Atkins High School - Maroon and Gold Yearbook (Winston Salem, NC)

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C My MAPOCN AND GOLD O PROPHECY Class of june 1932 Listen, O ye men and women, youths and maidens, and little children! Listen to the words of wisdom from the lips of the prophet, who now speaketh unto you what hath been revealed unto her, even as it hath been decreed by the powers that be. For it has come to pass, that the veil of the future hath been rent in twain, even as it was in twain in the days of the wise prophets of old, and the spirit of prophecy hath descended from the spheres to envelope my soul with her mystic power, Aye, I say unto you, men and women, youths and maidens and lit- tle children, it hath been given unto me as the chosen one of this great and good people, the class of 1932, to dream strange dreams and to see strange visions of the glories of the years yet to be. As I cried in protest at being a prophet, a voice spoke and said, Look! Listen! Prophesy unto the young women and men of the class of 1932 even these things which you here in behold. So even as St. Iohn the divine, said unto the world, so I, your prophet of the class of 1932, do say unto you, in the twentieth century. Blessed be the one that readeth and they that hear the words of this pro- phecy, and keep those things which are written therein, for the time is at hand. For as I looked into the land of the future I discern moving among the dim shadows of the people yet to be, the familiar shapes of those fair and radiant beings who were once my classmates, now changed and transformed to the citizens of the world outside even as they long hoped to be. And it came to pass that the veil before mine eyes grew yet more and more thin through the intensity of my vision and behold I could see them, even as if the intervening years were not at all. I see our beloved President, Bennie Lee Williams, yea even as the president of one of our biggest Insurance Compan- ies. I behold a Professor in a college class- room. I look very hard and I recognize the face of Professor Cyrus Matthews. Miss Eleanor Pitts has taken Mrs. Charlotte Hawkins Brown's place as head of a fine colored school for girls. Miss Lois Russell is a dramatic teacher in one of the biggest colleges. Miss Wilma Singletary and Mr. Elmer Gilliam are starring on Broadway in the Youth of l996 . Mr. Walter Lucas and Mr. Lafayette Cook are our leading local attorneys. Miss Eula Blakney is in Social Service work and showing her dramatic ability by presenting readings from Negro Lit- erature. Miss Edith Williams is now at the or- gan of one of the largest churches in England. I see Miss Etolia Iohnson is not on the warpath , but is a successful beauty cul- turist. We have several other beauty cul- turists. They are Mesdames Sides, Gen- eler Gray, and Ella Belle Vaughn. Miss Charlotte Ballentine is head of a school for trained nurses. Her co-work- ers are Emily Litaker, Ianie Pickens and Ethelyne Lewis. Misses Virginia Orr, Evelyn Green, Mary Robinson, Frances Pickard and PAGE 29

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MAROON AND GOLD Q Wm, ranked second on the honor roll. To our delight the Student Council was or- ganized and put in operation during thc latter part of our second year. We con- sidered it a great honor to have two rep- resentatives sent to the Council. The starring of Wilma Singletary in, My Ir- ish Rose, which was a huge success, made us all proud. Each year our little boat was advanc- ing, nearing its destination. Our junior year was perhaps the happiest one spent in High School. We succeeded in elect- ing Galatia Cunningham as president of the Student Body over two senior can- didates. Those students who had main- tained Uexcellency of scholarship, ex- cellency of service and excellency of character were admitted to the Crown and Sceptre Club, the only scholarship club on the campus. On April 7, 1931 the Columbian Heights High School was transferred to Atkins High School. Perhaps the hap- piest moments in all our high school ca- reers were those in which we admired and gazed upon our beautiful new build- ing. Then one beautiful night in Iune, we entertained the Seniors, in the gymnasium of the school. The next day, we could hear whispers among the seniors, what a wonderful social. The winds and tides that had tossed us seemed to cease: we were about ready to anchor off shore of the little stream that we had sailed down for years. Seniors, the very word thrilled us: at last to be seniors after many years of striving. We immediately elected Bennie Lee Williams to lead us. Activity Period. which was created during our senior year increased our dignity. Every senior belonged to some extra-curricular activity. We were also successful in putting over the Athletic Drive. The Dramatic ability of Velma Iones. Wilma Singletary, Lois Russell, Sarah Phelps, Florice Hairston, Elmer Gilliam. Lula Harris and Eleanor Pitts in the New Co-Ed and El Bandido added other stars to Atkins Crown. Samuel Cook, Selmer Gwyn, Lester Speas, Elmer Gilliam, Charles Archie and Lafayette Cook representated us in Athletics. Our lirst step in life had been made and the very birds seemed to chirp it. Again the loud gong of the bell sounded and asl turned to leave the tower, I whispered, Beautiful, Beautiful are thy works, O God. -Eleanor Pitts, Historian PAGE 28

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O MAROON AND GOLD O Iuanita Settle have become noted dress- designers. Miss Mae Alice Boyd has a night school for those who wish to learn dress-making. Mr. Selmer Gwyn and Mr. Samuel Cook are now coaching boys to play football, basketball and other sports in a modern high school. We have one preacher, who happens to be the Reverend Iacob Moore. Mr. Otis Hooper and Iohn Crosby are the Amos 'n Andy for this time. An artist of some note is Mr. George Bitting. Miss Lillie Mae Caldwell has taken the position as physical education teach- er in a high school. I am unable to say which one it is, but it appears as large and as beautiful as old Atkins High. Miss Lillie Matthews is toe dancing, Her chorus is composed of Miss Laura Belle Watts, Miss Mildred Scales and Mr. Lester Speas. Miss Sara Phelps has taken Bessie Smith's place and is a successful singer on Broadway. Miss Velma Iones, Miss Aurelia Davis and Miss Mable Iohnson are stenogra- phers, and they are still typing love let- ters to certain young men, to Iohn Doub. De' Pitts and others. Miss Lula Harris, Miss DeLois Ed- monds and Miss Florice Hariston are the biggest flappers of the day. In the field of carpentry there are Mr. Charles Hairston, Norman Ramseur, Mr, Coyd Smith and Mr. Charles Archie. Miss Galatia Cunningham and Miss Miriam Penn are faithful church workers and are organizing groups among the young folk. Mr. Aaron Bridges is now teaching Physics in one of the high schools and has recenty made a discovery which en- ables students in Atkins High to finish fifty experiments satisfactorily for Mr. Stepp. Mr. Iohn Pannell is a Y. M. C. A. secretary, but still debates in the local churches. We have quite a number of house- wives who have cozy homes, and have graduated with M, A. degrees. They are Miss Callinette McLean, Miss Pearl Mock, Miss Mattie Hairston. Of course, they are Mrs now. Last but not least Miss Cozett Lopp, Miss Ruth Smith and Miss Lula Cash have joined the Old Maids and still weep for a man. And verily, as I beheld this scene and marvelled thereat, thinking, Haye, even so shall it straightway come to pass with each and all of us . lo, the veil was drawn over mine eyes, shutting out from my vision, the things to be, and l turned mine eyes back to the things that are, surely that as coming events cast their shadows before , only goodness and truth and prosperity shall follow all the days that are to come to the fair and talented members of the Class of 1932. -Clarice E. Glenn, Prophet PAGE 30