1956-1957

=**1956-1957**=

=History (1917-1957)=

When Belleville Towhsnhip High SChool was erected in 1917, the only two buildings on campus were the Main Building and the Cafeteria-Shops Building. There were sixteen teachers with 348 students. The graduating class had 27 students. More buildings followed, such as the Girl's Gym, the Field House, the Auditorium, and the Library Building. In the spring of 1955, a $2,8000,000 bond was issued for the creation of an Electric Shop Building, a new Cafeteria, Library, as well as additions to the Boys' and Girls' Gymnasiums. After forty years of service, BTHS had 2,000 students enrolled with 85 teachers. BTHS will contiune to serve as a leader in education for years to come.

=Faculty and Staff=

**Administration**

 * Superintendent**: Dr. Hal O. Hall
 * Board of Education**: Mr. William Stiehl, president; Miss Ruth Fincke, secretary; Mr. Elmer Peters; Mr. Gene Hepp; Dr. Marvin Miller; Mr. Emil Schaab; Mr. Norman Stonewater; Mr. Leslie Driver; Mr. Rogers Jones, attorney.
 * Administrative Staff:** Mr. Robert Eller, (Freshman Class Counselor); Mr. Alfred Budde (Sophomore Class Counselor); Mr. Dale Mullen (Administrative Assistant); Mr. O. H. Cross (Dean of Boys); Mr. Clifford Corrough (Junior Class Counselor); Mrs. Esther Garcia ( Publich Health School Nurse) Mr. E. G. Hexter (Registrar, Senior Class Counselor).
 * Librarians:** Miss Ruth Glass, Mrs. Mary Ellen Peterson
 * Office Staff:** Melba Graf, Mrs. Lavette Grovesteen, Mrs. Amelia Wallace, Miss Phyllis Hensley, Mrs. Grace Lowery, Miss Alice Kutzner, Miss Ruth Fincke, Mrs. Maydell Held.
 * Number of Teachers:** 85

=Class Courses and Teachers=
 * (Some teachers taught more than one subject)***

Physiography (Earth Science)-3 asdf Biology-3 Chemistry-4 Physics-4 Agriculture-1
 * ===Science===

Social Studies
World Geography-3 Sociology-1 American History-5 World History-2 Civics-4 International Relations-1 || ===Fine Arts=== Art-1 Choir-1 Chorus-1 Band-1 Orchestra-1

Industrial Technology asdf
Mechanical Drawing-2 Machine Shop-1 Woodshop-1 Auto Shop-1 Electric Shop-1 General Shop-3 Welding-1 Shop Mathematics-1 || ===Business=== Stenography-4 Typing-4 Bookkeeping-2 General Business-2 Economics-1 Business Law-1 Business Aritmatic-3 llllllll

Mathematics
Geometry-5 Algebra-12 Arithmetic (basic)-4 Trigonometry-3

English
English-17 Speech-2 Journalism-1 || ===Foreign Language=== Latin-1 Spanish-1 French-1 German-1

Consumer Sciences
Home Economics (Clothes)-1 Home Economics (Homemaking)-1 Home Economics (Food)-1 Home Nursing-1

Physical Eduacation
Health-4 Physical Educaton-2 ||

=Honors and Awards=

This society allows members in the society based on scholarship, character, service, leadership and an average of 4,5 or better over their four years in high school. They must be chosen by faculty for special skills in character, service, scholarship, and leadership with in the school. BTHS had 29 students in the society and they represented 9% of the graduating class.
 * National Honor Society**

This award is presented by the High News to senior students with outstanding citizenship. The candidates are judged on initiative, manners, uprighteousness, co-operation, personality, attitude, and a grade level of a B average or higher. There were 120 candidates for the 1956-1957 school year.
 * Hy News Citizenship Award**

