08/06/2026
100 Years of the LOCK – 1943
Volume 18 of the Lockport Township High School LOCK yearbook was 91 pages and covered the 1942-1943 LTHS schoolyear. World War II was raging around the world, affecting almost everyone including the students at LTHS. Students, faculty, and alumni left to join the services. As much as the student body tried to enjoy ‘school as usual’, the war would enter in. There are many stars printed on the pages of the 1943 LOCK, but there are also honors, support, and patriotism throughout the 1943 LOCK.
Dedication
The 1943 Lock was dedicated to The American Way of Life. Let’s See What It Means…Let’s Think About It…Let’s See How It Works. We are proud of our heritage as Americans, and we will do the utmost in our power to maintain the great traditions of our country. We will carry on the work our forefathers began and try to deserve the great privilege of being Americans.
School As Usual
And we go on more or less in our same old- fashioned way…school as usual. The unusual happens when some of our alumni return from the wars with a few stories. Kelso Sharp spent many days adrift in a lifeboat after his ship had been torpedoed by a submarine. He lived through this to come back to our school and buy $300 in War Bonds. Where could you find people more patriotic? (Kelso Sharp, 1919-1984, was a 1939 graduate of LTHS, ed.)
We Honor
Faculty members Les Lindberg and Daymond Akin have given up their professions to enter the service of their country. Mr. Lindberg, a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy, is stationed at Farragut, Idaho, and Mr. Akin is taking officer’s training in Mississippi.
LTHS has a memorial tablet honoring those who fought and gave their lives in World War I. Three men from our school lost their lives in the first World War. The first LTHS casualty of WWII was Hugh Allison, Class of 1941 who was killed in action at Guadalcanal. “The faculty and upperclassmen remember Hugh, and, with the sorrow of his passing in mind, we pray the list of names for the new tablet will grow no longer.”
Graduates who received diplomas but were not in the Senior Class photo section included Richard Ward (US Navy), Richard Kent (US Navy), and Arthur Woodhouse (Marines)
Sponsors
As with previous years two pages of the 1943 LOCK were dedicated to the sponsors of the annual publication. Businesses and professionals from Lockport and Joliet contributed. The ‘neighborhood’ grocery stores i.e., Upper’s Grocery Store and Wagner’s and Hamilton’s Clover Farm Stores added their support.
LTHS Band
In 1932 Ernest Caneva was appointed conductor of the LTHS band. There were only 22 members in the band at that time. In 1936 girls were allowed to enter the band. Following this the band membership increased to its present state of 100 members. During the ten years under Mr. Caneva’s leadership, the band has been awarded the state championship and Governor's Trophy three years in succession.
Red Cross
The Red Cross raised money by giving dances in collaboration with the LOCK staff. The money was given to the Red Cross and to various other funds and was also used to buy books and games for service men, hospitals, and U.S.O. centers. They also took part in the Victory Book Campaign and collected 110 books to send away to men in foreign service. Red Cross officers included Nancy Bruce, Joe McGuire, Phyllis Gustafson, and Royal Synwolt.
Activities
Participation continued to grow in the activities. GAA, Riding Club, bowling, swimming (in the new pool), The LOCK, Times, Social Hour Committee, Literary Society, and Cafeteria Committee all kept the students busy. Other activities included the Senior Play, Junior-Senior Prom, and class parties and picnics.
Commando Training
In keeping with the requests from the various services, LTHS has developed and extensive hardening program for all boys in school. We have tried to portray this program with a few pictures of the boys in action. Boxing and wrestling are being emphasized more than ever.
Honors
Honors included Perfect Attendance, National Honor Society, Quill and Scroll, National Athletic Honor Society, D.A.R., Science, and Scholarship.
Sports
The football team went 1-4-1 after Coach Les Lindberg left school to join the Navy. The basketball team went 7-11 despite several players graduating at the end of the first semester.
Class of 1943
Class members included: John Bazzani, Evelyn Bewersdorf, Nancy Bruce, Herb Tatroe, Jeanne Miller, Don Ott, Evelyn Grohar, Louise Hostert, Elving Lif, Theresa Lenzi, Gene Murawski, Marjorie Devereaux, Ray Pesavento, Bob Solley, Betty Shinn, and Walt Wittenkeller plus many others…
