| Cruisin' the Past |
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| Cruisin’ the Past by Ed Dooley |
The Social Side of School
Life at Catalina High School was never all work and study. True, getting an
education and preparing for the future was our main purpose, but high school was
much more than just learning the three R’s and preparing ourselves for college or
careers. If someone challenged this outlook, we could always confound them with
erudition by citing the Greek historian Herodotus who said, “If a man insisted always
on being serious and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go
mad or become unstable without knowing it.” Or, in other words, “All work and no
play makes Jack a dull boy.” (And that applies to Jill as well.)
There were plenty of school-sponsored social diversions to keep us from becoming
“unstable without knowing it,” not to mention CHS’s extensive sports program,
special interest clubs, and adventures we had after school, all of which I will take up
in later articles. Perhaps the term social “diversion” is inappropriate because these
activities actually served a vital role in the difficult years of our middle adolescence:
they contributed significantly to the development of a healthy sense of self and to our
social development. Modern sociologists would say that when high school “works,” it
forms bonds and buffers the fear of isolation characteristic of adolescence. For
most of us, Catalina High School succeeded magnificently in this respect. Few
schools today can offer such a rich variety of social opportunities because of
dangers unimaginable to us 50 years ago and the steady reduction of school
budgets.
Our school calendar was filled with social activities ranging from mixers to proms.
Typically, the social season began in September with a school mixer sponsored by
Girls’ League, an event that began as an opportunity for freshmen to get acquainted,
but which quickly evolved into something that included all students. At the mixer held
at the beginning of our senior year, there were presentations by the Dardanaires,
CHS’s own talented dance group, an introduction of the football team, cheers led by
the cheerleaders and the songleaders, and a dance. As the name implies, a “mixer”
included much more than dancing. A “hop” was an informal dance, sometimes
called a “sock hop” if it was held on the basketball court and not in the cafeteria, with
music supplied by records. A “prom” was a formal dance with music by a live band.
Unlike recent times, there were no “concerts” where students just sat and listened to
(usually very loud) music.
The beginning of the year, of course, saw the start of football season, and these
games brought the student body together as no other sporting events did. Turnout
for the games was impressive, as was the display of school spirit. For example,
there were weekly pep assemblies and a special day called “Blue and White Day”
on which everyone was asked to wear the school colors. The Student Federation
arranged for the sale of blue and white derbies, ribbons imprinted with “Go Trojans
Go,” pom-poms, and bumper stickers.
October featured the annual Letterman’s Dance, held after the CHS-Tucson High
game, and a Halloween Hop sponsored by the Boboquivari Hi-Y Club (sometime
before this club morphed into the “Fun Club.”) Although not a CHS event, Senior
Day at the University of Arizona was a big draw for students who were thinking of
attending the UofA in the fall. One part of the festivities was a contest at the
university to select a “Senior Day Queen,” to which we enthusiastically sent our
candidate, Senior Day Princess Nina Stigers.
The big event in November was the Senior Prom. The theme of our prom was
“Calle de los Suenos,” and the decorations included a floor-to-ceiling reproduction
of the outer wall of a bull fighting ring and a row of small shops and cantinas, which,
to some, was a little too reminiscent of the flea market area in Nogales. Music was
provided by Wayne Webb’s band. Nor was “after-prom” left to chance, as a movie
was shown at the Fox Theater and “dancing to stereophonic music” was offered at
the Skyroom from 3 to 6 a.m.
Life at Catalina High School was never all work and study. True, getting an
education and preparing for the future was our main purpose, but high school was
much more than just learning the three R’s and preparing ourselves for college or
careers. If someone challenged this outlook, we could always confound them with
erudition by citing the Greek historian Herodotus who said, “If a man insisted always
on being serious and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go
mad or become unstable without knowing it.” Or, in other words, “All work and no
play makes Jack a dull boy.” (And that applies to Jill as well.)
