Since we have featured several Lapel High School classes, Alice Bodenhorn loaned me several LHS yearbooks. (Alice’s deceased husband, Kenny Bodenhorn was a senior in the class of 1951.)

It saves me from using the local library books, because they cannot leave the building, which sometimes involves making copies of certain information.

In 1951, the new high school (now Lapel Elementary School) was opened for the senior class.

Kenny Bodenhorn was a senior, and his father, David Bodenhorn, was president of the trustee and advisory board. Clark Herron, Arthur Busby and Robert Jarrett were the other members of the board.

Column continues after photos.

This writer also learned from David Bodenhorn’s grandson (also named David), that President Bodenhorn was responsible for getting the land the school is presently found on.

In reviewing Kenny’s yearbook, it is interesting to see how many signatures his book holds. Most of his teachers and classmates signed his book. Many took time to comment and wish him a good future. Kenny was also one of the 10 students who made it through all 12 grades at Lapel.

The Class of 1951 consisted of 35 students: Carl Alt, Vivian Barkdull, Iris Barker, Jack Barker, Warren Benzenbauer, Janice Blake, Kenny Bodenhorn, Peggy Carter, Barbara Cook, Donald Crooks, Richard Cunningham, Jeannine DeVoll, Barbara Doan, Harold Eiler, James Fisher, Ted Funk, Dick Haines, Anna Herron, Ethel Howell, Harold Huffman, Neill Huntzinger, Frieda Johnson, Robert Lackey, Carolyn Males, Dick Mills, Donald Mills, Arlene Moore, Mildred Mosley, Martha Murphy, Sarann Newton, Dean Presser, Dorothy Seal, Frances Spencer, Ivalou Stevenson and John Tonyes.
Victor Owens was principal in 1951; Gerald Roudebush was coach and dean of boys, and taught physical education, social studies and commerce. Pauline Thomas was dean of girls and taught English. Jane Wilkinson was the home economics teacher. Opal Hull taught art; Mary Williams taught math and biological science. Evelyn Mousa was the English teacher, plus music and band. Fred O. St. John was the driving instructor and vocational agriculture teacher. Norma Rode taught math, chemistry and physics; Ronald Sheets taught social science and physical education. Loris Creed taught commerce and bookkeeping. Anna Yauck taught commerce and physical education, plus girls athletics and yell leader. Irmadene Garrison taught English and social studies; Winifred Owens taught English and Latin.
The 1951 LHS seniors had a great motto: “Push, pull or get out of the way!”
The senior class play was “Aunt Abby Answers an Ad.” Sarann Newton played Aunt Abby. The operetta was directed by Mrs. Mousa.
The Class of 1951 Student Council consisted of President Jeannine DeVoll, Vice President Dick Mills, Secretary Myrna Millikan and Parliamentarians Mrs. Owens and Miss Garrison.
The May Queen was Ivalou Stevenson. Her senior attendant was Carolyn Males. The junior attendant was Estella Harry. The sophomore attendant was Pat Jackson, and the freshman attendant was Alta Collins.
The Girls Athletic Association president was Sarann Newton; vice president was Virginia Stanford; secretary was Phyllis Hall; treasurer was Sandra Neese; reporter was Arlene Moore; and sponsor was Miss Yauck.
The Future Farmers of America, Lapel Chapter, had 31 members. Its sponsor was Fred O. St. John. Other leaders were James Turner, president; Kenny Bodenhorn, vice president; Phillip Aldred, treasurer; Forrest Stinson, secretary; and Harold Eiler and Wilbur Eiler, reporters.
The varsity basketball team had a very successful season, coached by Gerald Roudebush. The Bulldogs won their first eight games easily. They lost to Sheridan 35-45 but then beat Northwestern, Speedway, Pendleton and Greenfield, before losing to Fairmount in a close game. Lapel then lost to Dunkirk by one basket and finished the season by defeating Jackson Central 74-52.
In the Pendleton Invitational, Lapel beat Markleville 56-43 but lost to Middletown 49-65.
Things looked very good for the team going into the sectional. Lapel knocked off an always tough St. Mary’s team 56-55. Next, it took on Summitville and won easily 55-40.
The Anderson Indians, however, were too much for Lapel, defeating them 86-42.
After reading many of the comments written by others in Kenney Bodenhorn’s yearbook, he had to be a very likeable student. Friends you establish in school through the years can be life-lasting. We should cherish such relationships, which are built during many years of experiences.

Ray Tincher attended Ball State University and retired from Indiana Department of Correction in 1997. He worked at IDOC for 30 years, serving in a variety of roles, from correctional officer to warden. At retirement, he received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award from Gov. Frank O’Bannon. He wrote several training manuals as part of his employment and is a published author: “Inmate #13225 John Herbert Dillinger (2007).” He and his wife, Marilyn, live in Lapel.