Wessington (SD) High School - 1939

This is Vera Henninger Daugherty...stepsister of my grandfather, Fred Irvin Daugherty.

I found this booklet among Mom and Dad's belongings when we cleaned their house to sell. It's bright orange with a well-drawn cartoon on the front announcing, "Congenial, Colorful Class of '39 Convergest." It was put together for a 50 year class reunion, in June of 1989. Mother, Helen Irene Daugherty Hostvet, was a member of this class. Other family members belonging were Mildred Moller Eikstadt, Vera Henninger Garner, and Luverne Marvel. Of the first and last person mentioned, I'm not sure how they fit into our family. Both Moller and Marvel are Wilson family names. Vera's mother, Emma, after Vera's father had died, married Mom's grandfather George Daugherty. It looks like Vera moved to California, Luverne to Huron, and Mildred to Wolsey. Some interesting tidbits...

"There are no fees or charges for books or course taken except in Typewriting. Twenty five cents per month is charged. Those who stay in the dormitory will be charged $1.75 per week. This must be paid in advance. Pupils driving in from the country and wanting to eat their noon meal at the dining hall will be charged 12 cents per meal. Coach Shanholtz is in town and wants to meet any boys that are interested in athletics as soon as possibible.

School opened in the Wessington Independent District with all teachers at their posts and a good attendance of pupils. In the lower grades there are a total of 112. The high school enrollment is a record breaker, 138 having registered up to the third day. There is a record enrollment in typing this year. It has been necessary to add three new machines, making 15 typewriters in all and they are in use all day.

The seniors have chosen their announcements and cards and have made arrangements for getting them by Dec. first. Arrangements have been made for sending for senior class rigns.

Typing I students are working on budgets for the week and are making telegrams. The honor students are...Thelma Gould (another of Mom's cousins). Mr. Davis is taking the Boy's General Science class to Huron Thursday. There are some new members beginning in band. Clarinets - Leroy McGirr, Gerald McGirr, Thomas Henninger (more family). The typing I Honor Roll...Doris Deaver (a first cousin).

The Highmore-Wessington football game was postponed last Friday afternoon because of a severe dust storm that struck this community. The game was to be played Nov. 2, but the heavy snowfall made this impossible.

The warrant indebtedness of the school is about $5000. This large indebtedness is due primarily to the loss of funds in closed anks. The remainder of it is due to delinquent taxes.

Freshman president is Elizabeth DeHaven (a first cousin of Mom's).

Among the band members in 1937 are Elizabeth DeHaven, Gerald McGirr, LeRoy McGirr, Laverne Gohring...more family members. Those that received awards in Typing from the Gregg Co. in Chicago are: Francis Fernholz, Helen Daugherty,...." In 1938, the sophonmore president was Clarence McGirr (Mom's cousin). Vera Henninger is the Feature Editor of The News Staff.The Student Council is represented by Clarence McGirr and Elizabeth DeHaven, among others. At the annual FFA banquest, Cousin Genevieve DeHaven played in the clarinet quartet. The Creed of FFA was said by Clarence McGirr.

In 1939 the members of the band are...Genevieve DeHaven...LeRoy McGirr, Gerald McGirr, Vera Henninger, Helen Daugherty, Elizabeth DeHaven, Glenn Deaver.

Headlines of May, 1939..."The government for the first time puts into effect a food stamp plan to aid the poor in Rochester, N.Y. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visit the US on a good will trip. Champions: Green Bay Packers in Sports News. Song: Over the Rainbow, Movie, Gone with the wind, Actres Vivent Leigh. Politics: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dem. VC, John Garner.