Class History
Class of '69
West Point High School

The 58 members of the class of '69 began their high school careers on Wednesday, August 30, 1965. Nineteen of the freshmen had attended the eighth grade here. They were Craig, Janice A., Suzanne, Russell, Bill, Eugene G., Dale, Ann, Tim, Diane M., Pat O., Diane P., Jean, Monte, Diane T., Pat T., Janis W., Cindy W., and George. Ten had previously attended St. Paul's. They were Mike, Robert B., Renee, Robert G., Vicki N., Lynn, Clay, Donna, Connie, and Carole. Immanuel at Beemer contributed Barb, Gerayne, John, Rachel, Berniece, Gloria, and Bonnie, while Guardian Angels added Peggy, Jerrilynn, and Clara. Zion at Bancroft gave us Ruth and Gladys. Fifteen students came from rural schools and were distributed as follows: District 1, Linda; District 22, Eugene H., Paul, and Clayton; District 25, Nancy; District 33, JoEllyn, Rodney G., Sheila, Doug, and Darlene W.; District 81, Vern, Darlene L., and Mary. Susan came to us from District 50 in Dodge County, while Mardell came from District 32 in Stanton County. Kyle came from Bennington, Rick from South Sioux City, and Beverly from Alaska.

Our first class officers were Bob G., president; Diane P., vice-president, Lynn, secretary; and George, treasurer. Student Council members were Dale and Mardell.

With anticipation of Homecoming, the Senior girls donated an evening of their precious time and patiently taught the clumsy freshmen the latest dance steps. Mr. Beckler made an excellent dance instructor too, just ask George and Dale.

Homecoming attendants were Dale and Peggy, and Mardell was the freshman attendant at the Sweetheart Dance.

A very successful football season ended with a 10-10 record, a Husker Championship, and a top Class C rating in both the Omaha World Herald and the Lincoln Tribune.

We journeyed to Fremont by bus during the first semester for a combination skating party and farewell gathering for Peggy. That bus ride will always be remembered by Monte and Diane.

Our second class party was a hayride and wiener roast in the ravines near Arlyn Anderson's farm. After an intensive, unsuccessful search for George and Mardell the posse hiked into town where we danced in the gym.

Freshmen class sponsors were Mr. Davis and Mr. Beckler.

Few freshmen will ever forget the terrors of Gus's math classes or the wild times in German I when many an eraser made its way to the ground below via an open window. Mike's pocketbook has yet to recover from the time he tripped over the cord of the electric sander. The exchange unit between the shop boys and the Home Ec girls will long be remembered.

During our freshman year and the following summer we lost Darlene W., Paul, Jerrilynn, and Peggy. We gained Sally, Charlie, and Rodney W. giving us 56 members in our sophomore class.

Sophomore class officers were Lynn, president; Craig, vice-president; Barb, secretary; and Gladys, treasurer. Student Council representatives were Jean and Bill. Class sponsors were Mr. Patton and Mr. Starr.

Connie and Lynn were Homecoming attendants, while Mardell and Eugene H. were attendants at the Sweetheart Dance.

Waiters and waitresses for the Jr.-Sr. Banquet were Mardell, Connie, Jean, JoEllyn, Diane P., George, Dale, Bill, Lynn, and Craig.

Few sophomores will ever forget dissecting frogs in biology class or Mr. Patton's bad habit of dropping his pen on the floor in nearly every class. Geometry class was highlighted by Lynn's picketing demonstration that ended in Mr. Fielder's office. The sophomore girls will always remember the bookcases, end table, and cedar chests that Mr. Beckler ended up making in their shop class. English class under B. Karloff will never be forgotten by Rodney W. who did quite a bit of staying after school.

During our sophomore year we saw the Cadet win string brought to 20 games with the help of the sophomore boys. We also played a role in bringing home another superior in band.

During our sophomore year and the following summer we gained Linda B., Cindy P., Rorry, Larry, Rita, and Pat W. We lost Rorry giving us 63 members in our junior class.

Junior class officers were Barb, president; Connie, vice-president; Ann, secretary; and Clay, treasurer. Student Council members were Robert G. and Lynn. Class sponsors were Mrs. Peatrowsky, Mr. Osbon, and Mr. Johnson.

