Tampico High School Senior Class of 1948
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THS Class of 1948

1948 Tampico High School Senior Class
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                               THE CLASS VOYAGE

      The day of days in our young lives had arrived--August 26,   1944. it was
then   that  we boarded  this   Ship of Learning,  the Air   Ship ~Tampico High
School."     In this large and roomy ship we were to navigate the charted sky
paths   of learning  and understanding, guided by the Commander, Mr. Vickery,
and   Crew, Miss Pfeil, Miss Clayton, Miss Bartman, Miss Heaton, and. Mr. Jar-
rett.   On August 28, we merely walked through our ship to acquaint ourselves
with the plans for our trip.    As we studied the maps of this four-year jour-
ney,   we felt a few qualms--would we make it or might we take to a parachute
before  it was   all over?  Then recalling the stories of the happy times of
earlier   voyagers,  we were encouraged to go ahead and do the best we could.

      Soon   we became accustomed to the routine   on board and could find our
way from one   cabin of knowledge   to another without blazing a trail.  Names
and faces    were connected  and the  Commander and Crew made us feel at home.
We elected class officers and chose a special steward as follows:     President
Jack Brandau; Vice President, Joyce Draper;    Secretary, Bernadine Fitzgerald;
Treasurer,   Juanita Pratt; Class Adviser, Miss Pfeil.    There were thirty-six
of us   who started on this long flight.   Airsickness and the altitude in the
Ship   of Learning affected a few, but upon the advice of the Commander, they
soon   overcame  these weaknesses and took their daily nourishment of naviga-
tion with some degree of assimilation and comfort.     We rounded out our first.
year's  Journey,   feeling less airsick and more accomplished as navigators in
the Airship.   next year we would show the little "dodos" the wonders, tradi-
tions   and jokes of our companionable life aboard the "Tampico High School."
      After a summer of fun and work, we returned in the fall of 1945 anxious
to start the   routine of life aboard.    Knowing our way    about we seriously
considered   discarding our parachutes, but thought better of it.    Upon scan-
ning the   passenger list,   we discovered a   few missing names.    This second
year   with its Initiation Party, Spring Dance, and numerous other activities
saw a slight change in our class officers:     President, Barbara Wharton; Vice
President; Joyce Draper; Secretary, Jack Brandau; Treasurer, Elden      Fritsch
Class Adviser,   Miss Pfeil. new crew members were    Mrs. Arnold,  Commercial;
Mr. Peter,   Agriculture; Mr. Charles Vickery,   Coach.  Our beloved Commander,
Mr. Vickery,   died in January and was replaced. by Mr. Donisage.

      With a Junior air of  authority, we ascended the runway to our "Tampico
High School" in 1946.    Ah, we had great things to accomplish this year:    For
our officers we chose Mervin Bradley for President; Lawrence Calsyn for Vice
President; Barbara Wharton    for secretary;    Doris Cordes for Treasurer;   and
Miss Creighton for Class Advisor.     Miss Creighton replaced Miss Pfeil;   Miss
Bartel replaced Miss Clayton; Mrs. Burroughs replaced Mrs. Arnold; Mr. Stein
was coach  for one semester  and was replaced by Mr. Rudiger.   In    November
were all excited when our much-talked-about class rings arrived.        For the
entertainment 0f our crew and classmates    we put on a play   "The Little Clod-
hopper"   and were elated over the proceeds which  where used for   another great
event, the Junior-Senior Banquet.     What care went into    the preparation--and
the deoorations!    With this event   we wished the   Senior class  `Happy Land-
ings and found ourselves back at on the flying field of home again.
      Our last year was at end.  With dignity befitting Senior Passengers we
began our chartmaking for the year.   This year we would keep a permanent log
of the journey and call it   `The Tampico Trojan".     Officers were elected es
follows:   President, Eugene Strike; Vice President, Helen Hansen; Secretary,
Mary   Lancaster;  Treasurer,   Bill  Patterson;   Class  Adviser, Mr. Rudiger.
Commander    Ekstrand was welcomed   with great   exathusiasm. New crew members
were   Mrs. East,  Mrs. Anderson,   and Miss Barber Classes,  athletics,   par-
ties,   and dances all soared by our dazed eyes.   Our Senior Play started the
spring  events,    and with laudable receipts we decided "Let Me Out of Here",
was a success.   Thosa last days went by with aching swiftness.    All too soon
the   Junior-Senior  Banquet   was over, and we were hearing the parting words
and farewells    about  us.  With   wings pinned   on at last, we were ready to
pilot   our ships.  We  sighed" It is all over",  but on second thought, "Is it
just beginning?"

