Graduation Day at Howe High School--1948

      315 seniors from Thomas Carr Howe High School gathered on the evening of May 28, 1948, for their graduation ceremony. There had been a threat of rain, but the weather cooperated so Principal Charles M. Sharp announced that the ceremony would be held outside. Family members jockeyed for seats as nervous graduates waited along the stairs for the rite to begin.

      Howe High School had been open for ten years so the evening also served as a milestone for the institution. In 1938, 435 students had been enrolled and were taught by only 13 teachers. By 1948, there were 1,350 students with 60 teachers. Principal Sharp and Vice Principal Clarence R. Clayton had been with the school since the beginning as were thirteen teachers and two custodians. Miss Alice Hankins, an English teacher, had assigned her students to write essays dedicated to the history of the school. The Men's 400 club, a parent organization, successfully raised enough money in 1948 to field and support the school's first baseball team. Mr. Wayne Mellot's journalism students had been corresponding with teens at a school in Stokes-on Trent, England. Mr. Mellot had been a GI and stationed in that area.  On May 18, 1948, James Baker, who had been selected as "Philosopher of the Tower," crowned Julia Ann Moore as the "Violet Queen." The elaborate ceremony began that evening with trumpets pealing while the queen and her court walked atop a hill. Then, the choir under the direction of Mr. Frank S. Watkins, performed. The "Philosopher" James Baker then read a history of the school. Another choir under the direction of Darrell H. Gooch then sang. The crowd paused to remember the nine former Howe students who died in World War II. Following that somber moment, P.E. teachers, Jean Westphal and Barbara May led their students out to dance. The evening concluded with Principal Sharp turning the clock forward ten years. 

     On Friday evening, May 28, 1948, Oscar and Mary King Halcomb found their seats to watch their daughter, Phyllis, accept her diploma. One of them brought a camera and snapped some candid shots of the ceremony. Before the event, Phyllis and her close friends gathered along the stairs to document the night. A chapter in their lives was about to close. It was an exciting time for all of the young women as they were on the cusp of their adult lives. 

On the evening of May 28, 1948, these best friends gathered one more time before their graduation ceremony at Howe High School. (Top Row: Diane Scott, Phyllis Halcomb, Phyllis Leffler, Carol Schneider; Middle Row: Jean Shaffer, Mary Joslin, Carol Arnholter; Bottom Row: Winona Locklear, Pat Clause, Gladys Ferguson (photo courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas)

Phyllis Halcomb, the daughter of Oscar and Mary King Halcomb, walked down the stairs in front of Howe High School on Mary 28, 1948, before her graduation ceremony. (photo courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas) 

Oscar or Mary King Halcomb snapped this image of the graduation ceremony at Howe High School on the evening of May 28, 1948. There had been a prediction of rain, but the evening turned out to be beautiful. (photo courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas)

Seniors and soon-to-be-graduates paraded into the a seating area in front of Howe High School on the evening of May 28, 1948. (photo courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas)

Although Howe High School celebrated ten years as an institution in 1948, this was only the eighth graduating class as juniors and seniors attended other schools in 1938. (document courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas)

Page two of the commencement pamphlet for the class of 1948, Howe High School (document courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas)

Page three of the commencement pamphlet for the class of 1948 from Howe High School with a listing of most of the graduates (document courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas)

Page four of the commencement pamphlet for the class of 1948 from Howe High School (document courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas) 

Postscript: Upon graduating from Howe High School in 1948, Phyllis Halcomb took a job with L.S. Ayres Department Store both as a model and a buyer. In this image, likely snapped in 1951, Phyllis (left) lunched with her friend Ginger Harley at Monument Circle. A soldier walked up the steps behind them. If you look closely, you will notice that Phyllis is wearing a pearl necklace. She received this cherished gift from her parents upon her graduation from Howe High School in 1948. She possessed that necklace for the rest of her life. (photo courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas) 

     I would like to thank Mary Lee Pappas for the use of her family photographs and for her stories. I would also like to thank Deedee Davis. 

Sources: Howe High School ten-year anniversary--"Youngest High School has Grown," Indianapolis Star, February 1, 1948, 76; Baseball team--"Howe High School to Field Baseball Team," Indianapolis Star, February 12, 1948; Journalism project--"Howe Journalists Turn Correspondents to Improve US-British Understanding," Indianapolis Star, May 10, 1948, 15; Violet Queen--"Howe Violet Queen to Reign at Pageant Tuesday Night," Indianapolis Star, May 16, 1948, 18; Interviews with Mary Lee Pappas, March 18 and 21, 2022.     

