Pekin High School - Pekinian Yearbook (Pekin, IL)

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 SENIOR EDITION Page 27 LISTEN TO THE MOCKING BIRD Principals in the Cast The A Cappella choir, under the direction of Mr. Harry Langley, presented many concerts this year both for the students and for the public. The spring vesper heard on April 11 featured the newly-organized girls' choir. The program was presented in three parts: first, a group of patriotic songs followed by several numbers by the all girls' choir and, as a conclusion, the entire choir presented a group of sacred hymns. Besides presenting the vesper, the choir has appeared for the county teachers' convention, for baccalaureate and commencement exercises and has also presented several concerts for the community. Miss Carolyn Wilkinson accompanies the choir. The opera this year was The Mocking Bird, a story of the French settlements in New Orleans during the eighteenth century. The many duets and solos of the production added to the glamour of the musical performance. Costumes contributed to the exciting galaxy of events and the dignified atmosphere. Mildred Behrends and Bill Waldmeier portrayed the leading romantic roles. But not to be forgotten are the musical members of the group of French Settlers, the choir, which added to the opera considerably. Main characters in the opera were Wayne McGlinn, Clyde Parish, Marvin Jenkins, Nila Mae Allison, Harry Williams, Argel Allen, Dick Brown, Leah Spenser, LaVon Hall, Barbara Renfer, Joyce Hancock, Ilene Ozella, Rosemary Rahn, and Allen Weber.

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A Cappella Choir Girls' Choir MUSIC HATH CHARMS

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Miss Melba Reid During the year, Thespian troupe 146 initiated 25 new members into the National Thespian Dramatic Honor Society. New and old members alike enjoyed a very successful season. PCHS National Thespian Troupe was established on January 1, 1931, and the troupe charter, signed by Robert W. Johnson, Helen Hiett, Henry Whitfield, Ruth Weeks, Richard Von Der Heide, and E. Louise Falkin, sister of Miss B. W. Fal-kin, head of the English department, now hangs in the main office. The first-semester officers were as follows: president, Norma Rockwell, vice-president, Eugene Alesandrini, and secrtary-treasurer, Louise Coryell. The officers for the second semester were president, Vera Green, vice-president, Dean Wieburg, secretary-treasurer, Judy Donahue. The Thespians made a contribution of forty dollars to the nation-wide stage canteen campaign, for which they received TROOPERS OF UNIT 146 a certificate of recognition. During the year, the Thespians have been complimented for their presentations of productions to various clubs and organizations. In order to better the organization, the Thespians have attempted to arrange better programs for their meetings in The Little Theater. They also maintain a point system which the members use to total their points received by participating in dramatical events. These points, when totaled, decide whether or not the member is active enough to benefit the club and to be retained. In advancing the cause of dramatics at Pekin High, the Thespians have cooperated wholeheartedly with their sponsor, Miss Melba Reid, who came at the beginning of the year to replace Pvt. George Sparks. The 1943 dramatic season at PCHS began successfully with Growing Pains, the all-school play, under the direction of Miss Melba Reid. Growing Pains was presented October 22 and 23 to two large and enthusiastic audiences who thoroughly enjoyed the complications arising throughout the entire show. The cast included Dean Wieburg, Dorlene Gianessi, Eva Mae Gurney, James Bramlage, Josephine Lyon, La Vonne Hainline, Patricia Champion, Eugene Al-esandri, Bill Strickfaden, Bob Fuller, Gene Kumpf, Jack Campbell, Don Albers, Mary Jean D:‘m!er, Pat Frye, Jacquline Jenkins, Vera Pearl Green, Judy Donahue. The extras were Norma Cooper, A1 Weber, Norma Rockwell, Robert Preston, Paula Sie-bens, Fritz Joesting, Louise Coryell, Walter Fluegal, Jean King, and Jack Rosenberg. Growing Pains