Phineas Banning High School - Pilot Wheel Yearbook (Wilmington, CA)

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B fi M SENIOR SOCIETY The Senior Society, as remembered, consists of the most treasured and happy moments of one's high school days. Making these memories more pleasant, the semester began with an enjoyable dancing party at Balboa. Then just as the October days faded away, November brought three frolicking good times. The first was a Cotton and Cord dance held in the school cafeteria, with much dancing, laughter, and delicious refreshments carried out in the I-lallowe'en idea. Next was the drama of the year, The Nut Farm, given by the W '32 class. This skillfully presented play brought much laughter to all those present at the performance. just as the colors about the school began to fade and diminish, came the bright and colorful sweaters of the S'32 class. The green and black shone long and colorfully in the halls of Banning. To make it more exciting, a clever skit was presented by the class in honor of the event. With the cold atmosphere of the beautiful month of December several more delightful socials were held. The Prom, honoring the seniors of W'32, was one of the most glamorous affairs in the history of the school, Much of the success of the evening was due to the unique and picturesque setting, the beautiful ballroom and patio of the Banning home, in Banning Park. Then, just before the Christmas vacation, to spread that happy, friendly spirit that comes with the holidays, the seniors met for a dancing party in a senior home room. This cheerful feeling among the senior classes carried over into another affair, a skating party, which ended with many bruised bones, sprained ankles, and happy hearts. The new year was welcomed with much pomp and enthusiasm, for the chimes of 1932 meant many leap year celebrations. On New Year's Eve came the first colorful event, which was a mas- querade with leap year invitations. Other fetes of the january month in- cluded the comical class day features of the W'32 graduates. Following this came the beautiful graduation, after which many beautifully dressed young ladies accompanied equally handsome young men to La Fonda to cele- brate the occasion. Although Banning seemed rather forlorn with the absence of the grad- uates, the enthusiasm and pep of the senior class couldn't be dauntedg for the month of February blossomed forth several snowball wars, ice skating parties, and toboggan rides, March is always remembered by its dreary winds, when nothing interest- ing happens, but whether it was the spirit of the seniors or the general feel- ing of leap year, an unusual amount of Saint Patrick parties, individual senior birthday parties, and collegiate dances were had. The most enjoyable of these was the Saint Patrick contest dance held in the Casa Venida, in honor of the senior classes of neighboring schools. April, the month of showers, kept the said tradition more than well in the hearts of the seniors, but in a far dif- PAGE TVVENTY-TWO

