Plainfield High School - Plainsman Yearbook (Plainfield, IL)

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HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF 1951 We've come a long way since that day when part of our class was welcomed to first grade by Miss Teasdale and all smiled back with big and somewhat toothless grins. Let's see—that was back in September of 1939. Those seniors who were with us then might enjoy a backward look at our grade school experiences. The rest can join us on the way. In second grade we felt very superior to that noisy first grade, and what fun we had when Miss Byerley let us build a post office out of orange crates and mail letters to each other. In third grade Miss Gray taught us to paint with water colors. The first time we had a fire drill that fire escape seemed to be about a mile in the air. Mrs. Vinson taught our music class about Indians and we listen- ed to Indian records. We learned to sing the scale in syllables, too—do, re, mi—1 In fourth grade we learned to write with ink, and every few days Miss Kennedy would have to stop class to help wipe someone's ink off the floor. Going to fifth grade was fun because it was like going to a country school there in the bungalow. Mrs. Cadwell gave us lots of handicraft proj- ects to work on. While we were in sixth grade we tried to make our writing look like Mrs. Blake's, but it never did. The hayride and wiener roast were events of that year that we remember. In seventh grade Mrs. Lambert helped us learn about birds. She made us very enthusiastic about everything from discussing politics to winning basket- ball games. In eighth grade Miss Winkler had us pack boxes to be sent overseas. After our graduation we looked forward to start- ing high school. In September of 1947 we became the green freshies of Plainfield High School. How different it was—new classes, new teachers, new classrooms, and some new classmates! Having our own lockers was something new, too. Walking barefoot over cooked macaroni at the initiation party gave a squeamish feeling, especially since we couldn't see and were likely to step on the raw eggs in our path. When we came back to school as sopho- mores we knew our way around well enough to have a lot of fun, and since we didn't have too much work to do, we just enjoyed ourselves. In November we gave a very successful Hard Times Party. We had Nail- head Jones and his Hammerheads on hand, and our mystery fortune teller predicted our futures. Our Spanish II class gave a party for the Spanish I class—complete with cos- tumes, a bullfighter, and pinatas. As juniors we worked hard selling at games and giving the class play, Seven- teenth Summer. A lot of work and time were used to make the Junior-Senior Banquet and Prom a success. The girls' chorus got to go to the state contest at Champaign that year. The farm boys could study Agriculture and join F. F. A. for the first time. The chem- istry class nearly scorched the ceiling one day while making explosives. The Home Economics girls were doing advanced sew- ing and cooking complete dinners. Nursing was fun, too. Our boys had a lot to do with getting the football and baseball trophies that year. We thrilled to see Joyce Wright turn her flip at the basketball games. We were getting well prepared to be school leaders the next year. We had thought our senior year would be easy and care-free compared to our pre- vious one, but we found that we were busier than ever. There were many things to decide, too. The class play, Family Circle , was fun. We took the lead in all school activities. When Plainfield won the football conference and the choruses both went to the state con- tests, we felt that we had contributed a lot towards reaching those goals, and we hoped that P. H. S. would do as well next year. The 'Fielder kept us informed on school events; in fact, several of us had read everything before it came out, as we typed and printed it! We spent a lot of time on The Plainsman, too. We hoped everyone felt right at home that year after we gave that big welcome party—the freshmen were really in after that. Although we were sorry to leave good old Plainfield High School and our fellow class- mates, we were anxious to get out and show the world what we could do. 23

