West Shore High School - School Memories Yearbook (Harrisburg, PA)

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CLASS HISTORY As we, the members of the Class of 1956 rapidly approach graduation, it is fitting that we pause at another crossroad of our lives to look back and recall the bright spots of our four-year history at West Shore High School. It was in September, 1952, that we as students of West Shore High School embarked on our high school careers, eager to grasp the opportunities afforded us. At our initial class meeting, under the guidance of Mr. Jack W. Ray, Dean, we elected Theodore Wells, Presi- dent, Ira Glant, Vice-Presidentg Nancy Schell, Secretary and Robert Schwalenberg, Treasurer. For our class colors we selected blue and silver, our class flower, the Peace Rose, and, what we considered very appropriate, our motto, The elevator to success isn't running, take the stairs. For an assembly program we sponsored a highly en- tertaining film comedy entitled The Brooklyn Orchid. We rendered our first monetary service to our school by contributing to the purchase of a new juke box for the gym- This juke box is still serving for the countless dances, parties and noon-time entertainment. April 24, 1953, marked our first class party a memor- able occasion for all who attended. This event rounded out our schedule of activities as Freshmen. In the fall of 1953, after enjoying a summer respite of three months, we returned to ivy-clad West Shore High as Sophomores. Mr. John E. Behman, Class Dean, led us through our endeavors during the year. As a result of the class elections, Robert Schwalenberg moved into the office of President, and three new leaders were chosen. David Gardner was elected Vice-Presidentg Nan Landis, Secretary, and Nancy Bair, Treasurer. Following the new precedent, we selected our class rings as Sophomores. For our assembly program we presented four Dickin- son College exchange students. This program was both entertaining and educational and proved to be the talk of the student body for weeks to come. The Sophomore Party held March 12, in the gym, com- plete with delicious refreshments and juke box music, highlighted our Sophomore Year. The summer months of,54- flew by quickly, and soon we stood as Juniors at the half-way mark of our high school careers. This was the year in which the Class mem- bers of '56 began to sense a new air of importance. Our first class meeting was held September 10, 1954. Robert Schwalenberg, David Gardner, and Nancy Bair were re-elected to their posts, and Nancy Schell joined the officers' ranks as Secretary. The major class project of the year was the traditional sale of refreshments at home football games. Our .lunior year was hardly under way when we began our class play. A three-act play entitled Make Mine Magic presented March 24 and 25 under the very cap- able direction of Miss Inza C. Bentz, our Class Dean was a huge success. We shall never forget Miss Bentz's pain- staking preparation, her sincere appreciation of our efforts, and the way in which our play was received by all who saw it. The .lunior Party took place April 8, 1955, in the gym. We enjoyed another wonderful evening of dancing to the rhythm of the Hershey Industrial School Orchestra. Our trip to Gettysburg was on May 2nd. While this is an annual school excursion it was an exciting experience, as we spent the day touring the historical buildings and battlefields of the Civil War and then returned home in a spirit of noisy fun, loaded with our cameras, souvenirs, and memories of a carefree, but educational da Finally came the crowning event of the year, the Jun- ior-Senior Prom, which every one of us had anxiously awaited. It was held May 14, in the beautiful ballroom of the Hershey Hotel. There the couples danced to the dreamy music of Frank Taylor's orchestra, and refreshed themselves with a delicious assortment of food and drink. It was a night never to be forgotten by those who lived those happy, pleasure-packed hours at Hershey. The Class of '56 set a precedent on May 20, by becom- ing the first to select the year-book photographer in its .lunior year. Hunter of Mechanisburg was awarded the contract. We elected William Bowman to edit our class publication and Nan Landis as Business Manager. June 8, 1955 signaled our summer vacation which would usher in our Senior year at West Shore High School. With the arrival of September 7, 1955, we knew that our days at West Shore were numbered, and resolved to make this the best year we had ever had.

