These are from the scrapbook of Lillian Uren. Oroville Mercury
1944
War Changes Way Of Life For Seniors at Oroville Hi School
234 Started In As Freshmen, but Many Were Soon Entering U. S. Armed
Forces
By Charles Hickok, President, Senior Class
In September of 1940, 234 students of the class of ’44 registered
in O.U. H. S., for the first of four years that would probably be
packed with the most fun and best years of their lives. The first
year was bright, because we had no conception of war. France had
fallen to Germany and there was talk about war with Germany and
Japan, but like any other student and misinformed statesman, we
never realized that Germany and Japan would attack the mighty United
States. So we cast this thought aside. We had many activities in
high school on which to train our thoughts aside from war. There
were dances, sports, and other activities; also there was the World’s
Fair at San Francisco. College sports boomed in the West as well
as in other parts of the United States. We had quite a few boys
out for sports. Many boys participated in the body building calisthenics.
They were preparing for the future in the armed forces, but didn’t
know it.
During this year we were introduced to the traditions and character
of this school. We weren’t thinking of the future but of the present.
In September, 1941, 219 pupils registered with the class of ’44.
The class lost 25 students from Frosh to Soph year. Most of them
transferred to other schools. A few went into the service. On the
7th of December, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and
plunged the United States into war. This brought a drastic change
to the way of life among the students and the student activities
of O. U. H. S. Between our Soph and Junior year we lost 76 students
to the armed forces and other schools. We were now upper classmen
and were beginning to think of the future. Many are preparing to
enter some service and many for college. During this year everyone
was wondering how the war would come out. This didn’t exclude the
students.
When we became Seniors there were 95 registered out of a class that
started with 234. Most of them were gone to the armed forces. All
of the class of ’44 was thinking of the future. The girls were preparing
themselves for Waves, WAC’s, Marines, Spars or Nursing, and others
for college or university. As for the boys, most of them are in
a dither about their vocation in the future. For most of them the
armed services have plans; others, not quite so fortunate to get
in, will be able to go on to college or work in some essential industry.
Regardless of the disadvantages of going into a world of turmoil
all of us are prepared for the future. Free speech is our right
and heritage. Knowledge is power, and we are ready to apply them
to the future world as leaders and citizens of the United States.
From the 1944 Year Book, The Nugget, Oroville High School
HONOR ROLL, IN MEMORIAM ARMY, NAVY AIR CORP, MARINE CORP AND
MERCHANT MARINE
George Beard, Leslie Bidwell, Kernick Smith, Howard Gould, Alphie
Worthy “They left the peaceful river, The athletic field, the
quad, The renowned halls of learning, To seek the bloody sod. They
gave their merry youth away, For country and for God. God rest you,
happy gentlemen, Who laid your good lives down, Who took the khaki
and the gun, Instead of cap and gown. God bring you to a fairer
place Than even your Hometown.
By W.M. Letts.
Oroville Mercury July 9, 1953
News From Butte County Servicemen
Corporal Roy Overstreet, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Overstreet
of Roseben Street, is now stationed at Camp Pendleton in the
Marine Corps, and is living at Laguna Beach with his wife, the former
Nancy Brown, daughter of Mrs. William Brown of Myers street. Overstreet
took his basic training in San Diego then spent 11 months in Korea
before returning here to be stationed at Camp Pendleton until his
discharge in about eight months.
Stu’s Notes: As Charles Hickok said, free speech is our right
and heritage and through the years, to maintain that right has taken
a terrible toll on our young men and women. Thanks to them our basic
rights are still in tact. Check out our new banner, next to the
Boss. Thanks for the Nation Guards of America, they have served
our country well for so many years. By the spring of 1944 the class
of ’44 had already lost 5 men to WWII and there was still a year
and a half before America had a few peaceful years, then Korea and
on and on. Will it ever end? Thanks again to my new friend Lillian.