Van Wert High School - Excalibur Yearbook (Van Wert, OH)

Page 11 text:

after people forgetting lines and some- one or something falling, the curtains close and we take our final bows. Our most rewarding moment was hearing the applause. Although we were only amateurs, we felt like pros on Broad- way. Some of the wonderful plays we ' ve presented were: Teahouse of the Au- gust Moon, Harvey, The Big Fisherman, and A Man Called Peter. We had laughs, we had tears, but we always had fun. We remember our pride and joy — Prom. We had the exciting experience of giving the Seniors a prom which was certainly something to be proud of! The theme, It ' s Almost Tomorrow was carried out beautifully with the Bridge of Tomorrow as the center piece. Now in our final year we begin in real earnest to work towards our life after graduation. The College Boards were an obstacle most of our college bound Seniors had to face. At the end of the three hour examination most of us were ready to admit that there were a few things we had not yet learned. The next week, however, those who had taken it were more attentive in class (at least for a little while). We ' re with you team, so fight. this is the feeling that some 2000 high school students and adults placed into the hearts of the Van Wert football team at the bonfire the night before the Cold- water game. For just a few hours the players were able to forget about the upcoming battle and appreciate the fine school spirit we have in Van Wert. These boosters ' cheers told the boys that the town stood behind them in victory, but also in defeat. At the time no one fully appreciated what the citi- zens were doing, but as we think about it we are so grateful for that gesture and will never forget it.

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which won 46 games. Inevitably the time had to come in which our fortune would turn. Early in the 1960 football season the Cougars met defeat at the hands of the Bryan Golden Bears. Valiantly our team fought, playing their hearts out, but relentlessly time marched on. 1960-61, we agree our Junior year was the best and busiest. We realized that for some of us college was not far off. There were tests to take, choice of college or career to think about, and the task of keeping up our grades. We remember the science fairs which were interesting to all who went, for the exhibit halls were filled with every conceivable scientific object from tad- poles to model atom smashers. Our Junior year also brought forth the beginning of the first Junior Achievement Companies here in Van Wert. The purpose of J. A., we learned, was to help teenagers learn how busi- nesses are established, managed and produce products for sale. Everything was new to us and we had fun learning. The hardest job was to sell the product. But after seven months we all became expert sales- men and had a preview of the business world. If ' variety is the spice of life ' then the class of 1962 can be said to have this kind of flavor. An abundance of talent was easily found to help produce the various types of plays during our four years. Project! Speak slower and louder. The famous words of our di- rectors. After late hours of studying and rehearsing our lines, costumes, layers of make-up, back-stage fun and opening night jitters, we have our per- formance. Everyone is so excited and nervous — even the stage crew. Then — get ready — you ' re on! The knees shake; but

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Many Seniors will remember this year has been very busy. Those on the Scarlet Quill and Excalibur Staffs will never forget the hurrying to meet dead- lines. In between those deadlines and staff meetings we tried to crowd in our homework and spent many sleepless nights after meetings studying for tests. When the year started we were all very inexperienced about the work that went into organizing a book and paper for publication; but, as the year pro- gressed, we learned and soon knew just what had to be done to make our pub- lications the best. During our Senior year began the construction of the much needed addi- tion to our high school. We were all in- terested in its progress, even though we knew our class would graduate before its completion. Who can forget the day they tore up the sidewalks and ripped out the trees and began laying out the foundation? The constant pounding and clanging was a sound we knew we would have to get used to. Even in the worst of weather the building con- tinued, the girders are going up at this writing and the contractor has assured us everything will be completed by next September. Thus, we are the last class to graduate from the high school as it is now standing. We have witnessed a closer knitting of class spirit and unity of purpose de- velop through the years and now re- gret seeing everyone scatter. As we grow older the memory of high school will slowly fade; its importance will be replaced by other things such as col- lege, careers, and later on, families, but the time we have spent in the halls of Van Wert High School will always hold a corner in our hearts. As you look through this book we hope you will remember some of the things we have cited and can benefit from our memories, failures and achievements.