1944-1945

1944-1945

 * [[image:Students_in_class-_TAYLOR_S.jpg caption="Students in Class"]] ||

__Faculty and Staff__
Principal: H.G. Schmidt Board of Education: President Paul Moeller, Irvin Klamm, Dr. Ed. Bechtold, Fred Merrils, Alvin Stenzil, Joseph Adam, Adolph Viehmann, Ed. Fuhrman

Miss Fincke- Office Miss Fischer- Bachelor of Science Miss Flottman- Bachelor of Science Miss Niess- Bachelor of Arts; Master of Arts Mr. Pyatt- Bachelor of Engineering; Master of Arts Mrs Waterman- Bachelor of Arts Miss Jossem- Bachelor of Science Mr. Brill- Bachelor of Arts; Doctrate of Arts Miss TeWinkle- Bachelor of Arts Mr. Kanzler- Bachelor of Arts; Master of Arts; Bachelor of Engineering Miss Farmer- Bachelor of Arts; Master of Arts Mr. Cross- Bachelor of Arts Miss Baer- Bachelor of Music; Master of Education Mr. Campbell- Bachelor of Arts; Master of Arts Miss Switzer- Bachelor of Education Mr. Benner- Bachelor of Philosohy Miss Grieve- Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Science Miss Stenger- Bachelor of Science; Master of Arts Mr. Peters- Bachelor of Music; Master of Music Miss Alexander- Bachelor of Science Mr. Hexter- Master of Arts, Bachelor of Arts Mr. H.H. Hall- Bachelor of Science, Master of Science Miss Christian- Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts Mr. Yarbrough- Bachelor of Science Miss Neubauer- Bachelor of Science Miss Eubanks- Bachelor of Science Mr. Tabor- Bachelor of Science; Master of Science Miss Kimmel- Bachelor of Science Miss Kriege- Bachelor of Science; Master of Arts Mr. Rauth- Bachelor of Arts Mr. Hertel- Bachelor of Education, Master of Science Miss Junck- Office Miss Mueller- Bachelor of Science; Master of Science Mr. Nebelsick- Bachelor of Science; Master of Arts Mr. Schmidt- Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Science; Master of Arts; Master of Science Miss Hueckel- Bachelor of Science Miss Miller- Bachelor of Arts Mr. Scott- Bachelor of Education; Master of Arts Miss Murray- Bachelor of Science; Master of Arts Miss Kindred- Bachelor of Philosophy; Master of Arts Mr. Friedli- Bachelor of Science; Master of Science Miss Maddux- Bachelor of Philosophy; Master of Arts Mr. Karch- Bachelor of Science; Master of Arts Miss Skaar- Bachelor of Arts Mr. Gunderson- Bachelor of Science Miss Johnson- Bachelor of Arts; Master of Arts Mr. Trabue- Bachelor of Science; Master of Science Miss Cannady- Bachelor of Science; Master of Science Mr. Kneedler- Bachelor of Science; Master of Arts Miss Grigg- Bachelor of Arts; Master of Arts Mrs. Jones- Cafeteria Mr. Armstrong- Bachelor of Education; Master of Arts Mr. W.W. Hall- Bachelor of Arts; Master of Science Mr. Bohannon- Bachelor of Science Mr. Lentz- Bachelor of Science Mrs. Duckworth- Bachelor of Science Mrs. McCravy- Bachelor of Arts Mr. Wortman- Bachelor of Science; Master of Science Mr. Lewis- Master of Arts
 * Teachers:**


 * [[image:Students_walking_to_class.jpg width="483" height="360" caption="Students walking to class"]] ||

__Clubs/Sports__
The Senior Class Officers were Jim Brill (President), Al Julleis (Vice President), and Mary Krebs (Secretary-Treasurer).
 * Student Council:** The Student Council was in charge of being the representatives for the student body and organizing events for the school. In 1945, the Student Council sold the school stationary, decorated with stick children and pennants, supervised the Christmas dance, helped trim the forest of glowing Christmas trees, helped nominate candidates for the War Bond Queen, ecouraged the sale of war bonds and stamps every morning, and made suggestions for improving the school assemblies. The club had 42 members and had Miss Stenger as their sponsor.


 * Bellevinois Staff:** The Bellevinois was in charge of creating the yearbook. The chief editor, Jane Kurrus, did a great job organizing the 1945 school yearbook. The Bellevinois was made up of eighteen members and Mr. W. H. Campbell as their sponsor.


 * Hy News (First Semester):** In 1945, the first semester Hy News was separated by 2 semesters. The Hy News was in charge of publishing a school newspaper every other Friday morning. The Hy News (First Semester) was in charge of honoring honorees and announcing schedules for the second semester. Hy News worked on the student's jounalism, writing, and editorial skills. In 1945, there was thirteen members, and the sponsor was Miss Jossem.


 * Hy News (Second Semester):** In 1945, the second semester of Hy News, also, published a school newspaper every other Friday morning. The second semester arranged the selection of the candidates for the Citizenship award and sponsering the award's assembly. Hy News was in charge of planning patriotic assemblies for the war effort. The second semester had thirteen members and had Miss Jossem as the sponsor.


