Whitesville High School - Wycenian Yearbook (Whitesville, NY)

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Class History In the year of 1943 Pearl Harbor had been bombed and World War II was well under way in Japan. That same year a small group of children started to school. From 1943 to 1955 many changes took place in that class. Only two of the original members remain: Carolyn Plaisted and James Webster. There was not enough room in the school building so our class spent the first three years meet- ing in various places. With Miss Anna Coats as our first grade teacher, we met in a greenhouse located beside the present high school building. This house was later moved across the street when its present owner, Mr. George Probasco, became its occupant. In the fall of 1944 we settled in the basement of the Methodist Church with Mrs. Robert Clark as our teacher. Jack Waters moved from Greenwood and joined the class at this time. Our third grade, taught by Mrs. George Fitzpatrick, met in Elmer Waite’s garage and we walked to the bus garage for lunch. Additions to our class were Francis Moore and Donald Waters. By the time we reached the fourth grade, we were moved to the school building which proved more convenient. Mrs. Ray Hurlburt was our teacher and we ate lunch in one of the rooms over Robert Ball’s garage. Billy Nye dropped out of the class, but Donald Spencer and Arlene Lewis entered the grade. The next year we used the same room and had a different teacher. Mrs. Clark patiently directed us through the fifth grade and we acquired three new members: Eugene McAllister, Dorean Acker and Pat Krusen. The year 1948-49 will always be remembered. Mrs. Howard Bamey, our teacher, concentrated on teaching us poetry. One person, Leo Saunders, left but four others entered. They were: Harold Hallett, Lewis McGraw, Max Nye and Jimmy Ritter. Donald Spencer and Dorean Acker moved to another school. In 1949 we entered seventh grade and became junior high school members. Mrs. Harold Cornell, art teacher, was appointed as our homeroom teacher. Jimmy Ritter left us during the year. As eighth graders, we started out with fifteen members in the class but lost Leon Jones and Richard Brundage. Miss Pearl Malone served as homeroom teacher. That year our group became better organized and more self-reliant. Also at this time a new school was built for the grades one to six. It had a gym and a cafeteria. Through this our school became more centralized. The move from eighth to ninth grade was more of a transition for us, as the work was more difficult and it was necessary for us to settle down and to pay closer attention. Mr. Sterling Ruhl joined the faculty as a mathematics teacher. With Mr. Vincent Davis as our homeroom monitor, we held two parties —a box social and a joint movie party with the Junior Class. For the first time we elected class officers. The president was Lewis McGraw; Vice-President, Jack Waters; Secretary, Pat Krusen; Treasurer, Barbara Langdon. We were seasoned members of the Senior high school by the time we started our Sophomore year, but our ranks had shrunk in number. Under the guidance of Mrs. Howard Pfeiffer our social activities increased and we held successfully two class parties, a bake sale and a Sophomore Hop. As Juniors, we saw many changes take place in the school and in our class. Pat Krusen became the wife of Russell Crittenden and Barbara Langdon married Richard Waters. Our contribution to the armed forces was in the person of Dick Brundage who joined the Air Force at the close of the school year. Faculty members Mrs. Roger Rigby, Mrs. Pfeiffer, Mr. Bartoo and Coach Robert Brown were replaced by Mrs. Farnsworth, Mr. Cross, Mr. Cretokos and Coach Paul Klch. Mr. Brewster, who served as a faithful faculty member for several years, was appointed principal to replace Mr. Wilcox who resigned during the winter. As a class, we were already looking forward to the visit to Washington, D. C. and hoped that the magazine campaign, Junior Prom, bake sales and a pancake supper would increase the class treasury to make that excursion a reality. Class officers were: President, Gene McAllister; Vice-President, Donald Waters; Secretary-Treasurer, Pat Critten- den. At last we became Seniors. Washington looked closer! More money was needed, funds grew through the proceeds from the Halloween Fair, magazine campaign, dances, suppers, Senior Play and the yearbook. Also during this same year a bill was drawn up by the Board of Education that an addition be put on the new school building so that the high school and grade school could be combined. The community all came to vote and the bill was passed overwhelmingly. Class officers this year were: Jack Waters, Donald Waters, Lewis McGraw and James Webster who served as president, vice-president, secretary- and treasurer respectively. Mr. Cretekos and Mr. Lepine were class advisors. We look to graduation with mixed emotions-----happy that our school sessions will soon end and regretfulness that we shall leave our friends. We extend our thanks to the members of the faculty whose help has made our accomplishments possible and to future senior classes, we say, “Best wishes from the Class of 1955 ” 14 Jack Waters

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Junior Class OFFICERS Barbara Stebbins President Gary Grander Vice-President Nancy Tarr Secretary Joan Frost Treasurer Seated, L. to R.: Florence Ordway, Joann Frost, Nancy Tarr, Barbara Stebbins, Beverly Johnson, Lynne Kear. Standing: Mr. Cross, James Lewis, James Smith, Gary Grander, Harold Slack, Richard Marble, Mrs. Fuller. The first exciting event of the year was the arrival of our class rings in late October. So far this year our class has been very successful at making money. We have sponsored a bake sale and two round and square dances. The first dance proved most prosperous. Three of our girls took part in the Senior Play. They are: Lynne Kear, Florence Ordway, and Joan Frost. As this book goes to press, we are planning for die two biggest events of the year. The Junioi Senior Banquet and the Junior Prom. The Prom was held on the 20th of May. Our activides so far have been few. We had one class party late in the fall in the school gym. We had a dance for our benefit on December 22. We also had our Sophomore Hop the 15th of April. Kneeling, L, to R.: Gary Pfeiffer, Clair Golish, Gary Dibble, Bruce Ellsworth, Milford Cline, Gordon Dodge, Elwin Stebbins. Seated: Dolores McLean, Patricia Nesbit, Carolyn Scoville, Joanne Chambers, Nellie May Saunders, Jane Birming- ham, Katherine Lewis, Cora Thomas. Standing: Edward Heselton, Dennis Grantier, Leo Saunders, Charles Wright, Sally Krusen, Donna Stebbins, Janetta Baham, Gene Davis, Duane McGraw, Mrs. Mattison. Sophomore Class OFFICERS Gene Davis President Sally Krusen Vice-President Janetta Baham Secretary-T reasurer 16