The D.A.R. award is given to a student who is selected by the Senior Class and the Daughters of the American Revolution. The candidate is chosen based on dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism. The 1957 D.A.R. Award went to Judy Badgley. Miss Badgley was in student council, Queen of Junior Jam, Football Queen, and a candidate for the Hy News Citizenship Award.
 * D.A.R. (Daughters of the American Revolution) Award**

The Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Wuxiliary, and the American Legion Auxiliary all had essay contests which BTHS students competed in. Kay Peters represented BTHS in the Junior Chamber of Contest. Connie Kuffel received first prize in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary contest with John Wehmeier receiving second and Janice Slayden receiving third. Linda Yager won the first prize for the American Legion Auxiliary contest, with John Tomich taking second and Bud Wobus receiving third.
 * Essay Contests**

BTHS had a student win a three thousand dollar scholarship for her experiment at the science fair in St. Louis. Sharon Sturgeon received the scholarship aw sell as two years at William Woods College and two years at Washington University.
 * St. Louis Science Fair**

Freshman Pat Rowe was elected the second vice-president at the Student Illinois Education Association at the Future Teachers convention at Normal University. She is the first fresmen to be a SIEA officer and is the first BTHS student to be an officer for the organization.
 * Student Illinois Education Association**

fourt athletes received the honor this year for the MVP Award: Lee Badgett, football; Tom Arnote, cross-country; Dick Kammann, wrestling; Jerry Russell, basketball.
 * Old Devils Booster Club "Most Valuable Player" Award**

=Fine Arts=

The Choir participated in school assemblies and church services as well as the Baccalaureate Service. The members have taken part in the Mixed Chorus for at least one semester to make into the A Capella Choir.
 * A Capella Choir**

In the school year of 1956-57, the group of 8 boys performed at local organizations and practiced once a week.
 * Boys'** **Ensemble**

The Sextette performed at events for churches, assemblies, and groups. They practice three times a week and was composed of six young ladies.
 * Girls' Sextette**

Little Theatre is a club for students interested in the theatre. Students who participate in one of the class plays as a member of the cast or crew get membership. During the 1956-57 school year, the Little Theatre was able to put together four different plays. They consisted of the following: Senior Play - Time Out for Ginger"; The Little Theatre Play - (unknown); One Act Plays - "The Perfect Gentleman" "The Happy Journey" "The Uninvited Ghost"; Junior Play - A Minstrel show; The **National Thespian Organization** is an honorary society for those members of Little Theatre who have done outstanding work. There were 18 Thespians this school year and were part of the Thespian Troupe 369. They work on the roles in productions to producing a Girl Scout radio program to playing part in radio panel discussions and serving as chairmen for plays. They are the most advanced actors/actresses.
 * Little Theatre**

In the school year of 1956-57, the BTHS Band played at pep rallies, assemblies, home football games, and conference basketball games. The band also performs at parades, their annual spring concert, the county band festival, and entered both district and state competitions.They were under the direction of Mr. Edwin Peters.
 * Marching Band**

The Orchestra is a musical organization that is comprised of strings (cellos, violins), brass (trumpets, trombones, French horns), percussion (piano, drums) and woodwinds (clarinets, saxophone). There were 12 members in the 1956-57 school year. The members practice as a group daily and continue to enhance their interest ant knowledge of music.
 * Orchestra**

The Majorettes are a group of seven young ladies that lead the BTHS band at games and show off their fine twirling techniques throughout the year. They named themselves the "Twirling Whirlettes" and have won both district and state contests.
 * Majorettes**

The Art Club is a club where students meet to work on projects discuss art techniques and enter into contests. The club had guest speakers, watched movies about painting and did drafts and worked on new paints.
 * Art Club**

The Vocal Club is composed of students who are interested in singing. The members spend their club periods studying operas and composers. Their final meeting of the year is always a picnic.
 * Vocal Club**

This group is consisted of musicians of all kinds and works on their musical talent through helping and learning together. They enjoyed going to St. Louis to see musical productions.
 * Music Appreciation Club**

