The Judges' Impressions of Collins School Concert Band - Remarks: Tone - surprisingly good sonority (clearness of tone) for such a small group; Technique - adequate for music performed; Accuracy - generally good; Rhythm - good in general; Glockenspiel (bell lyre) - behind slightly in "Fairy Bells" at times; Interpretation and Musicianship - good; Stage Presentation - Second sax and trombone played with legs crossed. This looks very bad from audience; Balance - good; Intonation - generally good. Woodwind pitch needs improving in "Fairy Bells," first sax sharp at times. General Remarks: greatest criticism would be stage deportment, the crossed legs and the foot patting which is so very apparent to your audience and looks unprofessional. Keep time with your toe inside your shoe, but don't move the whole foot. Very fine work on the whole, especially with so many young players in the group. Band shows excellent training. Fine potential.
Sectional Baseball Tournament at Mingo: First round - Collins vs. Bye;
Semi-finals - Collins defeated Baxter 11-0.
Finals - Collins defeated Altoona 4-1 to win the sectional championship. (Insert 2005: Box scores not found)
District Baseball Tournament: First round - Collins lost to Slater. (Insert 2005: Box score not found)
Spring 1953 Baseball Season Summary: Collins Won - Elkhart 13-5; Maxwell 8-2; Rhodes 14-6; Farrar 6-2; Shipley 12-4; Maxwell 1-0; Nevada 4-1; Slater 8-7. Conference Tourney: Collins won over Huxley 7-4; Collins lost in the finals to Slater 11-1. Sectional Tourney: Collins won over Baxter 11-0, Altoona 4-1 for the championship. District Tourney: Collins lost to Slater. Season Record - Won 11, lost 2.
Team members: Donald Johnson (53) (p/lf); John Vasey (56) (p/1b); Jerry Nichol (56) (c); Jack Kilgore (55) (1b/lf); Ronnie Long (55) (2b); Gene Fitzgerald (55) (3b) Jim Dodd (56) (ss); Carroll Smith (53) (cf); Jack Koehler (53) (rf); Gary Coughenour (54) (of); Bill Ballard (56) (of); Bob Rice (56) (of); Larry Laird (56) (of); Rex Morrison (56) (of); Jerry Coughenour (of). Coach - Louis Schrader.
Next Wednesday afternoon, May 20, at 1:30 P.M., the seniors will have their Annual Class Day. They are preparing a program that includes music, a short skit, and a quiz show, which will include several underclassmen as guests. This program is for fun and we hope our friends will consider themselves cordially invited to attend. The class awards and letters will be presented. Also, there will be a brief program for presentation of diplomas to the eighth grade graduates.
May 21, 1953 Collins Eighth Grade Graduation was held on May 20. Graduates are: David Fitzgerald, Ben Clark, Donna Frerichs, Dale Garner, Janice Heintz, Jill Kilgore, Jimmy Lewis, Larry Kloppenborg, Myrtle Kloppenborg, David Maxwell, Glen Novinger, Daisy Maxwell, Elliott Partridge, Norlyn Smith.
May 28, 1953 High School Junior-Senior Prom was held Friday, May 22 without the alumni attending. The decorations, put up by the juniors, were of the Senior class colors, teal and silver. Behind the bandstand was a large horseshoe, denoting the theme "Diamond Horse Shoes." Teal and silver streamers were centered above the grand stand.