The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Representing the three fifty year graduating classes of SHS at the 2003 Alumni Banquet June 28th were Sheila (Dowell) Wells (left) Class of 1953, Mary Alice (Smith) Huntoon (right) class of 1952 and Elizabeth (Landrum) Rankin class of 1951.
The three classes gathered with members of their "fifty-year graduating classes" of 1951, 1952, and 1953 joining a crowd of 219 alumni and guests.
Delicious appetizers and a buffet meal were enjoyed at the Pzazz in Burlington, Iowa, but the highlight of the evening was seeing classmates and catching up on what has been happening in their lives. The program was entertaining as classes reminisced about their SHS days, and stories were told that once was "secret," or so they thought.
The Toastmaster for the evening was Dr. Thomas Layman "53, better known as the principal's son.
Dr. Layman, had his share of high school fun as he told a few pranks he and his friends enjoyed which included a out-house incident and fireworks at the Mary Alice Smith home.
Richard Knutstrom "53, Alumni President, conducted the business meeting and the memorial to deceased graduates. Gifts and door prizes were given and an auction enjoyed of SHS pillows and cardboard replicas of Elvis and Marilyn Monroe.
Bonnie Waddill Rehling "61 gave a couple of wonderful song routines with her daughter, Kellie.
The Golden Anniversary Greetings were given for the class of "53, "52, and "51 and the class roll call was given of all alumni in attendance.
To finalize the evening, the Class of "58 lead everyone in several old SHS cheers.
Then they invited all SHS cheerleaders to come forward and help lead all in the SHS Loyalty song...
We're loyal to you Stronghurst High
We're purple and white Stronghurst High
We're back you to stand against the best in the land, for we know you can stand,
Stronghurst High Rah! Rah!
So beat'em up right Stronghurst High
We're ready to fight Stronghurst High
Our team is our famed protector, on boys
For we expect a victory from you
Stronghurst High.
Che, Cha, Rah! Rah! Rah!
Stronghurst High School Rah! Rah! Rah!
In Sheila Dowell's "53 Anniversary greetings she said they started with 20 in their class with a total high school enrollment of 85. Some came from one room schools and were fearful coming into a large building with so many students.
"You could get lost in this 2 story building - even though the H. S. was just in half the building."
She read a note of classmate Jeanette Strand Lafayette's on how they were to dress for the dreaded Freshman Initiation-orders of the Sophomore class.
"Wear no jewelry or no makeup. Wear a sun back dress wrong side out over long underwear without a jacket. Wear silk hose rolled down below your dress and high heeled shoes. Wear your hair in 15 pigtails and ribbons on them. Wear a mans straw hat. Carry a paper cup with 10 fish worms in it. Bring candy to give to every Sophomore you see."
That night the activities continued, as they were sent out to get specific items or do specific things.
FHA evening initiation was quite a contrast. New members were led into the candle-lighted room where the officers and other members taking part stood in a semicircle behind a candle-lighted table centered with red roses. Each girl received an emblem and a red rose and several FHA songs were sung together.
The Class Presidents were Jeanette Strand-Freshman, Norma Phillips-Sophomore, Richard Knutstrom-both Junior and Senior years.
"Richard was always coming up with moneymaking ideas."
Tom Layman was treasurer for 3 years.
The class was involved in all the sports, music and school activities and making money for the anticipated class trip at graduation.
We participated in the annual Halloween Carnival every year, which was sponsored by the Beacon club which put out the high school year book. This was when Miss Popularity was crowned. One girl from each class was selected and Miss Popularity was elected through people depositing money in cans. Each 1 cent counted as a vote. Jean Kemp was our freshman and sophomore candidate. Sheila Wells was Junior year, and Isabel Hustead, the senior year.
There were numerous concessions booths, a cake walk, penny pitch, dart throw, telegrams, ring toss, fun house, fish pond, dancing and refreshments.
Homecoming was the responsibility of the seniors. The various classes and organizations made floats and paraded them through the streets of Stronghurst on Friday afternoon. The float made by the combined classes of the local grade school was judged to be the winner and the senior class will pay them $5 for their efforts. Some of the floats showed originality, but several of them showed that they had been hurriedly executed.
It was a busy time for the cheerleaders as they led the snake dance Thursday night through the business section and then lead the pep rally around the bonfire on the school campus and then led the parade Friday afternoon through the city and the cheers during the game.
Cheerleaders from our class were Norma Phillips, Isabel Hustead, Janice Balmer and Jeanette Strand. Homecoming King and Queen candidates were Jeanette Strand and Tom Layman,
Freshman - Sheila Dowell and Bob Anders, Sophomore Martha Holsteen and Larry Balmer, Junior - and crowned King and Queen senior year were Jean Kemp and Frank Avery.
