Central High School - Pemican Yearbook (High Point, NC)

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INTRODUCTION TO ACTIVITIES To see the members of these classes in action--studying that English lesson, working on some school committee, enjoying the friendliness of the Proms, or walking leisurely through the halls in the company of the. steady date-1s to know High Point High School. The extra-curricular activities range from dramatic productions and journalistic endeavors to many services to the school: such as assisting in the library and store. Besides that, there has been established here in the last few years a Bible Department, which many high schools are not privileged to have. Its activities have proved as beneficial as have those of the art and vocational side. The social part has not been neglected, for a few dances have been sponsored, as well as the crowning feature of the year: namely, the Junior-Senior and Sophomore-Freshman Proms. This year has been well- rounded from a standpoint of education, service and recreation, as the following review of activities will evidence. to the Christmas program, directed by Miss Bulwinkle. PTA NIGHT Parent-go-to-School Night is the time set aside each year for fathers and mothers to meet those very patient people-the teachers -Who have to put up with mama's little The reading of the Christmas story, pre- ceding each scene, was done in turn by Jane Rhodes and Susan Uhl. To the music of the darlings for one hundred and eighty days each year. On such occasions dear old H. P. H. S. seems unlike itself. As in previous years, the schoolrooms were brightly lighted and were gay with autumn flowers. In the various de- partments there were beaming teachers meet- ing anxious parents. Every one talked about everything, from biology to Junior's new tooth, with occa- sional remarks concerning the speakers of the night. These last included Mr. Edgar Hart- ley, Miss Anna Mendenhall. Betty Jo Ring, and Mr. Charles P. Carroll, all of whom spoke on the guidance of youth. Later refreshments were served in the cafe- teria, which had been beautifully decorated by the PTA committee for the occasion. CHRISTMAS PROGRAM There was a hush in the auditorium. The house lights dimmed and the curtain opened to the strains of O Holy Night, played by Louise Erickson on her violin as a prelude old, familiar carols, rendered by the a cap- pella choir, various groups entered and took tableau positions on the stage. The colorful costumes, varied lighting, and the reverent attitude of the players, added much to the beauty and impressiveness of the program. Beginning with the band of travelers fol- lowing the star, came the Annunciation, the message of the angels to the shepherds, the entrance of the Magi, and finally the Nativity Scene, in which Evelyn Hutton enacted the part of Mary and Frank Von Drehle, that of Joseph. As the entire cast knelt in adoration, the audience and choir sang Joy to the World. Then came the words of the benediction: May the Lord bless you and keep you: the Lork make His face to shine upon you: the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. And in silence the audience tiled out of the darkened auditorium. THE AMATEUR SHOW This way, said the usher, leading me -l13l-

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and girls, each intent upon tuning his instru- ment and warming up for an hour of prac- tice. There are the clarinets, giving the pitch by blowing that clear A as only Wilkie and Ellis can blow it. A moment's pause, and then the other instruments join in. Then comes a tap of the baton on the conductor's stand, and immediately all is stilled. From that moment on, the H. P. I-I. S. Symphony Orchestra. under the direction of its capable leader, Miss Virginia Frank, settles down to a diligent rehearsal. For these hours of practice and enjoyment there is always a definite goal-the three an- nual concerts given in the fall, winter, and spring. This year, the first concert was a beneit performance for the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra. The second was pre- xnted on March 17, at Junior High. In addition to the concerts there are the contests, district and state, at which the work of all public school musical organizations is evaluated. The orchestra is fortunate in hav- ing been able to hold a rating of I, Class A, for the three consecutive years before the war. This past year to the disappointment of the group the rating was lowered. The members of the high school orchestra enter heartily into the spirit of their work, both in the local trips and in public per- formances: and they will always have a tender spot in their hearts. not only for the Friday afternoon string rehearsals, but also for the hours spent under the magic of Miss Frank's baton. -iiii-11T Then come the members of the band, marching along in their smart blue and gray uniforms, headed by ten graceful majorettes and the high-stepping drum major, Ralston Welch. Amid the lusty shouts and applause of the football crowds they come out upon the field and parade in splendid formation. This musical organization, under the direc- tion of Mr. Gerald Bryant, has this year reached new levels of achievement. Among the high lights of the year, in addi- tion to the performances at the games, have been the programs given at each of the local elementary schools. This spring, also, Eve members of the band were selected to attend the musical clinic held in Salisbury. During the last semester came band and orchestra concerts, and also the events of music week. All in all, our band is a happy and spirited organization which commands attention and arouses enthusiasm wherever it plays. .- The a cappella choir is another of our musical groups of which we may justly be proud. It numbers some sixty members, all carefully selected and trained under the direc- tion of Mr. Carl Cronstedt, whose prepara- tion for this work is excellent in that he studied under Melius Christiansen, the re- nowned Scandinavian a cappella director. Each Week the members come together for one of those memorable Monday evening re- hearsals, characterized by a spirit of devout- ness and sincerity. Cn these occasions, those passing by may sometimes hear the passionate or valiant strains of Day of Judgment or A Mighty Fortress Is Our God issuing from the choir room on the second floor. This musical group is in demand for a number of different occasions, such as school assemblies, the Christmas program, Parent- Teacher meetings, the teachers' district con- vention, and local church services. Because of its beauty and simplicity the music, which is almost entirely sacred, has a definite appeal for all heaters. The outstanding event of the present year has been the magnificent rendi- tion of part of Hande1's Messiah before an audience which more than filled the large auditorium at Senior High. On this occasion the choir was aided by a number of local singers, some of Whom were former students of the high school. Because of the character of the music ren- dered and of the spirit in which it is sung. we value our a cappella choir as one of the greatest inspirational influences in our school life. 'l17l'

