Essex High School - Odyssey Yearbook (Tappahannock, VA)

Page 23 text:

C Cajj Ji L ' ftc %if Four years ago a momentous event took place at ECHS. A new class was born, the class later to be known as the Banner Carrier of 1955. At the beginning there were six- ty-six of us, rather shy and timid. This large number forced us to be divided into two sections. Mrs. Poles sponsored one division and Miss Ragland the other. Throughout our freshman year, we were busy with the task of adjusting to a new situation and trying to establish a favorable reputation for ourselves. However, we were glad to accept the invitations offered us to participate in the various organizations of the school. Jean Dandridge, Irene Ross, Shirley Ransome and Delores Bundy partic- ipated in athletics. Delores Washington, Ruby Young, Roger Brown, and Walter Green starred in dramatics. We realized that this was our beginning. In the fall of 1952, we entered under new administration. Mr. P. B, Parks was our principal. Our former principal, Mr. James D. Wash- ington, was assigned to sponsor the division of our class formerly spon- sored by Miss Ragland. We now realized that high school was a serious business and as a re- sult of our acquired insight, we settled down to our required task. ■:ia. kJr. Our most memorable year was our Junior year. Our class enrollment was considerably below that of the previous year, but those who entered school had a stronger determi- nation to strive onward. We organized our class early. Mrs. Poles and Mr. Washing- ton were still our sponsors. Delaney Wright was elected president and Joyce Gaines secretary. With two more years at ECTS, we selected as our motto, What we are to be, we are now becoming. In March 1954, our beloved sponsor, Mr. Washington suc- cumbed and Mr. A. R. Bowens became his successor. Roger Brown won the District Oratorical Contest sponsored by the New Farmers of America. He also participated in the State Contest but was defeated to fourth place. Junior Prom preparations were lots of fun and work which we will never forget. The boys and girls struggled weeks before the event, practicing new dance steps under the supervision of Mrs. P. B. Parks. Other preparations included hanging decorations, nail- ing picket fences, arranging flowers, and mailing invitations. And then that night , to the soft strands of our orchestra, we danced and listened to the gentle sweep of even- ing skirts as we glided to and fro.

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3Ae Jig x, Sia It is our purpose to provide a store of pleasant memories to remind the reader of the eventful years spent at Essex County High School. If this purpose is achieved, our efforts will have been sufficiently rewarded. Roger Brown Jacquelyn Roane -- Bettye McGuire -- Jean Dandridge Delores Washington Laura Morris Doris McGuire Johnnie Fortune — James Gaines Ruby Young Walter Greene Delaney Wright — Mrs. M. T. Poles -- Mr. A.R. Bowens-- Editor Literary Editor Publicity Editor Sports Editor Class Editor Assistant Editor Advertising Editor Social Editor Typist Yearbook Sales Editor Art Editor Business Manager Advisor Advisor

Page 24 text:

To close this wonderful year Commencement arrived and to our surprise the follow- ing members of our class had won annual school awards: Roger Brown -citizenship, De- laney Wright-scholastic, Jacquline Roane-music, and Delores Washington -science. Then came September 1954--the year of our fondest dreams. This time we entered a school with a new name. We were now students of the Essex County High School. We organized our class for the last time at ECHS. The class chose Delaney Wright as president to preside over us for this very important year. James Gaines, a transfer stu- dent from Richmond County High School, entered ECHS as a member of our senior class. For the opening week, our first Senior distinction was that of selecting a standard ring for the school. The class assisted in selecting the ring now worn by our class as the school’s standard. The excitement of having a yearbook fort the first time prompted all of us to begin work early. Our Senior year was a busy year. There were many unforgettable events, perhaps thc«e reserved for Seniors only, such as. the opening of the curtains for the senior play, the sol- emnity of Vesper Service and the sadness that even the hardest of us felt upon closing our lockers for the last time. Yes, tomorrow is Commencement and on the threshold of our debut into the larg- er world, we realize more keenly than ever that the lasting friendships, the social ac- tivities, athletics, and the satisfaction of mastering at least the fundamentals of our subject fields have made these years at ECHS the best years of our lives. Delores Washington