Friday, October 6, 2023 (Oct. 25, 1950)

Editor's Note: Although the traditional Evening Review is on hiatus, I am sharing a digitized Shelbyville High School Courier edition. Except, instead of just uploading an image, the staff re-formatted the text for ease of viewing. We're starting with Oct. 25, 1950, the return of the Courier after a decade-long hiatus. If this works, we'll continue with additional editions after fall break. - Kristiaan Rawlings

A special "Thank You" to this year's sponsors, which will be posted - and updated - weekly: Torres Torres, Thunder Restoration, Huntsman Foam Spray Insulation, Larry & Sylvia Spurling, Sharp Trophies by Mack, Kristol Muñoz (REMAX at the Crossing), Lori Creech, Mark Hensley, Rita Kemple, Krista Ketchum and Kristiaan Rawlings.

Please consider advertising with us ($55 business card ad or $22 to be listed as a booster). Contact squib@shelbycs.org, or checks can be mailed to Shelbyville High School Courier, 2003 S. Miller St., Shelbyville, IN, 46176. Again, thank you so much for your support!

ST. JOE SCOUTS

Editor's note: The following articles appeared in the Oct. 25, 1950 Shelbyville High School Courier.

Freshmen Speak Up

Shelbyville High School rates high among the fall crop of Freshmen, a poll of opinion taken in English classes recently revealed. Freshman commented on the building, subjects, extra-curricular activities, cafeteria and student courtesy. For the most part, comment was favorable, although a number of suggestions were made for further improvement of SHS.

"When I saw the study hall, I would have thought it was the gymnasium if the seats hadn't been there," stated Bob Montgomery. "It looked so big I thought it would hold thousands.” Fred Morlock agrees that the study hall looks big, but continues by saying, "Even our large study hall is stuffed to overflowing when we have General Convocation. We need an auditorium.”

"Our gym is, I think, one of the best in the state," comments Jerry Coffman. "I have just one criticism to make. It's too far from the rest of the school. When I come from gym class, I have to run to get to my next class on time." Classmates offered to take Jerry to show him a gym really remote from the school!

"The only thing I don't like about Shelbyville High School is the crowding in the halls during passing periods. I think it would be a good idea to have traffic lights installed," suggests Sharon Billingsley.

"One bad thing is the mad rush for the cafeteria at noon," remarks Phi Brown. "The principal is trying to find a cure for this but it's almost impossible."

Subjects came in for their share of comments, too. Apparently older brothers and sisters and even parents had alarmed some Freshmen unduly over the difficulty of the traditional subjects and the extended length of high school assignments, because a number of Freshmen expressed relief that "Algebra isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be" and "The assignments aren't too long."

"A special study period is provided, but some people don't take advantage of it," commented Lou Ellen Buchanan. "Shop class is more like an activity than a subject," Jack Hall discovered. "You get to really do things you like to do!"

"Everyone said Latin was hard, but I like it," reported Marge Clay. "Studying Latin is just like starting from scratch to learn to read.

"I like Science very much," comments Carroll Thurston. "We are studying grasshoppers now. We tear them apart and name the parts we take out.”

"I didn't know a tiny insect had so many parts!" another Freshman exclaims. "Science would be all right I didn't have it just before lunch,” mourns one student.

An observant beginner is amused by the evidence of puppy love she has observed in our halls. "Halls in school are like streets in a town," she explains, "and I don't think people would hold hands and act mushy on the street."

The noon hour recreational activities are highly favored by Freshmen. "We can dance during noon hour if we want, or just walk around and talk to friends," enthuses Barbara Wells. "There's even a jukebox in the gym. If you don't dance, someone will help you learn."

"It would be even nicer to have a Coke machine installed," suggests another dancing fan.

"There are probably some things which could be improved about the school," admits Catherine Kemper, "but I have been too busy seeing the advantages to find the faults."

