Franklin County High School - Animo Yearbook (Rocky Mount, VA)

Page 8 text:

The Barren Home Turf George Washington had his cherry tree, and Mr. C.l. Dillon, Superinten- dent of Public Schools, had his bleach- ers. Mr. Washington used an ax to do his job, but in the case of the bleach- ers, Mr. Curtis Clayborne, school cus- todian, was instructed to use a chain saw. ‘‘It was the easiest way to disas- semble the bleachers,”’ said Mr. Dillon. ‘“They are not safe and they have to come down.” 4 Theme With the bleachers gone, the securities could no longer be taken for granted, for the home turf had been destroyed. For example, the band could no longer play at home for the football audi- ences, and the many spectators and participants had to travel great dis- tances to other schools or stadiums for all the games. Our home had expanded into various territories away from home. Putting forth extra hard work and showing much dedication, the stu- dents, staff, faculty, and administration overcame the many turmoils that were faced because of the missing bleach- ers. Instead of barriers being built, relation- ships grew stronger.

Page 7 text:

Working to keep the rain and snow out of our home, roofers banged their equipment causing loud noises in the classrooms. The smell of tar penetrated every nostril, and room tempera- tures reached more than 100 degrees. School had begun. Lunch proved to be a place where huger and thirst were quenched. Friends could laugh about the days happenings as demonstrated by Kristin Ratliffe and Cindy Anderson. Swinging from tree to water, canoeing, and div- ing were among the vast excitements of summer fun shared by students before the opening of school. Providing a haven for our hurt family members, The Rescue Squad is always ready. Since the sign ‘Boys’ had been scratched from the restroom door, Kim Young informs Debi Hayes that she is going the wrong way. Theme 3

Page 9 text:

Seeing where the bleachers had once been, cheerleaders, spec- tators, and football players move beneath the lonely press box. Playing volleyball near the empty football field, a team member goes for a smash. The “Big Eagle”, Mr. Benny Gibson, leads his dedicated Ea- gles onto the away from home playing field. Here is what the bleachers looked like last year. Signs of decaying wood and buckling steel show why the chainsaw had to be used to destroy them. The day will probably be in infamy when the decree was cast to ‘‘destroy the bleachers”’. Theme 5