BASH Class of 1975 Looks Back: The Official Class History

[EDITOR'S NOTE:  Special thanks to Boyertown Expression correspondent Julie Cordingley for transcribing the class of '75's history for all to enjoy!]

More than 100 members of the Boyertown Area Senior High (BASH) class of 1975 came together again for their 50th reunion on April 26, 2025. In celebration of this milestone, which was marked by some of our favorite readers, staff of The Boyertown Expression scoured the class archives. We are pleased to publish in its entirety the "official class history," chronicling their first steps off the school bus in elementary school to their senior prom 12 years later.

Elementary

Way back in the year 1963, we experienced our first trauma - we were thrown into the vast whirlpool of education. We were torn from our homes, our toys, out cartoon, and aroused each morning to be pushed out to school. At first, were surprised – we were told to sit still, be quiet, and listen. As if that wasn’t enough, we realized we weren’t catered to anymore. We had to get along with other people.

Our whole existence turned about, we searched for novel ways to enhance our lives. Our only salvations – lunch and recess.

Even in grade school, the boys tried to showoff, as Mike Hartman and Keith Weaver used to fight to get Pat Fegley’s attention.

In third grade, Dianne Kercher threw up all over her dress, and the teacher washed the dress by hand and hung it out to dry, and it blew away! Poor Dianne had to sit in her slip all day.

During recess at New Hanover, it was a common occurrence to see Steve Smith and Keith Weaver running around playing Batman and Robin.

Tom Nikerle got tired of school at an early age. It seems in third grade, he got mad and decided to leave, and started walking home.

There were also very trying times in elementary school. At B.W.B, the spring festival cast fourth graders Lorraine Weidner and Alice Wolfgang for the double lead in the play. Lorraine starred the first night, but when it was Alice’s turn the second night, Alice screamed and cried so much that her mother had to take her home, and Lorraine played the lead again.

While Colleen Flannery was walking to school in fourth grade, her wrap-around skirt unraveled and fell off in front of Lincoln School and also in front of Mike Erb.

Remember when big Rick Weil fainted in sixth grade before receiving a T.B. shot?

At Gilbertsville School, in sixth grade, Kereen Kinckiner, Karen Sheafer, Kathy Stetler, Pam Osborne, and Carol Sauppe had to stay in for recess so they decided to start their own band. In the middle of Carol’s native dance, Mr. Young walked in, and everyone stopped playing except Koreen who was vigorously beating the bongo drums.

Washington school will never forget their surprise going away party for Mr. Mercer. At a certain time, everyone got up and went down to the basement and Mr. Mercer kept saying, “where’s everybody going?”

Remember that fifth grade social club which demanded those exorbitant dues from its members? Then when the treasury reached the appropriate sum, one member was sent on a “TOP SECRET MISSION” of illegally purchasing candy. This candy was then divided among its members. Members included: Carol Sauppe, Mark Neihls, Dave Smith, JoCarol Dolansky, Karen Care, and Bob Heydt.

Pine Forge sixth graders gave Mr. Reinert a surprise going away party, and he actually cried right in front to everyone.

Jody Fronczak was famous for her notorious tissue box. It seems she wrote answers to the tests on her tissues.

Glenn Neiman had a habit of eating paper and glue and doing his MO-BE-DO-BE-DO dance for the girls.

In sixth grade at Lincoln School, Keith Ackerman and Jeff Schoch walked into the cloak room while the girls were changing for gym.

Karen Strunk became upset when sixth grade teacher Mr. Frey intercepted her naked troll doll while she was throwing it around the room. This didn’t stop Karen who boldly proceeded to take her troll from Mr. Frey’s desk drawer.

To the girls that attended Gilbertsville School, do you remember throwing toilet paper rolls out the window and watching them unroll out on the playground and then getting caught because the fifth grade girls told our teacher?

Wow, already our elementary days are over. We have become young ladies and gentleman. Remember how big we felt when we stepped into the Junior High and said goodbye to the elementary schools?

Middle School

We met a lot more people and were put into different sections. We even got to move around to different classes. We weren’t in the same room all day! But we did miss our recesses!

Do you remember when Phoebe Patt used to chase Keith Weaver through the halls while beating him with her yellow purse?

How about our athletic seventh grade girls who broke all kinds of gym records. When they told Mr. Pancoe they did 1000 to 2000 sit-ups and pushups, she believed them!

And tag days when you tagged your true love.

And picking your favorite Valentine so it could be printed in the Junior High Life.

In seventh grade Mike Boyer dove out of the window to get his superball during Mr. Oswald’s geography class.

One day section 7-2 and 7-9 had a big shower fight and were all late for class.

Mrs. MacDonald made anyone chewing gum put it in a baby jar; and when caught chewing gum again, you had to chew a piece from the jar.

