Union High School - U Yearbook (Burgettstown, PA)

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THE SENIOR CLASS The Senior Class of 1946 is the first class to graduate from Union High School since our na- tion is at peace with other nations of the world. We have been in school for the entire length of the war. Now, upon graduation, we are con- fronted with the important problems of an out- standing nation in a world of chaos. Are we ready to step into the positions of responsibility, to help devise and plan our nation's part in the peace? Two hundred one shy and awkward Fresh- men entered high school on September 8, 1942. We were as frightened and nervous as any pre- vious class. After a few weeks of blunders, we overcame our bashfulness and nervousness. We elected for President—Jack Miller, for Vice President—Chris Maropis, for Secretary—Betty Cowden, for Treasurer—Audrey Russell. At the class Halloween Party, October 27th, we became acquainted. We felt more at ease as we took part in clubs and assembly programs. On September 7, 1943, 163 boys and girls returned to take the name of sophomores. We organized with the following officers—President —Jim Lee, Vice President—Chris Maropis, Sec- retary-Treasurer—Erma Marvich. Our Valen- tine Party was the event of the year for us. During the year, we proved our patriotism by contributing the most money toward the Jeep Campaign sponsored by the Tri-Hi-Y. On September 7, 1944 we became a group of 152 Juniors. Upper classmen! How proud we were with that title! Again we chose Jim Lee for President, Chris Maropis for Vice Presi- dent, and Betty Cowden for Secretary-Treasurer. The first major event during the year was January 23rd., when our committee met with representatives from the companies to choose our class rings. We finally agreed that Josten's offered us the neatest rings. On April 12, 1945 our class play Act Your Age , under the direction of Miss Eleanor Pusa- teri, proved a roaring success. Tink Adding- ton and Johnny Ratkovich, two sailors, became tangled in the nets cast by Mary Lou Ritz and Mary Jane McWhorter. Evelyn Strongosky will be remembered as the dual personality, Little Elsie and Aunt Sandra . Both Jean Sa- heim and Nancy Cikovec displayed skill as the housemaids by day and lady wrestlers by night. Keith Gaines was messengei boy and the voice of the parrot, while Sophie Pappas and Betty Cowden played the parts of the teen-age girls' mothers. Jack Miller portrayed the part of Commander Stone. The Junior Class presented the Junior-Sen- ior Prom on May 18, 1945. Lee Barrett fur- nished the music in a Mexican Hat Dance atmos- phere. The gym was camouflaged with a large Mexican Hat, revolving in the center, a wishing well in one corner, and the Cafe Da Le Palmas in another. The gym balconies were hidden by miniature Spanish balconies covered with ivy and roses. One of our class artists, Mac Padolski, sketched scenes from Old Mexico on the front walls. One hundred sixteen came back eagerly to claim the title of Seniors; with the title we ac- cepted the work and responsibilities, the fun, and good times. Jim Lee was reelected Presi- dent; Johnny Ratkovich, Vice President; and Betty Cowden, Secretary-Treasurer. Janey's One Track Mind was presented by our class on November 29, 1945, directed by Miss Cruikshank and Miss Strong. The antics of Bummy Post (Ruth Lee Clair) and Roger Wil- son (Bill Kidd) caused the audience to chuckle time and again. In the glamour class. Miss Gib- son (Olga Fernandez) offered many helpful hints to her eager students—Honey Bates (Louise Gru- ber) I am taking in glorious air ; Kate Donovan (Evelyn Strongosky) but I like to talk about my- self, too ; Myra (Rosalyn Culley) Isn't the moon- light romantic? ; Luella Smith (Joan Linn) I haven't lost any this week ; Annabelle Wilson (Pauline Noble) Mrs. Post, you aren't going to let Bummy hit me, are you? ; and Mrs. Post (Betty Cowden) Chicory Chick . Tommy Myers (Jack Miller) and Alice Harvey (Mary Lou Ritz), George Browne (Johnny Ratkovich) and Muriel Browne (Dolores Jancart), and Stuart Hunter (Bill McCaffery) and Janey Browne (Bea McCon- aughey) portray three typically American couples. Martin Richardson (Keith Gaines) State Trooper Harrity (Stanley Pensak) and Stage Manager, Butch Blaine helped with the play. Our Senior year proved to be a very busy one, with the selection of class invitations, the photographing of Seniors, and the distribution of namecards. Miss Cruikshank kept us busy with themes and term papers. Mr. Bovan amused us by sponsoring contests for prize-win- ning letters to the editor. Our outstanding classmates in sports were: Basketball— Moe Dowler, Chris Maropis, Jim Lee, Lou Dellapina, and John Ratkovich. Base- ball—Moe, Chris, Lou, and Jim. Football—Pete Coleman, John Dalfol, Lou , Chris , Stanley Pensak, George Stiak, Joe Rozmus, and John Gretsky. Our class found particular satisfaction in planning our gift to the school. The committee, with chairman. Jack Miller, served the wishes of the class in the selection of our token of re- membrance to Union. Our class party, March 1, 1946 will not soon be forgotten by any of us because of the music by Paul Campbell and his orchestra; each tried to make it the best of all class parties. Armed only with the foundation and experi- ence we have gained at Union, we will step into this post war world prepared to meet the future with determination. We have high hopes that we will help steer our nation in a straight course. We have faith in ourselves and our abilities to reconstruct a peaceful world. 27

