Fairmont High School - Maple Leaves Yearbook (Fairmont, WV)

Page 10 text:

SNOW HAMPERS FIREMEN from moving on the front lawn to extin guish the February 27 blaze. WITH HIS SCHOOL IN FLAMES Principal john D. Tennant's main concern is the safety of the student body. FAULTY WIRING in the attic caused a fire which destroyed two-thirds of the roof of the main building. 4 Opening

Page 9 text:

SPLIT SECOND TIMING in executing the trumpet guillotine enables senior Garry Bourne and other trumpeters to create memorable halftime performances. AT THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME THUSE, Coach Bob DeLorenzo presents one of WMMN's good luck Yann Dogs to senior Danny Phillips. IN DOWNPOURING RAIN senior Donna Jean Payne watches the Bear's 6-0 double overtime victory over the Bridgeport Indians. UNDEFEATED in regular season play, the varsity football squad rushes on the stadium turf to claim its final vic- tory over the East Fairmont Bees.

Page 11 text:

February 27 began just like any other day, but within 15 minutes of the first bell, events occurred which al- tered the entire school year. No fire alarm sounded, and students did not immediately sense the danger of the situ- ation as their principal's voice shook through the intercom ordering everyone to evac- uate the building. Our side was burning. Students filed out thinking it was nothing more than an continued ordinary fire drill or at the most an ignited trash can. Shouts of “Bum, baby, burn and “No school today! dis- solved as flames shot through the roof within an hour. Pride for our side suddenly surfaced as students realized their school might be destroyed. The events of the day were far-reaching, as students and teachers had to reorganize a year they were already into. SUFFERING the greatest loss was the FIREFIGHTERS worked for nearly school library where the entire audio- four hours before the flames and visual room was gutted. smoke were under control. BLACK SMOKE blanketed West Side TO ESCAPE THE DISASTER, students creating a smell that could be de- and faculty fled the 11.5 acre campus tected for months. to watch from the Church of Christ. For further information, see pages 22-23. Opening 5