Ilion High School - Class of 1957

Herkimer Evening Telegram - April 12, 1957

James Barnes, Lee Purple Win Ilion Class Honors

Article 2

James Barnes, Lee Purple Win Ilion Class Honors

ILION - James Barnes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Barnes, 107 Montgomery St., is valedictorian of the Class of 1957 at Ilion High School and Lee Purple, daughter of Superintendent and Mrs. George Purple, 126 S. Fifth Ave. is salutatorian.

Principal Joseph Baker announced the class honors at special assembly this morning.

photo caption - TOP TEN - Joseph Baker, principal of Ilion High School, stands with the ten top average students of the Class of 1957. Lee Purple, in front at the bottom step, is salutatorian of the class and others in the picture from right to left in the front row, are Frances Pavliga, Sally Donahue, Janet Carr, Sandra Curtis. The Valedictorian standing at bottom step behind Miss Purple is James Barnes, and up the steps are Benjamin Russell, Donna Coriale, Veronica Caffrey, Janice Staley. (Staff Photo)

photo caption - WON CLASS HONORS. James Barnes, left, valedictorian at Ilion High School, and Lee Purple, salutatorian, stand on either side of their principal, Joseph Baker, following announcement of their honors at a special Senior Assembly today. (Staff Photo)

During his four years of high school, Barnes earned an average of 94.11. Receiver of the Bausch and Lomb award, he expects to attend Rochester University and study engineering.

In his junior year, he was class treasurer and is currently a delegate to the school Senate. He took part in the Tri-City plays and managed the football team He was general manager of the Senior Class play, and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Miss Purple has been active in musical and sports programs. She has sung in the choir and was piano accompanist for Orpheus and the Eleven Belles.

She was a varsity and junior varsity cheerleader and secretary of the Girls Athletic Council and took part in the girls' sports program. She was junior class president.

A member of the National Honor Society, Miss Purple expects to attend Alfred Technical Institute where she will study business and secretarial science. Her average for the four years of high school is 92.24.

Other members of the top-ten of the class include Sally Donahue, 91 46; Frances Pavliga, 91.07; Janet Carr, 90.30; Donna Coriale, 90.23; Benjamin Russell, 89.45; Veronica Caffrey, 89.07; Janet Staley, 88.71; Sandra Curtis, 88.28.