Ilion High School - Class of 1954

Herkimer Evening Telegram - March 11, 1954

Girls Awarded Top Honors For Ilion Graduating Class

Article 1

Photo caption
HONOR STUDENTS - Ruth McKelvle, right, will be Ilion High School valedictorian and Sylvia Leistyna, left, salutatorian, for the Class of 1954. Their designation was announced today by Acting Principal Richard Everhart

ILION - Richard Everhart, acting principal at Ilion High School, today announced that girls will head the graduating class this year with Ruth McKelvie valedictorian, with an average of 95.33, and Sylvia Leistyna salutatorian, with an average of 94.59.

Ruth is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles McKelvie, 28 Vosburgh St., and Sylvia is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Leistyna, 242 Second St.

The girls both took part in the Senior play; Ruth was editor in chief of the Quill and Sylvia managing editor; both were on the Mirror staff; in the choir; in the 11 Belles of the school; in the Senior National Honor Society and attended the Herald Tribune Youth Forum. Ruth was awarded the DAR Good Citizenship honor and Sylvia attended New York Girl’s State. Both were entered in several music festivals.

Heads Triangle

Sylvia is Queen of Marigold Triangle, was a member of the Junior Honor Society, received the Bausche and Lomb Science award; a member of the Debate Club; the Library Club; the Historical Club and took part in intramural sports. She hopes to go to the University of Rochester where she will major in biology preparing to teach.

Ruth is a trombonist in the All State Band; piano accompanist to Freshman Choir and the Orpheus Club; a member of the high school band for four years; of the orchestra for four years; Library Club; Historical Club; Future Teachers of America; County Band and look part in intramural sports events. She plans to go to Houghton College and major in music.

Other Honor Students

Others in the top-ten of the class are Edna Nelson, 94.23; Pat Sponburgh, 93.67; John Getman, 91.70; Younger Power, 91.37; Robert Loomis, 90.41; Ann Corwin, 88.50; Larry Bortel, 88.44; Sally Carter, 88.05. Everhart said it is unusual to have a class where the top ten include so many with averages above the 90 mark for the four year high school course. Graduation activities in June will open with the baccalaureate sermon on June 27 and graduation exercises on June 29. Total number of graduates will depend on the outcome of regents examinations held June 18 through 24.