Rock Island High School - Watchtower Yearbook (Rock Island, IL)

Page 27 text:

Many varied activities are sponsored by the Senate during the year. Among these are the Community Chest, the March of Dimes, the Crippled Children ' s fund, and the Junior Red Cross drives; the filling of Christmas baskets for the more unfortunate families in Rock Island; and the selecting of sophomore and varsity cheerleaders. Student drivers submit their names to be considered for the granting of safe-driving decals. The Senate committee in charge then approves the names of students whom they feel are deserving. These safe-driving de¬ cals are furnished to the school by the Rock Island Chamber of Commerce. The student council provides the dance band with music and music stands, and this year purchased new jackets for the mem¬ bers of the band. The money for this equip¬ ment comes from the after-game dances which are sponsored by school clubs with the council ' s permission. A committee of sophomores and juniors help Mr. Austin choose the assemblies for the next year. The pep assemblies are plan¬ ned by the Senate pep committee and the cheerleaders. The traditional Homecoming activities such as the bonfire and the street dance are held under the sponsorship of the Senate. Senators also decorate the goal posts for the home football games. Mr. Austin, Dean Florence J. Liebbe, and Boys ' Counselor Herbert L. Wagner are the Senate ' s advisers. Decorating the goal posts for the home football games is one of the activities of the Senate.

Page 26 text:

Studtent eK ' psieM, afU+tianl Oiiauiflt Senate Row 1: Dennis Sheets, Valerie Burch, Ina Sherwood, Nancy Wilson, Margaret Raymond, Bonita Peterson, Jane Pearson, and Linnea Stone. Row 2: Bill Mergenthal, Paul Rausch, Jack Smith, Terry John¬ son, Donna Dover, Sandra Vehmeier, Harlene Carlson, and Kathryn Boyd. Row 3: Fred Lear, Jack Ullemeyer, Dick Steele, Dick Jen¬ nings, Jerry Wright, and Jeff Mueller. Row 4: Jim Bjorklund, Martin Katz, and Phillip Hubba t. Row 5: Bob Foster, Gene Ingram, Don Anders, Pat Ford, Leroy Zentic, and Jack Carroll. Se t e W ' Aef ' % ' Vp ' eV J C« V The spokesman for the students at Rock Island high school is the Senate. This or¬ ganization enables students to express their opinions through elected representatives, and it helps to promote better understand¬ ing between students and faculty members. Each Senate room elects a senator on the basis of leadership, loyalty to school, and the ability to maintain at least a C average in all subjects. The representatives meet with Principal Charles O. Austin, Jr., every Thursday in the activity room or the Little Theater. Officers elected for the 1953-1954 school year were Bill Mergenthal, president; Bill Bartman, vice-president; and Donna Dover, secretary. 22 senate

Page 28 text:

cZetuosid lead (locJzq, aoUaUie A good senior class starts being good in its sophomore year. The 1954 graduating class did just that. In our opinion, as sophomores these boys were unexcelled in sports. The football team was undefeated and untied. In basket¬ ball, the season record was 20 won, 2 lost. Sophomore c heerleaders were Jane Alm- quist, Joan Boetje, Jackie DePaepe, Sherrill Tucker, and Ann Wagner. The sophs elected Dennis Sheets presi¬ dent, Donna Dover vice-president, and Carol Kish secretary. As juniors, the students took part in even more activities. They played roles in the Speech II play, Wish on the Moon, and did a very good job on their Junior Class play, a mystery thriller entitled Cuckoos on the Hearth. The juniors also appeared in a speech class play, The Devil and Daniel Webster. In sports again, the juniors took a major part in varsity play. Two of the varsity cheerleaders were juniors. They were Jane Almquist and Ann Wagner. Jerry Janecke was elected president of the junior class. Joan Boetje was chosen • 24 seniors vice-president, and Donna Dover served as secretary. Bonita Peterson was chosen as Rock Island ' s representative at the Illinois Girls ' State, and junior marshals for the gradu¬ ation ceremonies were Jerry Janecke, Tom Scheuerman, Sherrill Tucker, and Ann Wag¬ ner. The next fall, the varsity football team was one of the greatest ever to play at Rocky High. Undefeated, they chalked up 316 points against their opponents ' 44 points. In dramatics, again they were tops. The Dramatic club play, Our Town, was very well done. Seniors taking speech presented some excellent assembly programs. Joan Boetje reigned over Homecoming festivities with her two attendants, Ann Nelson and Anne Potter. In their last year, the seniors elected Jerry Thomas president of their class. Nancy Jane Wilson served as vice-president and Joan Boetje as secretary. Commencement exercises came only too quickly, and the Class of 1954 left Rock Island high school ready to face the future.