Pella Christian High School - Memories Yearbook (Pella, IA)

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Class History September 3, 1945, marked a big day for 30 eager, though somewhat bewil- dered, newcomers to Pella Christian High School, the largest class in the history of the school! They met together that day to begin the long climb upward on the ladder of achievement. The seniors gave them a good send-off with a get-ac- quainted party the second week and the class of '49 was on its way. It wasn't long until one of the boys, Edward Ryken, realized that the climb was too hard and stepped down. The climb was again, resumed but three members, Gary De Graaf, Harriet De Koning, and a short time later, Albertha Ver Meer, happened to look up and were so startled to see how high the ladder was that they dropped out in despair. A few more steps brought the remaining 26 to the first landing and a year of schoolwork lay behind them. By the end of the summer, Henry Vande Kieft, Willard Bosveld, Don Sturs- ma, Thressa Swank, Gladys Den Besten, and Gerald Nieuwsma decided they liked vacation so well that they remained at the landing. But before the group started on the sophomore ladder they were joined by Judy Bouma, Evelyn De Bruin, Howard Groeinendyk, and Gertrude Ruter, who had decided to transfer to the P. C. H. lad er. With new courage, the 24 sophomores again started upward. The going was smooth until about the middle of the year. Then the ladder began to wobble and Herman and Margaret Tibboel and Joan Vos dropped off. It took a little work to get it steadied, but the year was finished with no more casualties. Vacation loomed ahead and offered a variety of things to do, such a great variety, in fact, that Gertrude Ruter, Gerald Van Wyngarden, and Ruth Vander Ark remained behind when schoolwork was again taken up. But the loss of these three was offset by the coming of Jeanette Beekhuizen and Elizabeth Kole, 3 year students, and Thelma Van Zee, who had transferred from Hancock, Minnesota. Now that they were among the rolls of the upper classmen, they set to work preparing for the Junior-Senior banquet. The big day was April 22 and the class of '49 used as their theme, Dreamland, The senior landing lay only a few steps higher up and it took but a little while to reach it. They were now dignified seniors! And even that wasn't all. Some- time during the year the new building would be ready, and the privilege of moving into it would also be enjoyed by the seniors, even if it were only a few months. With renewed energy, the climb was resumed, the number of class members having risen to 22. Farewell greetings were exchanged with Gerrit Steenhoek, who found it necessary to stay behind, but Margaret Rus, a 2 year student, and Dorothy Kaldenberg, who transferred from Pella High. School, were welcomed into the class. The senior year sailed smoothly by, and on February 8, one of their goals was realized. The move from the old to the new building was completed and the class of '49 was to have the honor of being the first class to graduate from it. May 26 was the crowning day of their high school career, and the class, hav- ing reached the top of the ladder of high school achievement, launched out into life, some to begin work, and others to go to college. The motto, which they had chosen as a guide to go out into life, expresses well that higher goal which now lies ahead: Thy Word our Law, Thy Paths our Chosen Way. 14

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Senior Class Officers i From top: Judith Bouma, treasurerg Reuvena Dieleman, vice presidentg Evelyn De Bruin secretaryg Howard Groenendyk, president. Flower-American beauty rose Colors-American beauty red and white Motto-- Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way. 15