Thurston High School - Vita Yearbook (Redford, MI)

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Class of 1959 as Seen in 1951

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Class Histor Since we were freshmen, our class has been proudly going by the title, The Class of '59, perhaps to distinguish ourselves from other classes, and perhaps because we wanted to be constantly reminded of that certain year, for this was our goal: graduation. But now that that golden year has been reached, surely more than a few of us are looking back at 1958, at 1957, at 1956, and 1955, and deep in our hearts, wishing we could travel back on that some- times rough, but wonderful and exciting road. It has been these four years that have made us the young adults of today, the adults who will join the other graduates of the past into the world, both new and exciting, yet somewhat confusing and awesome. But leaving Thurston High School will not mean leaving it in memory. We will remember every year and each of us will treasure our own precious moments. Our class has always been a class of firsts. We started back in our freshman year, bringing forth new ideas and policies which were to be followed by classes after us. Our student council election for freshman representatives for the student government saw we '59'ers at our first class meeting, in which all the candidates were introduced by speeches or skits to the students. This was a new idea in council elections and a successful campaign measure. Our class officers were elected in January. Chuck Mc- Daniels was chosen to preside at meetings, Heather Wright was elected vice-president, the secretary was Margaret Crissomg Larry Jeffery became treasurer, and our parlia- mentarian was Linda Marshick. Under this leadership, we sponsored one of the most successful dances in the history of Thurston. We called it the Atomic Rock, and no title could have been more fitting. A disc jockey spun the records and brought along as his guests, a group of singers that were the popular stars of the time: the Teenagers. They literally brought down the roof. But the year passed by quickly and we were sophomores. Perhaps the biggest event of the year was the Beauty Pageant, the instigators, of course, the Class of '59. lt was very similar to the Miss America contest and even more thrilling and beautiful. Thurston has its Homecomings now, but they will never overshadow the pageant. The other big first of our sophomore year was the hypnotist show starring the fantastic Jay Zee. His audience participation got lots of laughs and a request for his return next year. Our class went on its first selling spree, too. We sold decals with eagles imprinted on them, and today, two years later, they may still be seen on car windows. Summer whizzed by and we found that we were juniors. Our class was led by Dave Dunchock as president, Larry Orrin, vice-president, Pat Pilarski, secretary, Connie Woj- cik, treasurer, and lim Huizdos, parliamentarian. Under these able heads, we found that the 1957-58 year was really good to us, both from social and financial standpoints. ln keeping with the policy of firsts, the juniors spon- sored the first annual Stocking Stomp, the first bermuda shorts sock hop dance at Thurston. Frank Simms emceed the dance, and singers Don Rondo and Les Stevens graced the stage. The next major feature sponsored by the Class of '59 was the second presentation of the master hypnotist, Jay Zee. This, too, was a triumph for the class in more ways than one, and it was the talk of the school for many weeks. Most of the activity of the class-minded juniors now centered around the spring carnival in March. The carnival carried an original Dogpatch theme, and the efforts that were put into the festivities were amply rewarded. Not much later, the juniors found themselves in the midst of prom preparation, and we decided to hold the second Junior-Senior Prom at the Veteran's Memorial Building with the heavenly music of Bob Durant supply- ing the mystic mood of the evening. The prom went under the title of Magic Moments, and magic moments they were. The social activity calendar of the juniors closed with the election of senior class officers. Mike Horton found himself leading the 210 seniors as president, and Patti Leone became the vice-president. Marina Vossos took over the class minutes and record books as secretary, and Sally Collier was voted the title of treasurer, being given the financial problems of the class, while Barb Sobczak was elected to keep a semblance of order at meetings as par- liamentarian. As the school doors opened again the following Septem- ber, the seniors, our Class of '59, presented the second annual Stocking Stomp for the enjoyment of the whole senior high. The dance's added attraction was the Boleros, a group of senior Thurstonites with a lot of musical talent. Financially, we seniors got off to a rollicking start, first with Christmas cards, immediately following with magazine sales, and then, right on its heels, the annual senior candy sale. All of these projects left the treasury just a bit more thicker and closer to our senior trip. In the midst of all of the sales, the seniors were en- grossed in the sponsorship of the second annual Home- coming. Not soon will we forget the floats. the rain-soaked parade, the beautiful queen and her court, and the glorious Homecoming dance. Yes, and the 26-13 win over River- view High School in the annual Homecoming football game. Patti Leone, in a school-wide election, was chosen to reign over Homecoming affairs and Pat Pilarski and Judy Dixon also partook in the activities of the queen's court. Closely following the sales and Homecoming, were the Friday night movies which began early in December. They were shown for the rest of the school year and added much more revenue to our treasury. Shortly before the holidays, the class motto, flower, and colors were chosen. And to represent the class of '59, we chose the iris, the colors violet and white, and a motto with a tremendous force, Seek ye not greatness but truth, and ye shall find them both. This, too, was a tribute to our fine class. Getting social once again, the seniors picked mid-Feb- ruary as senior play time. This, too, was the topic of dis- cussion for many weeks to follow. We were now so very close to our commencement, but not before we thrilled to Lovett Hall, and this, our Senior Prom. In a very short time, we packed our bags and were on the train heading for New York and Washington. Need- less to say, we were not in a hurry to journey back, but no sooner had we returned home, and time took us off on another whirlwind week. Yes, our graduation, and ahead, our future. It is time to look forward now and make our- selves into the leaders of tomorrow. And deep in our minds, there will echo words we shall always remember, Seek ye not greatness but truth, and ye shall find them both.

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ALBERTO ABELLI JOHN BALD ti ,uf .awww ng Student Council 4g AFS Committee 4. CWEN BEAUCHAMP Art Club 2, 34 Ski Club 49 Yearbook 2g Dramatics Club 3, 45 Y-Teens 1, 23 GAA 1, 2. MARTIN BEER Ski Club 3, 4 iPresident 41g Latin Club l, 2g Chemistry Club 3g Golf 2, 4g Astronomy Club 4g Varsity Band 1, 2. .ff TOM BELL Football 3, 4-g Latin Club 2. DIANE BERGER Y-Teens 25 Ad Club 3g Ski Club 33 GAA 13 Dramatics 3g Pep Club 3. DENNIS BEVERADGE Basketball lg Varsity Band 1, 2, 3, 4, BARBARA BLACKWELL Varsity Choir 3, Secretary 4g Girls' Glee Club Vice President 33 Student Council 4g Executive Council 3, 4. Eo.' ,. A wi 1 f s f 2 S-