to the hostesses dressed as gobs. Favorite guys and their favorite gals headed for the ship. U. S. S. PCHS. May 29. Thespians Win New Praise Thespian Troupe No. 146 of this year includes all PCHS actors who learned the minimum number of lines required to be received into the National Thes- ■ pian Dramatic Honor Society, j These people have enjoyed a very successful season. The initiation was a formal service, introduced a year previous. with candle light ceremonies conducted by members of the group and the gesture that officially declares one’s status as a Thespian. The Thespians annually sponsor the all-school play. Junior class play, and Senior class play which were of exceptionally high calibre this year. 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 15. STUDENT WRITERS PUBLISH TALENT MAY 9 “Talent” announced its third annual publication! Bigger and better than ever, “Talent” contains varied writings from all classes, competing in quality with higher priced literary magazines. As talent belongs in “Talent,” committees were appointed from the magazine staff by co-editor Shirley Dennis to assort the material. The literature has been prepared for publication by Richard Hoover, Mary Howat, and John Caster, Description Committee; Pat Moore, Edna Mae McClintick. Blanche I n g r a s s i a, and Bill Mayer-Oakes. Essay Committee; Agnes Young, and Marian Welsen- Seven Wonders of PCHS 1. Dean McNaugliton’s little moron jokes. 2. Richard Hoover’s five point average. 3. Miss Cofcr's sixth sense in locating chewing gum. 4. Pete Ubben’s line of talk. 5. Diehl Co. Little Theatre Players. 6. Loraine Bailey’s Katherine Hepburn act. 7. Mr. Grigsby’s green suit. burger. Poetry committee; and Dorothy Rohrs, Jane Bryan, and Mary Ellen Thomas, Trivia Committee. And now that the magazine is ready for publication, the staff members survey their efforts and hope that they have pleased their classmates. SENIOR CELEBRITIES Saddest Senior—.lint Diehl. Happiest Senior—Hill Luttick-cn. Most Intelligent Senior—.Jerry Maloney. Least Intelligent Senior—Richard Hoover. Shyest Senior Boy—Dean Me-Xaugliton. Shyest Senior Girl—Bemadine Hoerr. Most Forward Senior Boy—Ia»o Bennett. Most Forward Senior Girl— Helen Krigner. Laziest Senior—Pat .Moore. Busiest Senior—Rolan Garls. Most Backward Senior—Xoel Francisco. Most Rowdy Senior—Gus Antonio. Most quiet Senior—Pete Ubl en.