Death of a President

TIMES CNN http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1919303,00.html

As a student at Crane High School during the first half of the 1960's, I was among the hip & cool, tinted green glasses and short leather jacket wearing crowd.  We were all so cool back then; and what we called "suave & debonair."   It was the beginning of Black People feeling & exercising black racial pride.  The Sun times had written an unflattering article about our studentbody with many photos of my classmates, making them appear ignorant and thuggish.  We had given them, in good faith, interviews thinking they would say kind things about us, alas they did not.  It may have helped to helped push us towards becoming some of the first folks to refuse to cite the Pledge of Allegiance in Assembly--holding that the US Flag did not represent Black Folks.  (I think this practice still exists in some places.  However, by God’s grace and at 65 years golden, I no longer hold to this concept). 

Crane’s Principal was Dr. Lorraine Sullivan, a very stately, reserved, well dressed & head held high white woman.  I recall that she appeared to be untouched by her surroundings, an almost enigma compared to Chicago’s Westside young representatives (mostly Black students).  Whenever she was in the vicinity, there was a brief hushed silence to the constant chatter we made in the hallways, at our lockers, in the lunchroom, washrooms & sometimes in the classrooms of “certain” teachers.  We were a cool, laughing & noisy bunch of kids, although there were several students who were more reserved. 

On this particular day, Dr. Sullivan advised that President Kenney had been killed.  A painfully hushed silence fell across our school.  It was so thick you could cut it with a knife.  I was wearing a green & black plaid skirt and black sweater & remember crying as was many other students.  We were dismissed early that day & there were no Black students, no White students, no Hispanic students; we were just sad folks who had gotten some very sad new about OUR President. 

There was no way for me to know at the time that I would be experiencing that same pain, only 10 times worse, 5 years & 5 months later as news of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's assassination literally spread in wild fires across the City of Chicago.  Nearly 50 years has passed since that fateful November day, but it seems like it was only yesterday.  

Me, 48 years later

My photos

I found approx. 36 magic lantern glass slides from the students of your Crane Tech of 1933 and 1934. They are slides made by the students for a class on Latin America or Spanish Class. Each slide has the name of the student and from what class they were from. I will be happy to forward any of these by email electronically if you will e-mail me directly at michaelmalone@earthlink.net. The students name, to the best of my ability to read, includes: H. Schwartz 1933, Edw. Hullison 1933, D. Tibbetts 1934, copyright of Sir Humphrey Soronorelsn, M. Winn 1934, Helphrey, Levin H. 1933 1/2, Constantino, Nick 1934, Farras 1933, Weinberg 1933 1/2, Meltzer Harold 2nd Period, Kubacki, T 1933 1/2, Levin H 1933 1/2, Gryglas 1933 1/2, Fink Jack 1933 1/2, Hesselberg 1934, G., Staikoff 1934, Copyright Soronovech & Towb., Kahn, Baranchik 1933 1/2, T. Roth-8, H. Gold Class of 1933.

Photo 1: 

Crane Crest drawn by H. Gold Class of 1933

Michael Malone

Photo 2: 

Drawn by Gryglas or Cryglas Class of 1933 1/2

Michael Malone

Photo 3: 

Drawn by Weinberg Class of 1933 1/2

Michael Malone

Photo 4: 

Done by H. Schwartz Class of 1933

Michael Malone

Photo 5: 

Drawn by Farkas Class of 1934?

Michael Malone

Photo 6: 

Drawn by Farkas Class of 1934?

Michael Malone

Photo 7: 

Drawn by Strikoff or Staikoff Class of 1934

Michael Malone

Photo 8: 

Drawn by T. Roth or Ruth - 8

Michael Malone

Photo 9: 

Drawn by Kahn Class of 1933 or 1934

Michael Malone

Montrels signing group performing at Ramada Inn. Members include: Front Row - Kendall DeShazer, Carl Douglas, Gregory Jeffries, Kenneth Swayze and Debra Reed. Back Row- Verdine White, Fred White and Danny Leake. The Montrels performed in many telent shows held at Richard T. Crane during the 1968 and 1969 school years.

Photo 1: 

L

DeShazer

3 years after graduation

I was registered with Richard T. Crane High School for the 1981-1982 school years, but I did not physically attend school there. I went to an alternative school for pregnant teens, but my school registered its graduates with Crane. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of that school. One of the reasons why is because I proudly walked across the stage with the Crane graduates of 1982; therefore I always present myself as one of Crane's students. I may not have had the privilege of knowing the 1981-1982 student body, but I loved the experience just the same. Thank you for allowing me and so many others to partake in such a memorable event.

Well, I was going through my old photos and stumbled upon a few photos from the Crane Class of 1980's Prom at the Holiday Inn Chicago City Centre near Navy Pier. Prom always seems like a magical night, the girls are dressed so elegent and the guys are so formal. For some guys this was probably the first and last time they wore a Tux, I know for me it was just the first of many more times to come. Do any of you still have your Prom Night photos?

I am looking to obtain class of 1942 Crane Tech year book forr my Grandfather.   If you know you know how to get one please let me know     

Wow, it's hard to believe sometimes that it has been 28 years since I graduated from Crane High School. I sometimes wonder just where everyone is now in life. I know I have been very fortunate with where my life has taken me, and I hope that all my fellow Crane Cougars have made good lives for themselves.

Christopher M. Vaughn, Crane High School Class of 1980

My favorite teachers were Mr. Sidney Zwick and Mr. Edward Ducay . they were my  favorite for the reasons they made   me believe that I could do anything that  wanted and  that I was able and capable if I apply my self and they stood by me and encourage me to try harder and harder to do  the hard work.

 

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