Looking back

50 Years Ago
Bobby Burgess was named most valuable player in the McGill 10th annual Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament. Coached by Denzil Hollis, team members included Burgess, Bo Brown, Charlie Roberts, John Terrell, Kenny Crow, Vernon Hall, Kevin Johnson, Robin Sanders, Archie Shaw, Charlie Smoke, Steve Sparks, Walter White and Jimmy Martin.
Serving as officers of St. Anne’s Guild of St. Peter’s Parish, Montgomery, were: Miss Octavia Roemer, president; Miss Catherine Roemer, vice president; Mrs. Peter B. Mastin, secretary; and Miss Marion Mueller, treasurer.
Msgr. Francis J. McCormack, P.A., former principal of McGill Institute died.
Mrs. Anita Hamilton, president of the Tuskegee-Montgomery Chapter of the Centinental Society, Inc., presented St. Jude Hospital a check for $3,000.
Sister Marie Felicite Hanratty, former principal of Catholic Boys School, died in St. Louis. She served 63 years as a Sister of St. Joseph.
A closed circuit TV system, donated by Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Hirs, was installed in Providence Hospital.
The profession equipment of Dr. E. R. Nodine was donated to St. Jude Hospital.
Bernarda Mullek of Summerdale received a $70,000 scholarship from the Carnation Company at the 51st Annual 4H Convention in Chicago.
Officers of St. Mary’s Parish Council were: Bernard J. Diamond, Jr., president; John J. Grove, vice president; and Mrs. Norma C. Koppersmith, secretary.
Little Sisters of the Poor annual Christmas Show was presented by Bill Lagman and his orchestra. Mother Marguerite Marie and George M. Cox distributed gifts to the 108 residents.
McGill-Toolen cheerleaders were: Sandra Jackson, Jeanne Collier, Ellen Halliday, Marguetta Johnson, Debbie Rehm, Julie Andrade (captain), Ann Lyons, Jocelyn Du Cloux and Moo Moo Zieman.
Harold Murray and Charles William led the St. Jude Pirates to a 91-66 victory over the J. F. Shields Panthers.
Richard P. Hodges was named Montgomery Chairman for the Catholic Charities Drive.
Speakers from 15 schools participated in the McGill Invitational Forensics Tournament. Joseph E. Vella, Chairman of McGill’s Speech and Drama department, directed the event. 
25 Years Ago
“A lifetime of service, a moment of thanks” was the theme of the 1997 Retirement Fund for Religious Collection. The once a year appeal was taken up in parishes nationwide.
Sister Nancy Crossen, O.S.F., was honored by the students, staff and parents of Most Pure Heart of Mary for her leadership as part of the National Day of Appreciation for Catholic School Principals.
Thomas F. Hickey of St. Louis was named the new vice president for finance, administration and technology at Spring Hill College.
Crowned as royalty of the 50th annual Toy Bowl were Queen Jamie Sullivan and King Thomas Murray Sharp of St. Ignatius Catholic School. The largest court ever consisted of 166 Maids and Knights. 
Decontee Jimmeh, a St. Jude High senior, was nominated to compete in the national Principal’s Leadership Award Scholarship Program.
Aviance Marshall was chosen as Miss St. Jude 1997-98.
Fr. William Thomas Shire, who retired in the spring of 1996, died in Laurel Springs, N.J., after a long illness. He was buried at St. Agnes Cemetery in Blackwood, N.J.
Christ the King School, Daphne, was accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Msgr. Timothy Deasy served as pastor and Sister Maureen Nolan, principal.
Named to the 6A All County Cross Country teams from McGill-Toolen were: Peter Arner, Nick Noletto, Adam Harris, Catherine Baggett, Ashley Johnson and Phillip Madonia who was also honored as a member of the Metro Super Seven. 
— Anne Baggett compiles information for Looking Back from past issues of this newspaper. Anne is a member of St. Mary Parish in Mobile.