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SHIRLEY ARLENE WOLFE GENERAL Salim-:Y Our gtft from Mechanicsburg. . .always has a friendly smile for everyone. . . Whafs the interest at C. K? . .usually seen with Deanna and Carolyn. Tri-Hi-Y Club 3g F.H.A. Club 3,4g Trojan Staff Club 4-5 Sr. Play Production Staff 4. Also included in the class are: George W. Hollabaugh Dean H. Hornherger Paul Chester Johnson, Jr. Benjamin Steck, Jr. 29

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At our second class meeting, directed by Mr. Paul E. Stum, Dean, we selected our officers for the year, four of them new ones. Theodore Wells stepped into the Presi- dency, Arthur Shipe was chosen Vice-President, and Nancy Schell and Nancy Bair were re-elected Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. Other new officers named were Nan Landis, Assistant Secretary, and Leslie Powell, historian. Our initial class project of the year was the sale of Christmas cards and writing paper to aid in paying for the yearbook. In mid-October, the class members journeyed individu- ally to Hunter's Studios to pose for their Senior pictures. The finished products were received by most of us in early December, and we were greatly pleased by Mr. Hunter's fine work. Our first Senior Party, a dress-up affair, was held in the gym, November 4, with music by the ever-present juke- box. The occasion was made more lasting in our hearts by an unforgettable reading and pantomine skit by sev- eral members of our class, using as its theme the beauti- ful song, Moments To Remember. This was a party long to be remembered by everyone who attended. Early in November the officers carefully selected sample announcements from each of four companies rep- resented. The class members then chose Josten's as their official graduation announcement. Next came our Senior Play, November 17 and 18. An hilarious comedy, entitled Brother Goose and directed by West Shore's newest faculty member, Mr. Lawrence Waite, was produced with the usual skill of all who par- ticipated. We would like to express our hearty and sin- cere thanks to Mr. Waite for his patience and determina- tion in carrying out so well the tough assignment he was given. Before taking our mid-year break from school to cele- brate the holiday season, we stopped to enjoy a Christmas Play in assembly, December 21. A delightful and unusual story called Uncle Jimmy Verses Christmas was pre- sented to the student body by a fine cast of Seniors, under the able direction of Mr. Alvin S. Williamson. As the year of 1956 got under way, we returned to the familiar halls of West Shore High knowing that our time in school was growing short. The evening of January 21, 1956, marked the Senior Ball. This time, our big event of the year took place at the spacious Holiday Motel. Couples marvelled at its in- viting atmosphere, complete with spotlight and revolving stage, as they glided across the fioor to the music of Frank Taylor's orchestra. We were sorry to see another memorable night come to an end. Then came our second Senior Party, March 16, in the old faithful gym. In scruff dress, the class members spent a customarily great time together. Closing our succession of big mements at West Shore, we returned to the scene of last year's highlight, Hershey Hotel, and another Junior-Senior Prom. May 12 was the date and Frank Taylor again provided the music. Thanks to the Junior Class whose members must have felt the same thrill which we did the year before, as sponsors of this memorable event. At this point, we would like to say thanks to our class dean, counselor, and teacher, Mr. Stum, whose quiet wisdom has guided us through a trying Senior year, to Mr. Bushey, who willingly accepted the task of supervis- ing our yearbook and did an excellent jobg to the West Shore Joint School Board, to the administration, to each member of the faculty. Now we stand before you, our teachers, our parents and friends, on Class Day. We are anxiously awaiting a Senior Trip to New York City, before arriving at the summit of our high school ambition, graduation. The goal becomes reality after twelve years in two climactic services, Baccalaureate and Commencement. Then our participation as students of West Shore High School will be history. But we look upon our past with a feeling of regret. We have begun to realize, as we prepare to leave this training ground and take our places in the world, that the years we have spent here will indelibly remain as the happiest of our memories. In the years to come may we always hold high, as our guide to true personal satisfaction and happiness, the words of our class motto: The elevator to success isn't running, take the stairsf' Leslie Powell