Giles High School - Shield Yearbook (Pearisburg, VA)

Page 9 text:

n Retrospect he Future Spartans and Spirit Sunshine and Showers 5

Page 8 text:

Giles High School Building Foi Winning and Losing 4

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!