Section 7-9 went to the office to report Miss smith for chewing gum.

Section7-8 should never forget the new stone-age play performed by Sur Falken, Wilma MacDonald, and Brenda Dunkelburger. Entailing such surprises as a dousing a fake fire with real water and the wearing of paper bags as clothes.

We elected student council officers:

• President – Michael Bender
• Vice Pres. – Cookie Rauch
• Secretary – Robin Conrad
• Treasurer – Mike Boyer

Rember how Mike Bender brought about the change of rules which enabled the girls to wear pants.

Rember when a thoroughly irritated teacher terrorized us in the cafeteria, demanding silence, and smacking two boys’ heads for murmuring.

Remember Mrs. Dootson’s famous quotes?

“I will not procrastinate.”

“Waste not, want not.”

One day, Sandy Eckert brought in some praying mantis nests and they hatched in Mrs. Polk’s closet.

Remember when Mr. Nuss made Percy Norris get his fingers slapped under a meter stick for chewing gum?

Beverly Spayd will probably never forget Mr. Oswald and the day he cured her hiccups. He scared her so bad, she jumped half way across the room.

Our Junior High years were coming to a close when we entered eighth grade. Although the teachers kept saying you’re old enough to understand and it’s time to act mature, we still pulled our silly pranks and were clumsy in a funny way.

Take Alice Conrad for instance, everything she touched in science class broke. The first experiment she did, Alice knocked over an entire pegboard of glassware and that was all she did the rest of the year.

And Keith Weaver, trying to be so nonchalant, he tripped up the steps to the stage while receiving an award.

There were times when we were well-mannered like on Prestige Day or when someone was visiting the school, but on ordinary days, we were our mischievous selves.

Like Chip Schaeffer and Joe Nichols, they used to pour alcohol on the lab tables and then set fire to them.

And Keith Weaver who could instantly turn himself int Timmy Pinder.

While growing up was a trying time for us, we did have successful time but there were some mixed up times also.

Like the day the Girls’ officials Club gave a Christmas assembly in the middle of March.

And the day when section 8-6 girls made pizza in home economics, and they made too much so they gave some to the guys in Mr. Seifarth’s shop class. The guys refused to eat it at first, but they finally gave in, not because they liked pizza but because Mr. Seifarth said he would flunk them if they didn’t eat it.

Carol Amsfield will never forget the day Mike Boyer set her hair on fire.

Eighth grade was a time for learning and discovery, especially the discovery between boys and girls. Remember these favorite Valentine’s? Joann Erb & Bruce Hoffman; Shelly Shadle & Doug Nester.

We also had those important people who headed the marching unit:

• Band President – Keith Weaver
• Band Vice Pres – Kevin Rosenbery
• Band Secretary – Karen Strunk
• Color Guard, Captain – Beverly Geyer
• Lts. – Dawn Haas, Carol Sauppe
• Twirling Captains – Betty Christ, Kris Kehl

We’re probably the first school in Boyertown’s history to have ducks in our courtyard.

Marathons were a big thing in those days, and while some groups were out dancing for hours, our school was setting anew world’s record and that was:

Percy Morris wore the same pair of pants for 39 days in a row.

But we’ll never forget those dear teachers for whom we are all indebted to:

Mr. Harley – he used to tell section 8-9 about the street lights in Hershey and also what K-MILK does with their manure.

Mrs. Gotsch – Bill Eddinger will never forget the love she showed for him throughout the year.

Mr. Gunther – that special eighth grade art teacher, his classes were made especially for girls.

Miss Rodgers – Percy Morris and Ron Alderfer will never forget her.

Mr. Charles Harley – Section 8-3 would like to thank him for taking them over to the sandbox in the park the last week of school so they could cool off.

Miss Dietz – for sending one of her sections to the office because they were a half a second late. That was unusual considering she was never on time for homeroom.

Mrs. Alderman – It took her half the period before she realized that Dave Smith and Terry Shaner were fighting in the back of the room.

AND

Mr. Spohn – We would like to send apologies to him on behalf of Chip Schaeffer because he would blow his nose very loudly right in the middle of Mr. Spohn’s class

Senior High

As a class of young ninth graders, we came into the senior high as a group of "Babies” as quoted by the seniors. We were a group of unknown, bewildered children trying to fit into the mass of those above us.

As the year progressed, our class took its stand and showed its ability by making our candy sale a success. Then we felt as if we belonged, and then we became a part of that great mass, too.

Remember when Kim Reid and Lori Romig had to sit in the corner in ninth grade science class.

Mrs. Perez's Spanish I class fifth period got to go to lunch all three periods most of the time due to her illnesses.

