Graham High School - Graham Yearbook (Bluefield, VA)

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ass publishing papers and books. Meanwhile several warriors returned from the battlefields and, being unable to locate their own tribe, joined the Senior tribe; but as several of the regular tribesmen had left Graham to seek adventure in other provinces the group at this point numbered only 70. Since Reginald Ayers had proved to be a very capable leader he still was head of the tribe assisted by Ladies Patricia Smith, Geneva Hawks, and Annette Leftwich. This was a good group of leaders and the class prospered greatly from their leadership and the guidance of two court sponsors, Dutchess Wetzel and Damron, appointed to see that no further harm befell this group. They voted to make a book on everything that had been done in Graham High School that year. This book is called the Annual. Pete Gibson was elected editor-in-chief with Evelyn Bourne as his assistant. Patricia Smith was elected business manager and Bill Barnett her assistant. George Deaton was elected Art editor with Barbara Morgan as assistant. As the history of this tribe goes to press they are planning to have the Senior play and to attend the feast that the Juniors plan for them. They are looking forward to graduation day when they will leave the tribe and also maybe the territory and become kings themselves someday, because this Senior Class, being of an adventurous nature, is planning to migrate again this coming summer and go out into a wider territory in quest of a deeper knowledge and experience. During their sojourn in the providence of Graham they have changed from a barbarious to a civilized state. Who can say that in the distant future they may not even become enlightened? GEORGE OSBORNE, Chairman BETTY HYLTON PEGGY STEELE ☆ ☆ ☆

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ass During the Dark Ages of September 1944 a new and uncultured tribe called Fresh- men invaded the territory of Graham High School, ruled over by a certain king called Marcus the First. He and the nobles belonging in his court were kind, but Juniors suddenly tried to subdue the newcomers and enforce obedience to harsh and humiliating orders. In spite of this, the new people became accustomed to their circumstances and began to prosper in their new home. They also struggled hard to learn the language of their adopted home, of which they already knew a few words,- but they found this a difficult undertaking, even though a member of the court, one Gillenwater, the Duchess of Bluefleld, tried hard to instruct them. In this tribe women greatly outnumbered the men. In fact, it was a matriarchy, but the men, being more persistent, soon had a number of leaders in the court. The first of these was Bill Mitchell, a stern ruler from the wilds of East Graham. He was in time succeeded by Frank Banner, of small stature, but an autocrat and a radical thinker, who, though a barbarian, had surprising ideas for the grovernment of his people. In an effort to cooperate with the race with whom they had settled, the Sophomore class, as they were called, invested heavily in the score clock in the gymnasium. They found to their happiness that this new stock yielded great dividends, but in an encounter with the Lady Damron, one of the generals of King Marcus, many were cut down in a dreadful slaughter. This battle is recorded in the annuals of the tribe as Final Algebra Examin- ation — many Sophomores were wounded, some mortally. To conceal their defeat, those who did lose out in the battle, hid their identity under the name of Juniors, and Frank Banner was succeeded by Reginald Ayers, who held reins of government through a long and strenuous period. Mrs. Dickenson, Dutchess of Hardy Hill, and Lady Sykes were appointed by the tribe and king to keep order in that province during this era. The tribe benefited by their advice. Due to various misfortunes they numbered only 75 now. The chief Ayers was assisted in his duties by Baron Tom Mitchell and Ladies Betty Snell and Patricia Smith. For the enjoyment of other members in the territory and nearby territories they gave a play entitled A Date With Judy. The profits from this were used to give the Senior members of the territory a great feast and dance. In this way they hoped to prove they were a forgiving people and were learning the customs of the country. Having learned to read and write they were increasing their knowledge of history under the leadership of Dutchess Dickenson, ' a id learning the language from Lady Morgan. 7 In due time the tribe changed its name again, this time to Senior Class, a name held in honor by the court. They were even allowed to minister to King Marcus himself. Their culture had so far advanced that some not only read books, but even began

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necy. Emmett ShufFlebarger, band director, and Nancy Long, coach of girls ' basketball at Graham High School, are in the library eating lunch. Remember some of our good times we spent here during our school days, es- pecially our senior year? said Emmett. Oh, I do! We didn ' t realize what a good time we were having, replied Nancy. Say, whatever happened to Reginald Ayers, our president? Haven ' t you heard that he is now the president of the University of Virginia? said Emmett. Tell me about the rest of the gang, Emmett. Well, Pauline Lawrence Lampert and Ruth Mattox Neal are living in Pensacola, Florida, with their husbands. They have won several beauty contests. The French sisters, Nancy and Virginia, have made their careers in radio. They are on the program Bring ' Em Back Hair Tonic. Lorraine Williamson has also made her career in radio. Bobby Cyphers is now captain of foot ball team at V. P. I. Mrs. Cyphers, the former Joyce Lefler, is with him. Vivian Crigger has half-interest in Woolworths. Geneva Hawks is working there, also. Remember June Akers? She now owns a chain of Longworth Drug Stores and specializes in a Loafers ' Bar. Speaking of people who made good, mustn ' t forget Doris Amburn and Norma Bryant who instruct night classes on ' The Art of Getting Your Man. ' I hear their pupils have been successful. I heard just the other day that Orrin Davis now has a large dairy farm in New Jersey and is experimenting on how to keep cows out of bath tubs. Do you remember how industrious George Reece Osborne, Ralph Minton, and Norman Robertson always were? Well, they are co-owners of WLNW Broadcasting Station. As their main attraction of the evening, Peggy Steele plays the piano and Norma Hawks sings. Boy! when they do the Beer Barrel Polka the people just roll in the isles. Homer Baldwin and Mrs. Baldwin, the former Sara Crabtree, are still residents of Bluefield and Homer is Mayor of the Big City. John Scott is now deputy sheriff of Tazewell County. You can see Peggy Christian and Helen Hodock in any magazine advertising for Beech Nut Chewing Gum. Aubrey Oscar Smith is a great orator. Pierce Devor and Richard Elam are now members of the Supreme Court. Annette Leftwich, our queen of the Carnival, has been elected Queen of Virginia and has received many awards. Barbara Morgan is now teaching at her own school. Phyllis Osborne is manager of Strietman Biscuit Company. Paul Burton is now in New York and is owner of the firm The Burton ' s Model ' s. He is thinking about giving up his career though because he says it ' s so boring just sitting