History of The Class of 1952

We entered Bridgman High School in the fall of ‘48 with the enrollment of 15 students: Paul Ackerman, Larry Batson, Walter Briney, Marilyn Berndt, LeRoy Germain, Jill Fleming, Betty Hingst, DeDe Murray, Gerry Murray, Joe Sentkeresty, Don Roeder, Don Rennhack, Don Spitzer, Ray Svorec, and Emily Stelter.

The first party we attended was the ”Freshman-Sophomore” party given to us by the Sophomores. We returned the favor later on in the year. Our next party was given to us by the Seniors which included initiation. No one was hurt and all was forgotten in a few weeks. After that we had a hay-ride with Mr. Cutler, our class sponsor at his home in Michiana Shores.

When basketball season came around everyone was enthusiastically rooting for our team. Even some of the freshmen got to play and made some points. The freshman boys were always helping to set up chairs and helping to keep the baseball diamond in shape.

Once again we entered Bridgman High School only this time as Sophomores. All the old faces except Larry Batson’s were back with us. Miss Marilyn Jacobson was our class sponsor.

When the election of cheerleaders came around the Sophs were very proud of Emily and DeDe who were chosen.

Here we are again as Juniors. We lost three more students, the Murray twins and Jill Fleming but gained a new one, Ken Schultz from Chicago. At the semester’s end Don Roeder left.

The Jrs. kept busy all year selling concessions at the games. With most of our class participating in basketball and Emily being a cheerleader, there weren’t many left to work.

When spring rolled around the Jrs. gave the play ”Aunties’ Money.” It was a new experience for all of us.

We were very proud of the Jr. boys for winning the Briney trophy in the class tournaments.

The prom came next. Everyone worked hard on it and had a nice time. We had the annual picnic out at Indian Lake which ended another school year for us.

At last we’re Seniors. We waited a long time to sit next to the windows. Everyone came back this year making our class an even 12 but then Betty Hingst left at the end of the semester to leave 11 to finish out the year.

The Srs. were very busy this year. We gave the Halloween initiation party and were even allowed to have a tunnel. We had a paper and scrap drive and then started to work on the Sr. play called ”Two Weeks’ Vacation,” which was given November 28.

Everyone is looking forward to the Jr.-Sr. prom. The Srs. will have to miss the picnic because of the trip to Washington which we are anxiously waiting to begin.

The memories of our good old days in Bridgman High will always be with us. We wish to say good-bye to all the teachers and underclassmen.

Class Motto

“Nothing Great Is Lightly Won”

Class Colors

Blue and White

Class Flower

White Carnation

The Senior Class of

Bridgman High School Bridgman, Michigan For the Year

Nineteen Hundred and Fifty-Two Does Hereby Solemnly Dedicate THE BRIDGE for 1952 to Larry Batson

To the memory of our beloved schoolmate, Larry Batson, who was a victim of poliomyelitis on August 25, 1949. Remembered for his school spirit and deeply missed by his many friends, we humbly and respectfully dedicate this annual.

Name:    Walter G. Briney

Birthplace:     Benton Harbor

Birth Date:         July 30, 1934

Favorite Saying:   Oh Shoot!

Activities:

Glee. Club 1-2-3-4, Glee Club Officer 3-4, Band 1-2-3-4, Band Officer 3-4, Bee-Line Office 4, Class Officer 1-2-3-4, Annual Office 4, Baseball 1-2-3-4, Basketball 1-2-3-4, Scholarship Award 1-2-3-4, Senior Play 4, Valedictorian 4

Name:   Paul C. Ackerman

Birthplace:  Glendora

Birth Date:              December  7, 1933

Favorite Saying:    What Da!

Activities:

 

Glee Club 1-2, Baseball 1-2-3-4, Baseball 1-2-3-4, Annual Office 4, Class Office 1-2,  Jr. Play 3, Senior Play 4.

Name:   Marilyn J. Berndt

Birthplace:     Benton Harbor

Birth Date:            May  3, 1934

Favorite Saying:         Ouch!

Activities:

Glee Club 1-2-3-4, Jr. Play 3, Sr. Play 4, Librarian 3-4, Bee Line Reporter 1-4, Class Officer 1-2-4, Bee-Line Typist 3-4, Annual Office 4.

Name:   LeRoy A. Germain

Birthplace:     Chicago

Birth Date:            April 16, 1934

Favorite Saying:       

Activities:

 

Glee Club 1-2-3, Bee-Line Printer 3-4, Bee-Line Artist 3-4 Basketball 1-2-3-4, Baseball 1, Class Treasurer 3-4, Annual Artist 4.

