Spartanburg High School - Spartana Yearbook (Spartanburg, SC)

Page 20 text:

'S'75'. r- fag. i 'fur-lim. T. HISTORY Ol: THE CLASS Ol: i942 ln the spring a young senior's fancy turns not to thoughts of love-well, yes, by all means to thoughts of love-but primarily to an absorbing contemplation of the past. A senior's thoughts wander back, drifting lazily through a sea of lost autumn mornings: certain hours, certain days of foremost importance predominate in our minds, details of special events and experiences are renewed as a result of our reflections, silent medita- tion brings back vivid memories of outstanding scenes and pleasant winter days at Spartan l-ligh. Remember how, in the fall of 1938 . . . Part I ANCIENT HISTORY Breathlessly amazed, freshmen watched with wide- open eyes the whirlwind election of George Drnek to the presidency of the Student Council for 1938-'39. Quite suddenly, everyone missed that elderly gentle- man who had become so endeared to our hearts through his inspiring life and works-Dr. Frank Evans. ln November, the combined divisions of the Music department established an ever-popular school tradi- tion by presenting the first of the anniversary concerts. Exhibiting masterly skill, the dramatic department crowned all former achievements with the presentation of its two stirring and impressive productions, Quality Street, and Stage Door. One warm spring night near the close of school seven hundred student performers, including many flustered freshmen, gathered beneath ribboned rafters to par- ticipate in that spectacular event, the thirteenth annual gym circus. Perhaps to be different or for the sake of novelty, the senior class of '39 abandoned the customary year- book in favor of the unique supplement published in its place. The holding of the Student Council presidential race in the late spring enabled the leader of this govern- ing body to eliminate all delay in the assumption of his accustomed duties upon the commencement of his term of otfice the following fall. The student voters' desire was indeed fulfilled when candidate Walter I-lale was announced to have triumphed upon this occasion. Part ll MEDIEVAL HISTORY Abruptly aware of the absence of those annoying freshmen, who had vacated their habitual quarters in our midst, many upper-classmen expressed their ut- most astonishment that old S. I-I. S. could seem so strangely peaceful. Following the Avon players' brief visit to the school with their remarkable dramatization of Shakespeare's rousing old comedy, As You Like lt, the department of dramatics presented its chief contribution to the school's activities for the year, The Passing of the Third Floor Back. The ninth graders, the present senior class, also had something to crow about. Dabbling in drama, they art- fully produced two quite entertaining one-act plays. The Scribblern pulled no punches in its acquisition of a first-class honor rating in the annual contest of the National Scholastic Press Association. It also succeeded in capturing first place as the best high school publica- tion among schools of the size of S. f-l. S. in the state and in the Southeast, thus establishin exceptional records which future stafif members wouldiold as ideals and strive to attain. Again the saucy sophomores had reason to strut- three of their clan, I-lacky Walker, Babe O'Brien, and John Earnhardt had been chosen for participation in varsity basketball. So contrasted in height were I-lacky and John that in time our invincible basket- eers became widely known as the long and short team. Star athlete of the year was Jimmy York. Not only did this versatile sportster act as captain of the afore- mentioned basketball squad, but he was also featured as pitcher on the 1940 S. I-l. S. baseball team, which so meritoriously earned the coveted state champion- ship. After having been selected by the student body to fill the executive otfice of the Student Council for 1940-'41, Rebekah Tinsley was unable to accept this honor. Successor to the throne was Kenneth Brown, runner-up in the election. Part Ill MODERN HISTORY The first half of the school year was accented by its' uneventfulness. However, toward the middle of winter no casual observer at the school would have failed to notice the wild rejoicing that resulted from the abolish- ment of the customary mid-term exams. Had this visitor remained two months longer, gloomy facial ex- pressions and exclamations of dread could scarcely have escaped his attention, for the students didn't get off so easily as they had expected. Why? English minimum essentials tests were inaugurated then as yearly atfairs.

Page 19 text:

f Q T WHS ks -mf y- v--.,- 1, .xy 5 V 3 5 Q ' G 'fe' . sq U tw 94 m LKELL . ,W S X V' 4 .M A-fggi ,. - 'EMS' ia N059 N .

Page 21 text:

After the school had thus begun to hum again with activity, the combined chorus and glee club, clothed in oriental robes, presented excerpts from Gilbert and Sullivan's colorful opera, The Mikado. Carolyn Collier's sudden fame spread like wildfire from the school to the city, then rapidly on throughout the entire state, due to the much-desired champion- ships that she won in district, area, and state competi- tion, in the American Legion's Fourth Annual High School oratorical contest. At the annual State Music contest in Rock Hill, highest honors were bestowed upon our s lendid band and orchestra, both of which had been enhiarged by the addition of junior high school musicians. Featured as a side-line, a number of our ensembles and soloists were judged winners of first place awards. As in l939, the Spartan tennis team swooped in to capture the S. C. doubles championship. Not satisfied with this accomplishment, Gus Chreitzberg gulped the ---. , 1'--' accepted by studentsg facul'ty members M. B. Self, L. L. Dunlap, and Walter Foster departed for active service in the nation's armed forces. The Dramatic club's interpretation of A Voice in the Dark, was at this time a particularly appro riate pro- duction, due to the fact that it reflected tiie school's new patriotic atmosphere. State-wide recognition was once more earned by our superb band when it traveled to Columbia in February and performed admirably before the General Assembly of the State Legislature. Sophisticated seniors began to bustle during the tinal school semester in preparation for their antici- Eated graduation. The class chalked up the amazing allot result of l55 to 155 over the controversy of morning or evening commencement exercises. A second vote ended all discussion with morning as the estab- lished time. Yes, indeed, graduation was a new ex- perience, and seniors' heads began to whirl-calling state singles just for good measure. cards, invitations, caps, owns, banquets, dances, and During the closing weeks of school, the Class of '42 i allY-d'Pl0ma5' came into its own at last. Gifted Nancy Harmon was And thus we brin ur classlyj chronicle to a close. appropriately selected to edit The Scribblern during Any si ' rity to in ' ents of actual occurrence is purely her senior year. Subsequently, popular Catherine Hale, inte i l fi following in her brother's footsteps, was the student ' body's choice for 1941-'42 Council president. Then four jp Nyjqfsr TURBEVILLEI 'aunt juniors found themselves tagged S. H. S.'s '41- l42 cheerleaders. They were Mary Allen, Ann Murph, M j DUNKUN BHRNSJDE' Parker Tabor, and John Brady. Part IV CURRENT HISTQRY Constituting an irreparable loss to all, the tragic death of our beloved friend and teacher, Miss Annie Gentry, occurred near the reopening of school. Jimmie Glominski equaled his brothefs similar achievement of a few years previous by landsliding into the office of senior class president. Hilarious S. H. S. students frisked and frolicked en- ergetically at sophomore, junior and senior square dances, presented under the sponsorshi of the Student Council for the purpose of raising suigcient funds for chorus vestments. , By the treacherous Japanese attack of December 7, the nation was plunged deep into the existing world contlagration, with the result that senior high became thoroughly war-conscious. A troubled silence hung over the vast gymnasium as students filed solemnl in to hear the Presidentis memorable war addressg the pur- chase of Ll. S. defense savings stamps was promoted by the school each week, with much confusion involved, the 'first school air raid drills took place, extra holidays provided for because of draft registration were eagerly P+