Gadsden County High School - Tiger Yearbook (Quincy, FL)

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HISTORY Writing a class history might well be compared to writing the history of some nomad peoples be- cause it is difficult to determine ihe beginnings, and the destination is uncertain and often unlimit- ed. This class history begins somewhere back around the year 1938 or 1939 when 82 boys and girls entered school here for the first time and thus made their debut in the reat field of activity known as education. Doubtless some members of the class wended their trembling way to some little one-room school house by a cross-road and there began learning to read, write, and spell. It matters not where the various members of the class spent those first months, learning not the alphabet, not numbers, or reading, or what not, but learning how to get along away from home and mother's apron strings. The fact remains they did begin to master those things outlined in the primary courses of study. Little by little they became students as well as pupils. Step by step individuals and class advanced grade by grade. There were many difficulties along the way, but, in spite of differences of opin- ion and hardship, these pupils kept plugging away and little by little they managed to learn enough of what they studied in one year to pass the next grade requirements. For twelve long, weary years or more, the members of this class have labored against odds, keeping their eyes ever on the goal . . . Com- mencement. Twelve years and more and these young people changed from snub-nose, dirty faced urchins to the sleek and painted graduates of today. Who says there is no such thing as progress? The climb has not been an easy one. Even in those first primary years there was much to be learned. In fact the primary boys and girls had really the hardest task of all in their mapped out course of study. Just think of learning to read, learning to write, learning how to master num- bers, how to speak correctly, how to use your hands and feet at the right time, and then having history, physology, geography, and science thrown m for good measure just as soon as one began to master reading fundamentals. Those first years were trying years for every member of this class. Staying inside was bad enough but having to sit on a hard board seat with eyes front or focused on some printed page made life one long drag. Yet, these boys and girls stayed with it through the years. The personnel of the class has changed con- siderably from what it was during those early pri- mary years. We Americans are a restless people, moving hither and yon. Some of those who enter- ed our school twelve or thirteen years ago have moved to other parts of the country. Some left school during later years for one cause or an- other before completing the work. Once we were saddened by the death of a classmate. While some have dropped from the ranks, others have joined forces with us and our Class of 1950 now numbers 57. Of the 57 members now graduating, there are only 18 of the original members that started school here in the first grade. School days are happy days, and days of youth are full of fun and frolic as well as work. The members of this class have had many, many pleasures in school and out, as their school years have come and gone. Our associations together have been pleasant and profitable. We have be- come a unit, a class, fighting for our colors and our rights. We have found out what it means to have real friends and to be real friends. We shall miss the happy associations when the activities of our class become ancient history as school history does. Our school days have been well worth while. We would not have missed their opportun- ities had such a thing been possible. Our teachers, throughout the years, have been most kind and helpful, patient to the last word. They have guided, encouraged, pushed, and driv- en us to our duties. They have taught us far more than book learning. They have given us wise counsel and led us into rich experiences. We take this opportunity to give credit where credit is due. Our teachers deserve much credit for whatever success this class may have achieved in the past and for its future possibilities. We feel quite cer- tain that we shall never fully appreciate just what contribution our teachers have made to our mem- bers. We also owe a lifelong debt of gratitude to our parents. Without their efforts and co-opera- tion and encouragement we should have doubt- (Continued on Page 26)

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Pke Cenio-i Cladi oi the GADSDEN EDENTA HIGH SEHDDL iif iifim fu. Piedentd THE 19511 TIGER

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MR. JAMES A. SHANKS Principol A.B., Arkansas College B.S., M.A., Peabody College MR. HAL CROWNOVER Assistant Principal; Science B.S., M.A., Peabody College MR. WALTON O. WALKER Coach; Physical Education B.S., Alabama Polytechnic Institute MR. GUY A. RACE Assistant Coach; Social Studies A.B., University of Georgia LL.B., University of Florida