West Bend High School - Bend Yearbook (West Bend, WI)

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Anyone who has climbed to the roof of West Bend High School to survey t.he sprawling, colorful eighteen-acre campus has gazed upon a sight well worth the effort. In the northwest corner is the pond. Tall elm and oak trees surrounding the banks cast cool shadows over the ground and water. The inviting shadows offer a pleasant spot to relax when the temperature rises. When winter comes, students skim lightly over the smooth coat of ice and fill the air with merriment. To the south are the athletic fields covering half of the campus. Surrounded by the quarter mile track, the football gridiron lies in the center. Here on Bruhy Field the varsity team practices and plays its games. The goal posts at the northern end of the playing field have been torn down many times in past years as the jubilant students celebrated a championship. The tennis courts, located about 100 yards north of the southeast corner of the campus, are used not only by the varsity tennis team but also by students during their noon hours and on weekends. Some persons believe that the most beautiful sight on the campus is the tree dotted front lawn. The front campus after a snowstorm Looking down, one sees the blue spruce which are the pride of the school. Perhaps the best season to view these trees is winter, for then they have put on cloaks of white, and their branches are weighed down with snow. A final glance to the northern part of the campus reveals a wide, sloping bank which stretches out towards the end. Upon this small hill, the students rest during warm weather. Noon hours and after school hours find the bank crowded with talking boys and girls. Here is the favorite spot for groups of students to discuss the happenings of the day. Here, too, many elm trees cover the landscape, casting cool shadows on the ground. As the various seasons pass, the campus takes on different dresses. Students enjoy their stay on this beautiful campus, and when the time for graduation arrives, there is a bit of sadness in everyone's heart. Though the students depart from the high school, they always carry with them a vision of reflections on the pond, the blue spruce at the front entrance, the football field on game night. Every experience has added something to campus memories. 4 Af' f .,,1 . afar - gf .A 'lu .z . .arf ,Q '.-9, ..' I 'I' Winter view of the front of the building Page five

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Looking toward the high school gg 1 ff 41 was fi,-Y :fr fi' 4' Page four Soft breezes blowing across the pond Autumn leaves cover the ground

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ccu:3gq1Y ..tj, ' -'Ti Y 1 gr. as ' f - XJ: K .. -, . A fr 2- ' - Q Q - '- J-' . . 15,2 ,W . - . 61 ' As the beginning of the high school term drew near, the custodial staff gave the building a final inspec- tion. To their trained eyes the school was spotless. Throughout the entire building an air of cleanliness prevailed. The janitors had reason to be proud of the product of their summer labor. Everything was in tip- top shape for the 1953-54 enrollment. On the afternoon of August 19 the school lay dor- mant. All of the teachers who had worked during the summer had departed for vacations, only a skeleton crew manned the building. Then disaster broke into the open when the pun- gent odor of smoke was detected. Glenn Markgraf, one of the janitors, responded quickly to the danger and summoned the fire department. Dark, billowing masses of smoke rising above the school building transmitted the news to the townspeople more effectively than wire- less could have. At the heels of the fire department hundreds of curious persons arrived within minutes. The efficient West Bend Fire Department managed to subdue the flames after a long battle. Nevertheless, building damage was estimated at approximately S200,000. Once-clean walls were streaked with dirt, water streamed through the corridors, ceilings, swollen and bulging, rained torrents of water and the third floor was lacking a roof. In addition Hubert Becker, chief custodian, overcome by smoke, had been taken to the hospital, but not in a serious condition. Repairs were begun immediately, as the scheduled opening of school was only two weeks distant. Con- tractors came to the scene of the damage to make esti- mates on repairs and soon began renovating the buil- ding. A call was sent out to any students who wished to aid in clearing away the debris. Several dozen re- sponded to prepare for re-opening on September 8. Since many sections and rooms of the building were badly demolished classes had to be re-scheduled. The school administration spent many hours to accomp- lish the re-routing. Thanks to their hard work, the splendid co-operation of the students, and the rapid work of the contractors, school opened on schedule. Major repairs continued for several months after school convened. When the newly renovated sections were opened in December, the cramped and crowded conditions of previous months were forgotten. Once more walls were painted, and the gym floor was refin- ished. As a small reward for the inconvenience of the past months, new additions, such as an acoustical ceiling and skylights on the third floor, were installed. Debris cluttered the front entrance A third-floor classroom The roof was severely damaged Repairs are begun in a few days Page si