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I 'L 0 G x HISTORY OF CLASS OF S '32 It seems only a short time ago that a large class of more than one l1un- dred and fifty 'Abright and beaming faces entered the dear old halls of Phineas Banning High School. The teachers who were to take charge of these tiny infants during this first year were Miss Flora R. Vxfaterbury, Miss Lois Hall and Mr. Iohn P. Comerford. Members of this class showed their ability from the first by bringing honors to their class. Albert Balinget won first place in a track meet, and Colisto Dolente won the 50-yard dash and championship in the Southern California finals. Fairen Sion and Henry Diharce were on the tumbling team for the school. The girls of the class starred in a Russian benefit show. After suffering through the many hardships and troubles that accom- pany one's first year at high school, the class came through a little wiser to the ways of the world. The first president of the class was lean Foster. The class teachers were Mr. Ierome G. Van Zandt, Mr. Iohn P. Comerford, and Miss Lois Hall. One of the main features of the year was a Valentine Party held in the school cafeteria. While in the ninth grade this class led in many events of interest, the most important of which was the graduation from Iunior High. Milo McCard was elected class president. In track and basketball Fairen Sion was high point man. Eldon Towner was on the fruit judging team and won high honors. Milo McCard was named the most valuable backfield man on the football team and was also elected Iunior High Student Body President. As Sophomores this large class of over one hundred students continued to increase, and because of the large enrollment, the class had to be divided into three home rooms, under Mr. Morris Freed and Mr. and Mrs. Ierome G. Van Zandt. I This class had stored up much wisdom and experience during their first few years of high school life and now it began to pour forth. Milo McCard brought more honors to the group by being elected football captain. The boys of the class won the interclass track and basketball championship. Reino Maki. Edward Maquena and Robert Moore were basketball honor men for the school. The girls participated in playday and won the basketball games. Gerald Compton took the lead in the operetta. In fruit judging contests many honors were won by Gerald Green, Bob Campbell and Earle Hubbard. Mary McKinnon, lean Foster, and Clarence Davis held high points in the National Oratorical contest. This was indeed an eventful year and there is no doubt that the class was looked upon as Hidealf' Members of the renowned class of S'32 were now Iuniors. In all phases of Student Body activity during this year they were at the top of the list. Athletics were a specialty to this Iunior class, as can be seen by tracing down the athletic heroes of the school. Captain-elect Tommy Turley and Omar Skeen proved to be valuable men on the championship football team. ln basketball the class contributed Buster Boyer, Reino Maki, Fairen Sion, Kenneth Cook, Harold Lind, Robert Moore, Richard Pratt, Henry Diharce, Theodore Peter, Louis Martinez and Eddie Maquena. Another honor in athletics was the winning of the Varsity Inter-class track meet. The Iunior girls won the championship in basketball and excelled in many other sports during the year. Otis Peterson won a reward which has never been accom- plished by another Iunior. He received first place in school district, first place in semi-finals at Beverly Hills and entered the grand finals of the National Continued to Page 52. PAGE TWENTY-ONE

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I 0'- G x ferent sense than before, for several of the members announced their en- gagements at either charming April luncheons or afternoon teas. What could have been more colorful than the new W'33 sweaters, with the latest in fashions and colors? Everyone envied these students and decided on more original colors and designs in the future for their sweaters, Honoring this event, a clever and unique skit was presented before the Student Body, revealing the talent of the class. The clever setting was none other than a court room and the program one which will long be remembered: likewise the harmonious sweaters of yellow and brown, Following the presentation of the skit the class was honored by a most enjoyable luncheon. ln an attempt to further prove the pep of the mighty Senior B's a series of gala parties and social events were sponsored by groups, and indi- viduals of enthusiastic students. On April 3, a most successful beach party was held at the Lagoon, and the following Friday night at the Palace Skating Rink a most enjoyable time was had by the B Seniors and friends. Then as the much-wished-for sunny days began to appear, more of the out-of-door and afternoon events appeared as the socials of the senior class. A very unusual entertainment was given for a May Day celebration-the seniors went Strawberry Hunting. The task seemed a mere pleasure and excursion to the students in the morning, but when the strawberry shortcake was later served, the appetites of the individuals seemed to have diversed to something other than berries. Following this gay event many picnics blos- somed forth in every nook and lawn in the Banning Park and playgrounds, Dignified seniors were even found picking four-leaf clovers out of Travis Field instead of practicing track or baseball. Because the A senior students were soon to depart, a delightful afternoon tea was held at the school in honor of the students' mothers. This proved to be a convenient occasion for the class to have the honor of their pupils and friends. The senior play next presented the feature of the month, a non-surpass- ing drama, which kept those who witnessed the play in anxiety until the finish. Although the lovely prom in honor of the A seniors was given amidst a huge amount of other delightful affairs, it was pronounced by everyone as the most successful dance of the year. The beloved class teachers of the A seniors, Mrs. Hilda Van Zandt and Mr. Morris Freed, honored the students toward the last of the semester with one of the most delightful breakfasts ever held. Graduation! The most heart-throb- bing and sad event, and yet the pride of every student! How beautiful was the ceremony, and how proud the class teachers and parents felt. Because the memories of the class spirit are to be continued throughout the rest of the lives of the students. The rest of the evening was enjoyed at the Pacific Coast Club. Although this is the close of the society for the senior class of this an- nual, the memories shall always linger on as the happiest moments of their high school days. PAGE TWENTY-THREE