"When I first came, I thought SHS was a fine school," concludes Hal O'Dell. "But now I have changed my mind." It is Hal who sums up the opinion of most of the Freshmen class by saying, "Now I think it is a wonderful school."

Shelbyville High School Courier Lives Again

Once again the High School Courier is being revived. The last Edition of the school newspaper was published in 1940. Due to many hampering circumstances, the paper has been published only at intervals through nearly 50 years.

Students of Shelbyville High School first suggested publishing a school newspaper in 1902. It was then that the first paper, a four-page, two-column, five by seven inch sheet appeared under the title of The Squib. Published twice a month, the Squib sold for 5 cents a copy, or fifty cents for a semester's subscription. World War I caused the paper to be discontinued in 1914. The first paper under the name Courier appeared in 1924, after the name Squib had been appropriated for a Senior yearbook. The 1924 paper had been increased to an eight by ten inch, three-column page. However, the 1929 depression caused the publication to be stopped.

The journalism class of 1939 was given the right to publish the Courier again. Considerably increased in size, it was a five-column paper. Since it carried advertising, it was possible to reduce subscription rates to 25 cents per semester. The 1939 Courier won a first class rating in a judging contest for high school newspapers. However, World War II halted its publication.

Now in the year 1950 the Journalism class is again bringing you the Courier. Plans are to publish the paper every three weeks this semester. Continuance and growth of the paper will depend upon your support.

Journalism class members responsible for gathering news for the Courier are: Louise Hammond, Betty Lou Mays, Jo Ann Mays, Davy Lou Shew, Bob Parker, Bob Moore, Pat Tucker, Don Thomasson, Pat Wertz, Pat Spear, Ronnie Lummis, Pat Simmons, Don Nolley and Allen Distler. Miss Chenoweth, Journalism class instructor, also serves as Courier sponsor.

Squib Editors Named

Hear ye! Hear ye! The editorial staff for 1951 SQUIB has been announced! Curious students crowded around the hall bulletin board to read names as they were first announced recently. Charlotte Main will head the staff as editor-in-chief, and Fred Gahimer will serve as business manager. These two were chosen last spring by Junior class officers, with Squib sponsors sitting in on the selection.

Along with Senior class officers, the editor and business manager made the selection of staff members at a series of meetings. Fred Brandenburger, Gary Ash and Jack Compton will serve as business staff assistants. Concession workers will be announced later.

Other staff members are as follows: Paula Siefert, make-up editor; Sue Ann Green, copy editor: Sara Henke, Mary Ann Anderson, Menna Thomas, senior editors: Richard Keaton, Nancy Conklin, Ruth Ann Rigsbee, organizations: Sally Rowsey, Judy Osborne, Joan Ricke, activities; Bill Towne, Gerald Briley, sports; Margaret Martin, Jackie Nail, artists; Marilyn Massingale, Carolyn Perry, Carolyn Bates and Bob Walker, photographers; Pat Jones and Janet Marshall, typists.

Ex-student Killed in Korea

War Department notification has been received of the death of Roy Buell in action in Korea. Roy was enrolled in Shelbyville High School from 1943 to 1945. Student body and faculty extend their sympathy to Roy's family.

Compton Leads Seniors

Jack Compton was elected president of the Senior Class at an election held Sept. 19. Other officers who will serve throughout the school year are Gerald Briley, vice president, and Joan Ricke, secretary.

Who's Cookin'

Unbelievable as it sounds, four SHS boys are enrolled in domestic science classes this semester. According to Miss Bodem, cooking teacher, the four boys - Malcolm Buckley, Eugene Sadler, Erle McCord and Cassius Bennett - are doing very well in their measuring ingredients; they also participate in the recitation along with their more delicate classmates.

New Names on Faculty List

Only one new teacher greeted high school students this fall. Miss Joan Roler is teaching Home Economics classes in both junior and senior high school. Miss Marion Chenoweth, who taught in junior high last year, is back teaching English and Journalism in senior high, and Miss Mabel Quigg has returned to teach Junior high school English after being on leave of absence.

