Penn Joint High School - Penn Point Yearbook (Claridge, PA)

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IMPORTANT DAYS AT CAMP During the first period in Physics, we worked problems on forces. Later, in history. Lieutenant Colonel Mochniek related the story of a momentous occasion— the Ratification of the Constitution. Captain King showed us how to solve algebraic equations in the last class of the morning. I attended band practice in activity period, and after that I went to the auditorium where the Star Dusters meet every afternoon. As I entered I could hear Cliff Felmlee, leader of the orchestra, blowing a few hot notes on his trumpet. Teddy Perieli, Jerry Breakey, Ronney Sauers, Richard Martin, Norman and Don Turchin, Jimmy Arnold, and Bill Jewett were already eating their lunches. The afternoon started with English. There Captain Ruth Peters directed the Staff Sergeants in their Christmas play. Bob Andree and Wesley Watkins, of the U. S. Navy, were visitors. Leaving room 223, I descended the stairs to room 109, first floor, where I was greeted with a French dictation. An hour later found me on the gym floor, participating in a rough, fast game of basket ball. After the game, I collected my books and went home. MY DAY December 11, 1944 Oh! What a beautiful morning Oh! What a beautiful day I have a beautiful feeling Everything's going my way! Singing this merry tune, I wended my way through the halls toward my first period class, Physics. Being overtaken by two fellow Star Dusters, Cliff n’ Jerry, I started conversing with them about music and saxophones. In Physics class, we argued about how long il would take a train, going at 30 miles per hour to cross a 520-ft. span. Captain Byers finally had to stop us and put us on the “right track.” As the bell rang, I peered through the windows and noticed a warm friendly sun beaming down upon the lawn. Nothing interesting happened to the Continental Congress in History Class, but I did remark to Teddy Perich and Glenn Peters, as we changed class, about the fine morning. In the next period the coefficients and quadratics went circling the room like mosquito bombers over Berlin. Finally came mess which was followed by orchestra practice. Practice was short Iwcause nobody had his English composition criticism prepared or his French studied. After succeeding in preparing my afternoon studies, I strolled into English class. But there in utter disappointment, I saw a . . . snow flake fluttering past the window. In class we read and discussed some of our compositions. (I was lucky because mine wasn’t read). As we changed classes, I seemed to recognize a change outside—the sky, no more a lush blue, was dark and dismal. The sun no longer shone, but snowflakes began to fly in fury. Later, in. French class. Captain Evelyn Riggs suddenly asked the Moore twins a question concerning grammar, and remarked, “Les flocons sont grand, n’est-ce pas?” This comment started me thinking about accidents, putting on chains, sledriding, and snowballing. I concentrated on these during the next period and also on the bus going home. MY DAY January 15, 1945 Monday morning found us ponderously trudging through the snow that had kept us out of the camp for an extended furlough. Entering the camp, we were heartily greeted by our buddies. The bugle summoned us to our barracks where we dubiously waited for drills to commence. When we went to our first drill, we found many of our friends A. W. O. L. They came in later and explained that the bus had run into deep snow (perhaps the famous 20-foot snowdrift in Esler.) It was almost like the first day of training because we had to make a fresh start in all our courses. Being away from camp so long made us forget most of our assignments. When in the afternoon, it started to snow again, some of the soldiers entertained the thought that we wouldn’t have training on Tuesday. But, contrary to popular opinion, instruction continued as usual on Tuesday. MY DAY January 19, 1945 For days we had been looking forward, with great anticipation, to the contest with Jeannette. When I went to the office to secure my ticket for the basket ball game, Mr. Mochniek remarked that a full gym was expected. His prediction was fulfilled. I was one of the unlucky spectators who watched the game by looking over the shoulder of one who was looking over the shoulder of the one who was looking over the railing. The loss of the Junior Varsity game discouraged a few of the fans. This feeling wasn’t changed by the score at the half of the Varsity game, which was Jeannette, 25; Penn Twp., 13. Finally the score reached 35-30, gradually increasing until Jeannette had 39; Penn Twp., 38. Then Serbernak sank a foul to tie the score. Amid deafening applause, McClain made a peep shot to put Penn Twp. out in front 41-39. With two seconds to go, Serbernak dropped another foul, ending the game 42-39. Because of the keen rivalry and clean sportsmanship which were evident during the entire contest, this initial athletic victory over Jeannette will always merit prominence in the camp records. January 21, 1945 This year the magazine campaign was very successful. The total sales amounted to $1760.50. The profit— $540.51—was contributed to the fund for the movie projector. 25