Name:             Clifford Wayne Masterson

Birthplace: Kenneth, Missouri

Birth Date:     February 25, 1935

Favorite Saying:  

Activities:     

 

Baseball 3-4, Basketball 3-4, Jr. Play 3, Sr. Play 4, Librarian 4, Annual Officer 4., Bee-Line Typist 4.

Name:   Don L. Rennhack

Birthplace:     Baroda

Birth Date:           April 19, 1934

Favorite Saying:  

Activities:     

 

Glee Club 2, Librarian 4, Bee- Line Reporter 3-4, Head Typist on Bee- Line 4, Class Officer 1, Picture Editor of Annual 4, Baseball 1-2-3-4, Basketball 1-2-3-4, Jr. High Coach 3-4.

Name:       Joseph A. Sentkeresty

Birthplace:         Chicago

Birth Date:              September 6, 1935

Favorite Saying:   Yes Dear!

Activities:

 

Glee Club 1-2-3-4, Band 1-2-3-4, Baseball 1-2-3-4, Basketball 1-2-3-4, Bee-Line Reporter 1-3-4, Jr. Play 3, Sr. Play 4, Librarian 3-4, Bee-Line Office 3-4, Annual Sports Editor 4.

Name:          Raymond A. Svorec

Birthplace:    Bridgman

Birth Date:           July 24, 1934

Favorite Saying:   Holy Cow!

Activities:

Glee Club 1-2-3-4, Glee Club Officer 4, Baseball 1-2-3-4, Basketball 1-2-4, Jr. Play 3, Sr. Play 4, Librarian 4, Annual Office 4.

Name:           Kenneth A. Schultz

Birthplace:     Chicago

Birth Date:            April 9, 1934

Favorite Saying:  

Activities:       

Hall Guard 1-2, Tech. Crew 2, Gymnastics 2, Sr. Play 4, Class Officer 3-4, Glee Club 3-4,

Bee-Line Typist 4, Bee-Line Reporter 4, Business Secretary of Annual 4, Basketball

 

3-4, Poster Maker 4.

Name:      Emily R. Stelter

Birthplace:          Baroda

Birth Date:       August 11, 1933

Favorite Saying:     You’re not funny.

Activities:

 

Glee Club 1-2-3-4, Glee Club Officer 2-3-4, Band 4, Class Officer 1-2-3-4, Scholarship Award 1-2, Bee-Line Reporter 1, Bee-Line Office 3-4, Jr. Play 3, Sr. Play 4, Cheerleader 2-3-4, Annual Office 4

Name:   Donald P. Spitzer

Birthplace:     Benton Harbor

Birth Date:            December 14, 1934

Favorite Saying:         

Activities:

 

Glee Club 1-2-3-4, Glee Club Officer 3-4, Jr. Play 3, Sr. Play 4, Bee-Line Typist 4, Class Officer 1-2-3-4, Annual Editor 4, Salutatorian 4, Scholarship Award 2-3.

Senior Scraps

 

Name

Schools Attended

Favorite Color

Favorite Subject

Favorite Sport

Ambitions

Paul Ackerman

LaSalle

Bridgman

Blue

Mech. Drafting

Baseball

Paratrooper

Marilyn Berndt

Sorter Bridgman

Red

Physiology

Football

To go to college

Walter Briney

Bridgman

Blue

Physics

Basketball

Teacher or Pilot

Leroy Germain

Hubbard

Lutheran

Bridgman

Green

Trigonometry

Swimming

Get into to Air Force

Wayne Masterson

Kenneth, Missouri Dye

Flint

Bridgman

Brown

Green

Typing, Algebra

Baseball

Play for the St. Louis Cardinals

Don Rennhack

California

Bridgman

Red

Math

Basketball

Math Teacher

Ken schultz

Hubbard

Bass Eberhardt

Lindblom

Bridgman

Blue

Shop, Mechanical Drafting

Basketball

Mechanical Engineer or Pilot

Joe Senteresty

Linne

New Troy

Bridgman

Blue

Chemistry, Trigonometry

Baseball

Be a millionaire & own the Chicago Cubs

Don Spitzer

St. Joe Lutheran

Lutheran

Bridgman

Yellow Green

Chemistry

Football, Baseball, Fishing

To be a good Chemist

Emily Stelter

Riverside

Browntown

Lutheran

Bridgman

Aqua

Typing

Basketball

Teacher

Raymond Svorec

Lutheran Bridgman

Blue

Mechanical Drafting

Basketball

Truck Driver

 

Senior Prophecy

  • MARILYN BERNDT has a nice job now as a secretary to the Commander of all the Naval Fleets in the Far East. She also spends most of her spare time cruising around the world with him.

