As was the case back then, the activities and organizations of the seniors during high school were listed by their graduation pictures. There was a little twist to the 1940 annual, however. In addition to their given name, nicknames were also used to identify the seniors. Since Mrs. Leibel's maiden name was Sandbeck, her nickname was "Becky." Her list of activities during high school was vast and varied, including: Chorus 1,2,3; GAA 1,2,3,4; Homemaking Club 1,2,3,4 (vice president her senior year); Latin Club 2,3,4 (there were 54 members in 1939-40); Dramatic Club 3,4; Orchestra 4 (she was a second violin); Publications Club 4; Declam 3; Junior Play 3; Operetta 1; SSS 4; Broboca Staff 1; Bobcat 4; and Play Production 1.
SSS (Seniors Strive to Serve) was a group of about a dozen senior girls with a goal of "promoting all school activities and to create pep in our school." Since 1940 was a Leap Year, they sponsored a Leap Year dance, which was the "most profitable of all the school dances."
They were naturally at all of the home contests, but also traveled to the football game at Huron, and to the basketball game in Sioux Falls. This was at a time when very few people traveled out-of-town to support their team. In addition, they sponsored the "Christmas Basket," "presented assembly programs," and organized pep meetings.
Other pictures in the annual indicate that the basketball games were played in the Jr. Hi. gym, which would later become Central Elementary. Intramural basketball was played in the high school gym "The Pit." It appears that the football games were played at Bobcat Field at Pioneer Park. There are cars parked near one of the sidelines, whereas State Field had bleachers on both sides.
The Junior Class play that year was "Foot Loose" (sic) (https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/footloose-6803). Could that have been the inspiration for the 1984 movie "Footloose?" There were a number of juniors that year who were parents of students of our era. A trip to the historical section of the Brookings Public Library will reveal those individuals.
In addition to Mrs. Leibel, there were numerous seniors who may be familiar to members of our class. Some of those names are: Art Anderson; Hugh Barnett; Lorraine Berge; Marie Berkland; Eivor Birath; Dennis and Duane Braley; Lorraine Buckley; Mary Connelly; Evelyn Derdall; Phyllis Dokken; Cleo Duff; Tom Durland; Zerl Frie; Olin Gile; James Grommersch; Ruth Harding; Virginia Kjenslee; Floyd Lakeman; J. Walters McCarty; Roger McMillan; Cecilia Moriarty; Phyllis Morrison; Norma Niklason; Jorine Opdahl; Faye Pittenger; Marlys Ponto; Evelyn Rossman; Nina Mae Sanderson; Lyle Seas; Oswald Schock; Calvin Steen; Stafford Steen; Lloyd Sterud; Clarence Sturdevant; George Sundet; Margaret Trygstad; Eugene Waltz; Phyllis Wheeler; and Florence Wilber.
At the visitation and at the funeral, we were able to have some wonderful conversations with Alan and other family members. As a lawyer, Alan is gradually reducing his workload. He and his wife Kay have a "retirement" home where they hope to spend some more time in their golden years.
Alan's older brother Jay is also a lawyer and has practiced in Madison, SD, for many years. During college, Jay worked summers at the Bug Lab north of town, along with a number of other BHS grads.
Kent has remained in Brookings, and has been associated with Central Business Supply, an office supply company that is located in the old Beckman Implement building on third street a couple of blocks west of the courthouse. A few years ago, he bought the O'Connell house on 8th street and rented it out. However, the expansion of SDSU resulted in that house being moved so the area could become a parking lot.
The twins Becky and Kathy were 8th-graders my first year of teaching (1973-4). Becky was in my homeroom, and, with her sister, was as active as middle-schoolers could be. One fond memory is that they were Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-dee when the music department performed "Alice in Wonderland" in the spring of 1974.
The school allowed me to teach long enough so that a few of Alan's nieces and nephews were also in my classes and/or activities. At the visitation, we had some fond memories of those days.
Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to Alan and his family at the loss of his mother. As one of the concluding prayers at her funeral said: "Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her."
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