There were plenty of school-sponsored social diversions to keep us from becoming
“unstable without knowing it,” not to mention CHS’s extensive sports program,
special interest clubs, and adventures we had after school, all of which I will take up
in later articles. Perhaps the term social “diversion” is inappropriate because these
activities actually served a vital role in the difficult years of our middle adolescence:
they contributed significantly to the development of a healthy sense of self and to our
social development. Modern sociologists would say that when high school “works,” it
forms bonds and buffers the fear of isolation characteristic of adolescence. For
most of us, Catalina High School succeeded magnificently in this respect. Few
schools today can offer such a rich variety of social opportunities because of
dangers unimaginable to us 50 years ago and the steady reduction of school
budgets.
Our school calendar was filled with social activities ranging from mixers to proms.
Typically, the social season began in September with a school mixer sponsored by
Girls’ League, an event that began as an opportunity for freshmen to get acquainted,
but which quickly evolved into something that included all students. At the mixer held
at the beginning of our senior year, there were presentations by the Dardanaires,
CHS’s own talented dance group, an introduction of the football team, cheers led by
the cheerleaders and the songleaders, and a dance. As the name implies, a “mixer”
included much more than dancing. A “hop” was an informal dance, sometimes
called a “sock hop” if it was held on the basketball court and not in the cafeteria, with
music supplied by records. A “prom” was a formal dance with music by a live band.
Unlike recent times, there were no “concerts” where students just sat and listened to
(usually very loud) music.
The beginning of the year, of course, saw the start of football season, and these
games brought the student body together as no other sporting events did. Turnout
for the games was impressive, as was the display of school spirit. For example,
there were weekly pep assemblies and a special day called “Blue and White Day”
on which everyone was asked to wear the school colors. The Student Federation
arranged for the sale of blue and white derbies, ribbons imprinted with “Go Trojans
Go,” pom-poms, and bumper stickers.
October featured the annual Letterman’s Dance, held after the CHS-Tucson High
game, and a Halloween Hop sponsored by the Boboquivari Hi-Y Club (sometime
before this club morphed into the “Fun Club.”) Although not a CHS event, Senior
Day at the University of Arizona was a big draw for students who were thinking of
attending the UofA in the fall. One part of the festivities was a contest at the
university to select a “Senior Day Queen,” to which we enthusiastically sent our
candidate, Senior Day Princess Nina Stigers.
The big event in November was the Senior Prom. The theme of our prom was
“Calle de los Suenos,” and the decorations included a floor-to-ceiling reproduction
of the outer wall of a bull fighting ring and a row of small shops and cantinas, which,
to some, was a little too reminiscent of the flea market area in Nogales. Music was
provided by Wayne Webb’s band. Nor was “after-prom” left to chance, as a movie
was shown at the Fox Theater and “dancing to stereophonic music” was offered at
the Skyroom from 3 to 6 a.m.
The Torch Ball, a major social event of
the school year sponsored by the
Torch staff, was held in December.
The annual event, which in 1959 had a
Roman theme, included not only a
semi-formal dance, but the crowning of
a Torch King, Jim Nichols, and a Torch
Queen, Diane Jeffries. The Ball was
held in the CHS cafeteria, and music
was provided by LP’s, “Good L.-P.’s,
not just everyday old ones,” promised
the general chairman. This event, and
the annual Christmas program that
featured the CHS choir and the
Dardanaires, were held just before the
beginning of Christmas vacation.
the school year sponsored by the
Torch staff, was held in December.
The annual event, which in 1959 had a
Roman theme, included not only a
semi-formal dance, but the crowning of
a Torch King, Jim Nichols, and a Torch
Queen, Diane Jeffries. The Ball was
held in the CHS cafeteria, and music
was provided by LP’s, “Good L.-P.’s,
not just everyday old ones,” promised
the general chairman. This event, and
the annual Christmas program that
featured the CHS choir and the
Dardanaires, were held just before the
beginning of Christmas vacation.
