Madison West, Class of 1954

Male Quartet Will Entertain At Grad Dance

The Four-Mor quartet will be featured at Grad dance this Saturday night from 9 until 12 p.m. as “Regatta” marks a last farewell to the senior class.  Dates will dance to the music of Eddie Lawrence in the West gym.

The gym will be converted into a nautical atmosphere, accented with life-buoys, sea shells, fish nets, and sailboats.  Large sea murals and special constructions will add to the sea-side scenery, announced Bob Colbert, decorations chairman.

"Entertainment promises to be a treat for all” remarked Dan Matson, entertainment chairman.  The junior class has sponsored bake sales to raise money for “Regatta”, to pay for favors and refreshments.

Tickets are on sale this week through tomorrow in front of the office at 12:45 and 3:35.  Seniors will be admitted free of charge as honored guests.  Tickets for sophomores and juniors are $1.00 a couple or 50c each.

Chaperones are Mr. Raymond Quant, junior class advisor, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Matson, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Wegner, Mr. and Mrs. Royal Lawrenz, Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Chrostofersen, and Mr. and Mrs. George Steiner.

"Pete Pleune, what are you doing up in that tree?"

"Why John Fitschen, you startled me. Oh, I'm a tree trimmer this summer. Gosh, 'Fitch'  but it's good to see you again. Wait a minute and I'll come down and we'll talk for a few minutes.”

"Phew, what a limb. Well, tell me how's life at WKOW-TV”

"Fine, it's sure fun relaying those stage signals from the di­rector. Bob Dale and Dick Stephan are working at WMTV as projectionist and engineer. Have you seen Dick Woodring lately?"

"Yes, he's working at the Bowman Farm Dairy, Fitch “ and speaking of dairy products, Nancy Hutchins is testing milk at Bancroft dairy. I also heard that Bonnie Davie is working in a new dairy dessert drive‑in."

"Say Pete, guess who's delivering univer­sity mail?  No one, but our good friend John Snell."

 "Really? I heard Al Lerner's a waiter at "Camp Ramah up at Land‑O‑Lakes. There are waitresses there too. Poor Al with all those gals. Bet he's having fun. Guess Janis Stockman is working at a resort in Wisconsin Dells. Also Aggie Rusy is at a resort in Door County."

"But the lucky ones are going on trips instead of working in those hot months, right Pete? Rolf Henel is leaving for Germany and Margaret Kincaid is going out west.  Roberta Marling is spending part of the summer up north at her family's cottage."

"I guess Mary Fenske, Joan Leveque, Ann O’Malley,  Nancy Hartwell, Jane Rodenfels,  Nancy Neff, Judy Koss and Sue Boesel are clerking in uptown stores.  Gordie Corcoran is working at C.C. Collins Lumber Yard.

"The other night when I was phoning John Dutton, ace reporter at the State Journal, I got Nancy Reis as the switch­board operator. Last week I stopped at the stop light in front of Wisconsin General Hospital and saw Steve Zwicky waiting for a bus. Gave him a lift and he tells me he's an orderly at the hospi­tal. Karen Holmgren is doing odd jobs up at Jackson Clinic, too. 

"I hear Ruth Rapo­port is a counselor at a camp in Indiana. Claudia Schroeder won a scholarship to return to the National Music Camp at Interlocken, Michigan.  Isn't that wonderful, Pete?"

"Yes, and Helen Wilson, Lorraine Krause and Dorothy Ingwell are doing office work.  Dorothy’s at the genetics department at the University.”

"We took a drive last Saturday. Saw Craig Lawrenz with the Highway Commission. We drove out in the country. Saw Nancy Meinke driving a tractor like a real farm hand. Donn Gurney was hanging from a silo he was helping to build."

"Guess Jim Lund's working with a construction company, while Jim Filer is doing draftsman work. Bob Annen's back at the animal hospital in which he has been working.

I stopped in to get gas and Phil Hender­son did the honors of filling up the tank, John. Saw Bill Sherlock buzz by in Bach's grocery truck too."

"Chuck Rauschenberger is running the children's train down at Vilas Park this summer, Pete. Joe Irwin is a stock boy at the National Food Store while Paul Mortenson is working with the University Agronomy Department and Betty Edgren is working in a nursing home.”

Sure shows you the different interests of the kids.  I still can’t get over what a wonderful year the last one was.  Well, the high trees are calling me back, so up I go again.  See you around, John.”

"Bye Pete, give me a ring and we'll get together again soon.  Ooops, it's 9:30.  I've got to get out to the station.  So long.”

Eight seniors have won University of Wisconsin freshman scholarships, according to Miss Betty Perego, guidance director.

George Allez was awarded a Knapp Scholarship to the University.  Gordon Corchoran, Sue Edgerton, Dick Hartwig, Lucille Kubiak, Stuart Rosenfeld, Janis Stockman and Janice Tande won the other freshman scholarships.

Mary Karpinsky was awarded a scholarship to Whitewater State Teachers College and Nona Lee Murie to the Wisconsin State College at Milwaukee.

The scholarships are given on a basis of character, scholarship, leadership, participation and need, stated Miss Perego.