Rowan Carter had a very interesting insect collection. It consisted of five grasshoppers in a shoe box.

Jane Moyer fell down the stairs and landed on Bob Mitch.

Joe McGee asked if On the Beach was a true story.

The members of the softball team used to have water battles after practice.

Remember when Karen Weller and Barb Weiss used to eat licorice in the back of Mrs. Phillip’s social studies class.

We accidently wandered into the wrong rooms during that year. I guess you could say we were lost a lot then.

While writing a poetry book for Mr. Wood, Bill Eddinger recopied a magazine page, was caught, and then forced to make a public speech to receive a "D."

Happiness Day was fun too, when everyone dressed up and had a good time.

Those gym classes were fun, except when Judy Stauffer and Lori Romig lost the key to their lock and had to get the janitor to saw it off. They got their clothes but were late for class.

We chose our first executive committee officers, and they were:

• President - Christopher Jackson
• Vice Pres. - Alicia Renninger
• Secretary - Karen Bieler
• Treasurer - Dave Smith
• Advisor - Mr. Yeager

Our class lost its first member, Greg Gottshall. His many friends were deeply touched, and we shall always honor his memory.

Tenth grade started out on a sad note as we remember the death of President, Chris Jackson. We all commemorated his death by silent meditation on our first day back.

We pulled ourselves back together and soon things began to buzz, we were well on our own.

Since we were a "middle" class, we had no outside interference and developed our individuality. Our magazine sale put us well on the road to success, and our treasury grew and grew.

Our new officers were:

• President - Keith Weaver
• Vice Pres. - Lorraine Weidner
• Secretary - Brenda Dunkelburger
• Treasurer - Tom Balmer

Fortified by funds, we even organized a dinner dance However, the administration got in our way, and we had it when the band was on its way to Florida.

Chem study class had many adventures to report. The working group of Pat Fegley, Kathy Grubb, and Brenda Dunkelburger flooded the floor while doing an experiment. Karen Strunk was told what she needed didn’t come in a test tube. Finally, this group would like to report to Mr. William Rohrbach that they are still awaiting the incoming shipment of humility.

Jim Mull asked to go to the lav in the middle of a sex discussion in Mr. Ballantyne's biology class.

Denise Bingaman perfected her waddle walk.

Mr. Alter was giving a test when Kathy Grubb couldn't remember the answers, so she pulled out a textbook and looked them up right in front of Mr. Alter.

Mr. Ballantyne's fourth period class had a few rare moments when the rowdy table of Karen Mitchell, Claire Fryer, Colleen Flannery, Lori Miller, and Linda Hallman were forced to stay in the hall until they were quiet.

Screams filled the State Theatre when the social studies classes were pulled to see the slaughter of NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA.

Lori Romig plowed Linda Hallman into the ground during lacrosse practice and she got a mouth full of dirt.

Newstell Marable had the last word with Sandy Mack in biology class when he shoved her into the garbage can.

Our Junior year started off at a slow pace also, due to the fact that our class needed a new advisor, from this came Mr. Hendricks, who lovingly refers to us as his children.

Junior Class officers were:

• President - Keith Weaver
• Vice Pres. - Lorraine Weidner
• Secretary - Brenda Dunkelburger
• Treasurer - Tom Balmer

Now we were only one year away from becoming the "TOP" class. About this time, we were beginning to be called young men and women. However, this didn't stop some of us.

Steve Knepp and Will Krauss took bets on who would come to school with a skin head. They both won.

In Mr. Hrincivich's German 3 class, they were doing commercials. Rowan Carter was found lying across the teacher's desk modeling a pair of panty hose while Will Krauss played the part of Peter Pan.

All the students who came to Mr. Roger's homeroom in the morning would like to thank him for letting them watch "The Little Rascals" on TV.

Eleventh grade Physics students will never forget the lecture they received on senioritis from Mr. Parry, (a lot of good it did) or the talks on the "Midnight Special."

Mrs. Zelesko was granted the biggest fourth period class in the history of Boyertown High with a grand total of 14.

The Dinner Dance Decorating Committee will remember all the long hours of work Frank Klemen put in shooting basketball and throwing football.

Poor Mr. Rodgers will never forget the trip to Washington D.C. because Karen Sheafer threw up on the bus.

Speaking of the Washington trip, we heard there was a certain group of people having an interesting game of strip poker in the back of the bus.

Our class play You're A Good Man Charlie Brown was a huge success.

An evening of joy and enchantment was held at the Gilbertsville Fire House for our Junior Dinner Dance.

It was a night of candlelight, good food, and foot stompin' music. But couldn't someone tell the group to learn more than four slow songs.

For the third year in a row, Judy Stauffer took the title of Homecoming Princess.

