Some teens were in the air. Others were on stage. And still others were in class. It was February of 1968, and young people had found ways to defeat winter’s cabin fever.
About 200 girls were trying to do the impossible. The stage play “The Impossible Years” was coming to Proctors, and “The Cutest MISS IMPossible Teenager” competition convinced girls to submit photos and “impish” statements about themselves to judges at the American Theater League of the Capital District. Among the contenders were Susan Carlson, 13, of Oneida Junior High School in Schenectady, who was always on the phone; a flirtatious Karen Dudley, 16, of Mohonasen High School; ladybug-loving Wendy Adams, 16, another Mohonasen student; and lollipop fan Jean Kern, 15, of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School.
Carlson was named the “impossible” girl. The night of the show, about middle-aged parents dealing with two young daughters, Carlson received a sweetheart bouquet from John J. Gallo Florists. She also won a one-day trip to New York City and a ticket to the off-Broadway play, “Curly MacDimple.”
Other goings-on
While Susan was working on her impossible personality, other girls were working on impossible moves in the gym. The YMCA gymnastics team was preparing for its touring season. The boys and girls, among them trampoline champion Stanley Zdunek, traveled to dinners and other outings for short exhibitions. The team trained twice a week at the downtown “Y.”
Other kids wanted to give freedom a chance. At Linton High School, “Americanism Days” were designed to encourage patriotism and interest in national affairs. An art contest project, a band concert featuring American songs, stage shows and closed-circuit television programming were all part of the project.
Categories: Life and Arts
