George Washington High School - Cavalier Yearbook (Danville, VA)

Page 12 text:

IN THE BEGINNING In the beginning was GW. And GW was void and empty and quiet — a vast American wasteland comprising 60 acres. And a group of 7 concerned Danvillians. including three college professors, a tobacconist, a minister, a financial institutionist, and a banker, organized the 1978-1979 school year. Because they were the School Board and they said. Let there be teachers.” And so there were. On August 18 those new to GW arrived to prepare for days ahead. Following these on August 21 were those faithful GW-ites, arriving in Volvos. VWs and T-Birds, to spend seven days and seven nights in preparation for that evenful day to come, August 25. And the 135 teachers said. Let there be Sophomores.” And so there were. 731 of them to be exact. They rolled in on August 25 from schools near and far — most from Bonner. Langston. Sutherlin. and Sacred Heart, but still others from Illinois. Delaware and Georgia. The teachers then called together all of the eleventh graders of Danville. And 554 students gathered from all four corners of the tiny town and from far beyond — New York and Massachusetts. And they called were Juniors. And they saw that they were good. And the teachers also said. Let the earth bring forth twelfth graders.” And the earth yielded 538 of them, ar- riving on August 28 for one last year at GW. And the teachers called them Seniors. And they saw that they were good. too. And knowing that someone would be needed to rule and guide the students and teachers, the School Board called forth helpers, known as principals and vice-principals (principals of vice?). And the School Board said. Let there be lights in the some 160 classrooms, paper towels in the 100-plus bath- rooms. lockers in GW’s maze of halls. Stocking the cafeteria for the 180 days to come, the cafeteria supervisor ordered 75 lbs. of hotdogs. 100 lbs. of spaghetti. 1000 lbs. of hamburgers and cartons and car- tons of milk for each days meal. And they saw that this was good, and sufficient too. And the School Board saw all things that they had ordered and they were very, very good! and they blessed the GW-ites saying. “Learn, enjoy and behave. Fill the land with knowledge and let your good works be multi- plied upon the face of the earth.” And so it was as the 1978-1979 school year was off to a very good start!

Page 14 text:

SCA PROVIDING YEAR 1 Student involvement. This was what the Student Cooperative Association planned for. Organized with officers, class repre- sentatives. and committee chairmen, all students had ample opportunity for input in the planning. Starting off with a bang, the SCA sponsored a concert by Free Fare, a talented young band. Also included in the fall activities was Spirit Week, a week full of contests between the classes, such as the poster con- test and the yelling contest. Pep rallies were arranged on after- noons before football games. During the holiday season, each first period class collected canned food and money for the Salvation Army. They also decor- ated doors for the Christmas contest. Prizes were given to the class with the best door or the most cans. A student teacher basketball game was held with cost of ad- mission being a can of food. An auction was also held with buying power going to those with many cans of food. Early in the spring the SCA sponsored the return engage- ment of Eugene Rowley, artist in residence. Mr. Rowley toured the school and lectured on his art in special planned lectures. The newsweek contest began. This was an excellent chance for all the artist in the school to exhibit their hidden talents. As the year progressed, so did the SCA. Spring brought bright smiles and warm days. Graduation was finally in sight. But the SCA wanted to finish with a Bang, they once again held the annual spring concert, attracting a large part of the student body. The largest physical contribution made by the SCA was the purchase of a new marquee facing Christopher Lane.