Additional awards and scholar­ships will be presented at the senior banquet, June 12. Many pupil also applied directly to colleges for their scholarships.

Stumbling up the steps to choir and then trying to sneak in when we’re late is the one thing we'll never forget laughed Bar­bie Reiman and Nancy Blume.  Many other seniors will remember the early orchestra re­hearsals. These and other incidents are among those given by seniors as what they will never forget.

Memories of many teachers are imprinted in the seniors' minds. The most memorable to all are homeroom teachers. Mr. Christoffersen in a Norwegian "get up," Mr. Paugh's freely handed out infraction slips, and Mr. Krider's incessant jokes won't be forgotten quickly. Members of homeroom 116 took special note of their gab fests on non‑depart­mental club days and winning the honor plaque for the third consecutive time. An­other chuckle will be heard from those who tired taking their lunch out the Regent Street entrance only to reverse their direction suddenly under the watchful eyes Mr. Jones.

A wonderful junior year is also high on the rating list. Those in particular that look back on it are

Connie Zeitner and Margaret Hobbins. May Dance and the baseball season will also be remembered by these two.  Other seniors' memories are:

Ah, what is so rare as a day in June. The "Hi‑Times” staff can tell you. June usually brings visions of bright, sunny days, and flowery fresh weather. The staff naively had this conception of June when they plan­ned their picnic. But alas, the day dawned, damp, dark, dreary, and drizzling. Our illu­sion was shattered.

But the show must go on; the presses must roll; so, undaunted, a brave band of people held their picnic in the inspiring atmosp­here of the auditorium.

In these invigorating surroundings, they downed their lunches and free ice cream sandwiches, while pouring over their news­paper, "The West Sly Limes." This paper contained the familiar feature, "Diggings by Shovel," plus a description of the day's proceedings, a last will and testament, and a vicious editorial on alcoholic beverages (school spirits). Everyone denied authorship of the paper, but it is alleged that Sally Schwenker is guilty.

The highlight of the event was recognized as the presenting of the Squeal and Crow Awards for outstanding journalistic achieve­ments, which the junior editors presented to the worthy seniors.

After the presentation of awards, John Dutton, with much persuasion, finally con­sented to utter a few words of wisdom. Claudia Schroeder, second semester man­aging editor, praised the work of the en­tire staff. The climax came when Mr. Schmidt, worthy advisor, accepted a token of the staff's great esteem ‑ a beautiful tackle box for his summer fishing trips.

When 1:00 came, no one could escape the rigors of fifth period, and dejectedly trodded to homeroom.

But we of "Hi‑Times" courageously say, "Wait 'til next year." Meanwhile, if you hear James Russell Lowell mutter, "What is so rare as a day in June," throw him in a mud puddle.

Regents on Parade is usually de­voted to outstanding athletes of West High. However, in this, the last issue of The 1954 High‑Times, Regents on Parade salutes all those senior boys who have finished their high school athletic competition by participating in 1953‑'54 sports.

Often, many boys do not receive the credit they deserve for the hours of hard work they put in, riot for themselves, but for the West teams. Regents on Parade wishes to recognize all of these boys with a humble note of thanks.

Football, the first sport of the year, saw 13 seniors on the squad. These boys practiced long hours and held up against tough compe­tition: Gordon Corcoran, co‑captain. who was chosen on the all Big "8" and all‑city teams, Dave Johnson, also chosen on the all‑city team, Joe Stassi, Ralph Johnson, Dick Kraemer, "Toby" Hammill, Dick Woodring, Bill Foss, Mort Rabinovitz, Bill Powers, Frank Bushnell, Larry Graham, and Joe Irwin. Cross‑Country, another fall sport had 10 seniors on the A and B teams. These were John Lee, captain, John Ottow, Bob Kirchbergerr, Vince De Paul, Allen Briggs, Jon Romnes, Jim Allen, John Snell, Tom Bakke, and Evan Everson.

Winter brought basketball, hock­ey, and wrestling. There were five senior boys on the basketball team. Joe Stassi, a co‑captain, Larry Gra­ham, Dick Kraemer, Gordon Corcor­an, and Ralph Johnson compose the five.

The hockey team, although hampered by a lack of good ice, enjoyed a quite successful season with Dick Hook, captain, Bob Ellis, Duane Schmelzer, Chuck Morten­son, and Ray Riley making up the basis of the team.

Seven seniors competed in wrestling this year. The boys are Jim Fil­er, the captain; Tom Thompson, Frank Bushnell, Dick Woodring, Fred Malcolmson, John Keene, and John Post.

The baseball team is now finishing a good season with Gordon Corcoran, captain, "Toby" Hammill, Dick Amelong, Al Lerner, Hugh Morrison, Dick Hanson, Ralph Johnson, and the manager, Paul Mor­tenson. All have completed their years of service.

The track squad did a good job in winning the city championship and placing second in the Big "8" meet. This fine record could not have been made without the seniors ­Larry Graham, Dave Johnson, Bob Kirchberger, Pete Pleune, Wayne Reading, Jon Romnes, Joe Stassi, and Mort Rabinovitz.

