Rogers High School - RYB Yearbook (Michigan City, IN)

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Michigan City: a bright future?

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Rogers copes with today The confining four walls of the school originally trapped the student for four years, hoping to pour into him enough knowledge and preparation to face the real world. Education has always been a primary goal in America. Although the days of reading, ’riting and 'rithmetic are in the distant past, the same principles of education remain. A student studies the courses offered him in hopes of preparing himself for a worthwhile future. In the past the entire educational system was based upon the future. While today’s student is still being prepared for tomorrow, he also learns to cope with today. The introduction of vocational classes created alternatives to putting everything off until tomorrow. The vocational student is taught trades that he can use today, now. The department includes shop classes like welding and electronics plus work- study programs like COE, ICT and CHO. In recent years, the basic four walls of the school have expanded to include advanced courses like Analytic Geometry, Calculus, Advanced Science and cultural courses like Black History. No longer is the scope so narrow that it includes only the American Way.” Other societies are considered as well. The expansion of the four walls is so drastic that they have almost disappeared altogether. Rogers High School is a prime example of the everhanging educational curricula. Within our four walls are five buildings, countless facilities and an enthusiasm that can’t be quenched. The four walls can still be confining, but they don’t need to be. The choice is up to the individual. 1 Lamb Chops assists Jesse Ewing in teaching his government class. 2 Bernard Lootens emcees as Administrators Frank Nowak. Verne Ash and John White de- light the audience at Bits 'n Pieces with their fiendish glee. 3 Lynn Smiertelney, Shirley Jones and Del Lonzo prepare breakfast for hungry fans. 9

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 Man, is this town boring!” These words are not uncommon among the youth of Michigan City. Although it was once a major midwestern city (even bigger than Chicago), Michigan City has become a ghost town. International Friendship Gardens and Washington Park, sites that were once national tourist attractions have become little more than memories. Businesses have moved out of town faster than new ones can move in. For two decades now, Hoosiers have witnessed a fluctuating population. It appeared that Michigan City was dying a slow, painful death. But, even the terminally ill make a last attempt to live, grasping any hope and clinging to it (sometimes successfully, sometimes not). America’s 200th birthday found Michigan City making that final attempt. The old Shoppers’ Fair complex was converted into a long-needed roller skating rink. It was opened to skaters in March, a few months after the opening of four Dunes Plaza Cinemas. Rumors of Washington Park’s reopening brightened hopes for an upturn in commerce and hopeful elimination of the “nothing-to-do’s.” Marquette Mall, Evergreen Shopping Center, Dunes Plaza and new restaurants like Mr. Steak and Long John Silver’s kept the city moving in a general southward direction. However, work on the North End didn’t stop. A new library was under construction on Beachway with hopes of completion by fall. Will the patient live? Only time will tell. 11