Appomattox High School - Traveler Yearbook (Appomattox, VA)

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and there were new trails to blaze in physics and solid geometry, which our school now offered. Some of the junior girls were among the first to use the new facilities of our expanded home-economics department. Miss Riemann, an exchange teacher from Denmark, joined the faculty and brought a thrilling awareness of other lands to the country, As a sign of our progress thus far and of our hope of eventually reaching Graduation Peak, we had the privilege of receiving our class rings. Moreover, there were memorable group activities to create an exuberant ESPRIT DE CORPS - presentation ofthe Christmas pageant and the play, to which we gave our best talent and full support, and entertain- ment of the seniors with an enchantingly lovely prom that united our hearts in a glowing atmosphere of utter ecstasy. How we regretted the all-too-rapid termination of this happy adventure on the trail to the summit! Now, we, the sixty-five stout-hearted climbers who remain, face the final stretch of our long journey, and our attention is focused keenly on majestic Graduation Peak, cloaked in clouds but crowned by the rays of the rising sun. Our heartaches and triumphs, all steps toward maturity along the road we have traveled, have prepared us to accept the privileges and responsibilities of seniors as we raise our standards and goals ever higher. During our senior year we had a new captain, Mr, Rush, to lead our expedition pedition. We were divided into two groups with Mrs. Beamer and Mrs. Gilbert as guides. But our journey was suddenly halted by the death of a fellow traveler, Peyton Abbitt. After making a pilgrim age to Liberty Baptist Church to pay our la st respects to our beloved classmate, we continued our journey toward grad- uation, Early in September we put our democratic principles, which we were so diligently taught in history and government, to practical use in our senior class elections. CHINA BOY, our senior play, was a tremendous success. We all took an active part to make the play an outstanding feature of the senior year. We seniors are anxiously anticipating the arrival of the month of May during which time we are planning a trip to New York. Before finally reaching Graduation Peak, we will be entertained by our successors with an elaborate farewell party, the Junior-Senior Prom. Our greatest aspiration, that of reaching Graduation Peak will soon be realized. As we stand on the elevation just below the Peak, we look over past experiences with the realization that our expedition will soon be com- pleted and each will go his own way. We look upward toward Graduation Peak and realize that once we have reached our destination and obtained the awards of our achievement, we will become travelers on other highways lead- ing to other peaks of achievement. Historians, Peyton Abbitt Virginia Megginson

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History ofthe Senior Class It was an exciting day of orientation in early September, 1954, when one hundred twenty of us rather timorous eighth-graders converged at Appomattox High School to begin our difficult journey along the steep trail to Graduation Peak. At first we were happily oblivious of the magnitude of the task that loomed before us, but under the leadership of Captain Kerr and with the aid of our guides, Miss Carlton, Mrs. Gurney, Mrs. Holland, and Mr. Cockerill, the expedition was soon advancing in earnest toward the completion of the exploratory courses outlined for us that year. In addition, we found time to participate in many clubs and other activities of the school and even presented an assembly program on President 's Day for the entire student body. The dedication of the new gym- nasium was an important milestone that made traveling easier and more pleasant in the realm of physical education and athletics. As we finally neared the first plateau, we paused to celebrate with a festive picnic and then settled down for a rest. The climb grew ever steeper, but most of us were ready for the challenge of broader horizons in the ninth grade, and the party was augmented by fresh- men from Pamplin High School. Guided by Mrs. Runkle, Mrs. Ferrell, and Mr. Hudson, we separated into groups pursuing business, agriculture, home- economics, and college-preparatory courses, Band was included for the first time as an elective that year. Many became eligible for membership in more clubs and for participation in sports and other extracurricular activities. Mr. Godwin accompanied some of the science students on an eye -opening excursion to the zoo in Washington, D. C. After a year of strenuous marching, we were glad to stop for another class picnic and more rest on the second plateau. Taking up our burdens again, we forged ahead in our sop. nore year, this time under Captain Christopher and with the assistance of Mrs. heatham, Mrs. Beamer, and Mr. Coates. A new program of distributive education and diver- sified occupations was introduced into the curriculum, and some of us, with an eye to preparation for future careers, signed up to take the courses the following year, Promising vocalists in the party joined the choral group directed by Mr. Coates. There were many obstacles in our rocky path, but most of us had learned to use our skills in mountain -climbing, to follow the signposts - the counsel that teachers offered along the way, - and to persevere until we reached another resting place, Heartened by our success in attaining the status of Juniors, we were soon pressing on, though we were grieved by the tragic loss of a very gifted and likable fellow traveler, Kenneth Marsha ll, Mrs. Morris and Miss Holley patiently guided us through the dark forests and lush meadows of American history and literature,

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President LYLE GARRETTE Vice-President SCCTCWTY BILL CALDWELL EMILY WOOD BURKE Treasurer Reporter Historian MYRON RICH A RDSQN CHARLES GILLS LUELLA MARTIN funior Class O jicers Real knowledge, like everything else of value, is not to be obtained easily. It must be worked for, studied for, thought for, and, more than all, must be prayed for. A T. Arnold