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YADRICK, DOROTHY Dorth A. Teacher C. Academic P.P. Snobbish people P.E. Holy cow Home Ec. 1, 2, 3, 4 (V. P.) Good worker. . .lover of sports. . .obliging in all. . .Dorothy is full of energy. YARIO, THERESA T A. To be famous C. Commercial P.P. Double crossers P.E. Pleese Commercial 3, 4 (Pres.); Chorus 1, 2; H. R. Officer 2 (V. P.); Student Council 2 Efficient. . .kind. . .co-operative. . .likable . . . Theresa greets everyone with a happy smile. YUKEVICH, VINCENT Sonny A. To giaduate C. General P.P. Girls who act smart P.E. How's that Quit: January 1946 Sleepy. . .talkative. . .out for fun... Sonny has left us for the navy. ZIBRITOSKY, ANNE Zib A. Secretary C. Commercial P.P. Kids who act smart P.E. Gee Commercial 3, 4 (Sec.) Seldom ever heard . . . always ready with her laugh . . . Anne is tidy and full of fun. are ivor Home Rooms which had 100% U purchases 26

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THE JUNIOR CLASS The Junior Class this year, through its indi- vidual and group action, has participated eag- erly and willingly in the various club and sport activities Their success in these fields may be due to the noteworthy leadership displayed by their chosen officers. The President for two suc- cessive years. Bill Morris, earned his place on the varsity basketball team. With an equal amount of skill, he held the position of first baseman on the baseball team. The Vice-President, Ascen- sion Campos, who has been an officer for all three years, also earned his place on the grid- iron. Secretary-Treasurer, Nova Cowden, was another leader among her classmates and a member of the Tri-Hi-Y. Not only can the successful sports and club activities be attributed to the officers, each and every class member has been equally respon- sible. The whole student body looked upon Wade Buckwalter, Ascension Campos, John Col- lins, James Ross, and Marko Skof with admira- tion for the teamwork they displayed on the foot- ball field. Other Juniors who found places of re- serve on the squad were Robert Ceccato, Angel Gonzalez, George Gratchen, John Tobin, Joe Pauchnik, Jack Shearson, Charles Long, Ed Bitt- ner, and Jewell Robinson. Jack Brunner, one of the student managers of the football team, Jim Ross, and Joe Pauchnik were also skillful on the basketball floor. Rabbit Lee, Rusty Col- lins, Jack Brunner, and Don Downer (student manager) were also loyal reserves in basketball. During the baseball season, Jim Ross, as pitcher, Don Downer, as shortstop, Wade Buckwalter, as outfielder, and Joe Pauchnik were active, loyal team members. John Collins was the Junior representative on the Athletic Council. Is it any wonder the Juniors were proud of their boys? The Junior Class has further reason to be proud—Mary Golubofsky, their last year's Sec- retary-Treasurer, was elected Snow Ball Queen of Union High by popular vote of the student body. The affair was sponsored by the Junior Home Economics Club. The coronation took place on December 21st, at a dance given in honor of the newly elected Queen. Her attend- ants, also chosen by the student body, were Pauline Noble, Jean Christopher, Lois Gregory, and Melva Melton. The selection of rings from the Balfour Com- pany was a big event for the Juniors. The fol- lowing committee members are to be com- mended for their good taste: Thelma McCloskey, Nova Cowden, Jean Young, Dolores Kubovic, Jim Gilson, Richard Sutton, Ascension Campos, and Bill Morris. About the first of May, secret meetings of the Junior-Senior Prom Committees were fre- quent. The orchestra committee with John Col- lins, Chairman, had already chosen their orches- tra for May 17th. Jean Young, Dolores Kubovic, Jack Brunner, and Bill Morris helped select the orchestra. The atmosphere assumed a hushed, mysterious air and the Juniors posted signs No Trespassing on the doors to the gymnasium. Oh, yes, Prom time! The decoration committee —Freda Dowler, Anita Garcia, Charlotte Pintar, Donna Skinner, Dorothy Wonsevicz, John Col- lins, Don Downer, Tom Harper, Marko Skoff, James Gilson, Bill Lee, Lawrence Phillis, and Bill Morris—seemed to be cooking something spe- cial, a pleasant surprise for both Seniors and Juniors. Quite a few new Junior teachers were added to the faculty. Our acquaintance with Miss Straitiff, a Junior report room teacher, was brief but pleasant; only reluctantly did we bid farewell to her. Mr. Colesberry returned from the Navy to resume his place with the Juniors in his homeroom. Miss O'Brien, another new- comer to our school, kept the Juniors busy watch- ing their grammar and writing themes. She also accepted the responsibility of supervising the Hi-Lite Staff by starting a journalism class to pre- pare the staff for work with our new printed school paper. Miss Kushner returned to the Jun- iors with her smiling face and pretty dimple. (The envy of all the Junior girls!) Mr. Lewis again accepted the counseling of the Junior Class by offering every piece of advice to them concerning their school work and extra curricular activities. June Mad , the Junior play, received much attention and gained many compliments for the Juniors and the entire student body. These activities reveal the co-operative, and energetic natures of the Juniors. They have shown that they are prepared to take the torch of Senior-hood passed to them by the graduat- ing class. 28