52 Ancestors: Voting - Gordon Levy, President

I'm not sure if my dad, Gordon Levy, didn't talk much about the past or I just didn't listen.  Actually, I think he DID talk about it but once he realized we weren't listening, he gave up.  But one thing I do remember him talking about was his service as Student Body President at Fresno High School in the fall of 1943.

Gordon Levy, c1943

Notice the Block "F" on his sweater signifying Fresno High School

Dad was involved in many, many things in school and throughout his life - he loved serving his classmates and his community.  But I don't think he was as proud of anything as he was of his service to Fresno High School as President of the Student Body.

I know that he was one of three nominees for the position.  What I don't know is how these individuals were 'selected' to run - was there some type of nominating process or, like it was when I was in school, did these individuals just decide they wanted to run and away they went?

Fresno Bee, 29 May, 1943, page 9

And not just because Dad told us he'd won and there was lots of evidence to that effect, The Fresno Bee actually reported this.  Those were sure different times!

Fresno Bee, 3 June, 1943, page 17

And the following year, The Owl (Fresno High's yearbook) confirmed that these individuals were, indeed, officers of the student body.

From The Owl:

Executive Committee Fall Semester

With a platform of better rallies and assemblies and more interest in student body government, President Gordon Levy began the semester by appointing a hard working executive committee, which gave the administration a flying start.

The committee made two wise choices when it appointed Peggy Kohlmann commissioner of social affairs and Roger Burton to the position of yell leader.  John Hammel, commissioner of finance, headed the Senate sponsored war bond campaign which succeeded in winning Treasury Department citations for the school and its senior and sophomore classes.

The hope for increased interest in student body activities was furthered with weekly ex-committee bulletins and the Beef Box which gave students an opportunity to express personal viewpoints.  The social program of noon dances was enlarged by two evening dances which proved extremely successful.

Two portions of the by-laws to the constitution were amended.  One provided for a life pass awarded to all athletes earning four major letters whereas the other authorized a student body Gold Block F award to one boy and one girl of each graduating class.

To better visualize membership in the student body, the committee voted to provide free student body membership cards which proved to be conducive to school spirit.  The committee also became permanently situated in room S-26 where all rally and executive meetings are now held.

At the opening of the semester, President Levy managed to come to terms with the Roosevelt High School student body, a fact which resulted in resumption of relations between the schools on November 11, probably the high spot of student cooperation.

Vice President Lowell Aiken and Rally Chairman Vergil Gerard instituted student talent assemblies and achieved the goal of one assembly per week.  George Holstein, dean of boys, helped to increase faculty co-operation as activities sponsor.

It was nice to read about the improved relations between Roosevelt High School and Fresno High School in the Fresno Bee.  From the account in the article, "the long rivalry of the schools came to an abrupt end last Fall when the two principals recommended to Wilson that competitive events cease because of cases of vandalism and 'near sabotage' involving students of both schools and resulting from 'heated spirit' generated by the 1941 and last Fall's football games."

Fresno Bee, 16 Sep 1943, page 18

Fresno Bee, 16 Sep 1943, page 18

Also in the 1944 edition of The Owl, this photo was included.

That's Dad in the middle of the front row holding.....holding.... WHAT?  He's holding this????

When we put together the memorial service after he died, I remember choosing some photos and other mementos to put on a table for attendees to view as they entered and exited the synagogue.  I don't remember many of the details but I do remember that this gavel was displayed - instinctively, we must have all known just how important it was to him.  Who knew?