=Publications=

In 1956-1957, the school newspaper, Hy News, was published seven times a semester by the students in Miss Lillian Jossem's Journalism class. The class was offered junior and senior year and helps students study the art of journalism, such as analyzing news stories, working on writing skills, and editing skills. Students who maintain a good average and work hard on the Hy News can qualify for membership in the **Quill and Scroll** national journalistic society. The newspaper writers havea staff room where they work, but lunch was not allowed to be eaten in it. The students worked hard to vcreate humor, such as good By-Lines and layouts.
 * Hy News**

The school yearbook, Bellevinois, is published each year at the end of the year and chronicles the school activities for that year. The staff takes pictures, draws cartoons, and creates the layout for the yearbook. The staff contains seniors who are selected for their efforts throughout high school. The group works from September until June with three staffs - editorial, literary, and business. The staff worked hard by selling ads and popcorn, getting book orders, having bakesales, and working in the staff room with old-fashioned photographic devices.
 * Bellevinois**

=School Activities=

In 1956-57, the student council was in charge in various activities, including the Football Frolic, Christmas Dance, ALl-School Party, Kostakis the ir Greek war orphan, tuberculosis tests ant the magazine drive. They also helped NHS with their certificates ant helped with Donkey Basketball Game. The council also had a Bundle Day and Care drive, had buses take fans to out-of-town games, donated money to Hungarian refugees, and helped organize a committe for shcool pep and morale.
 * Student Council**

The Triple O Club is composed of 18 students working to become secretaries, receptionists, bookkeepers, and clerical workers. Their curriculum is different from other students, since the club is able to leave in the afternoon to get hands-on experience within their field. They take two hours of office training, gym, one other subject, and then release to work in their field. They received credit for office training jobs, which were usually at local stores.
 * Office Occupations Organization (Triple O Club)**

This club is different from other clubs since the members are able to interact with nature. The members entered livestock in competitions and participated in sectional meetings and the state conventions. The Belleville Chapter also sold seeds, judged contests, hosted a wiener roast and held an annual father/son banquet.
 * Future Farmers of America (F.F.A.)**

The Games and Hobbies Clubs is a club period where games are often played like checkers, canasta and chess. The club was huge in the 1956-57 school year with over 50 students participating.
 * Games and Hobbies**

The Etiquette Club is a club that strives to correct etiquette in society, especially teenage etiquette. During the school year, the club focused on social manners as a host / hostess and the manners of the business world.
 * Etiquette Club**

The Letterman's Club is one of the most active clubs and it is their responsibility for the concession stands, the injured players' fund, and the annual Football Dance. Boys can enter who have earned major athletic awards and received a varsity letter.
 * Letterman's Club**

This club was for young men who wished to learn more about baseball. They watched movies and got tips about how to play baseball from speakers and coaches.
 * Baseball Club**

This club is for those interested in becoming "hams" in order to learn the basics of radio operation and the International Morse Code. Those who have their licenses drill other unlicesed members in theory and code. These licensed "hams compare notes with radio contacts with the club as well.
 * Amateur Radio Club**

This new club is for those who wish to learn about the production of radio shows. They look at scripts, use sound effects, and study different microphones and radio equipment.
 * Radio Production Club**

The memebrs of hte club meet to stydy the customs, traditions, language, and other fun faccts about Span and its people.
 * Spanish Club**

Junior and Senior girls joined this club to learn about playing bridge. They learn about the rules and work together to play the game while determining a winning stragety.
 * Bridge Club**

This club is also a newer one with its members working hard to understand the elements of science through experiments and projects. They work together to find out answers to some of science's hardest questions.
 * Beginning Science Club**

This club was a branch of the Industrial Arts Club of Illinois. There is a state convention every year and the the members must show cooperation, raise the most money, and do a lot for the club to become qualified to attend the convention.
 * Industrial Arts Club**

This clubs purpose was to help students work in the business world. Its members schedule is similiar to the Triple "O" club. The members will train in the store for one week and then work for about a day. They had guest speakers talking about advertising and succes in business, they held a banquet and organized a spring picnic.
 * Business** **Education** **Club**