Streakers swept the country and Boyertown wasn't about to be left out. Percy Morris concluded our eleventh grade year by streaking thru the halls of BASH.

At last, twelfth grade and the excitement of being SENIORS. From the first day of school until today we realized that this was to be our last year, and we were determined to make it our best.

Remember when our varsity football team ran through the wrong victory sign at Coatesville?

When co-captain Karen Bieler was mistakenly plowed over by a football player when the team entered the field?

The game at Owen J. Roberts took a bad turn when three receivers dropped three possible game-winning passes.

How about the Great Valley game when a rumble broke out, and George Leszkowicz got thrown out for fighting.? The only problem was, he was the only one not fighting.

Remember the day Steve Knepp dressed as a girl for a pep rally?

On the way to a French dinner at Mr. Colassonte's house, a chocolate cake flipped off the back shelf of the car right into Sandy Mack' s lap.

Mr. Hendricks looks after his children well as he came down to the senior lounge one day to give them a little talk.

Mr. Rambo's fifth period class will never forget the day Mark Neihls came running into class late.

On a certain night the basketball team had a wild party across the street from the police station.

Remember when Reen Murphy got stopped by a cop in town along with six other people, and was accused of driving a stolen car?

The wrestling team was greeted in the locker room at Downingtown by a mouse.

To many, the senior class trip to Mt. Airy was the highlight of the year.

Pat Fegley got thrown off a horse.

Professional skier, Karen Mitchell, hurt her leg skiing, and her roommates were quite surprised, not because she hurt her leg, but because the bell hop that carried her to her room found seven screaming girls running around in underwear.

Karen Sheafer and George Leszkowicz were seen by Mr. Hendricks leaving a lodge room together.

Sharee Phipps got on a horse in one piece; but when she got off, her pants were ripped from seam to seam. She was quite embarrassed when told that the back of her blue panties were showing.

The chaperones on the trip learned to do the Nump.

Joe McGee stood in the middle of the dance floor and sang, "ah do it, an do it."

Fifties Day and the hop provided some fun for the young at heart.

Mr. Ballantyne s Human Phys. classes bunny hopped and twisted at the senior lounge and all over the 700’s.

Bob Galloway and Joanne Grim swallowed gold fish at the hop.

Remember those two wet dogs running through the cafeteria and how Mr. Ed Kulp ran after them trying to "schuss" them out.

On May 15, Mr. Chester Rohrbach finally left his sixth period class out a minute early.

During opening night for Story Theatre; Mike Fronheiser got mixed up and grabbed his leg and ran off stage yelling "my arm, my arm."

At the Morp, there were more door prizes then there were people.

During a Human Phys. experiment, Mr. Ballantyne injected Judy Schultz's chick and it died, and she ran out of the room crying.

On opening night of Brigadoon, the people saw more than they paid for when Brenda Dunkelburger's blouse popped open in front of 300 people.

First period Human Phys. Class finally accepts their Polish colleague, Sue Nalenz, and to celebrate this great acceptance they will eat 6 jars of Warsaw Pickles.

Homeroom 12-F would like to thank Mrs. Bartholomew for being lax on attendance requirements and homeroom discipline.

Many of us will never forget seeing the fetal pig that the advanced biology class dangled out of 704's window.

Sheryl Rossi walked through the halls of BAHS on what seemed to be a normal day except that Sherry was wearing swimming flippers.

Our Homecoming Queen was Beverly Geyer, escorted by Pete Jensch. With Karen Bieler as Senior Princess, escorted by Bill Rosenberry.

This year’s class officers were:

• President - Keith Weaver
• Vice-pres. - Rowan Carter
• Secretary - Brenda Dunkelburger
• Treasurer - Mike Repko

We skipped tradition by not having a Valentine's court or dance.

We all deeply regretted the loss of Mr. Richard Grabert. His devotion to his work, his family, and the community will always be remembered.

As a class we voted our class song as "We May Never Pass This Way Again" by Seals & Croft. Our colors are forest green and gold, and our flower is the yellow rose.

Our motto expresses our hopes for the future to come. It is, "Yesterday is already a dream and tomorrow only a vision- but today well-lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope. "

Our final activity for the year was the fantastic Senior Prom situated at Sunnybrook Ballroom. We were entertained during the dinner by The Statesmen.

Post Prom activities included a magician and the rock group Moraco.  A special note of appreciation goes to the decoration committee for the lovely ice sculptured Buddha and ‘75°.

Let us hope that everyone will strive for their goals, and once attained, set new ones. A sense of understanding others and the achievement of satisfaction in oneself are far more important than the number of A's attained in our twelve years of schooling. Only hard work and determination will achieve our dreams, and by achieving our dreams, we may help the world. Every day well lived and not wasted indeed makes for a future of hope.

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