Parties Along Both Spencer Avenue and Audubon Road in 1947

      Howe High School student, Phyllis Halcomb, cultivated many friendships during her tenure in the school from the mid to late-1940s. In fact, she remained life-long friends with most of her girlfriends. After the young women graduated from high school, one-by-one they married and started their families. They attended each other's weddings and other joyful events. Phyllis would be the last of the group to marry. They are all gone now, but Phyllis, like many teenagers of her day, kept a scrapbook of her youth. The photos chronicle a brief moment in time. World War II had just ended. Some of the young women in the photos welcomed their brothers and cousins back home. The Korean War was still three years ahead and would affect another era of their lives. 

Jean Shaffer Hosts a Slumber Party at 135 South Spencer Avenue

     Sometime in the summer of 1947, Jean Shaffer invited several of her girlfriends over to her house for a slumber party.  All of young women attended Howe High School and belonged the D.M.O sub-deb sorority. Most of the teens lived in Irvington or at least on the east side of Indianapolis. The young women posed for photos and one could imagine the laughter that could be heard all along Spencer Avenue.

     Jean Shaffer was the daughter of Lawrence and Eleene Shaffer of 135 South Spencer Avenue. Mr. Shaffer earned his living as a linotype operator for both the Indianapolis Star and Times. The Shaffers moved into the small cottage in 1928 along with their son, Lawrence and daughter Jean. They were active members of the Downey Avenue Christian Church. Jean would later marry John Eugene Edwards in the church in 1951. At Howe, Jean was chosen as queen of the Sweetheart Dance. 

     We can only speculate on the topics discussed at the party. If the gathering was in June, then the ladies might have been talking about various films playing at east side cinemas. The Irving featured "Albuquerque" with Randolph Scott, who starred in several other films that year. At the Emerson on East 10th Street they could have seen "Frontier Marshall" also starring Randolph Scott. At the Tuxedo located at 4020 East New York Street, they could watch second-run or older films like "Robin Hood" starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. Another older film, "Good Girls Go to Paris" played at the Tacoma located at 2442 East Washington Street. Perhaps they spoke of their favorite swing bands. Boys were likely a subject as were dreams of the future. Some planned to attend college. Some planned to marry right away. Some, like Phyllis Halcomb, wanted a career. 

Jean Shaffer, stood on the porch of her home at 135 South Spencer Avenue in 1947. It was a fun day as she was hosting a slumber party for her friends from Howe High School. On the top step sat Pat Clause and Marilyn Doherty. On the middle step sat Phyllis Halcomb while Mariana Fullen and Margie Joslin sat on the bottom step. (photo courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas)

Carol Schneider posed on the front porch of the Shaffer home at 135 South Spencer Avenue in 1947. (photo courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas)

One by one, each of the slumber party guests posed individually in 1947 on the front porch of the Shaffer home at 135 South Spencer Avenue. In this photo, it was Gladys Ferguson's turn. (photo courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas)

Phyllis Leffler (Howe letter sweater), Pat Clause, and Marilyn Doherty stood along the front walk of the Shaffer home at 135 South Spencer Avenue in 1947. Above the three teens, four other young women, including Phyllis Halcomb, Mariana Fullen, Margie Joslin, and Jean Shaffer awaited their turn for more photos. (photo courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas)

Gladys Ferguson and Carol Arnholter smile for the photographer at the Shaffer home at135 South Spencer Avenue in 1947. Miss Arnholter lived one block away and was best friends with Jean Shaffer. She later served as her maid of honor in 1951. (photo courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas) 

Nine Howe High School teens gathered at the home of Jean Shaffer at 135 South Spencer Avenue for a slumber party in 1947. Pictured: Top row--Phyllis Leffler, Margie Joslin, Mariana Fullen; Middle Row--Phyllis Halcomb, Carol Arnholter, Carol Schneider; Bottom Row--Pat Clause, Gladys Ferguson, Marilyn Doherty. Jean Shaffer must have taken the photograph! (photo courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas)

135 South Spencer Avenue in the early spring of 2022

Friends Gather at Carol Arnholter's Home at 47 South Spencer Avenue

     Harold and Ethelwyne Arnholter purchased the beautiful American Four Square on the northeast corner of Spencer and Julian Avenues in 1932. Despite the Great Depression, Mr. Arnholter managed to keep his job as a salesman at the Upjohn Pharmacy Company. Both Mr. and Mrs. Arnholter were highly educated with Mrs. Arnholter eventually earning a Ph.D. in psychology from Purdue University. They raised their three children, Richard, Albert, and Carol at 47 South Spencer Avenue just one block away from the Shaffers. Young Carol frequently hosted meetings and gatherings at her home. The previous year in 1946, she helped to plan the "Truth or Consequence" dance at the Pleasant Run Golf house and called it the "Jive Hive." Reid Chapman served as the master of ceremonies while Ed Hall and his band played through the evening. The Arnoholters lived in the two-story home for over twenty years, moving out in 1954.

