Penn Township High School - Penn Yearbook (Butler, PA)

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FORTY YEARS PROGRESS 'H On Monday, September Z, 1907, the Bernville High School began its first classes. The teacher, Mr. J'. Paul Burkhart, and recently graduated from Princeton, had two classes of students: the 'first year' class, consisting of eight boys and one girl: and the preparatory class' of three boys and six girls. The students attended school on the second floor of the Reppert home. There were twelve periods, each thirty minutes long: at noon Mr. Burkhart conducted a class in Greek. The term was eight months long. The first graduating class held its Commencement on Saturday, May 15. 1909: six boys and one girl graduated. This set-up continued until 1916, when the Flu epidemic postponed the opening of school until October Znd. By this time the high school occupied the entire Reppert house and Mr. Burkhart was given an assistant, Mr. G. Gilbert Snyder who today is known as Die Wunner Naus and is the principal of the Robesonia High School. The local school was enlarged to twenty-two boys and ten girls: these were in three classes - Juniors, 'Middlers', and Seniors. The term was still only eight months long. Mr. Snyder left in December, 1917, and Edgar J. Stricker was elected in his place. The 1917-18 term began the nine-months. In 1918 Mr. Charles W. Stoudt replaced Mr. Stricker, and in September, 1919, Mr. Francis H. Moyer joined Mr. Burkhart and has remained with him ever since. In 192.0-21, thevhigh school moved to the present grade building, and a third member, Miss Ruth Koch fBrightJ was added to the faculty. Edgar J'. Stricker replaced Miss Koch in 1926, and in January of 1929, Hester and Charles Fahrenbach replaced Mr. Stricker. In September of 1929 the Fahrenbachs were replaced by Miss Elta Unangst. She was succeeded two years later by Miss Helen R. Hain QShearerD. Thus, in 1931, Miss Hain began her teaching career in the new Consolidated building, which we now occupy. Miss Pearl O. Bressler, our present Mrs. Kline, replaced Miss Hain September 7, 1937. The fourth member, Mrs. Henne, was added in 1946. During these years a procession of music and art teachers served the school. In music, Miss Gentle, Mr. Gerhart, Miss Boyd, Miss Dreas lDaughertyl and Miss Rice, will be remembered. A band, under the direction of Mr. York, existed for a time. Charles W. Shax-man now directs all music activity. Art teachers in recent memory were Mr. Wertz, Mr. Kistler, Mrs. Pfeiffer, and Mrs. Gray. Mr. William Kreitler is the present art teacher. A Parent-:Teacher Association was formally organized in 1945 by interested patrons. Through patient and persistent effort, a Hot Lunch project was launched. It has since developed into a state-approved project which employs two full-time cooks: it serves both schools, averaging one hundred and eighty-five meals daily. Four students receive free meals for assistance to the cooks. Twelve tables and accompanying benches form the dining hall in part of the basement. , s Other recent improvements have included the enclosure of part of the basement as a music room, which has been plastered and painted, and equipped with lighting and heating units. With the addition of three hundred folding steel chairs, this room serves as an assembly hall. Cedar-lined closets for the storage of band uniforms were constructed. The stage will be equipped with curtain track, neutral setting, and portable footlights. The library recently was enlarged with the accession of ninety-six feet of new shelving, and all shelving, old and new, painted white. Chairs and tables suitable fora library work, and a magazine rack, have been added. It is to be hoped that the tradition of a school paper and a school annual will continue to reflect the spirit of growth of the high school. Clubs have been organized for develop- ment of individual student interests. Student government is also awakening. Penn Township High School is progressing slowly but surely toward the Junior -Senior plan of organization. This will mean eventual expansion into vocational courses, an enlarged building, and a larger faculty. 5

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' FACULTY MR. I. PAUL BURKHART, Principal Mathematics, Guidance MRS. MARIAN S. HENNE History, English MRS. PEARL B. KLINE German, Latin, English MISS STELLA A. RIEGEL English, History, Health MR. FRANCIS H. MOYER Physical Sciences, Proble MR. WILLIAM A. KRIETLER Art MR. WILLIAM H. KAISER Geography, Mathematics MR. CHARLES W. SHARMAN Music 4 ms of Democracy

