Battle High School - Phoenix Yearbook (Bristol, VA)

Page 10 text:

'Dedication “There should be more teachers like Mrs. Crabtree! By this statement students mean that Mrs. Crabtree gets the job done ; that she is kind and unassuming; that she is energetic and efficient; that she is friendly and fair- minded; that she speaks quietly but with confidence; that her eyes betray a quick and ready wit; that her smile and enthusiasm are contagious; that she likes young people and thoroughly enjoys teaching. Students are not alone in recognizing Mrs. Crabtree's merits. Everyone who knows her is impressed with her talents, the scope of her in¬ terests, and her zest for living. Through the years Lou Crabtree has taught hundreds of John S. Battle students who remember fondly the hours they spent in her drama, English, and social studies classes. Her drama students, in particular, have much to be proud of. Under her direction several classes won state and local One-Act Play awards, and all of her drama students can boast that their teacher attended the American Aca¬ demy of Dramatic Arts in New York and appeared on the Broadway stage! Mrs. Crabtree's literary efforts have also been recognized. She won the Creative Writing Contest of the Virginia Highlands Festival in 1972, and the festival Poetry Contest in 1973. In 1974 she won first place in the Virginia poetry contest. Throughout the years she has had several articles and stories published in literary magazines. Mrs. Crabtree attended Washington County schools and graduated CUM LAUDE from Radford College. During her 36 years as a teacher in the Washinton County school system, she has also attended classes at King College, Emory and Henry College, the University of Virginia, and the College of William and Mary. To express their conviction that John S. Battle students are belter and wiser for having known this fine lady, the yearbook staff proudly dedicates the 1975 PHOENIX to Mrs. Lou Crabtree. 6

Page 9 text:

The Legend of the Phoenix Let us admire the colors that embellish the phoenix. The back of his golden neck is covered with a down of saffron. Purple shines upon his throat. Rays of gold and fire shoot from his wings, impatient to be seen. His tail is colored with the purest gold. These rich colors emerge from a background of radiant iris, shading into each other with a magic that enchants the eye. His eye has the brilliance of the clearest diamond. His colors can only be compared to the lustre oj precious stones blended by the skill of an artist. A double crest decorates the head of this graceful bird. The crest covers his brain, seat of his intelligence, workshop of his meditations, and container of his knowledge. From his early Greek beginning until well into modern times the fabulous phoenix has found its place in the life of man and in the school of John S. Battle. The phoenix can be found on the state seals of Hawaii in 1952, and Virginia in 1877. The city of Phoenix, Arizona was named after this proud bird. And at John Battle the yearbook bears the name of the phoenix. The Battle phoenix feeds on the students' emotions. It lives on the agonies of failure, the tears of defeat, the joys of victory, and the sounds of laughter. The phoenix can never die as long as one student can give the emotions on which it lives. And so he is named the Eternal Bird. Hence, the name of this yearbook is the Phoenix. The pages that follow contain a glimpse of a year that has passed and will never be lived again. Thereby, the Phoenix, like its mythical namesake, is eternal for these same pages have captured in pictures and words the year of 1975.

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Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself to others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exerci se caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially; do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be a peace with God, whatever you concieve Him to be, and whatever you labors and aspirations , in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. 1927 by Max Ehrntann AH rights reserved Copyright renewed 1954 by Bertha K. Ehrmann Reprinted by permission Crescendo Publishing Co.. Boston, Mass.