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

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ground terminated in one of the worst disasters the citizens of Van Wert could remember. It began in the west section of town with water filled streets and drains backing up into basements; and by morning the flooding waters of the creek had moved downtown. It was an- nounced there could be no school; it subsequently remained closed the next four days. Inevitably the mayor called a state of emergency and, though no lives were lost, much property damage resulted. We can all remember the loss to homes on Spencer Drive, tales of people rescued at the last minute; and, in the school, the hump in the gym floor and the girls ' gym clothes hung up to dry. Van Wert ' s flood is something that will long be remembered and talked about as ' the worst flood since 1913. ' Our next year, 1959-60, saw many changes in our attitude. We grew more involved and ever busier in our high school events. We remember Vocal Varieties. Some Enchanted Evening became a reality for some twenty sophomores as they were a part of the a capella choir for the first time. We never will forget South Pacific and its Bali Hai and Honey Bun or Oklahoma with its chicks and ducks. Remember the Toledo Tournament? The 1959-60 basketball team had the best season in the history of our school. We had fourteen victories and only three losses. In this wonderful season our team fought their way to the Dis- trict tournament at Toledo. This was an exciting experience in which the whole student body participated. Several bus loads of students went to the game to back the team. The enthusiasm was something none of us will ever forget. Another sports event of that year, but one with a different impact, was the Bryan- Van Wert football game. Van Wert, through hard practice and terrific teamwork had had for four years an undefeated football team

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■«■ ! Dear Students: As we look back on our past four years we recall many scenes of our high school days. These events bring back the memories of real- ized hopes and the disappointments we have shared. We have watched each other grow tall and straight, forming the ideals toward which we will always strive. In 1958 we entered the halls of Van Wert High School very ' green ' freshmen. We remem- ber trying to adjust to our new surroundings and in our confusion, making many mistakes. As Freshmen we thought how long it would be until we were Seniors, we thought these four years would last forever. But now, as Seniors, we realize how quickly time has passed, and how much more we could have done in that time. The girls remember GAA. initiations. The many different things they were compelled to do are unbelievable. They will probably never forget the paste, tapioca, mud, lipstick and other conglomerations of things that they walked in and had smeared on their faces. After receiving this treatment they went uptown and crawled across Main Street on their hands and knees, singing songs. The next stop was the Y.M.C.A. where they were laughed at by the upperclass boys. Finally they went to the school for the induction ceremony. They had been through the worst and this ceremony was very impressive. After it was over everyone de- cided it wasn ' t so bad after all. We remember the flood. On the night of February 9, 1958, two days of rain and frozen

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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