A copy of the Westboro Wildcat, December 1952

By Beverly Clinkingbeard

The Wildcat was Westboro School’s news magazine. Exactly how many years students worked on the monthly issue (during school year) isn’t remembered, but every now and again, copies of the Wildcat surface and are reread.

A Christmas issue dated December 1952 and another Christmas issue (the staff must have neglected the first essential of a publication–a date and year) gives a peek into the times and school activities. Featured items were the staff members of the Wildcat and they were responsible for the regular articles to appear. In the recent finds were an editorial, coming events and the ball game schedule, a feature article by Carolyn Henn entitled “Why Rudolph has a Red Nose,” Girl’s Sports, Boy’s Sports, and a featured Senior Personality write-up. As Christmas issues, one had letters to Santa, and both had a long want list from every high school student and faculty. Not surprisingly, Don Purtle, Janitor, wished for “Everyone to take off their overshoes without getting mad.”

What’s a news feature without a bit of gossip? Each had speculation of different romantic connections and the possibility of others. The lower grades also had a report as did the newly consolidated country schools: North Star, Eureka and Hazel Grove (generally known as Chicken Bristle). P.T.A. reported and there was assembly news. A joke could fill in needed space, as for instance a three liner was, “A strapless evening gown is one type of hold up that never lacks a witness.”

Production of the Wildcat was made possible by a mimeograph machine. This required the use of a master copy. Whoever typed it had to be very careful of accuracy. (The master copy did not do well with typos.) Once the master copy was deemed good, it was placed on the mimeograph machine’s drum. The drum had a felt cover and was filled with ink. With paper in the feeder and a turn of the handle, production was set in motion, a page at a time. The mimeograph was a staple copy format for years and for those who used it, yes, it could be messy.

A poem written by Gary Teague for the WILDCAT best describes life and times: CHRISTMAS (in verse form – Thanksgiving is gone, And in the past, And now comes Christmas, Here at last. The old folks are busy, With many things to do, The young ones are carefree, Their wants and worries are few. As Santa visits each home, To bring candy and toys, He makes all those happy, That are good girls and boys. Here in our homes on Christmas Eve, We are warm, safe, and secure, We’ve no bullets to worry us, And no hardships to endure. While the boys out on the battlefield, In all Korea’s snow, Are praying for a sudden end, Of the fight that we all know. So may the Lord look down upon us, And hear a Christmas Prayer, So there will be peace on Earth, And good will everywhere.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Signed by Westboro School’s faculty.

’Til next time.