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HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF 1949 The Forty-niners began their high school careers in 1945, with thirty-five on the class roll. The officers elected by the class were: President, Robert Egang Vice- President, Jean Luckenbill: Secretary, Doris Moyerg and Treasurer, Lois Fisher. Life was uneventful, except for the excitement created within the groupg its reputation in this was well-known by the faculty. Came tenth grade, and the Sophomores, numbering twenty-eight, elected Doris Moyer. President: Lois Fisher, Vice-President, Anna Spatz, Secretaryg and Clarence Hoy, , Treasurer. The class selected its colors, maroon and white, and purchased felt class hats in these colors. On one occasion the class distinguished itself with every member participating in an assembly program. To this group also came the distinction of being the first Sophomore Class to give a dance. The class was unique in its assortment of. many types of students: accordingly, life was never dull for classmates or faculty! Twenty-six Juniors elected William Troutman, Presidentg Joanna Messner, Vice- President: Jean Luckenbill, Secretary: and Clarence Hoy, Treasurer. This was their year for sponsoring the Christmas dance. They also bought their rings. Two pilgrimages were made by school busg first, a tour of interesting places in Reading which included the Wyomissing and Reading Public Libraries, the Berks County Historical Society, Northwest Junior High School, and the Reading Eagle-Times Building, where the complete process of printing the Reading Eagle was observed: second, to St. John's Lutheran Church in Reading to the Maifest in the company of the Seniors and Mrs. Kline. The latter trip was a project of the German Classes. Daisy Loose first prize in theessay contest sponsored by the local American Legion. Seniors at last! Twenty-five in number, then twenty-four by graduation time, the largest class to be graduated from Penn High School. Franklin Bubbenmoyer was chosen President: Emily Streaker, Vice-President: Jean Luckenbill, Secretaryg and Clarence Hoy, Treasurer. The magazine campaign for the Curtis Publishing Company was brought to a successful close in October, and then the traditional Hallowe'en Dance netted a fine profit for the hard -working Seniors. Eighteen members attended the Activities Conference held annually in the West Reading High School on November 53 during this month the Monitor system, under faculty direction, was organized and two Seniors participatedg William Troutman was Captain. Emily Streaker represented Penn High in the county-wide oratorical contest for I Speak for Democracy, broadcasted from Mt. Penn High School. Members who partici- pated in Junior Townmeeting were: Clarence Hoy, Irene Sonon, Stanley Schade, Jean Luckenbill, and Daisy Loose. In December various members of the class covered themselves with glory in the performance of an hilarious three-act play entitled The Antics of Andrew, which was coached by Mr. Burkhart. ' .H Seven members had leading roles in the operetta, Crocodile Island. Six members play in the school bandg four Seniors serve in the color guard. A Merchandise Club was embarked upon and brought in profitg daily sale of candy also expanded the Senior bank account, which gave the group the confidence to propose the publication of a year book. Permission was finally granted to edit THE PENNANT, the cost of which is to be underwritten by the Seniors. The staff of THE PENNANTH is completely Seniorg several Seniors hold key jobs on THE PENNGUIN, the school newspaper. Physical examinations created some excitement, as did a skating partyg the photo- grapher's field day, inwhich Seniors shone, was a memorable day. Most spectacular was the 'firemen's parade', in which several Seniors were AWOL. Class Night was not completely traditional: another three -act play, Busy as a Beaver, coached by Mrs. Kline, was featured. Another Senior -directed activity was Field Day. Maroon caps and gowns will be worn at Baccalaureate and Commencement: the class flower is the white roseg the motto, Character is the cornerstone of success. A three-day trip to Washington D. C., chaperoned by Mr. and Mrs. Henne, concludes the high school careers of the Class of '49. 6