The Thorp Courier

Thorp High School Alumni Letter

February 14, 2007

 

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, Advisor—Mr. 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 Girl’s 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.

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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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