A very popular feature of March was Dear Season (a.k.
a. Dear Week but, for some unknown reason, not Deer
Season or Deer Week). The week was also known as
Courtesy Week, during which girls had to carry boys’
books, open doors, pay fares, arrange all dates,
provide transportation or pay for gas [editors note: it
was about 25 cents a gallon back then], and telephone
the boys. Monday was officially titled Huntresses’ Day,
on which girls wishing to “tag a buck” had to wear red,
otherwise the boy could refuse the tag. A student-
faculty basketball game and a fashion show were held
on Tuesday. On Wednesday, activities included
Bermuda Day and a Leap Year Social. The rules were
quite clear: “Bermuda shorts, not Capri pants, pedal
pushers, short-shorts, or beach combers, are to be
a. Dear Week but, for some unknown reason, not Deer
Season or Deer Week). The week was also known as
Courtesy Week, during which girls had to carry boys’
books, open doors, pay fares, arrange all dates,
provide transportation or pay for gas [editors note: it
was about 25 cents a gallon back then], and telephone
the boys. Monday was officially titled Huntresses’ Day,
on which girls wishing to “tag a buck” had to wear red,
otherwise the boy could refuse the tag. A student-
faculty basketball game and a fashion show were held
on Tuesday. On Wednesday, activities included
Bermuda Day and a Leap Year Social. The rules were
quite clear: “Bermuda shorts, not Capri pants, pedal
pushers, short-shorts, or beach combers, are to be
The new year, 1960, started with the annual sophomore class informal dance, this
year titled “Ebb Tide.” Here, too, it was announced that music would be provided by
“records and LP albums.” But it was February that really caught our attention. That
is the month of the annual Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson, and at CHS it was the
time of rodeo week, during which girls were allowed to wear jeans and other
western attire to school (the only time this was allowed), and the Junior Class
sponsored a rodeo dance, this year called the “Lulubelles.” Decorations – for no
dance at CHS could be held without a theme and decorations – featured an old
fashioned saloon. The main event of the dance was the crowning of the Rodeo
Queen, elected by the student body in homeroom elections. An article in The
Trumpeteer explained that “The top five [semi-finalists] were selected on the basis
of personality, poise, and general attractiveness.” (Only in the 1950s!) This year our
Rodeo Queen was Jane Flickinger. Several weeks before the dance, it was
announced that “Girls are to wear squaw dresses or such, and boys are to wear
Levis or western clothes. The queen and her court will ride in a horse-drawn wagon
[in the Tucson Rodeo Parade] and will wear squaw dresses…” Unfortunately,
something happened to the horse-drawn wagon and our queen and her court had to
walk the parade route. Happily, in her Rodeo Queen photo in the 1960 Torch, Jane
is wearing not a squaw dress but a nifty western shirt and western hat.
year titled “Ebb Tide.” Here, too, it was announced that music would be provided by
“records and LP albums.” But it was February that really caught our attention. That
is the month of the annual Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson, and at CHS it was the
time of rodeo week, during which girls were allowed to wear jeans and other
western attire to school (the only time this was allowed), and the Junior Class
sponsored a rodeo dance, this year called the “Lulubelles.” Decorations – for no
dance at CHS could be held without a theme and decorations – featured an old
fashioned saloon. The main event of the dance was the crowning of the Rodeo
Queen, elected by the student body in homeroom elections. An article in The
Trumpeteer explained that “The top five [semi-finalists] were selected on the basis
of personality, poise, and general attractiveness.” (Only in the 1950s!) This year our
Rodeo Queen was Jane Flickinger. Several weeks before the dance, it was
announced that “Girls are to wear squaw dresses or such, and boys are to wear
Levis or western clothes. The queen and her court will ride in a horse-drawn wagon
[in the Tucson Rodeo Parade] and will wear squaw dresses…” Unfortunately,
something happened to the horse-drawn wagon and our queen and her court had to
walk the parade route. Happily, in her Rodeo Queen photo in the 1960 Torch, Jane
is wearing not a squaw dress but a nifty western shirt and western hat.
worn. They must reach the knees and the KCC (Knee Checker Committee) will
check to see that Bermudas comply with the rules. A one cent fine will be
imposed on each under-inch.” For the Leap-Year Social, boys were to pack and
decorate box lunches. Thursday, St. Patrick’s Day, required the wearing of the
green, and prizes were awarded for the most original costumes. Doe’s Drag, a
Friday evening dance, was the climax of Dear Week and included, as did so
many other events at CHS, the crowning of someone. In this case the honoree --
the Dear of the Year -- was Warren Phelan, the freshman candidate.
