East High in the Snow, 1960
In keeping with the spirit of Christmas, a giant, 12-foot head of Santa Claus stands on East’s front lawn, well-lighted by flood lights and in full view of drivers on Douglas Avenue.
This paper mache replica of “the right jolly old elf” was conceived by the Student Congress finance committee, recently established as the result of a suggestion by The Messenger.
The committee, composed of Myrna Iddings, ’61; Diane Rusch, ’60; Jim Davidson, ’60; Pete Kitch, ’60; and Calvin Ross, ’60, felt that with $1,325 in the Student Congress treasury, they could afford to decorate the school and contribute to Christmas festivities in the city and spread “good will” among the Aces.
Myrna’s garage was the scene of the hammering, pasting, and painting for two and one-half weeks while ‘Ol St. Nick was under construction. Designed by Calvin, the Santa was built by Myrna, Calvin, Mel Urschel, ’60, Judy Seefeld, ’60, and several student congressmen.
Fifty-one pounds of newspaper donated by Jim Davidson, lumber and plywood, heavy chicken wire, 20 pounds of flour for paste, and 10 pint cans of enamel went into making “the edifice.”
Designed to hang on the tower over the main entrance to the main building, Santa Claus found a home on the front lawn thanks to Vernon O. Kirby, vice-principal, but several Board of Education engineers felt that the tower would not support the 275 pounds of “ho, ho, ho.” Instead, Santa was set on a new frame by nine Board of Education workers, using numerous hammers, a bale of wire, and three trucks.
“A vote of thanks from the Student Body goes to John Jarvis, whose woodworking classes built the ‘Merry Christmas’ sign with the Santa Claus; to Tom Dickerson, art instructor, for his many helpful suggestions; and to Mel Urschel, who spent hours of hard work to make the Santa Claus a reality,” stated Calvin. “I think we’ve done something to be proud of, and I hope it becomes a tradition to decorate the school outside as well as in.”
Editors Note: This first appeared in the December 1959 Messenger under the byline of Marilyn Tompkins.
