Sault Ste Marie High School - Northern Light Yearbook (Sault Ste Marie, MI)

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jbfelody magicians - - - usic Qrganizaitions That the inspired directing of Earl P. Thomas has developed the music depart- ment to what it is today is a well known fact. His dynamic personality and perse- vering efforts have made him one of the best known and best-liked persons in the Sault. XVhen Mr. Thomas came to the high school as music supervisor almost a de- cade ago, the music department was a struggling little group. He gradually built it up to what it is today, an object of civic, as well as school, pride. Every undertaking he has touched seemed to spring to life and thrive, due to his high aims and ceaseless ambition, which he conveyed to his students. As a leader of community singing and also of any movement or activity which needed a boost, Mr. Thomas has donated more than his share of time and energy. He has patriotically demonstrated his salesmanship by appealing to and persuading the public, at the Soo Theater and over the air, to buy bonds, bringing excellent results. His commanding, exact manner of conducting has always spurred his groups to their best efforts, and every year he has put music in high school on .1 more exalted level. Offered several better positions in colleges, Mr. Thomas has turned them down, but if some day he should decide to leave the Sault, we will remem- ber what he has done for music here and will not begrudge him the opportunity for advancement. To have merely upheld the high standard set by former Sault High School choirs would have been surlicient for this choir, but they, the whole school, and the many audiences who have heard them, feel rightfully certain that the notch of school fame has been placed a little higher by their achievements this year. Each recedin choir had been characterized b ' some outstandin trait, either wealth of excellent soloists, volume, tone . P 5 . . 5 . g . ,, . quality, or personality. This yearls group mingled all these pleasing factors into the best blended group of voices I have ever had. No sin le voice is outstandin or can be heard distinctl when the whole choir is erformin . Mr. Thomas feels he has . S - S . Y h P A S . h ' had a choir to com are with the famous choir of ,4l, that went downstate and missed a national cham ionshi b one oint. P P P Y P With new members continually coming in and older ones enlisting or being drafted, the number of singers seemed never to be the same, but on the average there were one hundred members, one of the largest choirs the school has had. Helping sell a bond drive, the choir sang at the Soo Theater, directed by Frank Staley. The grand event of the year was the annual winter concert March 2, in which the choir sang several Fred Waring arrangements: when Johnny Comes Marching Home Again, There Are Such Things CPat Sparling, soloistj, The Navy Hymn, Battle Hymn of the Republic, Set Down Servant CRoberta Rohr, soloistj, Stodola Pumpa, Madame Jean- ette, Dark Water, and The Cossackf' In honor of the late President the group performed at the Methodist Church on April 14, directed by Frank Staley. For several years there has been no exchange of concerts between the two Saults, but this year the custom was revived, as the music department visited Clayton Auditorium in Canada and presented a concert for an appreciative audience of Can- adian listeners.

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V a if Q? 1 12? V' Colonial Ladies and Gentlemen-Pat Armstrong, Don Griihn, Monna Mackin, Jae Birch, Gladys Tuxworth, Da- vid W'illiams, Marge Steele, Leo Kobera. Indians-Bob Poppe, Dale Naramor, George Holmes. Speaking Choir-XVayne Aikins, Jeanne Ala, Marjorie Anderson, Bill Brown, Bill Brunsdon, Quentin Burchill, Helen Carter, l.ouine Dahlman, Bill Dynes, Farrell Elliott, Gene Finlayson, jim Honkanen, Jacquelyn Janikowski, Marybeth Ladd, Ruth McPherson, Donna McKinnon, Mary Lou Matheson, -lean Price, Barbara Pringle, Anne Traige, jack Vfelsh. Singing Choir-Pat Sparling, Erva Hillock, Vergenc Cowell, Shirley Rucker, Edmund Bilodeau, Bob Hunt, Vern Talsma, Clayton Dunn. Piano-Dorothy Alcan O'Neill. Staff: Director Miss Agnes Solvsberg Music Earl P. Thomas Dancing Miss Arline Bovee When it came time for a klunior-Senior Play, the Speech Club heard reviews of various dramas and finally singled out Spring Green as their choice. Tllis is the story of a young boy, Newton Todd, much misunderstood by his father, who disapproved of Newton's hobby, breeding earthworms. Nine seniors had parts in the production. Stalwart Don Gerrie was a splendid Major Todd. whose efforts to remake his son into a nice normal young man by means of shouts and threats and pleading, met with failure at every turn. Pat Sparling maintained the high standards of charaeterigfation which she set for herself in junior Miss. Pat appeared as Tony Cassell. i ,ist 5? 4 ws who moaned about the manpower shortage but who seemed to be troubled by an oversupply. The male convoy in- cluded the loquacious Dunk Doyle, whom the oldsters ac- cused of turning his mouth on and letting it run, a role most capably handled by Charles Stephenson, his pal, Bing Hotchkiss, more restrained but just as complex, was well done by Francis Mansfield. Audrey White brought ineffable poise to her portrayal of Hula Hotchkiss, Bingls twin sister, who during a trip to New York changes from a fat girl to a femme fatalef' Betty Ann MacLachlan neatly gauged her role of Mrs. Rumble, independent and slightly temperamental cook of the Cassell household, who eternally suggests parsnips for dinner. Evelyn McMorris was a competent Genevieve, who sees all, knows all, tells all as she bounces enthusiastically on and off the stage. Frank Staley was convincing as the tough Irish cop who brooks no interference with the law when he discovers tin cans previously containing earthworms filled with gaso- line. Betty Rutter provided the commanding off-stage voice of Genevieve's mother. A year ago when the junior Red Cross Carnival was put on, Speech Club presented an old-fashioned melodrama, Curse You, jack Dalton. lfour seniors played roles. Ross Annatoyn as jack Dalton saved the young maiden in dis- tress. Betty Rutter played the giggling idiotic daughter. lfloise Dalton. Dick Bruce portrayed the heroine's long- lost brother, and Betty Ann Maclaiehlan was the stern, rich Mrs. Dalton. That the class of 1945 was dramatic minded is clearly shown on these pages and that the class attained a certain degree of excellence in dramatics is evidenced in the fact that 15 of its members are National Thespians. The sen- iors have truly enjoyed this treasure, dramatics, and we shall not bury it as we leave Sault lligh hut will carry the memory always in our hearts. S

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