Steve Cunningham's Family in Guam

The lives of Steve Cunningham's family were dramatically changed in 1958 and 1959 by an advertisment in a magazine.

A few weeks after answering the ad, Steve's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Cunningham, received a letter from the Guam government granting them the opportunity to teach in Guam, the largest of the mid-Pacific Mariana Islands. The government even paid for transportation because of Guam's great need for teachers.

"I learned to swim in the Pacific Ocean," said Steve. "We made it a point to go swimming every Christmas. The average year-round temperature is 90 degrees.

Steve, his younger brothers Ron and Dennis, and their parents lived for two years in a five-room quonset. It looked like a huge barrel cut in half, with a severely sloping roof and with tent-like doorways. "We used to wake up at night to the sound of our next-door neighbor's goats walking across our roof," recalls Steve.

Steve's mother taught first grade. His father first taught junior high school and then became principal of the school on Anderson Air Force Base. Steve and brother Ron were taught by an Hawaiian teacher.

The tiny 32-mile-long and 10-mile-wide island of Guam was discovered by Magellan during his historic journey around the world and became a Spanish possession. In 1898, the island was ceded to the United States. Except for a period during World War II, the island has remained in the possesion of the United States.

The Cunninghams visited Hong Kong, watched hula dancers in Hawaii, stayed in the Chiang Kai Shek Hotel in Formosa, and saw the rice paddies of Japan.

They also visited the Philippines where they almost lost brother Ron. Their plane was ready to leave as the rest of the Cunninghams frantically searched for Ron. They found him watching pin-ball-machine players, and they reached their airplane just before the steps were rolled away from the plane.

Jane Amos 'Sees' for Blind Poodle Pet

"Up curb, Tina" is a frequent phrase for Senior Jane Amos who gives this bit of information to her miniature toy poodle when they are out walking and come to a curb. Jane's dog Tina is blind.

The six-year-old silver-gray poodle started losing its sight over a year ago but still learns tricks from Jane. They have put on shows for several Scout groups, the South Bend Moose, and recently MHS's Readers' Guild.

Until losing her sight, Tina followed hand signals. She was able to change to voice commands with little trouble according to Jane.

Jane admits that she bought Tina the wrong way; she bought her from an individual rather than a kennel. Jane bought Tina when she was nine months old, another mistake according to Jane. A dog should make the transfer of masters before it is six months old.

Jane used directions from a book to teach the dog some tricks, but stopped using the book when the book instructed, "To teach a dog to back up, step on its toes."

In addition to Tina, Jane has a beagle -- that Jane's grandfather had wanted to put down since the dog was old -- two parakeets, and aquarium fish.

One of the birds rides on Tina's shoulders when it is out of its cage, and both the bird and the dog kiss Jane.

Tammy Reed Establishes Home for Old Junk

Cleaning out basements and attics leaves you with lots of junk. Then, what do you do with the junk? Senior Tammy Reed and her friend from Penn High School, Kathy Newman, confronted this problem in a new way: They opened a junk shop.

Located on McKinley and Fir Road is a fruit stand that has been converted into a junk shop with daisies, footprints, and handprints painted on the walls. One wall is decorated with a bright red eye with blue and green details.

Tammy and Kathy spent a week repairing and painting in order to turn the fruit stand into a shop.

They did most of the work themselves, but their parents helped them haul the junk. They had help nailing orange crates together, and on opening day a boy dressed in some of their merchandise sat on the roof and called to people who passed by.

The junk shop was open for six days and cleared $127. The merchandise included clothes, shoes, toys, books, glassware, jewelry, two bicycles, and an old school desk.

They sold a piece of milkglass for thirty-five cents. As soon as the item was sold, the customer told them that the milkglass was worth $75.

Rain was a problem because the roof leaked, but a bucket solved the problem. The building had no electricity and no water, so when it was too dark to see, the store closed.

Dan Nicolini Tops in Drama; Races Clock for Activities

Senior Dan Nicolini sets a fast pace in his school and spare-time activities.

Music takes up most of Dan's time. Why shouldn't it, considering that he plays the violin, clarinete, guitar, and banjo?

Dan teaches violin and has eight pupils. The money he earns giving music lessons will go toward his college education. However, Dan doesn't plan on a musical career.