                                   CLASS WILL

     We, the Senior Class of 1948,   leave the following assets to    those for-
tunate people herein named in our will:
     I, Mervin Bradley,   do hereby will my past to anyone who    will take it.

     I, Jack Brandau, hereby will and bequeath my wavy hair to John Saathoff.

     I, Joanne Buchanan,   will   my  letters   from  the Navy in California to
Elsie Benson.

     I,  Lawrence Calsyn,  do hereby will by ability to pass a test the first
time to Lee Stevens.

     I,  Doris Cordes,  do hereby   will  my  blue   eyes and dark eyebrows and
lashes to Marilyn Temple.

     I,  Joyce Draper,  will   my  ability  to catch a ride uptown at noons to
Jack Glassburn.

     I, Elden Fritsch,   do hereby will my ability to keep my hands    warm   to
Kenneth McDonald.
     I, Merle Grimes,   do hereby   will  my ability to do pushups in P. E. to
Jack Fierce.
     I, Helen Hansen,   do  hereby   will  my blonde hair to Caroline Beachler

     I, Jeanette Hepner,   do hereby   will  my   ability to play basketball to
Jane Callahan, and I leave my little black Ford to Rita Verdick.

     I, Gladys Kirst,   do hereby aill my £ondness for reading library     books
to Ruth Stic}cel.

     I, Charlotte Lancaster, do hereby will my red hair to Geraldine Koehler
and my short stature to Joann Rasmussen.

     I, Mary Lancaster,   hereby   will  my  dark  hair   to Patricia Ackerson.

     I, Bill Patterson,   hereby will my   851 sticks of slightly used chewing
gum stuck under my vacant assembly seats to Jerry Brandau.

     I, Marilyn Peterson,  do hereby   will by ability to go steady to Beverly.
Wharton.
     I, Juanita Pratt, do hereby will by ability to play the piano to Wayne
Carlson.         -                                           -
     I, Eugene  Strike,  do hereby will my ability to study to Lowell Batten.

     I,  Merle Strike,  will   my  ability to got good grades in history to my
brother Arlyn.

     I, Barbara Wharton,  hereby will   and bequeath my continuous chatter to
Lawrence Burmeister,

                                HONORS

FOOTBALLL TROPHY

    A trophy has been presented     on   which is to be  engraved every
year the name of the   most valuable   football player.   The award   is
based   on  scholarship,  defensive ability *   offensive  ability, and
sportsmanship.    Billy  Fritsch   was   selected as  the most valuable
player this season.


BASKETBALL QUEEN

    Beverly Wharton was crowned as basketball queen this year.      Each
class   selected  one girl.   The entire student body then voted on the
four candidates.     The three runnsrs up  comprised the queen's court.
They Were.:  Barbara Wharton, Verna Denison; and Helen Forward.


    Helen Hansen was chosen  to  receive   the D A R  Award, which    is
based on    patriotism,  leadership,   dependability,  and  personality.


