Alexander Park High School - The National Yearbook (Portsmouth, VA)

Page 76 text:

THE 1945 The teachers had it pretty rough for awhile also. They had to hike to the school from the George Washington Highway in all the rain, snow and mud. Believe me, it was no fun ! However, most of them were young and had not been teaching very long. It was no picnic to have to learn the ropes in a newly organized school. Mr. Early, our efficient and likeable principal, had his worries too. He had the job of placing the new students where they belonged. Some who did not have their credits with them had to be placed temporarily and then he changed them around when their credits came. He had to stand the griping of some of the students who had to be put back because they came from a 12 grade system. That, my dear readers, is a complete picture of Alexander Park in its first winter. But the days were not to be dark forever. Oh, no ! Spring came and with it the “ice chewing.” How many teachers and pupils remember that year? During the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the burning of Rome, the ice chewing went on and on. It went on with increasing vivaciousness. Mrs. Buchanan remembers, so does Mrs. Amos and Mrs. Moore. Where did this ice come from — the frigidaires in the kitchen of the house “of learning”? All the comforts of home ! That year teachers kept coming and going and the school kept growing and growing. Then came graduation ! Three of Alexander Park’s students graduated (that’s all there were in the graduation class). They officially received their diplomas from their former high schools because our school was not old enough to be considered an accredited school. The exercises were held at Semmes Place. By this time the school had increased to 1300 pupils and 46 teachers. That spring was much better for the residents of the Park. The government built recreation centers for us. Civic Leagues were formed for the different sec- tions of the Park, and things started moving around the Park. The younger people had recreational facilities, and the older people had their clubs and gatherings to attend. Everyone was kept busy and happy. Early that spring exciting news got around. Little Star Stores were going to open soon. Almost over night, it seemed, that rumor came true. The opening day was a big event. People crowded into the store like a group of starving Armenians. The day was a typical Eastern ’irginia day. Hot and sticky! Imagine a store crowded to capacity with still more crowding in. People bought and some fainted ; still more folks came. The only fault found with the weather that spring was in the wind. You see, there was no grass and trees planted, the place looked like a miniature Sahara. So, when the wind blew, it blew dust. Nice dry dust to chew in your mouth or grind in your teeth. Before one went into another’s home, they shook themselves good. The stove was a minor detail in the spring and summer. To make a fire or not to make it ; that was the question. If you made it, you would suffocate for the rest of the day. If you didn’t make it, you would have to dive into a nice cold bath, or, what would be worse, go without one because you lacked the courage to do the latter. Or perhaps you enjoyed doing the dishes with ice cold water. That summer the government built us a beautiful school on McClean Street. It was beautiful I ! ! I still remember the first time I viewed the building. A couple of friends called for me and we all went down to have a look. “That’s all very nice,” I said, “but where is the rest of it, the other two stories, I mean?” Well, September came, and for the second time I went to register. Only this lime it was a little different from the other. (Continued on page 72)

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1. School is out! 2. Is that so, W’hitie? 3. W’oikiiig goils? 4. Cioiiig our way? 5. ()r ille Wright II. (). 1 )ottie. 7. Please come down. S. Frcshies. 9. Our pride and joy, U). The Editor himself. 11. Just playing around. 12. Glamour Gals. 13. Sophomore pals. 14. Midget. 16. London Bridge. 17. Sisters. 18. Pals.

Page 77 text:

N A T I 0 N A 1. lUisiness Mgr. 2. Cute? 3. Posed — definitely! 4. Patrolman. 5. Bathing heaiity. 6. “Coach.” 7. Ciood-looking Juniors. 8. Dignified Seniors? 9. A swell guy. 10. Jitterbug. 11. Mom and Offspring 12. The Three Stooges. 13. Another cutie. 14. Energetic Juniors. 15. Miss Harrell. 16. Always busy. 17. Is that right? 18. Pretty flowers!