Bearden High School - Echo Yearbook (Knoxville, TN)

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CLASS HISTORY Early in September in 1938 a group of little first-graders began their school career at Bearden. Here in the newly-erected school building, the class of 1950 had its beginning. Eight of the group are graduating this year: Mary Hu Medlin, Alma Letterman, Frank Bean. Jimmy Ruth. Linnis Thomas, Melvin Whitehead, Sue George, and Pat Kirby. As the years passed swifty by we grew from small children to teen-agers. During this time many changes came about. Some of the students dropped out or went to other schools, while others joined us. Our new class mates were: Barbara Faulkner, Wilma Githens, Doris Helton. Anna Grace Jones, Lawrence Revell, Larrv Tapp, and Alfred Smalley. Our graduation from the eighth grade was an important event for us. Now we were in high school. We could join clubs, play ball, and enter other activities. In September, thirty-three freshmen entered high school, feeling very important. But soon the freshness was taken out of us. Some joined clubs or went out for basketball, while others took more interest in their grades and got down to work. The class officers were: Frank Bean. President; Wilma Githens, Vice-President; Pat Kirby, Secretary; Doris Helton, Treasurer; Dorothy Beck, Social Chairman. Our favorites were Melvin Whitehead and Wilma Githens. Helen Vance and Dorothy Beck joined us that year. Mr. L. R. Watson was our sponsor. As Sophomores, our number dropped to twenty-seven. We now had experience and we progressed rapidly. One member of our class, Mary Hu Medlin, won an award for Good Citizenship. The officers chosen that year were: Wilma Githens, President; Myris Jo Smith, Vice-President; Fred Ogle, Secretary; Jimmy Ruth. Treasurer; Melvin Whitehead. Program Chairman; and Mrs. Elizabeth Cates, Sponsor. Our class favorites were Frank Bean and Wilma Githens. Those who joined us that year were: Martha W haley, Helen Day, and Wanda Fricks. Next year we had only twenty-five members in our Junior Class. Our officers were: Melvin Whitehead, President; Doris Helton, Vice-President; Sue George, Secretary; Evelyn Stooksbury, Program Chairman; Pat Kirby, Treasurer; and Dot Beck, Social Chairman. Mrs. Carmen Savoy was our sponsor. Jean Ford, Thomas Phillips, Jackson Abbott, Harriet Lueb-ke, Evelyn Stooksbury, and Ted Chambers joined our class. Sue George rejoined us after two years at Central. Junior favorites were Frank Bean and Sue George. Our Junior plav, The Funny Brats” went over well. We began our Senior year in the new Bearden High School. Our class now had thirty-eight members. We were joined by: John Franklin, Joyce King, Jimmy Towle, Ralph Davenport, Lloyd Davenport, and George Waggoner. We had a football team, the first in Bearden history, which did well for its first year. We also had more clubs to join and more subjects to choose from. As Seniors, we had a greater responsibility. We published the school paper, and the annual. “The Echo. We produced our Senior play, “Girl-Shy.” The Senior favorites were Frank Bean and Sue George. Frank Bean and Wilma Githens were chosen as school favorites. Mrs. Charles Clark and Mrs. Marie Lowry were our sponsors. This brings to a close our class history. May these years be remembered as years of happiness and friendliness.

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Thoughts On Qraduating For poetic words and fancy thoughts My brain I'm madly racking A grateful heart for friends and school Should give the inspiration lacking. In autumn, spring, and winter-time We worked and played together A pleasant life to stay like this In carefree joy forever. But though we love each book and friend It's only preparation For the life ive face with joy and strength Which follows graduation. For school is but a passage-way To things well worth achieving. To help us build a better world For others we’ll be leading. —Harriet Luebke

