Douglas Southall Freeman High School - Historian Yearbook (Richmond, VA)

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More than a place to learn It’s what made you wave a Rebel flag and sing “Dixie” at the top of your lungs. It’s what made you spend endless hours before school for band practice, and endless hours after school for club meetings, cheerleading practice, and yearbook deadlines. It’s what made Douglas Freeman special for many students who did more than just go to school here. It was called spirit, and it came in many different shapes and sizes. On Fridays when pep rallies were scheduled, spirit was the prevailing mood. On these days the band set the mood and encouraged spirit by providing music for the jubilant students who turned out complete with ballons, flags, and rugby shirts—whatever was needed to urge their class on in class competition. The front groups and cheerleaders also took part in the activities by contributing to the fervor of the day. However, there was more to the spirit which was so enthusiastically displayed at pep rallies. It didn’t end with the bell signaling the start of fifth period and the end of the pep rally. This spirit didn’t disappear. It continued to be present and to show itself, subtly, behind the scenes, in posters, car washes, and float meetings. It could be found in play practice and in football practice. It — remained undaunted by the disappointments which the year brought. The spirit endured. Dixie, I'll never forget! Trying to out spirit the Senior class in class competition, juniors display spirit by wearing hats and waving Rebel flags. ete ter ae epee aS eee ee PEL a ne eee ge id 14 Spirit

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: ’ : “It’s almost like I never left,” | ON)] if S { G N] ht remarked a 1977 graduate returning for Homecoming. As past and present Freemanites packed into the overflowing stands, greetings were exchanged as many returning graduates were reunited for the first time since they began their college life. Talk of upcoming exams could be heard throughout the stands as ex-Rebels and Rebels awaited the start of the Homecoming parade. Getting under way around 7:30, the Homecoming parade consisted of 44 cars and floats carrying a precious cargo of princesses and soon to be crowned Queen and Maid-of-Honor. As the floats made their way slowly around the track, they were judged on the most original theme and design. The winning float was the Senior class entry of ‘Rebs are best around, send Henrico underground.” Second and third places were taken by the Band and Spanish Club respectively. These awards, however, did not take into consideration the many months of planning and work which had gone into the preparation of all the floats entered in the Homecoming parade. For participating individuals, clubs, and classes, Homecoming actually began months prior to the festivites on October 21. Themes had to be chosen, and trucks and cars found to transport the floats, as Rebels transformed yards of chicken wire and thousands of napkins into spirit boosting floats. Tension mounted during halftime as thirty princesses lined up for the crowning of the 1977 Homecoming Queen. Senior Anne Trainer’s gasp acknowledged that she had won the title and the crown. Junior Class Princess April Hamel was selected Maid-of- Honor. Even though Homecoming proved to be a success for the Rebels who turned out to watch Freeman’s 20-0 victory over Henrico, there was one disappointing aspect which marred the otherwise perfect night. The canceling of the Homecoming dance due to S.C.A.’s failure to seil 600 tickets. Mixed emotions. With a look of astonishment, senior Anne Trainer screams and crys as her name is called for 1977 Homecoming Queen. ee ae Homecoming 13

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It Shows itself in many ways Endzone spirit. Taking a lollipop break, Majorettes April Hamel, Beth Spencer, Dorothy Moore, and Sponsor Miss Betty Cohen await the start of the second-half during the Thomas Jefferson game. Up front. Encouraging spirit, the band provides music during the Highland Springs half-time show. Yell-A-Phone. Attempting to promote Senior spirit, the Senior class sells megaphones in hopes of capturing the spirit stick. Spirit 15