 * Le Cercle Francais (French Club):** The French Club was used to help student become fluent speaking French. In 1945, the members became familiar with singing songs such as Alloute, La Maresillaise, and La Tjours Amour. The club, also, put on plays such as Lotto and Si Nous Dinions. The plays were exciting and funny when the members forgot thier parts. The French Club, also, cultivated a Bon Appetit Picnic. In 1945, French Club was made up of eight members and the club's sponsor was Miss Skaar.


 * Girls Sextette:** The club helped young women improve their ability to sing with a group. In 1945, the group sang at the U.S.O., entertained the soldiers at Scott Field, sang at Sgnal Hill Methodist Church, sang at St. Paul's Evangelical Church, and performed at many other civic and social gatherings. In 1945, the Girls Sextette had six members and Miss Baer as their sponsor.


 * Latin Club:** The Latin Club was intended to help students become fluent in speaking Latin. In 1945, the club participated in the Caesar's Gallic Wars and the Junior Red Cross Christmas card drive. The club was made up of twelve members, and there sponsor was Miss Johnson.


 * G.A.A.:** The G.A.A. was a club of young women that spent their time playing several different sports. The club played tennis, hockey, baseball, volleyball, and other games. The club did workouts in order to get ready for the sports, and their work paid off when the G.A.A. won the mid-year basketball tournament. The club was made up of 58 girls and Miss Kraus as the sponsor.


 * Art Club:** The members of art club worked on progressing their art skills by creating colorful posters around the art room and school. In 1945, the art club had sixteen members and their sponsor was Miss Murray.


 * Lettermen's Club:** The Letterman's Club was a club of the school's athletes that liked to bear the honor of Belleville High School on their shoulders. The club sponsored the the election of the Football Queen and the big dance in which she was announced. In 1945, the Lettermen's Club was made up of 32 members and Mr. Friedli as their sponsor.


 * Camera Club:** 1945 was the first year that the Camera Club was introduced. The members of the club were interested in photography and becoming a photographer after high school. The Camera Club had 13 students and had Miss Christian as their sponsor.


 * Home Economcis Club:** The Home Economics Club worked with the Red Cross and knitted colorful squares that would be sewed for afghans. The club was appreciated by the injured servicemen. The club had 15 members and had Miss Neubauer as their sponsor.


 * [[image:Students_learning_how_to_cook.jpg caption="Students Learning how to Cook"]] ||


 * Senior Dramatic Club:** The club put on one play that year called "The Pest Guest" and also, put the play on at an assembly. In 1945, the club had 14 members and had Mr. Clark, Mrs. Watermann, and Mr. Lewis as their sponsors.


 * Variety Club:** The Variety Club was the largest club at Belleville High School. The club went to a swimming party at West Haven, skated in Collinsville, laughed at the skits presented by their fellow members, and helped put on a variety show that had jazz, classic, and tap-dancing for an assembly. The club had 67 members in the club.


 * A Capella Choir:** The club performed at a couple programs through out the school year. The A Capella Choir sang "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" and "Silent Night" at the Christmas program, and the choir sang "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and the "Easter Parade" at the Easter program. The choir is made up of forty members.


 * Mixed Chorus:** This chorus was an outstanding musical group at Belleville High School in 1945. The chorus sang at the operetta, entertained the assemblies at Junior High, and went to the Music Festival in Dupo. The Mixed Chorus had 42 members.


 * F.F.A.:** Their was a lot of work involved in the F.F.A. club. The club worked on a victory garden project, helped plan and sponsor the annual majic show, and went to an annual weiner roast. The F.F.A. had 46 young men and Mr. Lentz as their sponsor.


 * Snappy Snappers:** The Snappy Snappers had a strong school spirit and voice for the sporting events. The club supported the cheerleaders by yelling for Belleville High School. The club had 52 members and Miss Switzer as their sponsor.
 * Cheerleaders:** The Cheerleaders supported the sports teams by yelling and cheering for them. The cheerleader team was helped out in 1945 with the introducing of the loud speaker. The 400 new Freshmen added volume and school spirit for the group. The Cheerleading team had 9 members.


 * Science Club:** The Science Club was a club for students that wanted to learn more about the specifics of certain science prinicples. In 1945, the club learned the principle of the electric eye and how to make the allotropic forms of sulphur. The club was made up of 16 members and Mr Hertel as their sponsor.


 * Slide Rule Club:** The Slide Rule Club learned about logarithms and square roots. The members of the club took top honors in the math and science classes. The club had 15 members and had Miss Fischer as their sponsor.


 * Aviation Club:** The purpose of the Aviation Club was to learn about the difference of airplanes and how airplanes work. The club built model airplanes and the members had to build the models in order to pass the entrance examination. The Aviation Club had 19 members and Mrs. Duckworth as their sponsor.


 * Junior Dramatic Club:** In 1945, the Junior Dramatic Club was introduced to Belleville High School. The club was in charge of producing assemblies that enlivened the Freshmen and Sophomores. The club had thirty members.


