Francis Garrou High School - Impersonator Yearbook (Valdese, NC)

Page 32 text:

CLASS HISTORY Nineteen Hundred Fifty. The year we, the graduating class of Nineteen Hundred Fifty-four entered that revered realm of life known as high school, for we were the Freshman Class in Val- dese High School. This class entered school with all the deter¬ mination and will to succeed that one hundred eighteen green “Froshes” could have. What was lacking in will of one student was made up for in determination of another. The greatest ma¬ jority of us entered into the new routines and subjects with zeal and mastered them. Mr. John L. Johnson headed the faculty which included: Mr. Burton Barger, Mrs. Sayde Barger, Mr. Leo Brevard, Mrs. Myra Braswell, Mr. Charles Brinkley, Mr. Ralph Clark, Miss Betty Ann Clement, Miss Jessie Fowke, Miss Eloise Marlow, Mr. H. D. Moretz, Miss Ada Lee Randall, Mr. I. C. Wilson, and Mr. George Wilson. As Sophomores we were even more determin¬ ed to show the faculty, our parents, and especi¬ ally the seniors that one day we would win out in our pursuit of knowledge. It did not deter us when we realized that twenty five of our num¬ ber had dropped out in their first year of high school. To guide us that year were Mr. and Mrs. Barger, Mrs. Braswell, Mrs. Leo Brevard, who re¬ placed her husband when he re-entered service, Mr. Brinkley, Mr. John Charles, Mr. Clark, Miss Ghigo, Mr. Moretz, Mr. George Wilson, Mr. I. C. Wilson, and Miss Clement. It was in No¬ vember of that year that Miss Randall became Mrs. Ralph Clark. Our Junior year was marked by a fervent in¬ terest in activities other than straight “book- larnin.” Our ball teams made the most impres¬ sive record in Valdese’s History. Our football team was the Highland Conference champ and Joe Temple was the state’s leading scorer. Four delegates were chosen to attend Asheville’s Optimist Bowl. Basketball, too, had a good year in Valdese, and baseball as well. Elaine Burns was our Valentine Queen, and a beau¬ tiful one she was. Mr. Barger, Brs. Braswell, Mr. and Mrs. Brevard, Mr. and Mrs. Clark, Miss Ghigo, Mr. George Wilson, Mr. I. C. Wilson, Mr. Carroll Calhoun, who was our new history teacher, Mr. Ted Starnes, our new social science teacher, Mr. Betty Hudson, who replaced Mrs. Barger in the commercial depart¬ ment, Mrs. I. C. Wilson, who taught commercial subjects and English, and Mrs. Betty Hammond, who was formerly Miss Clement, were our teachers. Junior Marshals were chosen on the basis of scholastic standing and were Raymond Barrett, Chief, Benny Garrou, Joan Goode, Geraldine Buffington, and Johnny Burns. And then there we were—Seniors; But, even though we laughed and had fun together, and acted much as Seniors are expected, there was a somber feeling all around us. We were a com¬ pact, close-knit group, but something was miss¬ ing. We looked around us and saw once occupied seats were now vacant. We walked the halls and missed familiar faces. We marked names from rolls, turned in books used only a short while, realized that we were growing thinner in num¬ ber all the time. Some lost their will to win and the determination to finish what was then undone, and so they left us. We wonder if those pupils wouldn’t give a great deal to be with us today, would it not be fine to have among us Joanne Abee, Stanley Willis, Martha Arney, Lewis Warlick, Peggy Zimmerman, Fleeta Bennet, Lydia Yancey, Garry Berry, Richard Woodie, Rachel Bivens, Nancy Wiseman, Evelyn Bradshaw, Bill Street, Eleanor Buff, Thelma Stamey, Sue Bumgarner, Herbert Stamey, Charlotte Smith, Jean Chaney, Vernell Setzer, Lee Canipe, Kathleen Seagle, John Childers, Kenneth Sain, Martha Childers, Betty Roper, Maxine Childers, Peggy Ann Rogers, Ruby Childers, Virginia Robinson, Joe Eller, Charleen Robinson, Wanda Harris, Burline Robinette, James Houck, Joe Poteat, Billy Joe Hughes, James Lee Oxentine, Ruby King, James O’Sail, Joanne Lingafelt, L. B. Miller, Virginia Lowman, Harvey Metcalf, Bobby Mabry, and Annie Dare May? Can you not imagine the impression we would make if we could say, “All who started, finished the coarse”? Some dropped out because of necessity, some transferred to other schools, some married, but the vast majority simply quit. Yes, it is a shame for they are to be pitied. We, the graduating seniors have run the race and won, and they who quit will never feel the wonderful sense of vic¬ tory that we have in our hearts now. We look forward with all the hope and expec¬ tation a graduating class could have, and we firmly believe in our Motto, “Not simply to exist, but to amount to something. James Fletcher Bridges Class Historian 28