John Keene, Dave Gilpin, Keith Meyer, John Werth, Bob Winn, John, John Post, Stu Rosenfeld, Mike McPhee, and Roger Clark composed the largest part of our tennis team.  They turned in a very fine job.

The golf team has four players and two of these are seniors.  They are Jack Allen and Craig Lawrenz.

Hats off to all seniors who have completed their years of service in the maize and blue athletic uniforms.

Madison West's track team rounded out the 1954 season by qualifying 6 men and a relay team in the Janesville sectional, Saturday May 22, and then garnered four points the following Saturday, May 29, in the state meet.

The Regent thinclads scored 56 points, to place second in the sectional meet. West's cross town rival, Madison East, notched one more point to take meet honors.  The host team, Janesville, placed third with 53 points, followed by Beloit with 5, and Madison Central with seven.  The boys who placed or second in each event qualified for the state meet.

In the in the dashes, Peter Pleune copped his specialty, the 100yard dash for the sixth time in inter-school competition this season.  Paul Sergenian, running in his favorite, the 200-yard dash, took a second place as did Harry Hamilton in the 440-yard dash.

Massive John Christianson tossed the shot 47 feet ½ inch, good for first place in that event, while sophomore, Karl Holzworth took top honors in the discus.  Larry Graham won the right to compete in the state meet by winning second place in the high jump.  The speedy 880 yard relay team of Pleune, Reading, Sergenian and Hamilton won that event.

Relay fifth, Pleune fourth in state:

At the state meet held at Camp Randall Stadium, the Maize and Blue, defending state class-A champs, gathered only four points to tie for seventeenth place.

Green Bay West's Fox River Valley Conference champions succeeded the Regents as state class A title holders with a total of 36 points, Madison East placed third with 15 ½ points, Port Washington repeated as champion in class B, and Horicon won the class C crown.

Peter Pleune was the only Regent to place in an individual event as he copped fourth-place laurels in the 100 yard dash.  The Regent relay team took a fifth place.  The quartet of Reading, Hamilton, Pleune and Sergenian won their heat, but final places were determined on a time basis.

West earned a spot opposite Middlleton in the sectional finals of the state baseball tournament Tuesday, May 25, at Middleton, defeating ­Madison Central 7-2. Middleton belted the Regents 13-7 the following evening to win the sectional championship.

Mt. Horeb and Verona were Maize and Blue victims in the district playoffs at Barneveld, May 19 and 21.

West tipped Mt. Horeb 3-1 Thursday, May 19 with Bill Schweers allowing only one hit and throwing a third strike past 17 Horeb batters. Regent batsmen were able to collect only five hits but bunched two safeties in both the first and the fifth innings to score all their runs.

Friday afternoon, May 21, West won out over Verona 3-2 scoring the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Dick Hanson and Schweers played important parts in the Regent victory as Hanson drove in the final run with two out and Schweers fanned 18 Verona batters, bringing his two‑game total to 35 strike outs.

Dick Hanson took over pitching duties Wednesday night against Middleton but retired after three and two-thirds innings for Dennis Murphy.  Middleton collected thirteen hits off the pitching of Hanson and Murphy and coupled with five West errors scored thirteen runs.  The Regents managed three his and seven runs off the combined pitching of Roger Brumm and Ken Bram.  Brumm gave up ten walks after geeing injured in a collision with West right fielder, Bob Colbert.

Dave Baskerville hit solidly for West in all four tournament games for a total of six hits in thirteen at-bats.  Bob Colbert and Hugh Morrison drove home three runs each during the games.

Fourteen seniors and eight juniors were awarded Girls Athletic Association pins and letters in the auditorium today.

Senior girls receiving letters were Carol Schumpert, Barbara Chapman and Joanne Leveque. The following seniors earned GAA pins: Sharon Koepcke, Agnes Rusy, Peggy Donahoo, Suzanne Filek, Helen Wilson, Margery Mead, Nancy Hartwell Mary Steussy, Ann Aage­son and Elizabeth Albright (Febru­ary graduate). Juniors receiving pins were Nancy Castle, Geraldine Doran, Judy Johnson, Diane Gensichen, Phoebe Napper, Pat Anderson, Margaret Kingsbury and Sharon McAdams. Roberta Marling, was awarded both.

To win a pin a girl must have 800 points; for a letter 1200 points are needed.  The GAA points are based on participation in after-school sports.

About 150 girls were organized and bowled Wednesdays and Thurs­days at the Lark. At the end of the season, the twenty‑four girls with highest average competed in an individual tournament.  Carol Schumpert triumphed and was awarded the “Bowler of the Year” trophy.  Carol's average was 153 for the tournament and her highest score was 168.

Another group of Hot Shots, this team captained by Nancy Hartwell, won the volleyball championship by going undefeated in the tournament which involved seven teams and one hundred girls.

Softball, tennis and golf drew ninety participants, but only the softball teams played for a championship title.  The girls who played tennis or golf did earn points toward their letters of pins, however.

The fifty girls who played softball were divided into three groups with the seniors led by Ann Aageson winning over the juniors and sophomores.