 * Orchestra:** The Orchestra in 1945, put on a few orchestral arrangements. The club put on "Tales from the Vienna Woods", "No,No, Nannette", "The Prophet", and other orchestral arrangements. The Orchestra had 15 members and Mr. Peters as their sponsor.
 * Band:** The Band entertained the crowds at sporting events and put on different programs throughout the 1944-1945 school year. The Band played at all football games, played at the third annual U.S.O., played at Scott Field, played at the basketball tournament, and presented the annual Band Concert in early April. The Band had 57 members.


 * Drum Majors:** The Drum Majors were nicknamed the "Snappy Twirlers" and "Fancy Strutters". The club helped pep up the student body during assembly programs and set up a rally at the Lincoln Theatre. In 1945, there was only six Drum Majors.


 * Visual Aid Club:** 1945 was the first year for the Visual Aid Club. The club was formed at the beginning of sound-on-film movies in the school. The club was in charge of operating the machine. The club had eight members.


 * Football:** In 1945, the football team had a very successful season with a 9-1 record. The team defeated Belleville High School's rival, East St. Louis, 7-0. The football team was a part of a three way tie for the championship of the Southwestern Conference. The football team had 35 players and was coached by Head Coach Tabor and Assistant Coach Rauth.
 * [[image:FOotball_queen-1944.jpg caption="Football Queen 1944"]] ||


 * Basketball:** The basketball team had a very successful season. The team and Coach Scott had a very close relationship and it showed on the court. The team had an overall record of 25-11, became city champions, and were 4th place in Southwestern Conference. In 1945, the basketball team went to an X-Mas Tournament in Mt. Vernon and placed 3rd out of 16 teams. In postseason play, the basketball team defeated their rivals, East St. Louis, in the regional championship. In the Sectional playoff, Belleville made it to the Sectional finals but lost to Collinsville. The 1945 basketball team had 14 players and was coached by Coach Scott.


 * Wrestling:** Even though the wrestling team had lack of experience, the team had a good season. In 1945, Bill Mauser was the champion of the 175-Ib class in southern Illinois. The wrestling team finished second in the sectional meet and had a three and two record in duel meets. The team was made up of 21 members and was lead by Coach Rauth.


 * Tennis:** The tennis was handicapped by lack of experience returning but showed potentional for the upcoming years. The team only had one returning lettermen and started the season with a four and one record. The tennis team had 21 players and and was coached by Coach Rauth.


 * Baseball:** The baseball had nine letterman players returning in 1945. The team started off the season with ten wins, three loses, and one tie. The team had 31 players and lead by Coach Gunderson.


 * Track:** In 1945, the track team was very successful. The team finished second in the Paris Relays and first out of twenty-six teams in the District relays. The track team was upset after a one point lose to East St. Louis in the conference relays. The track team had 46 players and was coached by Coach Tabor.

__Awards__

 * 1944 Football Queen-** Betty Whitnell


 * Citzenship Award 1945-** Jim Brill


 * B.T.H.S. War Bond Queen-** Suzanne Kurrus


 * [[image:Bths_war_bond_queen.jpg caption="The1945 War Bond Queen"]] ||

​

__ Demographics __
1209 Students attended Belleville Township High School in 1945 Senior Class (Class of 1945)- 202 Students (107- Women & 101 Men) Junior Class (Class of 1946)- 230 Students (110 Women & 120 Men) Sophomore Class (Class of 1947)- 285 Students (166 Women & 119 Men) Freshmen Class (Class of 1948)- 492 Students (126 Women & 366 Men)
 * Class Sizes and Gender Make-Up:**

.1% African American 99.9% White
 * Ethnicity:**



__Major Events__
In 1945, the men's basketball team made it the state playoffs. In the Regional playoff, the team defeated East. St. Louis to help the team move onto the Sectional playoffs. In the Sectional playoffs, the team won their first two games but lost to Collinsville in the Sectional championship game. The team had a very successful season finishing 25-11 and in the top 30 of 860 teams in Illinois.
 * Basketball makes run in playoffs:**

The Belleville Devils defeated East St. Louis 7-0. With 8,500 fans watching, the Devils scored the only touchdown on the first drive of the game from a diving touchdown by "Pinky" Davis. The rest of the game was tense with both teams coming just yards away from scoring numerous times. At the end of the game, "Pinky" Davis was carried off the field on fan's shoulders. That night, the Belleville Devils played like a team of heroes.
 * Football defeats rival East St. Louis:**

The Visual Aid Club was introduced to Belleville High School when the school brought the use of sound-on-films movies to the classes. The use of the films for educational purposes was highly accepted by the students and facultly. The club was in charge of operating and maintaining the sound films.
 * The Visual Aid Club is formed:**


 * [[image:Girls_playing_in_gym.jpg width="418" height="389" caption="Girls playing in the gym"]] ||


 * [[image:girls_hanging_out_before_school.jpg caption="Girls hanging out before school"]] ||


 * [[image:Students_in_class2.jpg width="563" height="257" caption="Students in class"]] ||


 * [[image:Students_hanging_out_before_class.jpg width="516" height="252" caption="Students hanging out before school"]] ||

Created by Taylor Siebers and Allen Bux