= = =Sports=
 * Other Clubs**: **Future Homemakers of America (F.H.A.), Ping Pong Club, Model Airplane Club, Tumbling Club, Future Teachers of America (F.T.A.), Advanced Science Club, Creative Writing Club, Typinc Club, Knitting Club, Jazz Music Club, Math Club, Hiking Club, Sportsmen's Club, Electrical Club, Travel Club, Basketball Club, Bookkeeping and Accounting Club, Shorthand and Transcript Club, Reading Club, Future Nurses' Club, Slide Rule Club, Sports Car Club, Engineering Club, French Club, Fly Tying Club, Pep Club.**

Athletic Director- Mr. Clarence Armstrong Football- Mr. H. B. Tabor Cross Country- Mr. Harpstreit Basketball- Mr. Ray Freeark Wrestling Coach- Mr. Walter Rauth Baseball- Mr. Budde Golf- Mr. Ralph Heinz Track- Mr. Harpstreit Tennis- Mr. Walter Rauth
 * Coaches**

The football team had one of its worst seasons this year with only one win against Metropolis. They then lost nine consecutive games. The final game against East St. Louis was memorable because BTHS was winning at the half but lost 13-27. Even so, both sides of the field were cheering when the game was over.
 * Football**

The BTHS Cross Country team had nine meets this year, including the District Meet. They had a good season, especially Tom Arnote, who finished first at every meet and tenth at the district meet. The reward for his efforts included the Old Devil's Booster Club making Tom one of their Most Valuable Players.
 * Cross** **Country**

The wrestling squad had a good season with only eight wins and foru losses. Ironically, they lost to two schools twice. Bob Sullivan was the only wrestler to go to state, while he finished second in the sectional tournament at the Granite City Sectional.
 * Wrestling**

The cheerleaders were the girls who stood out, hot or cold weather, cheering on the team. They provided the "nucleus" of the Belleville pep parents, students, and fans. There were eight cheerleaders for the 1956-57 school year.
 * Cheerleading**

The BTHS Basketball team had one of their best seasons ever. THey won their first four games with only one loss to Collinsville. They attended the Centralia holiday tournament (consolation prize) and the Dupo Invitational Tournament (second place). They had another claim to fame as the two-time city champs against Cathedral at home. They also beat Cathedral at the Dupo Tourney. Total wins were ninteen with fifteen loses.
 * Basketball**

The team had a wet season and many of their matches were postponed. Even so, the team had a good year with Charles Kneedler breaking the Conference broad-jump record with 21 feet 8 inches.
 * Track**

The BTHS Baseball team didn't see action until later inthe season due to damp weather. They did have some close games against New Athens, whcih they won 5-0 and against Wood River, where they had a no-hitter 7-0 win. The baseball team had 19 members.
 * Baseball**

The newest competitve sport is golf. There were only five members during this school year, but the team is expected to grow. The team had a busy schedule with nine meets, including against Western Military Academy, Alton and East St. Louis.
 * Golf**

The Tennis team had a good season under the direction of the new coach, Mr. Rauth. They had good progress and won several matches against opposing teams with 14 different matches.
 * Tennis**

This association allowed high school girls to compete in a variety of sports, which included baseball/softball, basketball, volleyball, hockey, soccer, tennis, badminton, and ping pong. They also participate in group activities like roller skating and picnics. The club divided into two teams, the Maroons and the Whites, and played against each other during the year. The girls were able to earn awards for their efforts. For every hour of play after school, a student would receive four points. Five hundred points earned a shield, one thousand gave them a letter, and 1,300 hours qualified a girl for a state letter. many Activities included G.A.A. Play Day, roller skating parties, after-school sports, and a bake sale.
 * Girls' Athletic Association (G.A.A.) / Girls Sports**

Queen - Judy Badgley Maids- Phoebe Kosfeld, Kathie Schumacher, Judy Nabb, and Betty Griffin
 * Football Court**