Class Day Awards were presented on Wednesday, May 20: Valedictorian - Lee Ann Ridgeway; Salutatorian - Jack Koehler; Citizenship - Dorothy Long, Donald Johnson; Girls' Athlete - Dorothy Long; Boys' Athlete - Donald Johnson; Activity Pins - Lee Ann Ridgeway, Dorothy Long, Jack Koehler, Phyllis Jeanie Carroll (Presented to the seniors who have accumulated 200 points or more throughout their high school career); Danforth Foundation Award for Leadership: Dorothy Long, Jack Koehler; Girls' Basketball - Reda Smith, Phyllis Jeanie Carroll, Dorothy Long, Dolores Milligan, Lee Ann Ridgeway, Marjorie Hickle, Mary McGrane, Janet Evans, Betty Spooner, Sandra Long - Manager; Boys' Basketball - Gene Fitzgerald, Jack Koehler, Carroll Smith, Jack Kilgore, Ronnie Long, John Vasey, George Keagle - Manager; Boys' Baseball - Gene Fitzgerald, Carroll Smith, Donald Johnson, Ronnie Long, John Vasey, Jim Dodd, Dale Derby, Jerry Nichol, Gary Coughenour, Jack Koehler.
There were 153 in attendance at the 61st Anniversary dinner and dance of the Collins Alumni Association at the high school gym Saturday evening. The two-course dinner was served at 7:00 by the ladies of the Collins Christian Church. Program entertainment was: Tap Dance by a group of children; two songs by the High School Girls' Sextet; two solos by D. G. Partridge. All were accompanied by Janet Evans, piano. The business session was conducted by Charles Kimberley, President. Officers elected for 1954 were: Lowell Holmes - Pres.; Lloyd Holland - V. Pres.; Doris Duesbury - Sec.-Treas. Dancing to the music of the "Lucky Seven," of Rhodes concluded the evening.
August 20, 1953 The Collins Consolidated School will open August 31 with the following faculty: Supt. - E. E. Jackson; H. S. Principal - Robert Lawson; Athletic Director - Louis Schrader; H. S. English - Mrs. E. E. (Miriam) Jackson; Home Economics - Virginia Gordon; Voc. Ag. - Robert Graves; Music - Rex Steddom; 7th and 8th Home Room - Ruth Cross; 6th Grade - Uleta Struthers; 5th - Bruce Lilly; 4th - Grace Vincent; 3rd - Anna Meeker; 2nd - Florence Rienstra; 1st - Clara Brown; Kindergarten - Marilyn McPherson. The school buses will run practically the same routes as last year with drivers: Marlin Long - Northwest Route; Joe Tiffany - Middle South; Dick Keagle - South; Fred Elliott - Southeast; Lloyd Campbell - Northeast. Hot Lunch will be served each school day for $1.25 per week with payment to teachers each Monday. Cooks are: Mrs. Flora Morrison, Mrs. Hazel Johnston, and Mrs. Myra Vasey. Textbooks will be rented to the pupils for $2.50 for the year. The school buildings have been thoroughly cleaned and much redecorating has been done during the summer.
September 17, 1953 Optic Staff: Editor - Dale Derby; Assist. Editor - Mary McGrane; Feature Editors - Reda Smith, John Vasey; Girls' Athletics - Janet Evans; Boys' Athletics - Jack Koehler; F. F. A. Reporter - Gene Fitzgerald; Music Reporter - Sandra Long; Grade Reporter - Jill Kilgore; Typists - Marilyn Carver, Carla Smith.
Baseball - Collins won a thriller from Slater Wednesday 8-7. After leading 4-1 in the 4th, Collins blew their lead and fell behind 7-4. Collins tied the score in the last inning and then with one out and the bases loaded, Derby cracked a single, scoring Vasey with the winning run in the 7th inning. Long and Derby each hit a double. Lineup: Gene Fitzgerald (3b) 1 hit; Ronnie Long (2b) 1 hit; Jack Kilgore (1b) 0 hits; Jerry Nichol (c) 0 hits; John Vasey (p) 1 hit; Gary Coughenour (cf) 1 hit; Dale Derby (rf) 2 hits; Jim Dodd (ss) 0 hits; Larry Laird (lf) 0 hits.