Bedford High School - Peaks Yearbook (Bedford, VA)

Page 22 text:

Class History You may not find the events that I am about to relate recorded in the pages of American histories; nevertheless, I defy you to prove that they are not as worthy of mention as any of the deeds performed by the heroes of old. Would you have me prove my words? Then stretch your ears and give heed. Remember that day way back in 1935 when we entered school for the first time? It will never be forgotten either by us or by Miss Nell. On that eventful day she was heard to moan on several occasions, “Oh, why were these little creatures sent upon me!”’ Her suspicions were more than justified during that year. The greater part of the time Masters Carl and Hugh Overstreet were so happy at the thought of being in the first grade that they could do nothing but sing, no matter what Miss Nell threatened. It was also in the first grade that we won the name of being the noisiest class ever to be assembled—a trait that has remained with us through the years. Soon another year rolled by. In the second grade our pranks and jokes were well packed into eventful days. For instance, one day Homer Chryssikos decided he had had enough of studying. Mrs. Hays, being ignorant of the thought uttermost in Homer’s mind, went into the closet for a box of chalk. The temptation was too great for little Homer. He quickly slammed the closet door and locked it. D:dn’t Homer have fun when Mrs. Hays was rescued. By the time we master minds got in the third grade we thought we knew all, but this illusion Miss Bessie quickly shattered. It is believed that while passing through this grade both Betty Anne McGhee and Anna Belle Arthur were more interested in a certain Lewis McGhee than they were in their books, but as to this fact we have never had any definite proof. Although Bookie Bond’s interest in Virginia Lee Richardson was slightly aglow in the third grade, by the time we reached the fourth grade it had burst into flame. Even at that tender age the little Cassanova couldn’t concentrate on his arithmetic for eyeing the beauteous Virginia Lee. And speaking of Bookie, one Sarah Carter was constantly slaving to keep his shoes tied for him. We managed to keep out of mischief fairly well in the fifth grade. Nevertheless, one incident comes to mind at the thought of that grade. Miss Hannah announced one day that all those who missed as many as three words on a spelling quiz would have to write each word missed seventy-five times after school. Didn’t Bobby Zimmerman have to slave because he couldn’t spell? Before Bobby finished writing his seventeen words that evening, he wished he had brought supper with him. While we were making history at Bedford Grade School, certain of our group were making trouble at Liberty Academy. In the process of passing through the fifth grade, Nancy Parks, Joanne Hash, Bettie Burks and Barbara Dooley almost had to join us sooner than they planned. It all started when these four decided they were tired of school work and continued their tennis after the recess bell had rung. After Miss Wright and a few others were through giving lectures, reprimands, and time, all agreed to leave off tennis for a while. In the sixth grade Ju ne Eaton, Joanne Hash, Janet Gee, and Billy Sutherland were added to our class. Three of these newcomers were perfect angels, but there was one— yes, you’ve guessed it—Joanne Hash, who never failed to get on Miss Wilkinson’s nerves. She was constantly throwing notes to Leila Walker, and when questioned by care-worn 118%

Page 21 text:

1. “Dark Eyes.” 2. Wolves at work. 3. Why so glum, you two. 4. Leila’s always going. 5. Don’t get mad, Homer. 6. Just another one of those house parties. 7. Miss Boan demonstrates. 8. Hubba-Hubba!! 9. Ain’t love grand? 10. All this and leisure, too. 11. Lewis’ famous curls. 12. Junior-Senior picnic. 13. Is it a secret, girls? 14. The school mar’ms gossip. 15. The “Big Three.” 16. Don’t touch that rose, Parks! 17. Going to baseball practice. 18. Everybody seems hungry. AT

Page 23 text:

Miss Wilkinson as to what she was throwing Joanne calmly replied, “Why, teacher, I was just throwing a piece of chalk.” We started our seventh year of school with a bang. On that first day while June Eaton was chasing Billy Sutherland, she collided with a big shelf of flowers. in Mrs. Steele’s room. Dirt, bits of plants, and June seemed to go in all directions for awhile. The rest of the day was spent in cleaning up the room. Remember how proud we felt to get our grade school diplomas? My, but didn’t we think we had reached the pinnacle of success as we sat on the stage in the auditorium for our closing exercises? That fateful day of September 8, 1942, when we made our spectacular appearance as freshmen in high school will long live in our memories. So coated with lipstick were our faces for the first few days that we neither recognized one another nor were recog- nized by the teachers. It was in our freshman year also that Marie DeCicco and Bobby Lazenby ‘“‘fell”’ for each other at first sight. If you will take a peep at the section on Romances in the Hall of Fame, you will observe that things haven’t changed much for these two. Our sophomore year was anticipated with great glee, for now we could get our revenge upon the poor freshmen by smearing them with lipstick. Bossing them and act- ing superior also came under our list of pleasures. This year also, our boys, greatly worn by a steady diet of studying, were revived by the resumption of sports after an absence of three years. We cannot pass by our Junior year without calling to mind the day when Mrs. Elliott was giving Hogie a lecture on studying. “Now, Hoge, if you don’t study more, I am going to see your father,” raved Mrs. Elliott. Then replied bright Hogie, “But, Mrs. Elliott, what would my mother say?” We always thought Maxine Citty was the kind to blush every time a boy looked at her, but many of us were surprised that Junior year when she suddenly came to school wearing a diamond. She really did blush after we got through teasing her about it. Our Senior year has been far from a tranquil year. At the first of the year Homer Chryssikos broke his leg and Hugh Overstreet received a fractured foot in a football game with the rough and ready team of Vinton. While speaking of sports, it is necessary to mention our cheer leaders. Many of us have never been able to understand what hap- pened to this group—namely Virginia Lee Richardson, Joanne Hash, Marie DeCicco, and Nancy Parks, when they stayed in Roanoke on a certain night until 1:00 with our football team of 25 boys. It has always been very mystifying, but, who knows, maybe some day an explanation will come to light. Each of us can truthfully say that he has thoroughly enjoyed his Senior year with the many parties, dances, and banquets. Of course, we could not overlook the Senior play, which gave everyone so much enjoyment. We seniors who went with the Glee Club to the district festival in Roanoke and helped take the highest ratings were never so proud as when we also went to the state festival in Richmond and saw ourselves again win top ratings. We can’t give too much credit to Liz Jamerson for directing us so effectively. So ends the history of the Class of ’46. We have shared many happy times as well as sad ones in B.H.S.—times which we will always remember and cherish as we think back on our school days. SARAH VIRGINIA CarTER, Class Historian. 419}