Sturgis High School - Sturgensian Yearbook (Sturgis, MI)

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“Curtain Speeches ” Valedictory To the class of 1946: We’ve looked forward to this day for a long time, haven’t we? Now that it’s here, how do you feel ? Glad, sad, victorious, or defeated ? It’s sort of a queer mixture of nostalgia, happiness, and awareness of a new world, isn’t it? This is the end of life’s first act. Scene one was in pre-school and grade school days. Scene two, all too brief, was that happy period from September 1940 to June 1946. We learned so very many things these years—the mysteries of mathe¬ matics, what makes engines go, what participles are, and how to write a letter. Even more import¬ ant were the lessons in how to get along with those about us—what to say, how to dance, what to do on a date, and how to make friends. Not all the lessons in either category were easy, and there were many that we never mastered for one reason or another. It’s too late to be sorry or even to look back, but we can resolve to turn over a new leaf as we enter life’s great second act. As the curtain rises again, ninety-six Seniors are seen marching slowly down a long gym floor to the strains of Auld Lang Syne”. The door opens, and a new life begins! It’s all ours, that life, to do with as we please. We can go on to school, to work, to loaf, or to homes of our own. In any event, what we make of life is up to us. There are no more teachers to stand over us with threats of, “Do that or stay after school”. We must choose our own teachers now. Will they be experiences, the harshest of all instructors; friends, the best meaning, but often poorest advisors ; or will we steadfastly search out the best in guides, great men of recognized ability, who can give us principles on which to build a life? We again may make our own decision. Pray God, it shall be the one that will bring life’s short play to a fruitful climax as the final curtain drops forever. Caryl Freeman Salutatory Parents, faculty, fellow students, and friends: We, the class of ’46, have reached the final scene of Act I in our lives. Our four years of high school have been much like a play, and we were the actors in it. The first three scenes of Act I in our great play were laid in a war-torn world, but the final scene has brought us a world of peace and reconversion. The parts we shall play in Act II will be in many ways different and difficult for us. As actors in the scene to come, ive shall soon be the ones to make our government and to keep it what it is today, a democracy! Our problem will be to preserve country from internal strife. It is up to us to go this land from future wars and to protect our on with our education and learning—to make this land of ours bigger, better, and safer for those generations to come. I hrough the helpful guidance of our faculty, the ever-ready support of our School Board and the people of our city, and the encouragement of our parents and friends, we will take our places in the world with our hearts full of courage and enthusiasm to do the best “acting” we have ever done. “The play of life must go on” and we are going out to do our level best to make our school, our teachers, and our friends proud of us no matter what the role may be in which we are cast. Gloria Funk 27

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“ Synopsis” Act I of our play shows our cast as “green” Freshmen just “coming out”. There were 125 of us joining var¬ ious clubs and seeing what the world was really like. We chose as our leading actors, Tom Linder, Presi¬ dent; Lyle Slagg, Vice-Presi¬ dent; Jo Henderson, Secre¬ tary; Pat Snow, Treasurer; and Caryl Freeman and Eth¬ el Schuler, Student Union Representatives. To finance our play we started selling basketball sche¬ dule pencils. This proved to be a very profitable enterprise, and it greatly added to our bank balance. When the curtain rose on Act II we added more variety to our play—changing the leading act¬ ors to President, Jean Sandberg; Vice-President, Jo Henderson; Secretary and Treasurer, Kathy Shay; and Student Union Representatives, Ethel Schuler and Gloria Funk. Selling schedule pencils was still the main financial venture, but the Sophomore Prom proved to be both profitable and lots of fun. In this act we also helped the war effort by a bond selling contest in which the losing advisories treated the winners to a rainy picnic! None of the cast will ever forget that year! A short intermission at this time for a change in scenery and a chance to let you catch your breath, as the best is yet to come. Stepping into the limelight in Act III are Pat Snow, President; Roger Wells, Vice-President; Jean Sandberg, Secretary; Jo Henderson, Treasurer; and Phil McKean and Ethel Schuler, Student Union Representatives. “Money” was our “cue” in this scene, and we went after it in a big way. Our supporting players sold “everything” at the games, and the annual schedule pencil project was still continued. It was with great care and pride that we chose our classrings, for our choice determined the pattern for Sturgis High School rings in all the years to come! “Growing Pains”, the Junior Play, brought out the hidden talents in our class. We unanimously agreed that it was a huge success. Our J Hop, “A Moonlit Garden” will long be remembered as the “best ever”. At one end of the gym was a rock garden with a pool, flowers and shrubbery surrounding it; evergreen branches and stars completed this beautiful setting. It was hard work for all, but well worth it, as we were justly complimented for our efforts. The last and final act of our play found us with an all male cast. This was quite unusual, but then, we are an unusual class. After many try-outs and auditions, the following players appeared in the leading roles: President, Tom Linder; Vice-Presi¬ dent, Roger Wells; Secretary, Clyde Bell; Treasur¬ er, Mort Wright; and Student Union President, Phil McKean and Student Union Vice-President, Bud Nelson. In this act we took the honors in most every¬ thing that went on . . . clubs, sports, band, operetta, and the other activities around school. The Senior Play, “Little Geraldine” was a contrast to our Junior Play in that it was a character study. We were glad that it was well-received and a credit to the class. This scene was a combination of tragedy and comedy, for it brought both tears and laughter to all of us. The loss of Walter Smith, our beloved companion and classmate was deeply felt by all, and as a memorial to him we contributed to a new basketball scoreboard. As the play moved on our activities continued with dances after the games; parties; and all the things that go with graduation—announcements, name cards, caps and gowns, Sturgensian, and Senior Banquet. We combined “Senior Skip Day” and the Senior party into an all day affair at Camp Fort Hill. Dancing and games were held in the evening, and the tired, not too dignified Seniors, will hold it long in their memories. The climax to our play came not only in graduation itself, but in our boat trip . . the first trip in four years! Buses were chartered to take us to Detroit, where we climbed aboard the S. S. South America which took us on a three day cruise through the Great Lakes .... a wonderful way to round out our many memories! On May 29, 1946, ninety-three of our “charac¬ ters” will step onto the stage to receive their honors, each one having served to the best of his ability. We wish to thank our producers and directors for helping us to make our drama the success that it has been! 26

