Central High School - Cosmos Yearbook (Houston, TX)

Page 43 text:

OFFICERS’ PAGE Director —Verner Benton Commander —Major Ida Mae Westberry Drill Master —Ex-Major Dorothy Ewald Mascot —Patsy Ruth Turrentine Standard Bearers (Left to Right) U. S. Flag —Lillian Tomek, Sgt. Bessie Ferrara, Billie Eubanks. Texas Flag —Mildred Inglet, Sgt. Betty Lee Patterson, Carmelita Langsford. Battalion Flag —Billie Riggs, Sgt. Marguerite Frame, Mary Eleanor DeLange.

Page 42 text:

REQUIEM Taps for the Black Battalion. It will exist hereafter save as a thing of beauty may perpetuate itself in lasting inspiration. Inscribe, then, among its achievements that it triumphed gloriously over a host of adversities. Out of the sweltering heat of a pipe-filled boiler room, and out of a sun-baked, rain-drenched, ungraded drill court—too small for a rehearsal of the entire organization—came a Battalion of international prominence, reflecting honor upon its school and city. Imitations have appeared in Houston, in numerous other American cities and in foreign climes, but the Black Battalion has remained the only movement of its kind. Through its eight years the Black Battalion has been invested with a soul and with a hardy spirit to excel. It has sought to glorify young womanhood. It has held aloft the beauty of clean living, of healthy bodies and of pure minds. It has em¬ bodied a sense of personal pride, a charm and graciousness of manner, an efficiency in all undertaking, a love for the artistic and beautiful. A fractional mention of its honors should include: A picture in the hall of fame of the Sousa Post, V. of F. W., at Detroit with other outstanding drum corps; per¬ formances under Sousa’s baton, international radio broadcasts, theatre circuit engagements, a review before former Governor Ross Sterling and 10,000 spectators, a featured article in the world’s largest musical magazine. Paramount and Fox news reel features, and numerous performances on programs of national interest. The Battalion has served loyally for charity and civic causes. It has been self sus¬ taining and has made money each year to support other activities of its school. My gratitude goes to those who have encouraged me in founding and developing the Battalion. My love remains with those splendid girls who have marched under its colors. As for my sacrifices, labors and heartaches, I pass over them. Recom¬ pense enough for me will come in the hope that, although the Battalion dies, its soul will live on in the hearts of its veterans and friends. Yerner Benton Founder, Organizer, and Director

Page 44 text:

Company A Captain — Lyle Bailey Sergeants — Mavis Anderson, Evelyn Henson Company B Captain — Grace Gibson Sergeants — Delight Park, Nannie Mae Hughes COMPANY A Reading from left to right, bottom roiv: Private Pauline Pitocchelli, Corporals Evelyn Lowry, Dorothy Doolan, Lida Coffman, Privates Cecil Sanford, Dorothy Rae Pitts, Corporal Dorothy Banks, Privates Edith Aubrey, Florence Terpe. Top row: Privates Mary Moon, Natalie Bowers, LaYerne McCullum, Ezell Walter, Corporal Isabel Janisch, Private Flora Jackson, Corporals Charlotte McMahon, Jeanne Fleming. COMPANY B Reading from left to right, bottom row: Privates Dorothy Platter, Margaret Bose Painter, Corporals Catherine Ehrhardt, Marie Walker, Privates Florine Raborn, Inez Murph, Helen Ford, Virginia Green. Top row: Corporals Erin Finnegan, Agnes Onuseit, Dorothy Mayer, Privates Nina Gisler, Mary Crawford, Wanda Adams, Corporal Claribel Lutman, Privates Vivian Watson, Mary Evelyn Young.