Абсолютно непобедимая команда и неожиданная королева: выпускники 1951 года из Перхема вспоминают легендарный домашний матч

PERHAM — Poodle skirts and rock ‘n’ roll icons may be common images for people when the 1950s are visualized. However, some members of Perham High School’s graduating class of 1951 think about an unlikely homecoming crowning and their football team. Members of the Class of ‘51 recently gathered during a Happy Hour event at Perham Living. Among them were: Georgina (Ziolkowski) Bachmann, Vila (Greiff) Von Ruden, Mary (Gustavson) Skoog, Jean (Warner) Schmitz and Ambrose Zeller. ADVERTISEMENT Zeller, who was captain on the 1951 Yellowjackets football team, was still looked at as a rock star by his classmates. And in true icon fashion, he didn’t have to explain why. Bachmann was quick to note, during her senior year their football team went undefeated, and not one single point was scored against them. In fact, to her best recollection, opposing teams never even made it past the Yellowjackets' 50 yard line. Zeller played the position of end, on both the defensive and offensive side of the ball. “Back then we didn’t have the position of tight end,” he noted, adding they also didn’t have designated football classes or state tournaments. While he knew his team was great, Zeller said he never expected to get through the season undefeated. Perhaps helping the team to the historic season were the fans in the stands and cheerleaders on the sidelines, including Von Ruden. She recalled a few cheers they did for the boys on the gridiron, and noted the most challenging cheer had them squatting before kicking out their legs like a “Russian ballerina.” Whether her dance and cheer talents had something to do with the unlikely crowning that happened after the homecoming game, Von Ruden may never know. She explained the crown typically went to a girl from the south side of town, where the well-to-do folks lived. So, when she was one of four people chosen to vie for the title, she never expected to be crowned. “I was very surprised,” Von Ruden said. “All the girls who were chosen were smart and beautiful. And, I wasn’t the most popular one. I got along with everyone though.” ADVERTISEMENT When the crown was placed on her head, Von Ruden recalled being escorted off the football field by the team’s fastest runner – Johnnie Bucholz. Von Ruden had another surprise awaiting her during the Happy Hour reunion. Her original 1951 homecoming crown was located at the East Otter Tail County Museum. She was given the crown to wear during the get-together with her classmates. The crew also reminisced about what life was like for a teenager in the 1950s. Many of them attended country schools in the Perham area until they reached middle school, when they were bussed to the larger public school in town. While attending a school filled with kids was intimidating for some, they agreed the atmosphere was kind and respectful. They were also thankful for the well-rounded education they received. Outside of school, a few recalled how the town’s siren would blow as the sun started to set. The sound was a signal for kids to head home, so they could check-in with their parents around 9 p.m. Schmitz noted before the siren wailed, the teens back then did what many teens do now — date. However, the mode of transportation may differ. She recalled one of her dates arrived on his dad’s old tractor, and drove her to a night out at the movies. Much like the tractor’s speed compared to a car, Zeller said, “Life moved slower back then.” He looked at his classmates, smiled and added, “But, it was a lot of fun.”