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LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT We, the esteemed Senior Class of Bearden High School, year of our Lord. 1950, being of sound mind and having possession of our generally acknowledged mentality do hereby set our hands to, establish, and execute our last will and testament. 1. We leave to our entire faculty the task of guiding the honorable juniors down the path which we have pioneered for them to another commencement. 2. To the Bearden Civic Club and to the community we pledge our future assistance in any worth while undertaking. We bequeath the influence we have been and the great aspirations we still hold for a better and happier community in which to live. 3. To the entire Junior Class we leave our beautiful new building and the privilege of becoming dignified Seniors. Though I doubt if they will be able to fill this position as successfully as have we. 4. As individuals we bequeath as follows: 1. Jackson Abbott leaves his french harp technique to Carl Dugger. If you need more wind, Dugger, just see Jackson. 2. Frank Bean grudgingly wills his graceful gait to one Bill Knott. 3. Dot Beck with regrets, shears her becoming bangs in favor of beautiful Dorothy Ashford 4. Ted Chambers leaves his special girl, Joyce Tipton and his ineligibility for sports to any interested Junior lad. 5. Bob Coleman from this moment on bequeaths his high toned manner of speech to one Jim Tux-ner 6. Helen Day hereby hands down to Joy Ellison her energy and liveliness. 7. Dude Davenport leaves his vivid imagination for sports writing to Dave DeArmond “You’ll need it next year, Dave for ‘From the Sidelines.’ ” 8. Lloyd Davenport reluctantly leaves behind Barbara Smith for the Junior boys to fight over. Let’s hear you bid, boys. 9. Barbara Faulkner jealously bestows her distinct Southern drawl to vivacious Zoe Andes. 10. Jean Ford leaves her passion and brilliant talent for the piano to Ed Nowell. 11. John Franklin gives his miniature physique and tiny feet to Don Massingale. 12. Wanda Fricks passes to any interested Junior girl all her matrimonial aspirations. 13. Sue George wills her carefully guarded formula for flaming orange hair to Betty art for vocalizing. 14. Wilma Githens would leave in trust for none other than Pat Coleman her beautiful art for vocalizing. 15. Anna Grace Jones wants Doris Lloyd to fill her place for making first honors. 16. Doris Helton bequeaths her stage and screen physique to Ramona Booher. 17. Joyce King gives for all future use her most enchanting smile to Betty Jean Beck. 18. Marilyn Kirbv endows her beau catching technique to Barbara McFalls. 19. Pat Kirby wills her host of boy friends to all the Junior girls - - don’t fight, girls, there are plenty to go around. 20. Alma Letterman joyfully hands over to Norma Brooks her boisterous reputation. 21. Harriet Luebke gives all her A’s earned under Mrs. Helsley to Betty Monroe. 22. Bobby Lowe desires her athletic stature to be given to Kate Monroe. 23. Mary Hu Medlin turns over to Pat Wright her above average intelligence quota. 24. Toni Phillips leaves his cigarettes and his hiding place in the boiler room to John Rice. 25. Lawrence Revell gives with pleasure his black wavy toupee’ to Jimmie Brooks. 26. Jimmie Ruth wills to Bill Lyon his exclusive privilege of sleeping in class. 27. Alfred Smalley tosses his fetching dimples to Jerry Key. 28. Evelyn Stooksburv wills her engraved telephone number to eager Jack Conley. 29. Larry Tapp sorrowfully leaves behind Dorothy Ann Huskey for the freshman boys to fight over. 30. Bob Terry regretfully bequeaths his ability to charm the girls to Tony Marcum. 31. Linnis Thomas hands over his business of delivering papers to his brother, Lester. 32. Ronald Bussee is to be the happy recipient of Jimmie Towle’s position on the basketball squad. 33. Helen Underwood leaves her radiant smile and friendly disposition to Joan Scott. 34. Helen Vance hereby gives notice that she bequeaths her trim, tiny figure to Martha. Bowen. 35. George Waggoner leaves his state of unconsciousness to Bill Clabough. 36. Martha Whidey wills her title of Sweater Girl to Janice Jones. 37. Melvin Whitehead passes on to Mr. Parker his grey hair and laziness. 38. Red Cannon bequeaths his Girl Shyness to Tom Burkhart. And now the entire Senior Class leaves to all, our very best wishes and hopes for a bright and prosperous future.