Douglas Southall Freeman High School - Historian Yearbook (Richmond, VA)

Page 25 text:

FORMING THE PROCESSION BEFORE THEY ENTER THE GYM, COURT MEMBERS ATTENDANTS GREET ROYALTY as King Frank and Queen Peggy join John Easter and Betty Abernathy for refreshments. A FLOWER BEDECKED REFRESHMENT TABLE entices thirsty Rebels with its frosty punch during the band’s intermission. COMPLETE FINAL PREPARATIONS.

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SOFT LIGHTS REFLECTED in glittering decorations create an atmosphere of fantasy at the senior class’ “Great White Way.” SMILING MEMBERS OF THE COURT complete the formation of a large, revolving cross, one of their practiced figures. Class creates miniature Broadway for dance With early spring came the event long anticipated by DSF seniors, the Senior Court Dance. Working long hours, these industrious Rebels disguised the gym until it became New York’s “Great White Way.” They draped a deep blue ceiling above the steps which led to gold-and-white doors of the Waldorf Astoria. Across the way they placed a small Central Park with a fountain splashing perfumed water. Twinkling foil lanterns marked street corners, and murals of a skyline with its tall buildings concealed the walls. After the mad rush of decorating, getting new hair- dos, and buying corsages, seniors rested briefly. When they returned, a wonderland of soft colored lights and shimmering decorations greeted them. Shortly after nine, the doors opened for members of the court to enter. Following the completion of the figure, everyone awaited the announcement, then ap- plauded as Frank Bowman and Peggy Fitzhugh received the golden crowns of the king and queen, and as Rodney Smith and Pat Mason were named royal attendants. Princes Bob Ackerly, Pete Tosh, Lindley Smith, Glen Shivel, Willy Maples, Joe Kent, Bill Jones, Jay Here- ford, Wilburn Hatcher, and John Easter acted as es- corts for princesses Anne Askew, Brenda Stroud, Betty Abernathy, Anne Seaholm, Pam Curtis, Phoebe Flinn, Betty Jean Highfill, Penny Sanford, Jeri Lewis, and Dee Dee Nottingham. THE NUMERALS “‘62” PROVIDE the pattern for the first figure composed of an array of princes and princesses of the court.

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es A SUNNY SPRING DAY DRAWS REBEL’ GLOVEMEN TO VIE IN A CONTEST ON THE BYRD PA RK BASEBALL DIAMOND. Rebels complete unfinished tasks before leaving FREEMANITES, TRYING TO EVADE SPRING FEVER, concen- trate on measuring chemicals for a scientific experiment in the lab. 22 While April opened into May and May became June, Rebels entered the flurry of activities that filled the few remaining weeks of school. Scientific-minded stu- dents worked frantically to meet the deadline on biolo- gy, chemistry, and physics projects. Upon completing them, they exhibited the results of their work and com- peted for prizes in the Science Fair. A few days later, muffled sounds floated upstairs from the cafeteria. These were the voices of Rebelettes practicing for the day on which students would select new varsity cheer- leaders. Hopeful aspirants’ faces reflected joy and des- pair in turn as the lists of semi-finalists, then of finalists appeared. The 1962-63 squad heard the announce- ment of their selection at the May dance. Candidates for SCA offices chose their campaign man- agers and began working toward their goal. Rebels, supporting their favorites, made posters and banners to cover the walls, and multi-colored pins, which they distributed to fellow students. Election day arrived; Freemanites listened to campaign speeches, then entered the privacy of voting booths to mark their ballots. On the baseball diamond, powerful hitters and fleet base runners played an exciting game for spectators, who cheered at hard-hit balls and groaned at errors. Final exams only slightly bothered Rebels caught up in their own musings over their futures. This year’s sophomores would no longer be the youngest class; juniors, when September had come, would be high school seniors; and the seniors, leaving for jobs and college, would soon look upon DSF as a memory.