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“Prologue ” Much time has passed since the good old days, Many have gone their separ¬ ate ivays; To learn of our alumni, let’s part the haze. And return for an instant to those happy days. McKean’s newly acquir¬ ed chain of “You Peek The¬ aters” is running the latest picture, “Leave Her to Nel¬ son”, starring the latest Hol¬ lywood “finds”, “Languid” Loomis and “Baby” Bunnell. This picture, photographed by feature photographer Freeland and directed by “Bustling” Benedict has starred on Broadway and the Bowery after its world premier in Sturgis. After the show, many persons stop at “Bell’s Bar”, where the elite meet. He has a fine array of waiters which includes “Bouncer” Morrisson, “Pretty-girl” Funk, “Slap-happy” Schuler, and “Clem” Bonnewell, who divides his time between this and perfecting billiards. Pretty Misses such as Blood, Blackney, Jor¬ dan, and Mead have opened “The False Face Beauty Emporium” located next to Bell’s Bar, and it is operating on a twenty-four hour schedule. On to the grand opera! We see many specta¬ tors including Madame Fox, Countess Hearld, and Duchess Seafert with their opera glasses, purchased at Beckwith’s “Better Eyes” optical salon. Looking around we see beautiful gowns draping the figures of Benham, “the body”, Long, “the lovely”, and Goss, “the gorgeous.” Switching our glasses down in front, we hear the orchestra tuning up. All of a sudden Doolittle and his red hot trumpet, “Ivlep- to” Kirby and his tympani, “Les Brown” Whipple with his sax, “88 keys” Linder, and Denniston with his golden trombone swing into “720 in the Books”. The people are amazed, but wait! The curtains open, and we see “Lily Pons” Shay singing an aria from “Pretty Pansy” written by “exceptional” Everhart, collaborating with “fabulous” Freeman. Soon we see her leading man, “Caruso” Hines come running over and throws himself at her feet Immediately we hear a wild scream as Asbury and his Better Ballet come leaping on the stage. Some of his most famous prodigies are “Fago” Sandberg, “Fagarina” Schipper, and “Faggettus” Henderson, the three Latin lovelies just imported from Tampico. A wild dance follows, causing a great commotion in the audience. Above the turmoil we hear the scream of a siren and a motorcycle, driven by “Wrong” Wright, comes hurtling through the doors. Officers Berger and Borgert alight and immediately try to restore order, brandishing their clubs all the while. There is nothing for us to do. but to leave this mad-house, and as we are on our way out, we notice two hawkers peddling the new sensation, “Wells’ Wonder Weeds”. These two enthusiastic peddlers are, by the way, “Flatfoot” Frohriep and “Floy Floy” Foote. Home to bed. Sheets and pillow cases are furnished by the “Naught-a-Rip” Corporation operated by Miss Crosbie. So ends a busy day. Sunrise! The birds are twittering, the dew is. on the lawn, and the clouds are in the sky. But we are hungry so let us depart to the dinette to enjoy a heaping bowlful of Wallman, Walters, and Weir- ich’s “Krunchy-Wunchy Breakfast Food”, which is so good that even Grandpa will holler for more. We flip the dial of the radio nearby, and are greeted by Repke’s menu hour, broadcasting kitchen tested menus. Then to the den where again we flip the dial to “Killer” Kasdorf’s morning calisthenics. At this point we are greeted by Mrs. Herbert Magnus, nee Phyllis Coombs, who has come to tell us about the latest gossip and her recent honeymoon at Minnewaukon Lake. It seems Miss Helen Lytle has taken up permanent residence in Three Rivers and after several futile attempts, is lecturing on “How to be Happy Tho’ Single”. Helping to demonstate her point are Beverly Ailes, Lois Borgert, and Mildred Mishler. Here is a flash! Jack Holt, world reknowned speedster, has just broken the world’s record for the 10 yard dash by motor car. His manager and mechanic, Eugene Barnes and Paul Gauss respec- tivelv, attribute his success to his newest inspiration, M rs. Holt, nee Nancy Burdno. Word comes from Washington that Senator Collins has just completed a record 90 day filibuster, and thus disproved the theory of the eminent philos¬ opher, Alfred Miller, who believes that silence is golden. Mort Jellison, after 30 years of odd jobs, has returned to the S. H. S. drum section. It seems that is his first love. Wesley Stetson and Harry Wenzel have joined the Canadian Mounties and have found the Eskimos of their hearts. June Hepner, has received world fame for trisecting an angle. Mary Margaret McCord has just traveled east (to Burr Oak) to accept a job on the Acorn. Pat Storms Snow, Audrew Maxwell Miller, and Erma Johnston Toepper have just returned with their husbands from a second honeymoon spent at Niagara Falls. The featured attraction presented while they were there was Mr. Lyle Slagg, who went over the falls in a barrel. Wyatt Mick Esq. has just obtained his lawyers degree, and is a very prominent businessman in the great metropolis of Howe, and how! So ends the gossip. Donna Prestidge, proud owner of the 25 years service medal presented by Western Union, gives ifs 28