Grimsley High School - Whirligig Yearbook (Greensboro, NC)

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Of these we are justly proud. But let’s turn to something in which we’ve all taken part, something friv¬ olous, as the Hallow’een party given by the Seniors for themselves. The two important features as I remem¬ ber them were masquerading and plenty of ice cream cones. At the next party just before Christmas we in¬ vited the football boys who livened things up a bit and with our Christmas tree and peanut fortunes we had quite a nice time. Our next bits of foolishness were in trying to entertain in chapel. This helped both Senior rooms to re¬ lieve some of their pent up energy. First Miss Alexander’s room gave a clever devised, living edition of “Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater.” Then Miss Gressitt’s room presented something equally enjoyable, the mor¬ ality play, “Every Student.” A delightful evening was spent at the high school auditorium by many students and friends, when Mr. Hamlin Garland gave a lecture on “Life on the Middle Border.” Mr. Garland was brought here under the auspices of the Senior class. This was made possible by the efforts of Miss Alexander. Just now I must say to those of you not there that you missed a treat. Our second and higher pinnacle of prestige came at the Junior-Senior banquet given by the Juniors at the Country Club on the 16th of April. If the Juniors felt as we did, they never enjoyed themselves more. It was a three-course dinner with nonsense generally scattered between the courses by Mr. Archer who was ap¬ pointed official monkey for the evening and in which capacity he served admirably. Following the banquet by a few weeks, was our common place picnic at Doggett’s though no one who could have seen us would have said we were having only an ordinarily good time. Even the suggestion of wading and swimming goes to prove otherwise. With horns blowing and all laughing and screaming we entered our great enterprise, the Grand Carnival, the 29th of May. If you were not there none could successfully describe it to you. All that we know is we put it over in part for our last number of the “Sage” to pull us near the top, and we wish to thank you for your patronage that night. So we have finished those last days with good times and are tonight both fearful and eager to try our wings. A few have dropped out during the four years race and tonight we number 77. We believe that our class is the finest ever produced by G. H. S. We do not take all the credit; we could not for I ' m sure that a good half of it belongs to our teachers and principals for we’ve had many, and also to our superintendent, Mr. Archer. It is thus that the first lessons are over and we have come to the second and harder one. The door of the high school has closed behind us and we are here tonight one of you, hoping that you will receive us and what we have to do kindly, for in high school we have learned many new things and we intend to put them into practice. EDITH L1NDLEY. CLASS POEM. As I looked out of the window today Through the softly falling rain. The unknown future loomed very big, For the present could not remain. On a limb of the maple tree, I could see Where last year a thrush had its nest, A bright little fairy sitting there, In raindrops and green leaves dressed. She saw how discouraged, how blue I was, That growing up filled me with dread, For she knew what was wrong, as fairies do, And smilingly nodded her head. “My dear,” she said, in a soft little voice, “You must not be sorry or sad. There are seventy-five just like you And all of you should be glad. “Your high school days have swiftly sped. Four glorious years have gone by. Years, filled to the brim with the joys of youth Which age, you think, will deny.

