Giles High School - Shield Yearbook (Pearisburg, VA)

Page 11 text:

Ki ' .iti i|p ' . . In Retrospect As Seniors the class chose Lewis Webb, John Porterfield, Jennifer Martin, Brenda Young, and Becky Cumbee as its leaders. The class ' s final year at GHS brought many exciting moments including the arrival of class rings in November. Winning the cross-country championship, the district golf championship, and recording the first win- ning basketball season made 1966 a successful year for the Spartans. The basketball team earned fame by defeat- ing Narrows and Blacksburg and ranking in the Top Ten in Timesland. In the spring, the baseball and track teams made history by compiling the most successful records ever. The Senior Girls won the Class Tournament basketball trophy for the first time and Giles scored its first victories on Klassroom Kwiz. Other firsts included Sailing into Spring, the senior talent show. Proceeds from the talent show financed graduation expenses and the Senior Banquet and Dance at Mountain Lake. The Spartan Band brought additional honors to GHS by placing first in the Fireman’s Parade and second in the Grand Parade at the Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester. Cindy Atchison was the final member of the class to be honored with the title of Miss GHS 1966. On May 14, the Class of 1967 entertained the Seniors with the Junior-Senior Prom. Moonlight and Roses was the theme of this social highlight of the year. Seniors appeared in caps and gowns for the first time during the Award ' s Assembly on June 3, 1966. The Baccalaureate Service was held on Sunday, June 5, with the Rev. F. M. Ritter delivering the sermon. During the Commencement Program on June 10, 1966, seniors were presented their diplomas. Valedictory addresses were delivered by Donnie Martin and Boyce Falls and Salutatory addresses were presented by Patricia Johnson and Dicky Douthat. Of all the events in the class’s five-year history, that day was the one to be remem- bered and treasured most by the graduates of 1966. Those graduated realized that they had fulfilled a great ambition — to attain the ability to continue in the world with happiness and success. In 1966 Giles High School graduated the last of its first students. It is the wish of the Class of 1966 that the traditions of Giles High’s first five years will be a part of its heritage for all future Spartans. 7

Page 10 text:

The Class of 1966 . . . THE CLASS OF 1966 -- IN RETROSPECT The history of the Class of 1966 is the history of Giles High School. In November, 1961, 277 eighth graders were among the 1078 students of Giles High School. When the school opened in September, the building had not been completed. For two months, GHS students attended classes in the former Eggleston, Newport, Pearisburg, and Pem- broke High Schools, while athletic teams met to practice after school. When, at last, Giles High was opened in November, there was no cafeteria, gymnasium, choral room, band room or auditorium. Students ate packed lunches in homerooms and traveled to elementary schools for physical education, band, and chorus. As eighth graders, the class had had the unique experience of being among a whole school of students learning to find their way in a new building. When the year ended the building had been completed and a pattern had been set for future years at GHS The annual and newspaper were named, athletic teams organized, and representatives of the eighth grade helped to select the design for the school ring. Officers of the eighth grade were Boyce Falls, Sonya Albert, Junie Adams, and Brenda Young. As Freshmen in 1962-63, the class became more involved in school activities by participating in clubs and ath- letic events. The class was led that year by Boyce Falls, Skipper Williams, Brenda Dowdy, Becky Cumbee, and Dickie Douthat. The Sophomore year, 1963-64, marked the halfway point in the class ' s history. Class members became Honor Society members and helped to bring Giles its first winning football season which included the end of Narrows High ' s thirty-two-game winning streak. Libby Munsey was crowned Miss GHS 1964 — the first of three class members to win the honor. Led by Donnie Martin, Skipper Williams, Brenda Dowdy, Betsy Ingram, and Sonya Albert, the class ' s Junior year was one of its most successful years in high school. The Juniors entered a float in the homecoming parade prior to the school ' s first homecoming win, a 27-7 upset of Dublin. That winter the Junior Class sold candy to finance the Junior-Senior Prom. After months of planning and hard work by sponsors, class officers, and members, the Class of 1965 was honored with Arabian Nights on May 8, 1965. The Juniors were measured for class rings and were the first class to have the choice of the miniature ring. Becky [ Cumbee was named Miss GHS 1965, second class member to win the title. On June 1, the Class of 1966 became 6 the Seniors of 1966--at last!

Page 12 text:

Mr. Robert Lee Dunn 8