                         SEMESTER HONOR ROLL
 S Honor Roll                                      Grade of 90 or better
 freshmen      None
 Sophmores    V. Denison, D. Christoffersen. J. Stevens, A. Strike
 Juniors       S. Wetzell
 Seniors       R. Strike


                  PERFECT ATTENDANCE FIRST SEMESTER

 freshmen      0. Cernich, S. Rasmussen, C. Beacliler, M. Benson,
               H. Stickel, IA. Hendricks, W. Carlson, J. Wetzell,
               S. Peterson, J. Melton,
 Sophomores    I). Christoffersen, V. Denizon, A. Strike, IA. Heyvaert,
               S. Verdick, J. Price,
 Juniors       L. Burmeister, .1. Koehler, B. Wharton, K. McDonald,
               IA. Temple, A. Bollivar, U. Batten, K. Pearson
 Seniors       B. Wharton, E. Strike, 5. Patterson, E Strike

                                    FOOTBALL

      Tampico High School  played six-man  football this year, the first foot-
ball to be played here in four years.    Although Coach Rudiger was faced with
the   problem of developing  inexperienced boys,   their desire to learn  and
their enthusiasm made  prospects    for the season look very favorable * Foot-
ball practice started the last week in August with fourteen boys.   During the
second week, three more joined the squad.

      On September 16, a practice   game with the Atkinson  Tigers was held at
Atkinson.   The Trojans lost this game by a score   of  47 to 0.  About a week
later, a conference game   was played  with them again at Tampico, with a very
large crowd attending.   Although   the  Trojans  were defeated, they showed a
decided  improvement, the score being 18 to 0.

      The next game was with Annawan, played on our own field.   The opponents
proved to be a very powerful team and   won  by a score of 46 to 7.   This was
the boys' first taste of a touch down.

      On October 10, the Trojans met the powerful Hilladale team.   Both teams
fought from beginning to end,   but the breaks seemed to be for the opponents.
The score was 26 to 18.

      The Part Byron Devils and the Trojans  clashed at Tampico on October 17.
Being a fast and hard-driving team,   the opponents  defeated the home team by
a score of 58 to 18.

      Then came the big game of the year -- a contest between the Prophets and
the Trojans at Prophetstown.    Inasmuch  as this was Homecoming for Prophets-
town,  this game meant a great deal to them as well as to our team.   Although
Tampico was handicapped by the loss of Dale JCuepker, who had injured his hand
in the Port Byron game, the boys were out to fight, win or lose.    The Proph-
ets won by a score of 41 to 12, but the Trojans fought until the whistle end-
ed the game.

      After the football season was over,  Coach Rudiger took the boys  to see
Bradley  University play football against   Miami  University  of Ohio, a very
good game and one the boys won't forget.

      On December 1, the Tampico    Men's Club gave a banquet in honor of the
football team and Coach Budiger.    H. V. Almquist, Football Coach at Augustana
College, Rock Island, gave a talk on the value of ath4etios to a boy.   A tro-
phy on which the name of the most valuable football player for this   and suc-
ceeding years is-to be engraved,  was displayed.  The name of Bill Fritech has
been engraved on the trophy for this year.

                             FOOTBALL LETTERMEN

Patterson - A senior and   perhaps  one of the surest tacklers in the confer-
            ence.  Bill did all the punting  and   most  of  the passing.  He
            played halfback and was captain of the team.

Bradley -   Another senior,  played   left  end.   A good tackler and blocked
            full of right and determination.

Brandau -   The other senior on the squad,  played in the backfield.  Jack was
            used mostly on defense although he did some passing.

Saathoff -  The biggest boy on the squad, who  stopped many a line play in the
            center position.    John played with a torn ligament in his shoul-
            der most of the season.   He is a junior.

