Greetings to Thorp Alumni
Every year a Thorp High School graduating class celebrates its 50th
class reunion. This year the 1957 class will celebrate its 50th.
On Friday evening, July 6th, the classmates and their spouses will meet
at the Thorp City Park to renew old acquaintances, reminisce about high
school memories, share life experiences since high school and just enjoy
being together again. On Saturday, July 7th classmates will get together
for breakfast, some heading to the golf course, maybe some fishing or
getting reacquainted with their home town.
On Saturday evening, July 7th, the 57 class will join many other THS
graduates at the All-Thorp Reunion at the high school for 4:00 to 5:00
social hour; 5:00-6:00 traditional alumni dinner followed by the program
in which special recognition will be given those 1957 graduates.
THS faculty members in 1957 were Mrs. Gertrude Swanson, Mr. Bernard
Wenninger, Mr. Dale Amundson, Miss Clarice Ronnei, Mr. Ray Gripentrog,
Mr. Floyd Hanley, Mr. Roger Schaus, Mr. Anthony Nuskiewicz, Mr. Melvin
Postler, Mrs. Leona Mehls, Miss Mary Ellen McIlquham, Mr. Roy Swanson,
Mr. Jack Tetzner, Mr. Joe Korpal, Mr. Roy Brede, and Principal, Mr.
Newell E. Qualle. A very special person all students got to know was
office secretary, Mrs. Florence Soli.
As is the case with most graduating classes, the 1957 class was very
special. Many leadership opportunities were available through
involvement in activities, clubs, organizations, school paper, class
plays, band, chorus and athletics.
Senior class officers: President John Klouda, Vice President Don
Soderberg, Secretary/Treasurer Ann Hedler. Seniors on the student
council: Yvonne Krupa, John Klouda, Louise Salvack, Jean Mattes, Bob
Hmielak, Advisor Mr. Roger Schaus. Seniorian Staff: Ann Hedler-Editor,
Louise Salvack, Lola Biddle, Bernice Balicki, Jean Mattes, Alice Giwojna,
Sandra Daines, Don Soderberg, Ray Price, Ed Ogurek, Art Alger,
AdvisorMr. Joe Korpal.
The music department, under the director of Mr. Roy Brede, was a major
participant in many school functions. A large number of students, boys
and girls, made up the chorus, band, pep band, and boys quartet. Band
officers were Art Alger, Roger Podhola, Yvonne Krupa and Germaine
Badzinski. Senior chorus officers included Cathy Conway, Keith Glasshof,
Dale Hokkanen, and Art Alger. Ralph Sherberg was the drum major and
Kitty Kenney was a majorette.
Miss McIlquham organized and guided the FHA. Senior, Sandra Daines
served as president of the FHA. Future Farmers of America, under the
director of Mr. Roy Swanson, was again organized this year for boys
studying agriculture. Senior officers were Leo Baldeschwiler, President;
Frank Andruszkiewicz, Vice President; Tom Hempelman, Secretary; Jerome
Neisius, Treasurer.
There were no organized interscholastic sports teams for girls at that
time; however the Girls Athletic Association was organized under the
direction of Mrs. Mehls. Their activities included noon day sports.
Their senior leadership included Yvonne Krupa, President; Jean Mattes,
Secretary/Treasurer; and Ann Hedler, Point Secretary. Miss Ronnei was
the advisor for the Pep Club. Seniors chosen to lead were Yvonne Krupa,
President and Germaine Badzinski, Secretary/Treasurer.
The advisor for the Library Club was Miss Ronnei. Senior officers
included Lorraine Hazuga, President and Sharon Jenness,
Secretary/Treasurer. The editor of the school newspaper, Cardinal
Highlights, was Lola Biddle. Staff advisor was Mrs. Swanson.
Many seniors were involved in the class plays: Meet Me in St. Louis as
juniors and Seven Sisters as seniors. Both included a cast and
production staff under the director of Mr. Wenninger.
Junior Prom, Apple Blossom Time, had Dan Winger and Jean Mattes as the
royal couple. The Homecoming king and queen were Keith Glasshof and
Gretchen Parks.
As always, sports played a big role in THS. The football team, coached
by Mr. Ray Gripentrog, won the Cloverbelt Conference Championship.
Senior players were Bob Hmielak, Leo Baldeschwiler, Dale Hokkanen, Dan
Winger, Dave Teclaw, Keith Glasshof, Don Soderberg, Frank Andruszkiewicz,
and John Klouda.
The basketball team, coached by Mr. Jack Tetzner, won the Cloverbelt
Championship with an 18-6 record. Senior players were, Roger Podhola,
Keith Glasshof, Dan Winger, Dave Teclaw, Don Soderberg, John Klouda and
Art Alger.
Mr. Gripentrog coached the baseball team. Senior players were Art Alger,
Leo Baldeschwiler, Don Soderberg, Dale Hokkanen, Dave Teclaw and Dan
Winger. The team won the Cloverbelt Conference Championship and lost in
the sectional tournament to Ladysmith.
The golf team was coached by Mr. Tetzner. 1957 was the first year that
Thorp High School had a golf team. Senior members included Roger Podhola
and Gerald Olson.
The A Team cheerleaders included seniors, Ann Hedler, Kitty Kenney and
Frank Andruszkiewicz.
PLEASE NOTE: Early in March, every Thorp Alumnus will receive a letter
explaining the details of the July 2007 All-Thorp Reunion. A
registration form for the All-alumni Dinner will accompany the letter.
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