Dan captured the lead role in the Junior play "Cheaper by the Dozen," playing the role of Frank Gilbreth. He feels that playing the role of Tom Sawyer in seventh grade as Tom Sawyer, and playing another role in eighth grade, gave him some dramatic background.

Dan enjoys being in plays but doubts if he'll try out for the Senior play because of too many planned extra-curricular activities.

Photography also plays a part in Dan's school and spare-time hours. He became interested in photography during seventh grade when he used a box camera. Dan now develops his own black and white prints, and color prints.

Another of Dan's interests is railroading. Summer of 1967, Dan took a trip to Wisconsin and road in the cab of a steam engine, serving as the fireman, shoveling the coal to fuel the train.

Diane Roberts Dazed, Delighted at Being Homecoming Queen

"It's hard to explain. I was shocked -- I loved it!"

On October 13, a trembling Diane Roberts was crowned Mishawaka's Homecoming Queen. Diane was in such a daze that she didn't hear the music of the A Capella Choir behind her. She had not expected to win.

Ironically, the only other contest she has ever won was at a Halloween party. She was costumed as a witch.

Diane is an individual who likes to be different. She likes to be alone much of the time. Being in front of a group frightens her.

Her greatest peeve is a liar. She looks for sincerity in people and likes people who have a good sense of humor. "I believe a person shouldn't cut others down. Everyone should go after his goals in life and not sit around and wait for something to happen to make the goal come to him."

She also likes to do things on impules.

Diane, a horseback riding enthusiast, hates indoor sports such as ping pong and bowling. She likes red licorice, a fast game of hopscotch, and playing on slides and swings.

Paul Huyvaert Learns and Earns at Children's Hospital

"I enjoy working with children, so when I heard the for volunteers at the hospital, I decided to try it," says Senior Paul Huyvaert, who works with retarded children at Northern Indiana Children's Hospital.

Language barriers were the biggest problems when Paul first began his volunteer work. It took time for the children to understand him, and for Paul to learn to interpret what the children were trying to say.

After a month of volunteer work, Paul was offered a steady job. He now works on Monday, Tuesday, and sometimes on Thursday and Friday. He talks with and plays with the children, and he teaches them. He also bathes and feeds the children and puts them to bed.

Paul offers this advice to anyone considering working with children: "The only way to get a child to respect you is to discipline him. You must set a few boundaries and see to it that the child does not pass the line. It may take a while, but he will soon catch on. You will have a friendly and working relationship. The child will respect you, and you can respect the child."

Kathy Hillaert

As a little girl, Kathy Hillaert told her brother, "I can walk across the porch railing. Watch!" Not only did she walk across the railing, she walked OFF the railing and broke her elbow. She was a promising ballerina until she used her foot for a braking system in her cousin's tricycle wheel spokes, and she boasts of having had six black eyes in 18 years.

And now in her senior year, Kathy hobbles through the crowded MHS halls on one foot as a result of a bad fall at a Talent Show rehearsal. Her severely sprained foot is covered with a walking cast.

Margie Hesch

Margie Hesch has had the reputation of being a tomboy since she was young. After receiving a doll for Christmas one year, Margie hung the unwanted gift on a clothes-line and riddled the doll with B-B's. Then she knifed the remnants of the doll until its stuffings were out. Margie never received another doll.

Debaters (Brady, Nevel, Cosner) Earn 8-4 Record

March 1967: MHS's debate team has an 8-4 invitational-meet record. This year's resolution is "Resolved: That the United States' foreign aid should be limited to non-military aid."

Affirmative debaters are Dan Spross (MHS '67) and Ron Cosner. Negative debaters are Roger Brady and Dave Nevel.

At the Marion High School Invitational, MHS's negative team (Nevel and Brady) placed fifth out of 35 teams. Dave was chosen the best individual debater, and Roger was chosen second best. As a team, Dave and Roger won four ribbons at the Central High School Invitational.

May 1968:
MHS68'ers Discuss Vietnam; Boys 'Would Go If Called'

The lives of many Americans are affected by the war in Vietnam. People most concerned are men over the age of 18, and those who soon will be men over the age of 18.

"The liberty that the people of the United States enjoy has never been handed to any generation on a silver platter," said Dawn Housand about the Vietnam War. "If we can't back our country, then we don't deserve to live in it."

