Honaker High School - Torch Yearbook (Honaker, VA)

Page 21 text:

Class History A DRAMA THE ENLIGHTENING YEARS (Class History, by Nancy Albert ) CHARACTERS: Members of the Class of 1952. SETTING: Honaker High School TIME: September 1948— May 1952 PROLOGUE Long ago in the years around 1934 one hundred and thirty-two tiny red bundles of hu- manity started their development upon this magical sphere we call Earth. For about thirteen years they were permitted to grow and develop according to their own rules near their own homes, in whatever valley, dale, mountain, or village their parents had settled, but they were all destined to meet on one fateful day — September 1st, 1948 — the Red Letter Day, which marked the entrance of one hundred and thirty-two adolescent boys and girls into Honaker High School. Join us as we watch their progress through four Enlightening Years: ACT I — The Bewildering Year This was our year of learning the ways of high school. We were not used to all the hustle and bustle of changing classes, plus the hated superiority of upperclassmen. However, we had our moments. This was the first year Freshmen were allowed to join clubs. Our Freshman picnic with our sponsor — “that new teacher, Strickland” is still a pleasant memory. We had a credit- able showing in athletic, forensic, and all other school activities, and we looked forward to the time when we could be out of that lowly estate of “just a Freshman.” ACT II — The Recognition Year This was our year of actually “knowing the ropes” of high school. How we pitied and heckled the Freshmen, forgetting how we had suffered only the year before the degredation of “nobody knows me.” The upperclassmen took a new interest in us now that we had cleared the first hurdle, and our class began to stand out in all phases of school life. Our sponsor, Mr. Davis, led us throughout the year and a high spot was our delightful Sophomore party. There was great excitement during basketball season, and we were especially proud of our members on the squads. Another joyful time was the Harvest Festival, with one of our own classmates. Bud Gent, as Harvest King. We were all saddened greatly by the unfortunate death of our beloved classmate, Guy Whitt; and we made a solemn resolve not to forget him in the years to come. ACT III — The Belonging Year Although we looked forward to our Junior year with anticipation, there was one cloud on the horizon — one with red hair and a giant American History book in her hand, called for some strange reason “The Junior’s Bible.” Many fell by the wayside at this “Slough of Despair,” but the majority struggled through and enjoyed the highlight of the year, the Junior-Senior Prom, given by the Juniors with the help of our sponsors, Mr. Shipley and Mrs. Davis. Then the great moment for all Juniors came — that badge of success — our class rings! How proud we were then and how happy on graduation night, when we paid tribute to the Seniors of 1951 thinking long- ingly of the wonderful day when we would be the greatest of all. ACT IV — The Glorious Year The great day had come — we were Seniors! No one could ever feel so grand as we felt when we entered the door of the Senior Home Room on that morning in September. How careful we were to walk with casual dignity and to pretend not to notice the env ious stares of Freshmen We were soon plunged into Senior activities under the guidance of our sponsor, Miss Mary Sue Fuller. Class elections of all kinds were held, and then work on the annual started, we remem- bered our solemn pledge not to forget our classmate, Guy Whitt, whose seat had been vacant since April 8th, 1950, and we honored this memory by dedicating, this our greatest achievement, “The Torch,” to him. The year with its many happy times passed all too quickly, and soon we found ourselves bedecked in caps and gowns marching between the daisy chains carried by the Juniors, to receive our final award — our diplomas! Although we were saddened by leaving our dear Alma Mater, we looked forward courageously to the parts each of us would play in this great scheme of things in the world outside. — 17 —

Page 20 text:

Senior Class Officers Marvin Barton Nellie Coleman Bernice Whitt Fred Rasnake Billy Justice ... President Vice Presiden t Secretary Treasurer Reporter — 16 —

Page 22 text:

Class Poem Long after our school life has ended And life seems sueli a bore, We’ll recall the days of our youth And we’ll think of things we never thought of before ! We’ll think of the days W1 len we thought school was all friction and strife. Then, we never thought that school days Were the happiest days of our life. And when the teachers told us What we could or could not do. We all complained and thought Oil, if we were only through! But after we’ve grown older, And have faced many of life’s sorrows. Oh, happy school days we ll think of you In all of our tomorrows. We’ll also think of our classmates And wonder if each one’s dream came true. Because we were just like brothers and sisters, When we were Seniors in 1952. — Shirley Hess — 18 — ac