Sherrard High School - Ivy Tower Yearbook (Sherrard, IL)

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Plunge Into The Unknown As our safari neared the great river separating the rolling plains of junior high country and the hot, steaming jungles of high school country, a great mountain loomed before our eyes. This great mass of granite and lava from a long extinct volcano seemed to take the shape of a young man and young lady, striding hand in hand toward the distant horizon. These imaginary characters appeared to be draped in long dark robes and flat-brimmed caps with a tassel hanging from each of them. As we stood on the bank of the river, gazing in wonder at this great mountain, we realized that this was to be our goal on this venture into the wilderness. After building a large raft from bamboo stalks and vines, we crossed the mighty stream. As soon as we set foot on the far bank, we were confronted with what we thought were members of the fierce headhunting tribe of that region. However, they turned out to be semi-bloodthirsty hunters of the Senior tribe. They seemed to have great fun in their ceremonial initiation party ; however, we didn't find it quite as amusing as they appeared to. We decided it would be wise to keep a touch of democracy in our encampment, so we held an election. We voted Mike Dawson in as our Chief Bwana (President), Judy Milks as Head Guide (Vice-President), and Eileen Frank as Interpreter (Sec- retary-Treasurer). We realized, however, that these officers would have to be changed at regular intervals. We all agreed that an election every year would be most desirable. We elected two of our members as delegates to the Peace Council (Student Council) formed by the neighboring tribes. They were Sheila Anderson and Fred Juras. The natives of the nearby village began to prepare for the annual celebration (homecoming in our country) which was held over a period of a week and ended in an athletic contest between them and a rival tribe. We selected Eileen Frank and Mike Dawson to represent us at the big ceremonial dance. After many exciting times and a few harrowing experiences, another year came around and along with it election time. This year our Peace Council delegates were Letitia Klingebiel and Leonard Chard. Dennis Frye was chosen to be our Chief Bwana. He was joined by Denny Dochterman as the Head Guide. We wanted to distribute the duties a little bit more this year so we separated the position of Interpreter into two offices. Jennie Lou Sims was chosen as Interpreter (Secretary) along with Eileen Frank, who occupied the new post of Lead Porter (Treasurer). Again this year the big celebration came along, and Judy Simmon and Jack Spengler were chosen to represent our organi- zation. The natives of the area were especially friendly this year because they had obtained another victory in the annual athletic contest. The end of the second year and the midpoint of our adventure was beginning to come into view. The huge mountain became more than just a dream as it appeared to be almost within the grasp of our small group trying so diligently to reach it. The third year was a good year for our safari. We thought the wisest choice for Chief Bwana that we could make would be Mary Carlson. She was helped along the way by our Head Guide, Jim McManus. Also adding to our success was Eileen Frank, the Interpreter this year, and Norm Hultgren, the new Lead Porter. This fine staff of leaders was a valuable asset to our most prosperous year. Linda Holland and Mike Pearson were the delegates to this year's Peace Council, and Mike Dawson was elected to fill the post of Vice-President. This year our representatives to the native celebration were Eileen Frank and Denny Dochterman. The natives were getting friendlier and friendlier because the area natives were victorious again this year. Our raft was chosen for the most decorative theme in the jungle. We had to entertain the most PROMinent tribe in the region this year so we decided tohave a Tropicana dance for them. It was a tremendous success and everyone seemed to have a good time.

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Will Be Our High School Days KIRBY SCHMIDT Chorus; F.F.A., Vice-Pres. Jr. Year, Pres. Sr. Year; Backstage Jr. Play; Drama Club; Football; Track GREGORY ANDERSON Backstage Jr. and Sr. Plays FRED JURAS Annual Advertising Manager Sr. Year; Sr. Class Vice-Pres.; Science Club; Student Council Fresh. Year; Assistant Librarian; Magazine Sales Captain; Top Ten; National Honor Society; Salutatorian DON PLANK Transfer Student from Rock Island High School; Spanish Club; Crimson Crier Sports Ed.; Stu- dent Senate; Band, 1st Place District Contest Soph. Year; Jr. and Sr. Play Casts; Drama Club; Science Club CLASS OFFICERS: Michael Pearson President Jeanie Docherty Secretary Fred Juras Vice-President Richard Jinks Treasurer

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Now we began the fourth and final year of our expedition. It was to be the most important year of our lives. Since it was so important we wanted very good officers to lead us. Our choice for Chief Bwana was Mike Pearson. The Head Guide was Fred Juras. The Interpreter this year was Jeanie Docherty, and Richard Jinks was the new Lead Porter. Mike Dawson, last year's Vice-President to the Peace Council, was promoted to President. Margaret Lindburg and Leonard Chard were also chosen to represent our organization. Since our organization was the most prominent and best organized in the territory, the entire population of the area decided that we should choose a king and queen from our membership. We picked the annual celebration and dance as the appropriate time for the coronation. Jeanie Docherty and Denny Dochterman were chosen to be attendants to Dave Slavish and Linda Holland, our first king and queen. This year our decorated raft received a fairly good third place. It was our turn to be the most PROMinent tribe in the region and the peasants honored us with a dance. Then to top off the weekend our whole group took a trip to the river town of Chicago. No one really got into a lot of trouble so it was well worth while. As the sun sank slowly in the North (our compass was broken), we finally arrived at our destination. The huge mountain was now a reality, and we all faced it with our eyes wide open, for we realized that this was to be the most important turning point of our lives. Written by 27