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CLASS POEM The Senior class of fifty-one In P.H.S. surely had fun. We'll always keep our memories dear Whether we are far or near. Below are the seniors of P.H.S. Their names you will have to guess. These two girls in school worked well, By their records you can tell. You all know Norma Townill and Joyce Wright— The two of them are very bright. Graduation comes for them this year And wedding bells they soon will hear. These two boys, Walt and Wayne, Led us down athletic lane. Class officers, and in class plays, too, They're both good sports in all they do. Soon off to college they will move And with their minds the world improve. These two girls so friendly and fair Never seem to have a care. They like to giggle and like to sing Even though they don't sound much like Bing. You all know Audrey and Norma Jean— They'll be secretaries smart and keen. These two boys are two of a kind And in college you soon will find Bob Reiter and George Whitman, too. We wish them the best in all they do. Their baseball season we'll never forget. They've been good friends since first they met. Joan and Shirley, Ginger and Jean, Soon as secretaries will be seen. Three go steady, the other wears A diamond from the boy who cares. We wish you success in all you do And much happiness to the four of you. Bob and Doran you can hear from afar Each racing along in his own speedy car. Their cars are their pride and joy Except for Rosie, for one senior boy. Doran is more of the silent kind What he thinks, he keeps in his mind. These two girls both from the farm Have in themselves many a charm Jean Chaplin and Carolyn are as sweet as can be And to be friends with all is all they can see. Jean as a secretary, Carolyn doesn't know But she thinks to college she may go. Kinzler and Palmer on the gridiron did star After graduation I'm sure they'll go far. Bill as a steeple jack you may see But on the farm Dick will be. These two boys are a coach's dream And over them the girls do scream. Nurses these two girls want to be We know they will get their degree. Bonnie is new as a senior this year While Phil and Barb were first graders here. Their happy smiles and cheerful ways Have added joy to our high school days. These three students, as different can be— Buddy someday as a dancer you'll see. On the piano Ann's fingers race, For her the talent scouts will chase. Horses Velma would like to raise To each, success in his own phase. These two boys are really rare They never seem to have a care. With girls Dick Gaylord is bashful and shy, While Merrill gives them a wink of the eye. Merrill, too, a baseball player you'll see. But Dick a chemist would rather be. Fannie, Shirley Schempf and Joyce Lutter Always seem to be in a flutter Laughing and joking, always full of fun. But still trying to get their school work done. In their spare time they like to skate. As secretaries I'm sure they'll rate. These three boys you were sure to see Helping the football team to victory. Gordon and Leroy with the girls make a hit. While A1 tinkers with his car a bit. Soon they will graduate And Uncle Sam may make a date. An outstanding class this will always be. And by our records you will see In attendance and honor roll, too, Our class was always the best to do. So to you we'd like to say Please try to follow in our way. 22

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CLASS PROPHECY Year—1961 Good evening, everybody! Hedda Joslin and Louella Funk are broadcasting to you from station PHS. We have lots to tell you and it's hard to find a good starting place— Louella, suppose you start first. Well, Hedda, I have some news that will surprise everyone. As you know, Barb George was married shortly after she grad- uated. Her husband is a Maharajah over in India and she's become a snake charmer. Since Joyce Lutter has decided to be an isolationist, she spends all her time with her family, which consists of sixteen children and a large assortment of pets. They have- n't been into town for so long that they have forgotten what one looks like. If your refrigerator doesn't work and you need some ice, don't forget to call Russell's Ice Service. Jeannie Russell drives an ice truck now, and she's willing to deliver ice to you any time of the day. Flash—a new invention has just been perfected. Bob Wil- son has found a way to beat HadacoL His new invention is Whatsupdoc and it's used for your hair. After you use it, you don't have to worry about combing it—no hair! As soon as Merrill Pennington got out of school he went to Stateville and learned how to become a body guard. He now is Ricky Manelli's body guard. He says that new things happen every day. Everyone thought that Virginia McAlpin would get married after she left P. H. S., but she sur- prised them all. She decided that she wanted a career first. She is now a school teacher in the hills of old Kentucky. I hear that she goes barefoot right along with her pupils. Since Joan Lockwood's dad retired, Joan has the milk route. At first she had a hard time getting used to getting up so early, after being used to staying out so late with her farm boy. Ann Hickman, Fannie Byerley, and Shirley Schempf are carnival dancers. From what I hear, they are really packing them in. If you want to see their show, it begins tomorrow at 2:15. Another team in the carnival you should see is Mutt and Jeff. I heard that they are really tremendous and, after I heard who they were, I could believe it. Bob Reiter and A1 Weihofen are tight rope walkers and do some daring tricks. It took them quite a while to get used to the red ruffled tights, but they did, after several years. To change the subject—If you're in New York, be sure to go to Sak's to see Dick Kinzler. He's head of the lingerie department. I know that he would be only too glad to see you. George Whitman has really gone to town since he left school. He is now mayor of Normantown. It is rumored that he secured his votes through campaigning mainly a mong women voters. The popular song, 'One of the Roving Kind' was written for his campaign. Bill Palmer has always wanted an easy job that pays a large salary. He is employed as a flag pole sitter and judges beauty con- tests in his spare time. What a life! Well, Hedda, that's all I have. What about you? Louella, a good person to start with is Ralph Mauer. Since he hurt his leg in school, he's been an organ grinder and manages to make a living that way. The successor to Charlie Chaplin is none other than Gor- 24