Gladys Ferguson, who lived at 5201 East Burgess Avenue posed on the front porch belonging to the Arnholter family at 47 South Spencer Avenue in 1947. (photo courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas)

Jean Shaffer, who lived just a block away at 135 South Spencer Avenue stood on the front porch at 47 South Spencer Avenue in 1947. Jean was a good friend to Carol Arnholter. (photo courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas) 

Mariana Fullen of 126 Berry Avenue posed on the front porch of the Arnholter residence at 47 South Spencer Avenue in 1947. (photo courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas)

47 South Spencer Avenue in the early spring of 2022

D.M.O. Sub-Deb Initiation at the home of Carol Schneider at 1003 North Audubon Road

     Eleven young women from Howe High School gathered on a chilly day in 1947 at the home of Carol Schneider. The purpose of the visit was to initiate some of the younger teens into the D.M.O., a "sub-deb" that functioned like a sorority. There were several such groups for young women and men who attended the high school although they were exclusive. The young women contracted Tower Studio in Irvington and posed for a formal photograph next to the Schneider fireplace with informal shots taken outside. 

     The brick residence was a beautiful place to hold the ceremony. Carol and her sister Ellen were the daughters of Ralph and Letha Schneider. Like Mr. Arnholter, Mr. Schneider not only kept his job during the Great Depression, but he earned enough money to buy the brand new house located at 1003 North Audubon Road. The builder situated the house to face Audubon Road but included a side porch on East Tenth Street. In 1947, there still existed a field behind the property and Audubon Road north of Tenth Street was a dirt path. That would all change soon. The Schneiders lived in the house from 1933 until 1954. 

     

     

Members of the D.M.O sub-deb group posed in front of the Schneider home at 1003 North Audubon Road in 1947. Left to right: Winnie Locklear, Gladys Ferguson, Diane Scott, Margie Joslin, Mariana Fullen, Diane Hays (photo courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas)

Several young women of the D.M.O sorority posed in 1947 in the side yard of 1003 North Audubon Road. Behind the young women, you can see the Schneider home as well as 5740 East 10th Street. Left to right: Diane Hays, ?, Mariana Fullen, Margie Joslin, Phyllis Halcomb, Carol Schneider, Carol Arnholter, Jean Shaffer, Diane Scott, Gladys Ferguson, Winnie Locklear; If anyone recognizes the young woman who is second teen from the left, please contact me at the e-mail listed on the page. (photo courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas)

Members of the Howe High School D.M.O. sorority gathered in the Schneider living room at 1003 North Audubon Road in 1947. The photo was taken by Tower Studios who operated at 5454 East Washington Street. Standing--left to right: Carol Arnholter, Gladys Ferguson, Diane Scott, ?, Winnie Locklear; Seated--left to right: Mariana Fullen, Carol Schneider, Diane Hays, Jean Schaffer, Phyllis Halcomb, Margie Joslin. If you know the name of the young woman dressed in black (fourth from left), would you drop me a note at the e-mail listed on this page? (photo courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas) 
    

1003 North Audubon Road on a rainy, April 6, 2022

Time Marches On: In 1998, many Howe graduates gathered for their fiftieth class reunion. Jean Shaffer Edwards Meek, who hosted those slumber parties in the 1940s once again welcomed her friends into her home. Pictured: Top row--Janet Eickhoff, Gladys Ferguson Lepper, Diane Hays Scott, Jean Shaffer Edwards Meek, Carol Arnholter Simmons, Winnie Locklear Miller, Phyllis Halcomb Pappas, Marilyn Doherty Thompson Stephens (photo courtesy of Mary Lee Pappas) 

      I wish to thank Mary Lee Pappas for the stories and photos from her mother's early years. I would also like to thanks Deedee Davis. 

Sources: Interviews with Mary Lee Pappas March 18 and 21, 2022; The 1930 and 1940 Federal Census for all three families featured; Shaffer family--"Jean Shaffer, Queen of Howe Hi-Y Dance," Indianapolis Star, February 23, 1947, 18; Shaffer wedding--"Rites to be Feb. 9," Indianapolis Star, January 7, 1951, 65; Obituaries for Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer-- Indianapolis News, January 10, 1986, 26;  Indianapolis News, January 29, 1988, 2; Arnholter family--"Jive Journal," Indianapolis Star, , January 20, 1946, 68; "Jive Hive Will Have Dance," Indianapolis News, May 31, 1946, 26; Obituaries--"Harold H. Arnholter Active in Theater," Indianapolis News, December 28, 1968, 11; Ethelwyne Arnholter--Indianapolis News, March 7, 1986, 29; Schneider family--William Gulde, The Schneider Cottage: The Story of 1003 North Audubon Road, Unpublished, September 7, 2013.