At CHS, any reason was a good reason for a party. Thus, in April, the class held a
Kick-Off Party for auditions for the annual Senior Capers and added a dance
party during intermission. For the most part, the Capers featured satires of
motion pictures, television programs, classes, comic strips, and politics and
current events. Once again, the rules were clear: “Capri pants and short shorts
will naturally not be accepted,” stated the Capers boss.
Winding up the social season was the annual Junior-Senior Prom and the Trump
Revue, held in April. Among other fascinating offerings for the Revue were talent
performances, a feature film from the studios of Lone Star Productions (Bill
Moore, Ed Dooley, Gerry LaBelle, and others), and “a special movie, by Ken
Mayer, capturing authentic CHS scenes such as bomb scares and pizza eating.”
Yes, there were bomb scares at CHS in the 1950s!
A new event in 1960, something our class created, was “Senior Week.” Only
seniors were allowed to use the front door of the school on “Front Door Day”;
seniors modeled clothing on Monday “for the purpose of promoting a dress right
campaign”; seniors wore different types of foreign dress on Tuesday; music for
dancing was supplied at lunchtime; and a party was held for seniors and their
dates on Friday night. Once again, the rules: “Dress will be informal and Bermuda
shorts, dresses, or Levis will be appropriate.”
All that was left was the Annual Signing Party and graduation for seniors, and then
the year was over. If you put together all of the social events catalogued above
and add classes, homework, athletic contests, club meetings, assemblies,
lunches in the cafeteria, and any number of other school-related activities, it
doesn’t seem, at this distance, that there could have been any unused time in the
week. And yet, somehow we did all that and much, much more. Looking at the
photos in the 1960 Torch, the general impression is of hard working, focused,
dedicated, determined, and serious young people. Here’s a secret: most of us
were also having a good time.
check to see that Bermudas comply with the rules. A one cent fine will be
imposed on each under-inch.” For the Leap-Year Social, boys were to pack and
decorate box lunches. Thursday, St. Patrick’s Day, required the wearing of the
green, and prizes were awarded for the most original costumes. Doe’s Drag, a
Friday evening dance, was the climax of Dear Week and included, as did so
many other events at CHS, the crowning of someone. In this case the honoree --
the Dear of the Year -- was Warren Phelan, the freshman candidate.
At CHS, any reason was a good reason for a party. Thus, in April, the class held a
Kick-Off Party for auditions for the annual Senior Capers and added a dance
party during intermission. For the most part, the Capers featured satires of
motion pictures, television programs, classes, comic strips, and politics and
current events. Once again, the rules were clear: “Capri pants and short shorts
will naturally not be accepted,” stated the Capers boss.
Winding up the social season was the annual Junior-Senior Prom and the Trump
Revue, held in April. Among other fascinating offerings for the Revue were talent
performances, a feature film from the studios of Lone Star Productions (Bill
Moore, Ed Dooley, Gerry LaBelle, and others), and “a special movie, by Ken
Mayer, capturing authentic CHS scenes such as bomb scares and pizza eating.”
Yes, there were bomb scares at CHS in the 1950s!
A new event in 1960, something our class created, was “Senior Week.” Only
seniors were allowed to use the front door of the school on “Front Door Day”;
seniors modeled clothing on Monday “for the purpose of promoting a dress right
campaign”; seniors wore different types of foreign dress on Tuesday; music for
dancing was supplied at lunchtime; and a party was held for seniors and their
dates on Friday night. Once again, the rules: “Dress will be informal and Bermuda
shorts, dresses, or Levis will be appropriate.”
All that was left was the Annual Signing Party and graduation for seniors, and then
the year was over. If you put together all of the social events catalogued above
and add classes, homework, athletic contests, club meetings, assemblies,
lunches in the cafeteria, and any number of other school-related activities, it
doesn’t seem, at this distance, that there could have been any unused time in the
week. And yet, somehow we did all that and much, much more. Looking at the
photos in the 1960 Torch, the general impression is of hard working, focused,
dedicated, determined, and serious young people. Here’s a secret: most of us
were also having a good time.