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CLASS HISTORY OF 1920 We were a mixed crowd, the future class of 1920, ranging from socks to half-length dresses and from knickers to long trousers. We had come from North, South, East and West, Greensboro; all fired with a pur¬ pose, that of becoming true sons and daughters of G. H. S., come what may. While waiting for the bell we gathered in groups over the yard discussing what courses we should take, business or classical. Even then we saw and recognized that vexatious problem, of what, we were to do and become in this world; appearing in the choice of our high school course which then seemed about the most important thing in the world to us. But all were not quite so serious. The laughter of the green freshmen could often be heard above that of the more self-contained juniors and seniors and especially sophomores. With the ringing of the bell we laid aside all speculations and entered upon the reality of high school life, a thing that has become more and more real as we have traveled these four years. We found first of all that life in high school was not one sweet song as we had been led to believe. With natural dexterity our teachers soon had us under control and working at full steam. But, alas, this was not to be our only trial. We the seniors of a year before were now as nothing. With indignation we heard our¬ selves spoken of as freshies and rats. And to add to all this we were not allowed to belong to Literary Society. I’m sure that it was not because of our great thirst for literary knowledge that we complained. But, you see it was most boaring to have to be in class those last two periods while others were enjoying themselves. But as freshmen we finally admitted that we,had much to undergo and to learn. It was not long before we discovered our weak point, as a class. The sophomores, juniors and seniors were all organized. As we weren’t we speedily called a meeting of the four freshman rooms and proceeded to organize ourselves. For our president we elected Miss Jessie Myers who ably guided us through our first year. As our motto, for the coming years we took, We’ll find a way or make one.” We chose the violet for our flower and for our colors lavender and white. After we had performed those customary duties we felt much better and ready to take our stand with the classes of G. H. S. That first year we learned many things outside of text books. We were taught that valuable lesson of team work and gradually fell into line. We had become acclimated. Our sophomore year passed as a matter of course under the wise administration of Mr. Hamilton. We were not as egotistical as the freshmen nor as bigoted as the juniors and seniors. Quite naturally we organized ourselves and elected as our president, Mr. John M. Foushee. We accomplished no particular fete which could be considered brilliant, either in our eyes or the eyes of others. Our sophomore year was a very strong, yet inconspicuous link, in our high school chain of years, a link made enduring by the honest effort of every member of our class. Still through all our work ran good times. In fall, in winter, in spring you could al¬ ways find a bunch of sophs having their fun. But time pushed on and soon we found that we were juniors, which means a lot. Our school had grown in numbers until we found at the beginning of our third year that we were to have double sessions, which was not really so bad as it seemed. There came to us this year quite a few boys and girls from the Normal Training School. By their coming, new talent was added to our class. Tonight we are particularly proud of Miss Linda Smith who became one of us at that time and who has been made valedictorean of our class. So with this infusion of new ' workers W ' e W ' ere quickening our pace in all fields of activity only to be checked by the flu,” which so shook and upset our country last year. After this enforced vacation it was with something kin to a sigh that w r e again renewed our work. But we received the challenge to all our energies that was given by the splendid work of Miss Dolly Posey in the debating line and Miss Irma Saddler in the short story line both of whom were prizes offered by Mr. Wills, chairman of our Board of Education. We were fickle though and our attentions were soo n given to something which we probably thought more interesting, the Junior-Senior reception. We wished to give these seniors the best time ever. Toward this end Miss Cornelia Cartland kindly offered us the use of her lovely home which we accepted gratefully. It was arranged for the last of February. We have liked to think that they enjoyed themselves as much as we. Hav¬ ing attained such a point of social eminence w r e looked back upon our Freshman nad Sophomore years with pity and our Senior year with coming expectation. We had indeed passed a mile-stone in high school life. At last we were Seniors anti surely we may be forgiven, a little haughtiness. Not long ago 1 heard some¬ one say that the Senior year of high school did nothing but fill the head of the bovs and girls with hot air and that they learned nothing. We wished to be excluded from this classification for we have done good work along with having good times. Miss Frances Gilliland, whom we elected as our president, won the second North Carolina prize for the best essay offered by the United States government. Another proof of our good work is the I act that Miss Mamie Lee Chandler distinguished herself in the field of chemistry, by obtaining the highest grade on the examination given throughout North Carolina. Again in our athletics Mr. G. B. Wynne has figured prominently in both football and the track.

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“But I know full well that this is not true; And I’m sure you will soon find out That the bugbear of growing up is not real, And there’s nothing to worry about. “For though there are bridges and ships to be built And pictures that have to be drawn, The joy of achieving is a full reward, And you’ll gladly go working on. “For each has a job in this big old world. The task will be to find it; So do not delay when you find the right wheel To put your shoulder behind it. “It’s not so much just what you do As the way you do it that matters,— But I must stop preaching and hasten home, Or my dress will be in tatters. “I hope that now you understand That the brain and heart grow too, And that real joy is found in the doing well Of the things intended for you.” Waving her hand, she flew off through the rain And I knew that all would be well; The key to happiness had surely been given, And I was glad to bid high school farewell. —JANICE STEWART BROWN. CLASS PROPHECY. WALLACE STAMEY, Chicago, III., May 26, 1948. My Dear Doctor:— I received a letter from Madame Jessica Brandt wd that I am in a position to give you some information concerning our former classmates. Miss Mary Poole is heading the Chemistry Department in our University and she has been instrumental in disproving all the former laws of Chemistry including “Edward’s Law,” and the atomic hypothesis. If she discovers the right combination of elements there is no doubt that she will rise still higher. Madame Wescott, who used to be known as Nell Wescott is now the director of the Carolina Sym¬ phony Orchestra and appeared here in a concert a few days ago. Several of the former high school girls assisted her including Miss Pauline Pettit and Miss Lois Moon who performed wonderfully on the mandolin. No doubt you have heard before how my first wife, formerly Miss Frances Gilliland was the first one to devise a plan by which we were able to communicate with other planets and later she discovered the new gas which enabled C. Guy Hagan to make the first flight to Mars. I received a etter from Madame Jessica Brandts who used to be known as simple Jessie Brandt. I find that she and the girl who used to be known as Frances Shaw and who is now Mrs. Fred Troxler, of San Fran¬ cisco, are successfully operating a “Woman’s Ready to Wear” shop. I might also add that Mr. Troxler is engaged in the business in the capacity of designer. Miss Linda Smith, although happily married, is still directing the English Department at the University of North Carolina. Probably now you realize that the University is mostly a girl’s school like most of the former great uni¬ versities. No doubt you will be surprised to hear that Lawrence Thomas is running a Cattery just out of Denver, Col. As furs are now very scarce, Mr. Thomas is running a cat ranch and the furs bring him $2.48 each. Garland Coble is running a “rattery,” next door. The rats are fed to the cats and the carcasses of the dead cats to the rats. It is a paying business.