By Bob Melder

Leapers wire service

It's been more than 50 years since 472 of us marched down the aisle for our diplomas at Ne-Ca-Hi on May 27, 1952.

That night in the school auditorium, Dr. Milton S. Eisenhower, president of Penn State University, told us that character heads the list of qualities making for success. His topic was: "Tom Brown Said, I"ll Try."

In 1952 we didn't think there was anything too high to climb

Graduation Day

Remembering our day

Men's sports shirts were going for $2.45 and sports coats for $22.50 at Richman Brothers. Winter's was raving about the Cool Wave Cords, the most versatile summer suit, for $32.50. Silverman's had shoes from $7.95 to $17.95

The ladies could get dresses from $6 to $35 at Strouss-Hirshberg's Clearaway Sale and Davis Shoe had Rhymettes, the sharpest flats in town for teen-agers, at $9.50.

Eighty-six in our class made the Honor Roll. Sherry Plonka was our Queen of the May.

While we were glad to have any jalopy, some new cars were going for less than $3,000.

Travers listed the Packard at $2,257; Bryan Motors boasted of the Nash Rambler, which got 31.05 MPG in the Mobilegas Economy Run; Scott's was pitching the Pontiac, in addition to some convertibles, and Reiber his new Caddies; Snyder Motors said its V-8 Studebaker didn't need premium fuel.

Billy Boak and Wilbur Foht had just participated in the state track meet. Billy heaved the shot put 47 feet 4 inches and took third place after finishing first in the WPIAL. His toss of 135 feet, 10 and 1/2inches in the discus was a school record. In the pole vault Wilbur cleared 9 feet 6 inches.

Axe's Market was selling oranges for 29 cents a dozen and Junedale Market had hams and ground beef for 49 cents a pound.

Sales were going on at Julian Goldman, the Helen Usselton Shop, Reynolds & Summers, Nobil's Shoes, Gerson's, King's, Perelman's and Jesse N. Kerr. Also doing business were Gustav's Bakery, Dew Drop Inn, Joseph's, Klafter's, People's Drug Store, Clutton's and Hudson Lunch.

The last three establishments were good places to hang out Downtown on Monday nights when we got tired of standing on street corners. On Friday nights we were usually slow dancing or jitterbugging at Swing Lobby.

Wampum High graduated 14.

We had plenty of movie theaters from which to choose for dates:

VICTOR -- A Bogart double feature, "High Sierra" and "To Have and Have Not."

PENN -- "Red Mountain" with Alan Ladd and Lizabeth Scott.

CRESCENT -- "Purple Heart Dairy" with Frances Langford.

REGENT -- "A Song to Remember" with Paul Muni, Merle Oberon and Cornel Wilde.

HI-LANDER -- "My Son John" with Helen Hayes and Van Heflin.

STATE -- "Ambush" with Robert Taylor.

Or at the drive-ins:

SUPER CASTLE -- "Young Man with Ideas" with Glenn Ford and Ruth Roman.

SKYLINE -- "The Racket" with Robert Mitchum.

Grove City College expelled 20 students for "reportedly drinking beer, a clear infraction of college rules."

The Pittsburgh Pirates were in last place and more than 15 games out of first place.

Every night we followed the travails of Joe Palooka, Jackson Twins, Dick Tracy, Gumps, Nancy, Blondie, Brick Bradford, Mickey Finn and Little Orphan Annie.

And we couldn't wait to leave all that behind us.

In the New Castle News the next day we also were reminded of the uneasiness in the world. Everything having to do with the military and fighting seemed to permeate the front page.

The headlines proclaimed that the European Defense Pact was to be signed and that the Russians had launched a semi-blockade move at Berlin. Troubles in Korea were continuing.

Dr. Eisenhower even felt compelled to talk about democracy and Communist theories.

Graduation

Exercises

(94th at New Castle Senior High.

Scottish Rite Cathedral

Tuesday, May 27, 1952

8 o'clock p.m.)

PROGRAMME

Processional: "Pomp and Circumstance", Senior High School Orchestra.

Invocation: The Reverend Ralph E. Hovencamp, Trinity Episcopal Church.

Trumpet Solo: "Carnival of Venice," Vincent Anthony Scungio; Geraldine Ann Prescaro, accompanist.

Introduction of Speaker: Dr. Frank L. Burton, Superintendent of Schools.

Commencement Address:

"Tom Brown said: 'I'll Try.' "

Dr. Milton S. Eisenhower, Prresident, Pennsylvania State College.

Vocal Solo: "Song of the Open Road." Floyd LaVern Cotton; Edwin Lewis, accompanist.

AWARDS

English: John Reed Cobau. From New Castle News.

Instrumental Music: Lawrence Joe Haims. From Music Club.

Instrumental Music: Vincent Anthony Scungio. From Music Club.

Vocal Music: Floyd LaVern Cotton. From Music Club.

Latin: John Reed Cobau. From Lawrence County Bar Association.

Mathematics: Philip Michael Kirol. From Pittsburgh Alumni Association, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

American History: John Reed Cobau. From Daughters of American Revolution.

Problems of Democracy: Nancy Jane Lumley. From B'nai B'rith.

Science: Larry George Slay. From Bausch & Lomb Optical Company, Rochester, N.Y.

FINALE

Piano Solo: "Ballad in G minor," Chopin. Lawrence Joe Haims.

Presentation of Class: Clare B. Book, Principal.

Awarding of Diplomas: Ralph A. Cooper, President, Board of Education.

Recessional: "Festival March." Senior High School Orchestra.

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