Sturgis High School - Sturgensian Yearbook (Sturgis, MI)

Page 17 text:

Mrs. Deisch and Miss Bensing Hard At Work “Senior Class History” Well, we made it after all. We, the Class of “45,” started our high school career in 1942 with 135 members. We were, what you would call, “green freshmen,” and found that this year was a complete change for us. We were given the opportunity of choosing our own subjects, which led to many difficulties. When we left one class to enter another, we were mobbed by our upper class- men. We had an awful time finding the different rooms and more than once had to go to the office for tardy slips. Both boys and girls alike entered all sorts of sports such as football, baseball, basketball, and volley ball. Many of us participated in band, chorus, and speech and in such organizations as the G. A. A. and the F. F. A. We held our first class meeting and chose as our officers: Dick Griffis, Bob and Bill Mowry, Beverly Light, Howard Scheetz, and Mary C. Wright. In our Sophomore year we chose Howard Scheetz, Bob Grim, John Hill, Jerolene Long, and Betty Wood to guide us. We felt pretty “big” now because we had picked up all the “pet tricks” of our upper classmen. Soon we would be the leaders and not the followers. Our membership had increased to 144 and we looked as though we would be one of the largest classes ever to graduate from Sturgis High. We entered even more vigorously in school clubs and our boys began to make a “showing” for themselves in all sports activities. Due to the war, which has lasted throughout our high school years, we were given the privilege of ordering our class rings this year. My, how proud we were and, in fact, still are, of these rings. During this year we also sponsored our first real big dance, the Sophomore Prom. The gym was decorated with blue and white crepe paper and lanterns and a large helm was placed behind the orchestra, giving the effect of a ship. Our Junior year was another year of success for us, under the leadership of Bill Mowry, Jerolene Long, Barbara Hossie, Howard Scheetz, Reid Shimmel, and Mary Shimp. 9

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Page 18 text:

This was the year we had been waiting for. We were grown-up now and were given session room seats. We got to school a little earlier now just so we could open our desk tops and display pictures, mirrors, jokes, and what have you. The fad soon wore off and those long admired desks became just another piece of furniture. This year we really got out and worked ( ?) in order to raise a little money. We walked our legs off trying to sell hot dogs and coffee at the football games. We presented a comedy, “Going Places,’’ as our Junior Play. The audience was kept in laughter most of the time and the play proved to be quite a success. It is a play that will last for a long time in the minds of most of us. To end one of our most successful years, we staged the annual J-Hop. Oh, how we worked on it, but, judging from its success, we felt justified with the result. The garden theme was carried out and the ceiling was the main attraction with its interlacing blue and white streamers and large yellow moon. We entered our Senior year with 103 members. We assumed an “air of dignity” ( ?) and strolled the halls in a leisurely manner. We weie the upper classmen now and felt quite superior to our under classmen. Little did we realize how soon it would all be over. First of all, we chose our leaders: Bill Brown, Wilma Harman, Beverly Light, Mary E. Kline, Bob Grim, and Mary Shimp. Then the year really started. As another way of raising money we sponsored “post-game” dances which proved very successful. One of the most important of our activities was the Senior Party. It was held at the Masonic Temple where dancing and games were provided. Almost everyone had some important job this year, either on the Sturgensian Staff, Trojan Staff, the Announcement Committee, or on various other committees. A new system was introduced in our high school this year; that of counselors. Advisors were “done away with” and counselors took their places. We wish to give thanks to our past advisors, Miss Stratton, Mrs. Brown, and Messrs, Brown, Krueg¬ er, Loeffler, Peck, and Snow. We also want to give thanks to our various counselors who have been so helpful and understanding in helping us choose our college courses and in deciding upon important questions. Our class will be widely spread out next year. Some of us will be going to college, some to work, and many of our boys will be in the service. Many already have joined the Armed Forces and we are mighty proud of them. We are a graduating class of 100 hopeful and forward looking Seniors with many happy memories of S. H. S.