Sexton High School - Oracle Yearbook (Lansing, MI)

Page 9 text:

i ., . MR. J. O, PETERSON MISS JENNIE JOHNSON DEDICATION We proudly dedicate our 1955 Oracle to Mr. J. O. Peterson and Miss Jennie Johnson, two faculty mem- bers-recently retired-who exemplified in their active careers as teachers the qualities which helped to determine the choice of J. YV. Sexton High School as the recipient of the Bellamy Award. Mr. J. O. Peterson was trained at Valparaiso University, in Indiana, at Michigan State College, and at the University of Michigan. His teaching career covered 37 years, and at the time of his retirement in 1953 he was head of the Science Department of our school. His power for good over the students who came within the warmth of his kindly personality was immeasurable. Perhaps the term inspired teaching best expresses what his methods of instruction and his fine scholarship did for the students who worked with him in both classroom and laboratory. Illness made it impossible for Mr. Peterson to attend the October Bellamy ceremonies, but his abiding interest in the schools of Lansing and in young people everywhere was sustained to the time of his death, in February of this year. 5 Miss Jennie Johnson received her training at the University of Michigan and at Michigan State College. She came into the Lansing public school system in 1920 and taught successively at Kalamazoo Street School, at West Junior Qwhere she became assistant principalj, at Lansing Central, and at J. VV. Sexton High School. She retired from teaching in June of 1954. Always interested in public affairs, and vitally concerned with matters of patriotism and good gov- ernment, she returned from her Florida vacation to be present at the Bellamy Award ceremonies last October. During her teaching days she sponsored Senior Government Day, a project involving participation by state, city, and county officials. She regularly took a group of her students to participate in the United Nations Model Assembly at Hillsdale College, and to the Model Presidential Nominating Convention for students, held every four years at Kalamazoo College. Her Work in Bible Club and in Y-Teens endeared her to generations of students. She was a wise counselor and a good friend whose sense of humor brightened many a difficult situation for both colleagues and students.

Page 8 text:

FOREWORD The Francis Bellamy Flag Award is one of the greatest honors which can come to any school. In the fall of 1954, I. VV. Sex- ton High School was chosen to receive this award, whose purpose is to emphasize patriotism and to pay tribute to Francis Bellamy, author of the Pledge of Alle- giance. In selecting the school to receive the award, Miss Margarette Miller, donor of the award, emphasized that the achieve- ments of our alumni-which reach back into the records of Central and Lansing High School-were a determining factor. The inclusion of American ideals in the schoolls educational plan, as well as the uality of its faculty and students, and lille high standard of journalism set by our school paper were other determining fac- tors in the selection of our school as the award recipient. The honor of receiving the Bellamy Award has made that award not only the theme of our 1955 yearbook but the focus for our efforts throughout the year to con- tinue true to the ideals for which the award stands-and to make those ideals function in our school life. The presentation ceremony took place in our auditorium, on October 12, 1954, with distinguished state and government oflicials and outstanding alumni in attend- ance. Representatives were present from each of the schools which had previously received the award. Since only one school in each state may receive it until all 48 states have been covered, we are proud to be the thirteenth school to be So honored. CONTENTS Dedication - Administration - Seniors - - ' juniors - Sophomores Departments - Activities - Speech - Music - Athletics Advertising - 5 9 15 61 73 85 - 107 - 129 - 135 - 147 - 171 i

Page 10 text:

CEREMONIES OF THE BELLAMY FLAG AWARD Standing with our Student Couneil President in the foyer, following, the Bellamy Flag Award Assembly, are representatives from schools which have received the award. From left to right: Albert Smith, Portsmouth, Va., David Foxworthy, Indianapolis. Ind., Robert Callahan, Annapolis, Xld., Aloyce Kiskadden, Rome, N. Y., Bill Pearce, Lansing, Mich., Karen Smith, Chicago, lll.g Robert Strulxle, Xliashing- ton, D. C.g Yarowslaw lrevycky, Philadelphia, Penn., Dominic Costanzo, Cleveland, Ohio. ln the smaller group picture, Bill Murad, of the American Legion, stands with Grant Morey, President of Sexton High Sch0ol's l'.T.A.g C. james Burke, of the American Legion, who is Director of the Bellamy Memorial Foundation, and john Cutowski, National President of Boys Town Alumni. DB. DXVICIIT ll. BICII NIRS. GUHDON B. SMITH IIABBY G. KIPKIC BHIG. GEN. MAITLAND Supt, of Lllll.S'ilI-,Q Sclzoolx C1113-Yllf 1887 Glas-.s' of 1920 Hepms-erxfirig Gnu. Wfillianzs