In addition to Miss Roler, Mr. John Page and Miss Martha Rhodes are teaching in the junior high school. Mr. Page has classes in American history and Miss Rhodes teaches seventh grade English.

New Noisemaker is Added

We have added a new boarder to our roominghouse, a noisy fellow indeed. He can be found frequently blowing his top and expanding his vocal cords in the girls' gym during the lunch hour. This extraordinary, chunky and popular fellow is the new juke box which has been purchased through the cooperation of our school board for use in our noon hour recreation progam.

The center for this program is the girls' gym, which also boasts a new green linoleum block floor. Under the sponsorship of Miss McNaught and Mr. Page and a committee made up of a boy and a girl elected from each class, this program will offer a variety of activities. At present dancing is the most popular activity.

About thirty pupils volunteered to teach beginners the main steps, and Tuesday is lesson day. The welcome mat is spread out for anyone wanting to learn to dance.

Friday has been set aside for barn dancing. Different dances will break the monotony and also increase interest. Students are showing great interest in the program and wish to express their appreciation to the school board and sponsors who made the program possible.

You need no nickel! You need no dime! Come one, come all! Have a good time!

SHS Graduates in WAAC, WAF

Shelbyville High School not only has boys in service from our high school but also two girls who have graduated within the last three years.

Betty Lou DeVine, '50, is in the WACS. Marilyn Andis, '48, is a WAF.

Six to Lead Cheering

The Shelby yell leaders have been pounding away, trying to slip in extra minutes of practice to bring you some speedy, quick action yells for the football and basketball teams.

We have six yell leaders this year, who are set to lead the SHS yell section through depressing and victorious moments.

Five of these six have very good experience. Ronnie Lummis and Harvey Weaver are three-year men. Nancy Conklin, Beth Jean, and Janice Barlow are now on their second year of cheer leading. The only inexperienced yell leader this year is Jim Skinner, but Jim is rapidly making the climb to a steady job on next year's squad.

Out of these six, four will graduate this year. They are Ronnie Lummis, Nancy Conklin, Harvey Weaver, and Beth Jean.

One of the yell leaders stated that with the help of a good solid student backing, Shelbyville could have one of the best yell sections in the state. He went on to say that this does not necessarily mean the loudest or strongest but one that is right in time and step with their leaders.

CHEER UP, MR. CHESSER

by Ronnie Lummis

Have you ever noticed the worried expression that appears on Mr. Chesser's face at the closing of each school year?

This expression comes around every year when Mr. Chesser starts to wonder whether he's going to have enough people at the opening of school in September to make a good solid (yet mellow and harmonious as always) band.

Take this year for example. He lost one of his most loyal companions, Cecil Young, (who, I might add, was the band president). Other band graduates were Lois Latshaw, Bob Gahimer and Albert Wickens.

But those are only a few who have left our band. The others were the more unfortunate music lovers who found themselves in a dilemma between music and their studies and decided it was their duty to face the more unpleasant things first, and take their studies.

The unfortunate people are: Gary Ash, Bob Cord, Ronnie Lummis, Beth Jean, Dannie B. Wheeler, Barbara Brunner, and Lynn Ricketts. All of these people played first parts.

But this only tells the dark side of the story. Fortunately, there is a brighter half.

After school starts and begins to roll you will notice that Mr. Chesser's big broad smile will have returned. Do you know why?

The reason is that out of our county schools, grade schools, and our Jr. High come many new trained players wanting the honor of playing in our S. H. S. band.

This year our band jumped to one of its highest peaks in many years to make its population now seventy members. This is a young and forceful band and one of which every S. H. S. student should be proud.

So really, Mr. Chesser, with all kidding put aside, there's nothing to worry about. If you had only a five-piece band you would still have the S. H. S. student body backing you. And when they're backing you, you're bound to to be O. K.