  • EMILY STELTER has quit teaching and is now married to an Olympic champion. They already have seven future Olympic stars and are trying for an even dozen.

  • JOE SENTKERESTY’S ambition is finally realized. He now owns the Chicago Cubs and is worth a million dollars. He spends most of his time in his mansion In Florida figuring out his income tax.

  • The 1960 Summer Olympics will soon be underway and one of the swimmers representing the U.S. is LEROY GERMAIN. To keep in practice he swims the English Channel once a month.

  • RAY SVOREC’S dreams have finally come true. He is the owner of five of the biggest trucking lines in the U.S. On his vacation he is usually at his ranch in Oklahoma.

  • The St. Louis Cardinals have signed up little WAYNE MASTERSON for the sum of $100,000 a year. He is something short-of a sensation. He pitched four no-hit games last year and this year is trying for five.

  • The Minneapolis Lakers have an added attraction in little DON RENNHACK. Don is one of the highest scorers in basketball, and the experts say someday he will take the place of George Mikan.

  • The Air Force seems to be getting all the good men. KEN SCHULTZ has just begun flying a jet and is breaking records every day. Someday he hopes to make a trip to Mars.

  • The great research scientist DON SPITZER is developing a typewriter that doesn’t make mistakes. In his spare time he is trying to develop a bulb that doesn’t burn out.

  • DR. WALTER BRINEY is now head of the tonsil department at the Mayo Clinic. Just recently he set a new world record by removing fifty-seven tonsils in one day.

  • The Air Force is mighty proud of its men and especially of one man right now. He has made 2000 parachute jumps at the altitude of 64,000 feet. PAUL ACKERMAN happens to be his name.

SENIOR

“Two Weeks Vacation” was given November 28, 1951, at the Bridgman High School. It was directed by Mrs. Mary Jo Reck. The members of the cast were:

Warren Wilson———————————————————————-Joe Sentkeresty Frank Keenan——————————————————–—–———–Donald Spitzer Marion Horton—————————————————————————Betty Hingst Carol Hall——————————————————————————Marilyn Berndt Beryl Evans——————————————————————————Emily Stelter Edward Evans—————————————————————————Ken Schultz Pendennis————————————————————————Wayne Masterson

 






PLAY

Last Will and Testament

IWE, THE SENIORS OP 1952, BEING OF SOUND MIND AND BODY, CALL TOGETHER THE UNDERCLASSMEN AND FACULTY TO WITNESS THE READING OP OUR LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT. WE HOPE THAT YOU USE THEM AS APPROPRIATELY AS THE SENIORS OF THIS YEAR.

Paul Ackerman wills his fan mail and admires to Roger Valerius.

Marilyn Berndt wills her letters from sailors to Marion Nemms.

Walt Briney wills his ability to run the 100 yard dash in three hours to David Fister.

LeRoy Germain wills his ability to sleep anytime and anyplace to Carol Sandgren.

Wayne Masterson wills his way of pushing the Freshmen around to Buster Jasper.

Don Rennhack wills his “Rotation of Girls” power to Tim Hopkins.

Ken Schultz wills his ability to jump to Gee Petruske.

Joe Sentkeresty wills his ability to make a blond Freshman girl’s heart throb to Charles Hadley.

Don Spitzer wills his three Sophomore girls to Terry Graves.

Emily Stelter wills her ability to get boys stuck in her driveway to Maret Anilane.

Ray Svorec wills his hook shot to Ronny Batson.

Mr. Briney ―To you we will a $500,000 increase in salary.

Mrs. Reck―To you we will twelve more daughters and twelve sons.

Mr. Johnston―To you we will some cotton for your ears during glee club next year.

Mrs. Williams―To you we will a boys’ sewing class.

Mr. Tirrell―To you we will another perfect mechanical drawing class.

Mr. Prediger―To you we will another state championship and a baseball trophy.

Mr. Johnson―To you we will clean and spotless classrooms after every class meeting.

 

SIGNED THIS TWENTIETH DAY OF MAY, 1952 IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, COUNTY OF BERRIEN, CITY OF BRIDGMAN

   ―Senior Class