Bethel High School - Key Yearbook (Bethel, NC)

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Class Will State of North Carolina, County of Pitt, Township of Bethel: Know ye by these presents that we, the Class of ' 53 of Bethel High School, Bethel, North Carolina, do hereby execute this, our last will and testament. Article I Item 1: To our parents, we leave our appreciation for their kindness through the past twelve years in sacrificing for our education. Item 2: To the faculty, we leave our sincere appreciation in guiding us in our high school years. Item 3: We, the Seniors of ' 53, leave to the Freshmen our knowledge that we have gained in the past years. Item 4: We, the Seniors, leave with the Sophomore Class our ability to act as young ladies and gentlemen. Item 5: We, the Seniors of ' 53, leave to the Juniors our Senior privileges in looking for a brighter future. Article II 1. I, Frank Benton, leave to Bill Edmondson my friendly ways. 2. I, Angus Bowers, leave to B. F. Goodall my Beta Club presidency. 3. I, Edward Briley, leave to Bradley Gray my wavy hair. 4. I, Bobby Edmondson, leave my superlative to R. I. Taylor. 5. I, Bruton Edmondson, leave my bookkeeping to John Pritchard. 6. I, David Jacobs, leave my conduct to B. B. Tetterton. 7. I, Robert Nelson, leave my basketball suit to Billy Whitehurst and Larry Tetterton. 8. I, Cecil Riddick, leave to James Earl Whitley my talent. 9. I, Bobby Rollins, leave to Arthur Richardson my ability to type. 10. I, William Whitehurst, leave to Bill Latham my ability to play basketball. 11. I, Jack Wynne, leave to Michael House my courteous habits. 12. I, Lula Belle Briley, leave to Peggy Bullock and Lois Griffin my superlative. Most Praiseworthy. 13. I, Janie Edmondson, leave to Janelle Whitley and Edith Doughtie my ability to be a good sport. 14. I, Betty James, leave to Corrine Briley my ability to be most athletic. 15. I, Norma Williamson, leave to Newbie James and Betty Jean Keel all the positions I have held since being in high school. 16. I, Arlene Manning, leave to Betty Marie Andrews and Delores Ford my naturally curly hair. 17. I, Ernell Wilson, leave Doris Meeks and Marie Hux the ability to be every¬ one ' s friend. 18. I, Sybil Briley, leave to Sherre Latham and Barbara Whitehurst my ability to have a husband. 19. I, Isabel Manning, leave to Carrie Ayers my height. 20. I, Barbara Morris, leave to Betsy James and Lois James my shorthand. Lula Belle Briley, Testator

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Class History On a clear September night in 1941, eleven little youngsters of the present Senior Class cuddled up in their mothers ' laps, pleading with all their hearts and mumbling the following words: Backward, turn backward, O time in your flight. Make me a baby for always tonight. The nine months of the first year of school flew quickly by, but how well we remember that train ride from Bethel to Conetoe which Miss Jane Copeland arranged for us. Miss Mary Ferebee, our second grade teacher, continued to introduce us to the educational field of knowledge. Mrs. Rosalie Francis, wanting to make us the domestic type, took us into the school lunchroom to make cocoa. After the first few days in the fourth grade, we were very sorry to learn that Miss Mary Mayo, our teacher, was unable to render her service to us because of her mother ' s death; but, fortunately, Miss Camille Staton put forth her effort to prepare us with the basic training we needed to further our education. Journeying through the fifth and sixth grades, Mrs. Lillie Hammond and Miss Mary Lois Staton respectively enriched our lives to the extent that we considered ourselves efficient little beavers. The high spot of our seventh year was the tour of the city of Raleigh accompanied by our teacher, Mrs. Connie Whitehurst. That concluded our stay at the elementary school. With outstretched arms we welcomed the four students from Mayo and together we were introduced to the high school rules and regulations. Along with Mrs. Jane Highsmith, we planned our trip to Williamsburg, Virginia. Triumphantly, we walked side by side to receive those well deserved diplomas from grammar school into high school. I ' m a freshman, beamed on each individual face as Mr. Alton Gray acted as our homeroom teacher. We were proud ones, for in the tenth grade we were entitled to use our own discretion in choosing our class rings. Miss Nora Lee Hinnant helped us plan our class party to Whichards ' Beach that year. Also, we added three new members to our class. During our Junior year, we were honored with many parties, but the most important thing to us was making money for our Junior-Senior Banquet. Our Junior-Senior Supper went over in a big way and with the help of selling Christmas cards and producing a Junior-Senior Play, we were able to give a very nice banquet. By Christmas, we were really proud Juniors, for we were wearing our class rings. Our trip to Washington, D. C., added a special remembrance to that year. Seniors at last! Looking back to those who helped us attain our goal in high school we wish to recognize: Mrs. Lamm, Mr. and Mrs. Dewar, Mr. and Mrs. Latham, Miss Perry, Mrs. Mayo, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Hart and Mrs. Weeks. Glancing around the familiar walls of Bethel High, we find our hearts growing sad and our memories turning back to the carefree school days we once knew. The annual has been our chief undertaking during the year. We have done our best to make it a credit-not only to ourselves——but to the school. So, fellow classmates, remember our motto, Not to the top but climbing, and may God bless us all as we become the men and women of tomorrow. — Class Historian Arlene Manning

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Class Poem All of the Seniors of nineteen fifty-three Have thought of their futures that are to be. By the help of teachers, parents and friends. We are beginning to near the end. Through all our trials, troubles and needs. Our teachers had ready for us a good deed. They have prepared us our future to face, For without their help we couldn ' t have advanced to this place. Credit we give to our parents so true Twelve years they’ve labored and watched as we grew All through hardships that have not been few At last they ' ve succeeded in pulling us through. Our friends deserve a lot of credit, too, For all the things that they ' ve helped us do. All their kind words and praise Have helped us our banner to raise. Now as we bid you all farewell. It makes all of our hearts swell To thank you all for what you’ve done By your help our victories are won. And now our time has passed. Our dreams are coming true at last. This is not the end of our time For upward and upward we shall climb. Our motto, in life shall be our guide Wherever we go by it we ' ll abide While seeking our fortunes, our will Shall be Not to the top but climbing still. Class Poetess, Ernell Wilson Class Song (Adopted by Seniors) You ' ll Never Walk Alone When you walk through a storm, keep your chin up high And don ' t be afraid of the dark. At the end of the storm is a golden sky And the sweet silver song of a lark. Walk on through the wind. Walk on through the rain, Tho ' your dreams be tossed and blown Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart. And you ' ll never walk alone. You ' ll never walk alone. Rodgers and Hammerstein