West Lampeter Vocational High School - We La Hi Yearbook (Lampeter, PA)

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Us-.Ia 20 KIM Wfwphwf One June morning in l954 as I was flying to town in my new rocket-helicopter, I noticed a beautiful new farm below. Dropping down to admire it, whom should I see on the veranda but its owner, Clyde Witmer, looking prosperous and happy. I stopped to say Hello, and he told me in the ensuing conversation that Willis Breckhill had just won a Senatorial Award for work in the advancement of Horticulture, and that Ruth Rohrer, National Director of Girls' 4-H Clubs, had acquired the American Farmerette Degree. A Proceeding on to the city, I parked my helicopter a few feet above tl1e street and climbed down to buy a newspaper. I glanced at the headlines, and was not too surprised to see that the master scientist, Willis Cerlach, had made another important discovery. The brilliant young physician, Dr. Melvin Hess, was collaborating with him in the development of the discovery, which is of a medical nature. Sharing the front page was a photograph of Patsy Bingaman, daring woman flier, who has gained new laurels for her spectacular altitude flight, which has broken all previous records. The paper seemed filled with news of the Class of '44, Eagerly reading on, I found another article. The talented American violinist, Edward Martin, had shocked the music world by an- nouncing his relinquishment of music in order to enter training for the medical profession. His associates foresee an equally brilliant future for him in this new field. On the society page was a picture of Jean Posey. This popular debutante, well-known in Eastern social circles, had just announced her engagement to one of her numerous suitors, a handsome naval officer. Also on the social page was a writeup about Mr. and Mrs. Clair Werner, who were enter- tained on a recent wedding anniversary. Mrs. Weriier is the former Kathryn Byers, talented concert pianist and amateur sportswoman. Mr. Werner, successful football coach at Notre Dame, is remembered as one of the Aces of World War II. Miss Groff Weds Prominent Surgeon was the next item which caught my eye. Blanche, a Superintendent of Nurses at a large city hospital, was giving up her successful career to become the bride of a prominent young brain specialist. I came to the entertainment page next, so I looked to see what was in the movies that eve- ning. There before my eyes was a large picture of Russell Gall, starring in the picture, Moon Love. The caption read, A Second Valentino At Last. The makeup director of this movie was the successful beautician, Ruth Humbert. Hollywood studios are wondering how they ever got along before with only the Westxixores. Having seen the movie previously, I went back to my hotel to spend the evening. As I was entering, who should come running over but Jo Ann Hollinger. Jo, writer of a syndicated dirt column, read from coast to coast, was just bubbling with news of the old gang. She sug- gested dinner together, so we went to a nice quiet restaurant where she told me all the news. Ann Bradshaw, now a famous horsewoman with winners in every large horse show in the country, had just opened a riding academy on one of her country estates. This equestrienne's success in the venture is assured by her pleasant personality and her expert's knowledge of the sport. Lois Chambers is a Flight Nurse in the Army Air Corps. Here her valuable common sense and her interest in her work have made her a well-known figure. IQ 321

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flaunt of W4 KIQM' With pigtails, buckteeth and knickers, we entered l.. H. S. in September l940. The annual Fair helped us to get acquainted and feel more at ease. The highlight of our first year was the Hall0we'en party wllere Mr. Bishop fnow Lieut. Bishop, j.g.l acted as master of cere- monies. Needless to Say, we all had an hilarious time. ln the fall of '41 we came back as qualified Sophomores, full of vim, vigor and vitality, which we exhibited unceasingly throughout the year. The beginning of this term was a little dis- appointing. The Fair was cancelled because of the polio epidemic. The winter brought two big events-the Gym Follies and the Valentine Dance, in which the Sophomores participated whole-hcartedly, helping to make them great successes. We were also proud of producing a first-rate basketball guard, Clair Vferner, who proved to be a great asset to the team. ln 1942, we started our career as Juniors. This year gave us a grimmer outlook for the future, for the ,laps had not stopped with Pearl Harbor, but managed to carry on their campaign against the United States more fiercely than anticipated. The fellows couldn't race around in Pop's car because of those little items called ration hooks. However, we managed to have the Fair, and working with true class spirit at our hamburg stand, we came out financially on the top. The month of November brought forth the operetta, The Count and The Co-ed. ln this some of the Juniors demonstrated their ability both as singers and lovers. Activities were cut out considerably this year because of war conditions. No basketball teamg no Junior-Senior Prom, yes, it seemed that our class had all the had breaks. We began realizing that we could not have assurances for the future unless we made sacrifices now for shortening the war. Seniors! ll Xve thought we'd never reach the top. Now, at last we had full priorities on the front seats in assembly. Our first week was a hit of an adventure. We were introduced to practically a whole new faculty, and a new principal, Mr. Adams. Mr. Dietrick, who served us faithfully for 23 years, resigned his position for one in an industrial plant. We immediately began planning for the Fair. This year we had charge of the luncheon. Under the guidance and help of Mrs. Gingrich and Mr. Shoff, we kept our heads above water, aml far enough above to make a satisfactory profit. This year our Hallowe'en party was held in liurkholdt-r's barn, aml turned out to be one of the most enjoyable parties our class ever held. ln 1944 a basketball team was organized, and our class could boast of having four fellows in the first line up. April brought forth a Senior play. -Sfter much 'Ltoil and sacrifice the class proudly pre- sented a 3 act comedy entitled Professor, How Could Youf The purpose of this play was to purchase a Service Plaque in honor of the graduates of West Lampeter. Yes, we had fun and we worked bard, and we shall probably all remember the time spent in Lampeter Hi as four of the most memorable years of our lives. CLASS OFFICERS 1 940-41 I 941-42 1 942-43 19434 44 President PAUL MATTERN RUSSELL CALL RUSSELL CALL RUSSELL CALL Vice President JESSE SHANK JOE WARFEL CLAIR WERNER CLAIR WERNER Secretary MARJORIE REX MARJORIE REX MARJORIE REX MARJORIE REX Treasurer DOROTHY KREIDER DoRoTHY KREIDER DOROTHY KREIDER DOROTHY KRFIDFR Historian NANCY MILLER NANCY MILLER 5311