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down the aisle to my seat. I surveyed my program, dated March 7. The Parent- Teachers' Association of High Point High School presents The Talent Parade, it read. Because the event had been the subject of talk for a week, I knew that the script for this second annual amateur show had been written by Bob Renfrow and Ray Smith, and also that Miss Cox and Miss Johnson were the directors. As I tried to read fur- I ther, the lights went .1 out. Darkness . . -. a 7' 3 hush of expectancy . . . 'A a glitter of lights as the Y curtain opened . . . a Q' i broadcasting station re- vealed . . . a control booth . . . a piano and a band . . . the an- nouncer's voice . . . s t u d e nts performing .3 - singly or in groups . . . many participants in the gala program . . . the curtain . . . a lingering spirit of gayety amid the darkness. Afterwards came the awards. The best group performance had been given by the 'Dixieland Clinkersf' Carolyn Ward, with her vocal solos, won lirst prize for the best single performance, with Ralph Tilden sec- ondfor his piano solo, The Fire Dance. Then came congratulations for all, and an- other amateur show paased into history. JUNIOR PLAY After six weeks of hard work, coupled with the usual amount of trials and tribula- tions, the 1946 junior class play, Ever Since Eve, was ready for presentation. The night of all nights at length arrived. The curtain opened on the scene in which Mr. and Mrs. Clover CDiane Snyder and Bob Hesterj were attempting to transform the nursery into an oflice for their son Johnny CBob Renfrowj, editor of the school news- paper. As the play continues, Johnny, Spud Er- win fLuke Lewisl , and Pres Hughes CCheck Gentryj all came down with measles. Then Susan Blake CCaroline Ardenj, Johnny's girl, took over the paper with the help of Betsy Erwin CCornelia Ann I-Iodginj , Lucy- bell Lee CBetsy Hardinj, and the journalism teacher, Miss Willard CPat Conradj, who eventually married the principal CClaude McKinneyj. Under the able direction of Miss Ruth Goodman, the play was successfully presented on March 22 and 23, before an appreciative audience. SENIOR PLAY The dramatic highlight of each senior year is and always will be the senior play. The choice this year-Sixteen in August--added another success to the long list of dramatic productions sponsored by the graduating classes of past years. The cast was an excellent one and, ac- cording to the audience, all were well-fitted to their particular roles. Among those taking part were some of the outstanding person- alities of the school, such as Patricia Hubbard, Jack Murphey, Nell Siceloff, Charles Mann, and Evelyn Hutton, all of whom had leading roles. They were ably supported, however, by Joyce Shelby, Susan Uhl, Barbara Burton, Martha Lou Holton, Betty Auman, Jeanne Snyder, Charles Payne, Elaine Forward, Bet- ty McEver, David Tillson, and Jean Bridges. Student committees on the production staff were headed by the following faculty advis- ers: director, Miss Bulwinkle: house, Miss Milling and Mrs. Rogers: tickets, Miss Lind- say: publicity, Miss Johnson: properties, Miss Wyche: and stage, Mr. Kenneth Smith. THE SENIOR PARTY For the lirst time in the history of our class we were to have a party-all our own. The P.-T. A. had promised this party to the class securing the largest number of member- ships for the organization, and we had won it. Hence the senior party! Since Curt Mc- Donald, Donald Hooper, Hugh Gordon, and 'll9l'