West Side High School - Lamp Yearbook (Newark, NJ)

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We gave a smile of understanding she continued. “The forties saw our students changing their school clothes for uniforms. School work was one part of a busy student day. The girls and the younger boys worked after school in the war effort, either as Red-Cross aids or relieving an office worker for defense purposes. Many a letter was written in the cafeteria or wedged in between classes. Music was either patriotic as “Тһе White Cliffs of Dover” or side stepped the seriousness of the war “Marezie-Dotes” or “Laura”. Even with the man shortage school teams were going strong. As ever, films were the mainstay of entertainment; many of you still see on television. Alice Faye, Betty Grable, John Payne, and Carmen Miranda were grinding out musical-comedies which usually had patriotic leanings. How many films ended with the Andrew Sisters carrying our flag on a battleship, while a cast of hundreds in various patriotic costumes waved and sang “When the Lights Go On Again?” Our students accepted the privations and disappointments of war. Despite the long bus lines, they arrived on time. When prom dates were in service, they bravely sat at home. When called to do more than what is usually expected of a student; they gladly responded. “Alma Mater stopped and mused perhaps remembering her sons who died for their country. She brightened up a bit and continued, “V-E and V-J Day in the United States were days of complete chaos. People were happy and thankful that their loveones were safe. After the war a period of prosperity came to America. Soldiers returned to face such problems as job readjustment and a housing shortage. West Siders continued to lead a full school life. Frank Sintra and Bing Crosby were the leading pop singers. I guess you know these two as older men now, but in the forties the police had to hold back throngs of bobby-sox- ers” who crowded around these personalities. I can remember the student dances with songs as “Prisoner of Love,” “Heartaches” and “Linda.” The students dress changed. With the end of rationing they could have many pairs of shoes. Suede loafers with composition soles gave way to real leather shoes. The “New-look” arrived from Paris. Girls began to wear dresses with hem-lines an inch or two above the ankle. The men began a trend toward color in clothes, perhaps a reaction to the drab-colored military uniforms, and bold checked jackets with wide color splashed ties were in vogue. It was a much different world in 1949 than that of 1940. Swimming Coach Dispenzier led these wa- ter mermen on to victory My! What skinny legs you have Better to swim with my dear.

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“Тһе 30’s were funny years, modern, determined and yet the depression gave the students a certain sensibility. Their main topic of conversation was the new Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge. The students wore softer line d clothing and skirts were longer. Movies were at their peak and people were thrilled by the Cat and the Canary. Gone with the Wind the all time box-office prize was released. Walt Disney made his first cartoon, its fame spread all over the United States and the world. In fact, his cartoons were so good that they won the Academy awards for eight consecutive years, and they weren’t even in color. In the evening, after homework was finished the families gathered around the radio to enjoy Jack Benny and Amos 'n Andy. Although, Shirley Temple, was the darling of the public, I remember the West Side girls imitated the beautiful Ginger Rogers. The boys were influenced by the sophisticated Fred Astaire. Dances were varied from the romantic fox-trot to the Big-apple. In order to be “in” in those days you had to watch your trucking and Suzie-Q. Music was equally varied. The students hummed such favorites as You Are My Lucky Star and Sweet Little Alice Blue Gown. There were the usual crazy tunes with mixed-up words which confuse adults of all generations; Shrimpers and rise are very nice, indeed! The biggest news in the late 30's was the Worlds Fair. I look back now and remember the develop- ments and inventions of these projects are now household items. Everything would have been very pleasant but the early 4075 brought war. I suppose we all recover with time, but still I wonder? I enjoyed the students of the 40's most of all. I just coming of age and as you young people might say, things were really swinging. The jitter bugs were doing the Lindy to the music of the big bands, Glen Miller, the Dorsey Brothers and Duke Ellington. “Zoot suits with a reet-pleat” were uniform for the boys. The girls came to class in pleated skirts with “Sloppy-Joe” sweaters; saddle shoes and anklets completed the outfit.” We looked at Alma Mater as though she were speaking Greek. She looked up and gave us a motherly smile. “I almost forgot you aren’t hip enough to dig my meaning. Zoot suits were jackets with wide lapels, shoulder pads and a long cit.” Band Can you imagine the kind of mu- sic this band played? Maybe mu- sic for the Red Cross? Faculty Wow! What a faculty with all their mink coats and pin striped suits

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1411 Тһе fifties were the year of the now so-called, silent generation. The students at this time were serious, co-operative and dedicated. Beneath their youthful exterior there was a surprising maturity. They look to school as the natural means toward their goals. West Side life was different radio and movies were losing footage to the television. “Uncle-Milton Berle” and “Fireside theatre” were the topic of discussion. “ГЇЇ give you a shot in the head or “ГЇЇ kill your a million times” replaced the outgoing “hubba-hub- | ba” or “Kilroy” clique. The addition of the crinoline to the long skirts gave girls a softness reminiscent of the pre-civil war period. Hair was cut short in imitation or respect to Ingrid Bergmans portrayal of Saint Joan. The roller derby became the sport to follow after a week at school. Report cards, clubs, and election of class officers were very special occasions for the students. Drivers’ education was added to the curriculum. Music was varied from Montivani and his romantic strings through calypso beat to the insanity of Rock’n Roll. Toward the latter years of the decade, America was invaded by the “beat-nik.” Alma Mater broke off here. The determined look in her eyes we know better than to pursue that subject. A smile came over Maters face. “What's to say, man? Do my West Side kinds dig me? Listen Babe, I had this scene and I groove the most.” Her answer to our stunned faces was a long laugh. She collected herself to tell the tale of her youngest graduates. “Really, the children of the sixties see, to have everyone running wild. I sit back and relax. Гуе been through too many things to think that the “mini-skirts” is going to end civilization. What’s a mini-skirt except the same thing I saw years ago. Dances? Is the Funky-broadway” etc any less crazy than the Charleston? Leave it to the young, I say. I tried to do one of their dances and was laid up for a week. Music? I wonder if any tunes give promise of dedication as “The Impossible Dream?” Twirlers This picture is typical of the twir- ler’s in the 40% Time cures all ills!