Bethel High School - Key Yearbook (Bethel, NC)

Page 19 text:

CLASS PROPHECY One windy night in March I felt so sleepy I couldn’t resist going to bed any longer. Not long after I had gone to sleep I was visited by a little fairy who showed me many visions. We saw so many figures we were rather puzzled for a while. With a lot of concentration we could distinguish one from the other a little at the time. We were surprised to see such familiar faces: faces we had seen before. Yes, they are familiar faces; faces of my former classmates. The first vision she showed me was that of two people who were hold¬ ing books and pencils. Ah, yes, ’tis Louise Beverly and Irene White. I see, they are teachers in Bethel High. How nice! That’s where I was in school with them. We graduated from there in May, 1949. The fairy kept showing me many visions and I was amused to see so many of my friends I hadn’t seen in ten years. Sh! Let me concentrate a little harder, little fairy.” I see two figures coming toward me. Both have their mouths opened as if they are singing or talking. Ah! It is Harold Dean Whitehurst and George Bowers. Let’s see! Oh! George is a radio announcer and it looks like Harold Dean, who is a great radio singer—possibly A1 Jolson the Second. Fine!! Honestly, little fairy, I am enjoying this. Show me more.” I see a red spot. It’s coming closer. Red! Red! Red! What can this be? Not that place!” No, it is only red hair on a head that seems to be bobbing constantly. It is a lawyer! That familiar person is Lawyer Earl Keel. Am I surprised!! I understand he plans to run for President on the Republican ticket. But wait! What’s this? I see it is Claude Butler, Dalton Rollins, and William Keel. I understand they are successful stockholders on Wall Street, listening daily to stock market returns. I see more figures and spots now. I see part of a business section of a town. Why, for goodness sakes! There is Sam Keel’s Beauty Salon, Willie Smith’s Bowling Alley, Nurse Jo Ann Crisp’s First Aid Center, and Mack Whitehurst as Veterinarian. At the end of the street I see a theatre. The proprietor is my old friend, little Maurice Rollins. Beside it I see a little hot-dog and hamburger shop. Who could be in the shop other than Thomas Whitehurst? What progress! I see he’s the cashier but when we were in High School together he used to cook hamburgers. How nice!

Page 18 text:

CLASS POEM Our future is bright as a crystal ball; We know our heights, We’ll try to obtain them all. As we set sail over uncharted seas, We have the love of friends and faculty. Our hopes, our joys, our fears are one— Until that ceaseless battle’s won. A victory!—for our teachers: For they are the center of our education; As we sail unto life’s unknown destination. Some of us will traverse the path to fame, While others will remain the same. Still others may leave for their heavenly rest— But we must remember that God knows what is best As Graduation Day draws close and near, We recall our memories that we hold so dear! But before we go out with the tide, We thank you, dear teachers, for being our guide In helping us the battle to win; Therefore making us better women and men. GEORGE BOWERS.

Page 20 text:

CLASS PROPHECY (Continued) I see a lot of different colored lights. It is Broadway and the Neon lights are very bright. I can see many names of people I know. Patsy Rogerson and Valeria Manning arc professional dancers in a night club. Myrtle Man¬ ning is the leader of an all-girl orchestra and the singer is none other than Anne Whitehurst, only now they call her Gloria White”. I am becoming so enthused and overjoyed I can hardly believe my eyes, but I keep seeing many things. ’Tis a ship ahead in a beautiful ocean. I mean it is beautiful and who could those people aboard be? Ah—there’s Edsel Briley, a noted writer, sitting on deck, and there is the captain who is none other than W. Z. Worsley with a pipe in his mouth—as u sual. Who is that pretty auburn- headed girl he’s talking to? It is Edna Ruth James and I understand she’s the ship’s dietitian. I remember how well she cooked when we were in High School together. In this vision I see Betty Lou McLawhon and Frances Rogerson put¬ ting out a big washing and they are talking over the back fence to Celia Allsbrook about Lois Mizelle who is now the wife of a prominent owner of a dry cleaning firm. Now I see many desks and chairs. Taking dictation from their bosses are Dorothy Keel, Frances Lewis, Betty Jean Wilson and Pauline Weathersby who, I might add, look mighty cute in their bosses’ luxuriously equipped offices. Wait! I see a spot trembling as if it were going to fall. Now I can see and understand why it is shaking. Lorena Bailey, the wife of a movie producer and one of his best stars, Merle Manning, are arguing with Doris Leggett, who has just been elected Miss America” of 1959. The vision is growing dim and there are two figures I can hardly make out. Why it is William Earl House, who is a big game football coach now, talking to Jacqueline White, the secretary for a sports writer of the New York Tribune. How dim it’s growing all the while! Before I knew it the fairy had disappeared and when I awoke I dis¬ covered it was only a dream, but I’m about convinced it is true. Won’t I have some interesting information to relate to my fellow classmates the next time I see them! I wonder if they will believe it or if they will only laugh it over. Let’s wait and see. MYRTLE MANNING Prophetess