Aiken High School - Hornet Yearbook (Aiken, SC)

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CLASS HISTORY If winter comes, can spring he far behind?” The class of 1950 found this to he true for it seemed that only a day had passed between December and May. As the chill, crisp winter days melted slowly into the warm, balmy hours of spring, graduation day came nearer and nearer until it is here at last. A day of long-awaited glory is this and yet the burning memories of the past twelve years still remain fresh and alive in the minds of the fifty-two graduates of Aiken High. 1950, the turn of the century . . . How quickly time Hies! It was in 1938 that this group of well-scrubbed youngsters entered the first grade. Led by Miss Jennie, who had taught thirty-odd classes before them, the boys and girls graduated from “Jack and Nell” to “Number Stories . Yes, two and two finally made four. Mrs. Coleman saw to it that grammar school was not all work and no play. The great productions presented on the small, dimly lighted stage have l een excelled by few professional plays (we thought). To the familiar strains of “Come to the Church in the Wildwood”, we learned our rcadin’ ’ritin and rithmetic. Then, 1941—we heard that Roosevelt had declared war on Japan, then Germany, and finally Italy. The Little Brown Church” soon changed to “God Bless America” and “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”. We collected scrap, gave reports, knitted, and prayed each day at twelve—that silent talk lre-tween us and God seemed to help our spirits. 1944 brought D-Day and high school. These strange new walls seemed to bring a new protection to the seventh graders. Entirely new was this large, rambling structure. Here, for the first time, we were assigned lockers, had dances, changed classes, and were actually allowed to eat outside the “cellar”. This was a “Heaven on Earth” if there ever was one. The next year Roosevelt died, but though sadness engulfed the world, the sad earth rejoiced with the coming of V-E Day and finally V-J Day. We felt that our prayers had been answered. Sophomores were we! No more were we looked down upon as children. We were well on our way to becoming real high school students. Freshmen again, but this time it was the ninth grade that beckoned us. Elections, basketball, football, and other activities held our interest with a keener concern. We even decided that school wasn’t quite so bad after all. Our sophomore year was also our first junior year; for the twelfth grade was being added and we had to lx juniors for two years. This was the year in which the brilliant stage success “Here Comes Charlie” was given. This year, 1947, also brought Mr. Parker’s resignation and Mr. Willis’ coming. The canteen opened, and the mental contests were reintroduced. The handbook was also published for the first time. Officially, now, we were juniors. What an ecstatic feeling! Only one more year—but what about this one? “Sunbonnet Jane” was the play; a success? Naturally. Junior-Senior, with its delightful Nlardi Gras theme, fills our memory with its gay colors—the sparkling music of the orchestra, the whirling feet of the dancers quickens the tempo of one’s pulse and makes the heart beat a little faster. Like a fountain it was—bubbling and full of life, our dance and banquet. The rings—they were ordered with the promise that they would be here for sure when the name of seniors was bestowed upon us. At last—1950. The end of the first half of the century and the beginning of a new era in the lives of Aiken High’s graduates. Here we stand on the threshold of life, awaiting the things it will give to us—its joys, its sorrows, its successes, its failures. The ’49-’50 year has been successful in more ways than one. The football season proved to lx highk successful; Hi-Times has improved; the interest shown in mental contests, dramatics, debating has been encouraging; the school now boasts a literary magazine, and a band completely uniformed. Progress has been the aim of Aiken High and we have reached our goal—now on to greater heights. The events of the year started when the rings arrived, those tiny gold bands, symbolic of the learning which we endeavored to obtain arc now worn as proudly as any medal. The play of the year, “Lavender and Old Lace” marked an end to the careers of the seniors on the Aiken High stage. Elections, concerts, and sports served in making this one of the most memorable years ever. It is not without sadness that we prepare for this— our graduation. The caps and gowns arc more familiar to us and the auditorium aisle seems to grow longer with each practice. The day is almost here! Class day! Commencement Sermon! Graduation! We meet this day, mindful of the challenge which lies before us, but never forgetting the memories which made this one of the most enjoyable periods of our life. “For the structure that we raise, Time is with materials filled; Our todays and yesterdays Are the block with which we build.” 27

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CLASS OF ’50 JULIA ANNE MARSCHALK WATKINS “Julie” married, photogenic, glamorous Junior Play; Expression Contest; Glee Club; Graduated from Summer School August, 1949. CLAIRE JEAN WENZEL very quiet, cute figure, sweet Social Club. 5 1 1 LAMAR WILLIAMS Tramp” loves football, Jean, and all kinds of food Football '45-’49; Track ’45-’49; Hi-Times Sports Editor ’48-’49; President of Homeroom ’47-’48; Block “A” Clid). JEAN CAROLYN WOODWARD very artistic, athletic, good cook Basketball ’45-’50; Hi-Times Staff ’48-’49; Vice-President of National Honor Society; Council Member '47-’49. EDWARD ZORN Ed” tall, dark, and handsome Band '43-'50; President of Band '49-’50; Football 47; Basketball ’47; Marching Band '47-’49; Block “A” Club. 26

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We are the dancing girls . . . Anybody looking? . . . Sitting pretty . . . Old faithfuls . . . The of gray mare, she ain’t what she used to be . . . Asleep in the deep . . . Sleepy time gal . . . Man who’s the leader of the band . . . fust westing . . . Playtime . . . Sittin by the window . . . We're just birds in a guilded cage . . . The pleasure is all mine . . . Queenie! Queenie! 28