The only sports were football, basketball, and track and were boys only. You could get out of school to go to the county track meet at Monmouth College, and many were involved in both vocal and instrumental music.
The marching band performed at some of the games and gave school concerts.
Moneymaking projects included: food stand at the county fair; chicken suppers and movie, and dance with the dance on film with dance bands on the screen; gleaning corn; Jr-Sr Prom-"53 is the class that decided class members could invite 5 other people to the dance held in the school gym to make money for "the trip."
Fun Activities
Groups worked together such as the FHA & FFA helping each other with banquets. Hayrack rides together on a Monday night.
Mr. Utech, Ag teacher, was back teaching after his short stay with Uncle Sam subject to call to active duty with a 120 day notice.
FFA sponsored "Donkey Basketball games." Two teams of girls played the 1st game, FFA boys and another boy's team would play the second game, and the 3rd game was a team of business men against a team of farmers. Jeanette wrote in her scrapbook, "I rode a donkey this year, but wish I hadn't. Most everyone thought it was fun but me."
Driver's Education with Coach Bennett was a fun memory their Sophomore year. They went to Oquawka to take a driving test on the dry sandy roads-someone got stuck.
The Junior year was the selection of a class ring.
Also, the Junior class play was "Girl Shy" directed by Mrs Giffin. The Senior year the play was "That's Our Boy."
Senior year, the class of 1953, had 14 (7 boys and 7 girls).
Other memories:
SMALL principal's office, the Study Hall upstairs, and small Library up the stairs at the back of the room, cafeteria out back and everyone racing across the yard to be 1st in line.
Larry Balmer coming into Mr. Tingley's class late after lunch his red hair cut into a Mohawk.
Miss Berg the cute new Home Ec teacher and boys taking Home Ec....they got to make their own aprons.
The long awaited "Trip" All 14 class members got to take that 2 week trip, a great way to end their 4 years in high school.
Deceased, are Frank Avery and Martha Grafton Holsteen.
Mary Alice Smith Huntoon said the Class of "52 began with 20 members and she recalls wearing an itchy gunny sack for initiation. Nancy Ford was President.
Nancy Ford and Alice Ross were cheerleaders, Joan Gesling and Leon Johnson were homecoming candidates for two years, Popularity candidates were Charlene Mynatt and James Foresman.
Sponsored a Sock-Hop and Valentine Box supper. Enjoyed Jr. Class play: "Great Cesar's Ghost" directed by Mr. Tingley.
The Jr.-Sr. Banquet was held at the Burlington Hotel, music "Tempo 4."
The evening closed at 10:30 and were home by 11:15 p.m.
Homecoming King was Herb Fox and Queen Alice Ross. Miss Popularity was Veva Booten - Larry Dowell her escort. Mary Alice was elected state FHA Treasurer.
During the District 7 basketball tournament, Leon Johnson made 19 points and Herbie Fox 50 during 3 games helping earn 2nd place. The first time police helped officials out of the building.
Their final class play was "Meet Me In St. Louis" with all participating. They went from one on the first honor roll as Freshmen to half the class on the honor roll and 17 anxious seniors yearning to graduate together.
Mary Alice says when the class gets together she notices the hair changes the most, but she is proud of who they have become.
She had heard it remarked at SHS that they were one of the dumbest classes to walk the halls, but they have more correctly followed their motto: "We Shall Be What We Make Ourselves"....and that is a doctor, manager in medical services, bus drivers, truck drivers, carpenter, homemakers, car sales rep., grain and livestock farmers, teacher, environmental entrepreneur, food service, crane operator and shipping clerk.
The loyalty is still there for these SHS graduates, evident from the sparkle in their eyes and the smiles they wore.
They are in hopes the seats are filled for 2006 when they meet again.
Dr. Tom Layman of Coralville, Iowa and Joan Gerlings of rual Gladstone were bidders for the replicas of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley. Thanks to them, the next classes putting on the SHS Alumni Banquet will have $200 more to get them going on a grand event in 2006.
The Class of 1958 perform a pep rally of SHS cheers led by Maida Peterson McCormack. Miriam White Sawtell, Larry Bowen, Marian Land Shaner and Wendell Shaner, Trudi Dowell Lefler, Donna Donaldson Campbell, Judy Stevenson Dowell, Diana Brown, Ron Billups
SHS Alumni
Bonnie Rehling ('61) with daughter, Kellie singing "SHS and All That Jazz" and medley called "Friendship"