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lzuanfzl KIM Ffwpfwfu-60 ' Three of our former classmates are famed for cultural advancement. Founders of a School of American Art and Music are Betty Burkholder, Marjorie Rex and Nellie Byers. Nell is chief professor of painting, while Margie and Betty are in charge of Music. This beautiful school, in spite of a small beginning, has become a leading Cultural Center in America, and its founders are held in highest regard by European Artists. Dorothy Kreider recently won the American Sports Association's Annual Award for the most outstanding contribution to the advancement of Woixle11's sports. Dot has been responsible for making Wome-n's Softball one of the major American sports. Dot's star player, Ruth Le- fever, has been ranked with past sports immortals such as Alice Marble and Gertrude Ederle, and will undoubtedly gain more fame in the coming season. Phyllis Campbell is playing the flute with the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. In her leisure time, she can often be seen flitting about the country in her custom-built airplane. Mary ,lane Heagy is the indispensable secretary of a rising New York executive. This efh- cient businesswoman has refused several government secretarial positions which have been of- fered to her because of her ability. Dorothy Fisher and Marian Vfitmer have made successful careers of being housewives. Dot is the wife of thc conductor of a Symphony Orchestra, and mistress of a lovely home. Marian is happily married to a highly regarded agriculturist, and is living in Lancaster County. Jane Huber is happily married to a successful businessman. A pillar of her community, ,lane takes an active part in all of her local organizations, and is looked upon as an ever-ready friend by her neighbors. Lorraine Harnish is a successful photographer and has her own exclusive studio. Lorraine's patrons include a great nmnber of motion picture and television stars, and her reputation as a reliable photographer is firmly established. Patricia Butz, well-known for her heroic work as a nurse in the European rehabilitation, is back in the States again. At present, Pat is writing an Advice to the Lovelorn colmnn for a big city newspaper, where her sound philosophy is much sought after. Ada Ross, a nurse on an international flying boat, has recently had published another best- selling book, which tells of the numerous adventures she encounters on global flights. One of her previous books has just been made into a successful lnovie. Jo and I looked up from ollr conversation at tllis point to see coming toward our table the well-known lllllll-Hll0lll'tUW'll, Andy llollinger, and Donald Mylin, the John Robert Powers of 1954. Mylin Models, famous as the most beautiful girls in the world. includes the svelte Ellen Krug, who will soon be seen in a new motion picture. Andy was anxious to hear his favorite orchestra which was running a week's engagement nearby, so we all went along over to see if anybody we knew was there. The orchestra was featuring a new vocalist that evening, and when she came on, it turned out to be none other than Nancy Miller. This popular little torch singer was a dazzling success, and when she finished singing we edged our way through the crowd to congratulate her. As we passed by one of the front tables, whom should we see hilt Paul Mattern, now Senator Barney Mattern, whose con- stant filibustering has made him a well-known figure in Congress. With Barney was the President's lovely daughter, who has been quoted as saying that she admires Paul's intellect. After an enjoyable evening with these members of the Class of l944, I went slowly back to my hotel, glad to find that success and happiness has been the lot of this group. 1 as 1