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IMPORTANT DAYS AT CAMP MY DAY November 6, 1944 Today was an eventful one in the history of our training because we participated in our first mock election. A few of the qualifications necessary before »e could vote were: registration, residence in the voting district for sixty days and membership in the camp. In groups of three or four, we strode down to the place designated for us to vote. There the Board Members—Rudy Labor, Gerald Breakey, Ted Perich, Betty Barton, and Dorothy Miller—greeted the voters of the eleventh precinct. As soon as I had finished casting my ballot, I stepped out into the hall; and as I did so, I saw a figure dashing madly down the hall. What seemed to be Superman was really Bill Brown, also a voter of the eleventh precinct. It seemed that about five minutes before the polls closed, he realized he hadn’t voted. After the votes were tallied, the results were broadcast. In most cases, the democratic candidates were victorious. I think that this mock election gave us an opportunity to understand better the democratic form of government and acquainted us with election procedures. The activity was supervised by the Social Studies Department. MY DAY November 10, 1944 This morning many girls appeared with their hair up to avoid that last-minute rush in the evening. Study was of second importance as everyone excitedly discussed the Pensindian Dance, honoring the football squad, to be held in the evening. The dance was especially important to Cliff Felmlee who was making his first evening appearance with his orchestra, the Star Dusters. Before classes began, the occasion was advertised by the appearance of a Pensindian, Michael Humlan, who was costumed as Chief Guyasuta, the Seneca Chief in the Battle of Bushy Run. In the evening the guests were greeted by “Chief Guyasuta,” Captain Evelyn Riggs, and members of the Pensindian Staff. All who attended enjoyed three hours of dancing and other entertainment furnished by the orchestra and the staff. MY DAY November 20, 1944 The persistent tones of the top sergeant suddenly awoke 24 me from my dreams. Recalling that it was Monday morning, I sprang out of my cot and started to get ready for drill. Walking gaily down the road to meet the angry lieutenant, I was singing “Blue Skies” even though it was drizzling rain. Everyone at camp was in high spirits with the usual groups roaming around in the halls. Here and there a few romantic couples-—Foo and Gail, Nundo and Ruth—were conversing at the lockers. The 11-3 History class was sitting quietly when Lt. Col. John Mochnic-k entered the room. A peculiar expression ap[ eared on his face when he saw many WAC’s with their hair tied up in babushkas, but they soon put him at ease by bringing to his attention the evening party. (This year it was decided to join the two ranks, the Staff Sergeants and Master Sergeants, and have the Star Dusters play out those fascinating dance tunes.) In the fifth period the Master Sergeants in the Home Economics class and a few of the Staff Sergeants made sandwiches. Cliff, Jerry, and Kenny rehearsed in the auditorium. This party was a great success. The Blackout Dance and Conga Line were two unusual features of the evening, but Senor Matthews” and “Senorita Reger” really did a fancy dance. The party ended with a delicious lunch. After obtaining their wraps, the Sad Sacks started for home, and a seven day leave, unmindful of the pouring rain. MY DAY December 9, 1944 Ibis morning as I walked to the training center with Rudy Labor, editor of the newspaper, we remarked about the splendid progress of the Dramatics Class this year. When I came into the hall, I was greeted by Ernie Lauffer and we went to room 226 together.

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IMPORTANT DAYS AT CAMP On January 21, we assembled in the auditorium where tlie prizes were to be awarded. After the devotional exercises, conducted by Mr. Mochnick, Mr. Wyant introduced Mr. Wallace, the Curtiss manager for this district, who talked to the students and awarded the prizes for the highest salesmanship. Rose Dalletezze, having sold $73.75 worth of magazines, received $.5. William Busehe, next to the highest salesman, received three dollars. Then Mrs. Molinero conducted the drawing for the watch. Isadore DeVal, the student general manager, drew the name of the lucky winner, Roy Fink. He was given t he choice of a war bond or a wrist watch. Roy chose the watch. number three in Geometry?” “Did you ever hear of those long vocabulary words in English?” “Did you think the test in Physics was hard?” Strolling through the halls after lunch, I heard the remark, “Come up to the store with me,” and the answer, I can't; I must study French.” Too soon the bell rang, and the students once more assembled in their rooms. Again several hours were spent answering questions, but finally the bell announcing dismissal rang. Then, as before, one heard comments concerning the tests, but at length the noise subsided and the school was left in silence. Thus ended a school day and with it the “mid-terms” for this year. After all the excitement of the drawing was over, Mr. Wallace introduced Mr. Smull, the manager of this district last year, who gave the ice cream treats to the platoons of Miss Campagna and Miss Ross for their unusual achievement in the campaign. The leader of platoon 10.7 was Dallas Eaton; Platoon 118 worked under the direction of William Lazar. Full participation and cooperation of the students characterized this project. MY DAY February 9, 194.7 Everyone was excited this morning. Walking through the halls, one could notice students hurriedly pulling books from their lockers; and a peep into one of the rooms would reveal some students busy with notes and books. Yes, it was time for mid-terms” again. Finally the bell rang, and the students wandered slowly and reluctantly into their rooms. Then Lt. Col. John Mochnick announced it was time for the tests to begin. The next few hours was spent in racking their brains. At last the bell for dismissal rang, and the rooms were swiftly emptied. Then some questions were asked, such as: “What did you put for MY DAY February 22, 194.7 The troops of Camp Jeannette, a neighboring training center, were presented the Bushy Run Flag today. After succeeding in attaining the goal of 90% of the personnel participating in the buying of United States War Bonds and Stamps for twelve successive weeks, and having already received the Minute Man and the Rattlesnake Flags, they have earned the right to own the pennant representing the heroic actions of the struggle which took place near our battlegrounds. This flag portrays Col. Boquet, the brave commander of the victorious English; an Indian, who with his tribe was overrun in a brilliant stroke of battle strategy; and a Frenchman, one of the men who was allied with the Indian. We are honored to have in our camp a man capable of designing a flag that justly reproduces the most historic war in this vicinity. He is Master Sergeant Kenneth Schwartz, a brilliant artist of remarkable ability and originality, above, he and Margaret Maffessanti are displaying the flag that was given to Jeannette. Our own camp has won not only these awards but is well on the road to capturing the Ligonier Flag. 26