Steve Wiseman says, "If my country is fighting this war when I enlist, I'll be ready to go. The USA must keep its place as a world power."

Keith Cooper says, "If my country calls on me to serve, I will, and to the best of my ability. Although I would like to go into the service, I wouldn't really want to go to Vietnam." Regarding draft card burners, Keith says, "If they are really sincere, I back them all of the way, but many of them use draft card burning to get out of the draft."

"I wouldn't want to die, but if my country says, 'go,' I'd go to do my best," says Will Pooley. Will believes that those who do refuse to fight in the war are very selfish. For Will, selfishness and democratic freedoms just don't mix.

Suhaila Shamsuddin would want her boyfriend, husband, father, or brother to do what he thought was right if he were called to war.

Sue Peterson believes that almost all news reports are the same and is bored with the war because it never seems to be making any progress. Sue says that draft card burners are traitors to all of the ideals of democracy.

"The war is a tiring trial for all of us, but in order to get anywhere near a solution we must stick with it," says Carol Ann Nix. "I do not believe that the war will continue much more than one year. The period of inevitable negotiations, however, will probably last longer than that. I think that peace will come soon after the presidential elections."

Upperclassmen Describe Ideal Cars

by Peggy Huff

The idea that all a good car needs is four wheels and a working engine is out of date. Teens dream of luxury and comfort, with little regard to price.

Ron Thibos believes a '67 Impala, maroon with vinyl top, would fill the bill. "Nothing fancy, but complete with accessories and wood paneling would be nice."

Doris Kronewitter wants a telephone and reclining seats.

Jane Stokes says a "G" Corvette is the ideal car, and Connie Kelly claims the best is a '51 MG-TF.

Pat Hayden's dream car would look like 007's car.

Nancy Carner is practical and says that an ideal car would be one with no serious trouble, such as a leaky radiator or a ruined transmission.

To get anywhere in any kind of weather, Cheri Frazier would choose "something that would go on land, water, or air."

Becky Smith wants a "small, well-padded, sturdy-framed, car-resistant car."

The ultimate in dream cars has to be Tom Grau's wish: a pink Volkswagon with llama-hair interior, television, and a 427 engine, for city driving, of course.

Some Students Make Time For School & Work

Some from the MHS Class of 1968 head for work as soon as they leave school. Here are comments from just a few:

Ron Cosner describes himself as "nervous" and says the thing he finds hardest to adjust to is the fast pace at McDonald's. "During the rush hours, we all get in each others way." Ron mops floors, scoops walks, toasts buns, and cooks fish.

Others who work in area restaurants include Jim Britton and Ron Wise who work at Sandy's on McKinley; and Ronnie Brooks, at Bonanza.

Rude customers and tired feet are the complaints of those working part-time as clerks and cashiers. Pat Hayden works at Hook's Pharmacy and remembers the man who bought one piece of bubble gum and paid with a $20 bill. And Pat remembers being grateful for an understanding boss when she gave a man the wrong pills while filling his prescription; the customer caught the error.

Becky Gevaert works at Max Adler's, a clothing store at Town & Country Shopping Center. She thanks a lady who returned $10 after realizing that Becky had given her too much change. Becky says that women are more difficult to please than men.

Debbie Callsen works at Kresge's and says, "One manager tells you one thing, while another manager tells you just the opposite." She finds one similarity with work and school: employees are not allowed to chew gum. Debbie's patience was heavily tested when an impatient woman customer said, "I could run the register faster than you're doing."

Diana Lawson also works at Kresge's and remembers ruining ten window shades when she started to work in the dry goods department. Her bass' reaction was, "Practice makes perfect." Diana remembers having to clean out the fish tanks with a special dislike.

Terry Crothers and Tom Fry work at the K-Mart grocery store on McKinley.

Kathy Hillaert is an office girl at St. Joseph Hospital. She is considering a nursing career and says, "My job gives me a chance to feel the atmosphere of a hospital and to see the need for nurses."

Tom Zimmerman works as a stock boy at Spartan's. He says, "I enjoy meeting new people, and my job gives me the opportunity to do that."

Tim Kobb works at K-Mart. He took the job to pay for car and school expenses.