Page 31 text:

A DAY OR TWO IN THE LIFE OF A VETERINARIAN After bandaging Doug Powell, the new worlds middle-weight champion, (who got his start by fighting Danny Bridges), I left my private nurse, Lillian Vinay, to close up my office. I stepped into an elev ator and was greeted by Fred Church, the operator. Also on the elevator was a promising young accountant named Dicky Boggs. As I walked down the corridor I had to detour around Margaret Perrou, one of our scrubwomen. Her husband is the janitor here. I waved to Barbara Berry, the receptionist. Walking out on the street I flagged a taxi, driven by Carlyle Carter, to take me to Rutherford College to see Charles Yancey, the Mayor, about a health menace. It seems that City Manager Curtis Wellmon has been letting his men dump garbage on the street. I bought a “Rutherford College Times” from Carole Eckard, and went into the Barber Shop to get a haircut. Since Billy Braswell was cutting the “final fringe of hair” of Roy McCampbell, the telegrapher from Connelly Springs, I sat down in Grady Day’s chair. Opening the paper I saw an interesting editorial by Jimmy Bridges on “Booing at Ball Games.” It seems that Jimmy Huffman, Alf Lowman, and Herbert Jacumin are the ring leaders. I saw in the sports section that Lees- McRae’s basketball teams, under the coaching of Patty Turner and Delon Lambert finally won a game. Also that the highest paid Pro football player last season was Joe Temple. Needing some groceries I went by the A P and talked to the manager Johnny Burns. I bought a dozen of my favorite eggs from Rex Harris’ Poultry Farm and a new “sudless soap” invented by the noted chemist Donald Duckett. Passing by the Post Office, I saw an announcement of a golf exhibition by Ulysses Grisette. I no sooner arrived home than I was called by Sam Page about one of his and Lib’s nine children. I decided to go to the show. When I got there I bought my ticket from Earlene Sharpe and some popcorn from Joan Goode. The show was a new “super-duper-scope” directed by Raymond Barrett and starred Gwendolyn Pons and Robert Bonner, two great film lovers. During intermission, a new record by Norma Brinkley was played. The usherette, Margie Page, told me I had a phone call from Gladys Lail about the illness of her fifth husband. As I left the theater I noticed a poster of a coming attraction which was a revised version of “The African Queen,” starring “ROENA.” I passed the gym and saw that there were to be two bouts, Bill Seagle vs Jimmy Smart and James Southerland vs Billy Laughridge, promoted by John Icard. Later seated by my television I picked up a magazine. On the back cover was an advertisement, asking which Patsy has the toni?—picturing Patsy Warlick, Patsy Epley, Patsy Spencer, and Patsy Treadway, all famous fashion models, sponsored by the local beauty salon managed by Bonnie Deal. Relaxing on the sofa, I saw on the television newscast that Jeannette Verreault had won the “Miss America” contest. Later on “What’s My Line? , emceed by Carole Walker, the panel guessed the occupation of Shirley Jacumin—a pretzel bender. The commercial was about RDX and showed before and after examples—Norma Chapman and Dannie Byrd. Just before television went off, wrestling came on with the feature bout starring “Bruiser Elaine Burns vs Mauling Mary Louise Holton.” Television was signed off with Mrs. Braswell singing The Star Spangled Banner.” The next morning I got up bright and early and went to church, where Shirley Darnell was conducting a revival. Down the street, I saw Gwendolyn Garrou still making-up for her boy friend s night work. I stopped for lunch at the “Alamo” now owned by the two Pruetts-Durlene and Alma. Sharon Nichols served my table. I met Gerry Buffinton and she told me that her two students, Betty Coffey and Lvnda Hice were still trying to pass English IV. I asked her how Janie Robinson’s family were. An when I finally got home and thought I could rest in peace, my neighbor, Sherry Thomas came over for a cup of sugar. It seems her husband wasn’t sweet enough. Then I fell into a semi-conscious state trying to think of what had happen to my High School companions but I couldnt think of what any of them were doing now—ten years later. Benny Garrou— Class Prophet 27

Page 33 text:

BABY DERBY. 29