This week, we will once again turn the calendar back 62 years and spend an afternoon walking through the halls of Bridgeville High School.

Our time travel machine is a copy of the May 1946 Bridger. The seniors, many of whom were our close friends, are excited about graduation and the prospect of entering a new phase of their lives.

The front page story in the Bridger was commencement, held in Lincoln auditorium on Friday, May 24, 1946. The commencement speaker was Dr. E. Preston Sharp. One wonders what his credentials were, and what advice he gave the new graduates.

Six young ladies represented the senior class in presenting addresses -- Theresa Banterla, Alice Pesavento, Jean Rowley, Dorothy Wolf, Gloria Schadel and Jean Lutz. Their subjects ranged from "The Changing World" to "Meeting the Challenge," topics that would still be relevant today.

The Rev. John McKenna of St. Agatha Church gave the invocation and the benediction. George H. Maioli presented the diplomas. A mixed sextet performed three musical numbers, including the long forgotten "All in the April Evening."

Class Night was based on a radio station format. Station KWTS (Keep Watching the Seniors) presented live versions of many different radio broadcasts. Simulated "guests" included Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, and the Dolly Sisters.

Several other radio programs were presented -- Dr. I. Q., Truth or Consequences, and We the People. Almo Pruner was master of ceremonies. I remember going to Class Night that year, mostly to see if Bob Rothermund and Bob Bailey would make fools of themselves. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the presentation.

The Senior Ball was held on May 17. The attendees paid $2 a couple to dance to the unforgettable music of Art Sables. The dance floor was decorated with the theme of a southern plantation, lots of honeysuckle and magnolia.

This issue of the Bridger reported on some changes to the faculty. History teacher Bill Liggett had returned from four years in the Army, the highlight of which was a tour of duty with the Quartermaster Corps in Persia. Miss Salvino, Mrs. Corba and Miss Riebel were finishing out the year, with plans to be elsewhere next fall.

Mr. Becker was the band director that year. He hoped to have 30 musicians in line to march in the Memorial Day parade. Mr. Becker was a hero to the high school boys; he moonlighted as a trumpet player in the pit band at Jaffe's Casino downtown.

A feature entitled "They think?" recorded the thoughts some of the seniors had about their future. Skip Colussy planned to attend classes at Washington and Jefferson College. Theresa Pennetti planned to work at Weise's. Mary Weise "just didn't know."

Another feature, "Say It With Music," matched popular songs with school events -- "Oh, What It Seemed To Be" with the junior prom, and "Laughing On the Outside" with commencement. We didn't realize how lucky we were to have such wonderful popular music growing up.

Seven BHS students were part of a 325-voice chorus featured at the spring musical festival at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall -- Jane Connor, Ed Chabala, Eileen Crum, Vavara Federoff, Virginia Gardini, Mary Louise Ollett and Wilbur Durbin.

Life was simpler 62 years ago; it is difficult to imagine what kind of world this year's graduating class will experience in the year 2070.