West Seattle High School - Kimtah Yearbook (Seattle, WA)

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CLASSES

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Whether a frosh looking for the non-existent roof garden, or a high 'n mighty senior ready to step up to receive his diploma--one will find a niche in the classes at West Seattle. Many of our so-called green freshmen are Hwising up to a new high school life today. They, immediately upon entering, step into activities that invariably make their school life pleasanter. Sophomores and juniors have sponsored dances and productions to keep the seniors on their toes. The seniors have given up their lorclly airs and are settling down to find where they are best fitted in a war world. Classes in high school often present diffi- culties, but in memories they present one of the happiest times in our life.

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Seniors Seniors graduating into a world-at-war-from the ranks of this, the graduating class of l943, go manpower for the nation's war machine. With opportunities of a pre-war America curtailed, Seniors look back over their four years of high school life, which at its beginning, saw West Seattle a school in a country at peace. While war clouds were gathering over Europe late in '39, mighty 43, Frosh of that day, embarked on the crest of a busy career at West Seattle. Although somewhat awed by the carefreeness of the upperclassmen and the rapid run of events, the Freshmen group elected officers and made plans for a successful year. The class contributed more than its share in the way of athletic talent to the school teams with large turnouts paying dividends in upperclass days to come. June came, Johnny Frosh became Johnny Sophomore. Sophomore year came and with it dances, hard studies, field day, and class dances-all plenty of fun. West Seattle won a track championship. Again class names figured in the sports headlines. Fall l94l : School and Class spirit mountedilndians won a football title. We were juniors. Who could forget those activities: Field Day, Junior Assemblies, and superb dances, outstanding events of the year. PEARL HARBOR-WAR DECLARED! ,Iuniorsjoined in Victory program, participating in Red Cross, Out-of-School Work, and War Bond drives, to mention only a few. Yes, we were Hall-out. The long awaited year arrived. lnfto the limelight we stepped-Seniors! War brought about changes. Our class was first affected by the change over from the normal trend to wartime emergencies. Victory Corps started . . . Senior gym put on a 5 day basis . . . new courses inaugurated . . . Armed forces beckoned-Seniors marched off to War. Seniors distinguished themselves by putting on the best Senior play in years. Wartime conditions caused a shortage of dances, but such fetes as the Drumstick Dig, MacArthur Stamp-Aid and i'Bunny Bouncew were among the best of the school events. The senior gift went to war also with the Class of '43, joining with other schools in purchasing war bonds as their present to the school. Tragedy struck a blow at Senior leadership when Bob King and Steve Ellis were taken suddenly. Bob, president of the Boys' club and one of West Seattle's finest athletes, died while in service of his school on the football field. Steve, crusader for student government and president of the Student Council, passed away after a short illness. A Bob King Football Inspirational Award was planned and left to the school while a library in memoriam to Steve Ellis stands as a living monument to a fine leader. All these memories of four years of swell living-four years spent in hard work and enjoyment- memories which are so all-important today when tomorrow's future is so uncertain. As president of this Senior class, l feel certain that the record this class has set at West Seattle High School is one to be truly proud of, and it has been one of my swellest experiences to have been chosen l PAUL COUR, Senior Class President. the representative of such a group. is From left to right: Paul Cour, Presi- dent, Allen Benedict, Secretary, jo But- ler, Vice-president, and Elmer Anderson, Advisor.