                                LET ME OUT OF HERE
     The Senior Cuts presented `Let Me Out    of Here' on April 2, 1948.   Bona
Lynn   and Eve Boyd  work together and share an apartment.    Aunt Angela, Eve's
wealthy aunt, who believes Eve is attending an exclusive girls'   school, wants
Eve   to marry Gifford Morton.   Upon learning that Aunt Angela and Gifrord are
eo:r.i g for a visit, and not wanting to be discovered yet, Eve and Bona decide
to   ask  a mutual   friend to pretend to be one of Eve's teachers.   While they
are gone,   Garrett,  Bona's  brother, arrives with a friend,  Victor Ward, who
has come   to town   to close a business deal.  Since their friend wasn't home,
Garrett   is prevailed upon   to pose as the teaoher,  but Aunt Angela discovers
the deception,   but forgives Eve finally and becomes almost human, much to the
pleasure   of Marshall Ward,   Victor's father, who has come to help Victor put
over   the deal.   Hazel  and Stevie,   colored help, lend humor to the play as
well as Bessie Rhodes, the landlady.
                                  Cast
         Eve Boyd, who works as typist                   Barbara Wharton
         Bona Lynn, Eve's roommate                       Joyce Draper
         Bessie Rhodes, the landlady                     Marilyn Peterson
         Hazel Miles, the cblored naid                   Doris Cordes
         Stevie Cobb, the elevator boy                   Mervin Bradley
         Garratt Lynn, Mona's brother                    Jack Brandau
         Victor Ward, Garrett's friend                   Lowrance Calsyn
         Angela Boyd, Eve's wealthy aunt                 Helen Hansen
         Girford Morton, eccentric poet                  Elden Fritach
         Marshall Ward, Victor's father                  Merle Strike

                                 SENIOR DIRECTORY

    Name      Nickname         Ambition           Location           Hobby

Jack         Brandy       Accountant         Pool hail            Women
Mervin       Brad         Girls              Anyplace             Loafing
Joanne       Jo           Teacher            Who wants to know?   Melv
Lawrence     Belg         Farmer             Pool hail            Hunting
Doris        Shorty       Bookkeeper         Cain's               Dancing
Joyce        Jody         Not working        Hockrnan's Cafe      Boys
Elden        Audy         Salesman           With girls           Cars
Merle 0.     Moldy        Farmer             In bed               Hunting
Helen        Juney        Bookkeeper         At home              Reading
Jeanette     Heppy        Farmers wife       On the farm          Drawing
Gladys       Gladiola     Nurse              In the theatre       Drawing
Charlotte    Shorty       Beauty operator    Pop corn machine     Baby sitter
Mary         Landy        Bookkeeper         Fullerton's store    Work
Bill         Pat          Get married        Gube's palace        Sewing
Juanita      Winnie       Stenographer       Coke r~ohine         Reading
Marilyn      Pete         Stenographer       With Audy            Eating
Eugene       Gene         Airplane pilot     Home                 Sleeping
Merle S.     Strike 1     Farmer             At home              Electricity
Barbara      Barb         Homemaker          3~ miles south-      Talking
                                             west of town


                               SENIOR STATISTICS
                                                      Boy            Girl

Who makes the best speeches                        Eugene          Marilyn
Who talks the most                                 Jack            Barbara
Who laughs the loudest                             Bill            Mary
Best sport                                         Merle S.        Joanne
Best athlete                                       Mervin          Barbara
Who lives further from school                      Mervin          Helen
to has the best sense of humor                     Bill            Doris
Most studious                                      Eugene          Helen
Most quiet                                         Merle S.        Jeanette
Who is the noisiest                                Bill            Joyce
Chews gum the most                                 Mervin          Marilyxi
Who is the youngest                                Eugene          Helen
Who is the oldest                                  Elden           Charlotte
Who is the tallest                                 Lawrence        Juanita
Who is the shortest                                Elden           Charlotte
Best typist                                        Jack            Helen
Best in shorthand                                  Eugene          Doris
Most bashful                                       Merle 0.        Gladys
Who weighs .the most                               lawrence        Helen
Who weighs the least                               Eugene          Gladys
Who is the least romantic                          Merle 0.        Juanita
Who has the most natural curly hair                Jaok            Charlotte
Who is the darkest                                 Lawrence        Mary
Who is the lightest                                Eugene          Helen
Who is the sleepiest                                Jack           Jeanette
Who has the largest feet                           Mervin          Barbara
Who is the best singer                              Bill           Juanita
The most inquisitive                                Eugene         Mary
Who is the biggest flirt                            Mervin         Joanne


                             Average age of class-17
                             Average height of class-5' 7"
                             Average weight of class-139 lbs.

 

 

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