JoEllyn and Craig represented our class for the damp Homecoming festivities and Mardell was Sweetheart Dance attendant.

After a lengthy argument the juniors finally chose oval class rings which arrived during Christmas vacation.

The whole class took part in County Government Day campaigning, which featured the Roadrunners versus the Animals.

After the Roadrunners really swept up the election in the mock convention, everyone journeyed to Wayne to see the West Point squad chalk up win number 30 by shutting out the Blue Devils in a brilliant goal line stand.

George was selected West Point High School's representative to Boys' State. The junior class play under the direction of Miss Boyd was Undercover Cat. It featured Connie's pet cat and Rodney W. The fire drill during the matinee was really something, too.

Oklahoma, the schools first musical was also a great success.

The Jr..-Sr. Prom was held May 3 with the theme Evening in Venice. We went in the red paying for it, even after we found the money George had misplaced during our freshman year. Many people were late to the banquet that evening, among them our class president, Barb.

Mr. Black, swell little ol' man that he is, introduced the traumas of term papers to the juniors. A fire started by Dale, George, and Monte raged on the ground below the chemistry room which resulted in their disappearance from class for a week. Miss Montgomery received poor ratings from the juniors in every English class.

During our junior year and the following summer we gained Caren, while we lost Linda B., Cindy P., Mike W., Janice A., Renee, and Rick giving us 58 members in our class at the beginning of our final year at West Point High School.

Senior class officers were Craig, president; Clay, vice-president; Gloria, secretary; and John, treasurer.

Mary was Student Council representative. Class sponsors were Mr. Alberding, Mr. Fielder, and Mr. Cox. Craig was elected Student Council president. Other seniors on Student Council were Gerayne, FHA; Lynn, W Club; Bill, Band; Gloria, Pep Club; Ann, Journalism; and Rodney G., FFA.

JoEllyn and Craig reigned over Homecoming 1968. Senior attendants were Barb, Diane P., Connie, Clay, Lynn, and Robert G.

Royalty for the Sweetheart Dance was Mardell and Rodney G., with Ruth as senior attendant from our class.

Gladys and Lynn were named King and Queen of Sports at the Athletic Banquet.

Eight senior squadmen had the distinction of completing their high school football careers with 37-2 record after sustaining a 32 game win streak, which was perhaps the longest in the state's history and definitely the best in the school's history. Lynn received honorable mention in the Class C All-State team while Clay and Craig were named to the Cornhusker All-Conference team. Other squadmen were Bill, Vern, Eugene H., Bob G., and Monte.

The school's second musical, Carousel, was successfully presented and many seniors helped to make it a success.

Basketball season ended with a 15-6 record. George and Craig were cagers from our class. Craig was named to the Cornhusker All-Conference second team, and he received All-State honorable mention.

The Senior Class Play, Bull in a China Shop, was under the direction of Miss Raduenz. The play was hilarious as Nancy swooned controllably and Carole always seemed to say the wrong thing.

A fitting climax to the choral and instrumental year, which saw the formation of the Boys' Glee, came at the Wayne music contest. The Girls' and Boys' Glees, the Choir, and the Concert Band all earned superior ratings.

Track season began in the dead of winter for Doug, Vern, and Bill who resorted to hurdling in the halls.

Lynn and Mike represented our class on the golf team which had a more successful year than usual.

WPHS experienced mod scheduling for the first time and along with it came the first boys in Adult Living, one hour and 20 minute noon hours, silent senior discussion groups, naps in large group lectures, and the party room which moved from 104 to the guidance office to room 302 to room 200. The most interesting Physics class of the year came when Mr. Miller gave his brilliant students a treat by forgetting to come to class.

The West Pointer staff as well as the Cadet staff missed most of their deadlines. Evening annual meetings often resulted in bull sessions and chocolate malts.

The W Club, under the direction of their president, Lynn, operated in the red despite their efforts to get above ground. Unfortunately, the Pep Club ended in the hole with them.

During our Senior year we gained Vicki P., and lost Charles, leaving our class with 58 members  in our graduation class.

Our class motto was What we are is God's gift to us, what we become is our gift to God. Class colors were scarlet and cream, while the class flower was the white rose.

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