J T Barber High School - Warrior Yearbook (New Bern, NC)

Page 29 text:

In September of 1953 over 200 boys and girls entered West Street High as awkward young freshmen. During our first weeks in high school we were more or less led around by our faithful advisors, Mrs. D. P. Jenkins, Mrs. L. B. Smith, Mrs. A. B. Bryant, Mrs. J. W. Jones and Mr. F. Graham. We are greatly indebted to these advi¬ sors who did so much to guide us through that first year. By having the largest class to ever enter West Street High School, it was only natural that there was much talent to be displayed from such a large group. Members of our class who showed exceptional ability in music were Lillie Coleman and Jessie Chapman. The males in our class who expressed musical ability played a dominating role in the Boys Chorus. They were Cicero Bynum, James Fonville, William Gavin and William Hawkins. This proved to be only a portion of our musical knowledge. Joining the band was Cic ero Bynum. Kay Franklin became a majorette. Many other clubs attracted us also, especially, the N. H. A. who accepted such young ladies as Minnie Hick¬ man, Deli ah Bunting, Ann Sawyer, Kay Franklin, Ida Dove, Janet White and Omega Nixon. Janet White and Betty Chapman helped to cheer our team to the Eastern Division Championship. With the help of Walter Bellamy, Edward Bell and Alphonso Moore, our football team won the Eastern Divi¬ sion Championship. On the basketball team the freshmen were real standouts. Taking these honors were the athletic-minded Ed¬ ward Bell and Walter Bellamy. Helping to carry out the governing of our school were Ann Sawyer and James Allen. The planet staff increased with the addition of Kay Franklin and Betty Chapman. Seeing that our school was kept safe by joining the safety patrol were William Harvey, George A. Brown, Elbert Coleman, William Hawkins, Robert Hyman, and William Evans. Thus, this ended the first act of our four act drama, with the freshmen putting on quite a show. September was eagerly anticipated with our becoming more dignified as sophomores. The year began by the Tri-Hi-Y selecting new members. Among the chosen few were Kay Franklin, Ann Sawyer and Janet White. The Hi-Y increased its enrollment by adding to its membership William Hawkins, William Gavin, Henry Mack, Edward Bell, Shade Dove, James Simmons, and Robert Hyman. New members for the Planet Staff were James Simmons, Johnnie White and Ann Sawyer. In the N. H. A. a sophomore held a very important local and state office. Ann Sawyer became vice president of our local chapter and parliamentarian of the State organization. There was a noted improvement in the band that year due to the increased enrollment with William Hawkins, William Gavin and Henry Mack. Kay Franklin was again a majorette. T he Industrial and Vocational Arts Department began turning out better products with such industrious members as William Wilson, Linward Brown, Richard Blount, George A. Brown, James Simmons, James Allen and James Bell. The Drama Guild’s enrollment was expanded by drawing into its circle such actors and actresses as William Gavin, Betty Chapman, Johnnie White, Minnie Hickman, Ann Sawyer, Ida Dove, Kay Franklin, Henry Mack, Robert Hyman, Janet White, Omega Nixon, and Dorothea Kearney. New members of the Chorus were Maggie Carter, Minnie Hickman, Janet White, Dorothea Kearney, Omega Nixon, Ida Dove, Carolyn Best, Marjorie Leary, William Harvey and William Vails. Seeing that the Student Council still carried out its functions were Edward Bell, Ann Sawyer, Henry Mack, Ida Dove and James Simmons. On the Warrior’s team were Walter Bellamy, Edward Bell, James Simmons, Alphonso Moore, William Harvey, Shade Dove, George E. Brown, Reuben Best, and James Fonville. Edward Bell, Reuben Best and Walter Bellamy gained much recognition on the basketball team. The girls’ team did just as well with Emma Thompson as a star. Our advisors for act II were Mrs. D. P. Jenkins, Mrs. L. B. Smith, Mrs. J. W. Jones, and Mrs. M. B. Danyus. Our junior year began by moving into a new and better equipped school, J. T. Barber. We were very proud to be back in our newly completed school, since we had been here in seventh and eighth grades. 25

Page 28 text:

KENNETH BEST Herm The world is yours for a prayer and a smile plus hard work. NCSIO 2, 3, 4; Bus Drivers ' Club 1, 2, 4; Electronics Club 4. Ambition: Bricklayer WILLIAM ELLIS SIMMONS Buddy Roe I shall die as my father died, and sleep as they sleep, even so, for the glass of the years is brittle wherein we gaze for a span. Debating Club 3; FTA 3,4; French Club 4; Newspaper Staff 4. Ambition: Minister 24 MRS. M. B. DANYUS

Page 30 text:

The junior class organized under the leadership of the following officers: president, James Simmons; vice president, Alphonso Moore; secretary, William Gavin; business manager, Johnnie White; treasurer, Edward Bell. The highlight of this year was our Junior-Senior Prom, a Mexican Fiesta, which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Many new clubs were organized this year. The Juniors took advantage of this, became members and held many offices. The Crown and Sceptre was honored with such members as Kay Franklin, Eva Jones, Ann Sawyer and William Gavin. Ida Dove, Dorothea Kearney, and Omega Nixon were encircled by the Tri-Hi-Y. Our brother club, the Hi-Y, initiated Johnnie White, Dennis Rodgers, Ernest Spicer, James Fonville, Samuel Whitehurst, Horace Nesbit and Elbert Coleman. Both of the literary organizations enveloped new members into their circles. The Planet had William Gavin, Deliah Bunting, Henry Mack and Edward Bell. The Warrior staff carried over some of its members from the past year and added even more. They were Kay Franklin, Ann Sawyer and Elbert Coleman. Johnnie White, Henry Mack, William Gavin, Dorothea Kearney, Lillie Coleman, Cicero Bynum, Deliah Bunting, Deloris Gibbs, William Hawkins, James Simmons and William Simmons joined the ranks of the F. T. A. A newly organized group N. C. S. I. O. gained the membership of Linward Brown, Edward Mendes, Alvin Blount, Dennis Rodgers, Nathaniel Simmons, Willie Best, Reuben Best, and Ernest Collins. Janicesteen Phillips, James Allen, Omega Nixon, Minnie Hickman, Alvin Blount, Edward Mendes, James Simmons, Johnnie White, Alphonso Moore and Ernest Spicer became members of the Debating team. Music could be heard floating through the halls of Barber High with the great voices, Dorothea Kearney, Ida Dove, Ann Sawyer, Kay Franklin, Janet White and Omega Nixon, who were members of the J. T. Barber Chorus. In a new school, the student council was really needed with the juniors holding all the important offices. New members were Kay Franklin, William Gavin, Janicesteen Phillips, Omega Nixon, Yvonne Gould, Doris Miller, James Simmons, Ann Sawyer and Ida Dove. Another new club formed was the Commercial Club. Its members consisted of Delores Gibbs, Christine Fon¬ ville, Jessie Chapman, Barbara Green, Mary Matthews, Lillie Coleman, and Mary Hill. The Juniors really went out for athletics. On the football squad were Edward Bell, Samuel Whitehurst, Walter Bellamy, James Simmons, Bennie Thompson, William Harvey, Reuben Best, George E. Brown, and George A. Brown. Playing basketball were Carolyn Best, Edward Bell, and Walter Bellamy. Bellamy was elected to the All-State Team. Thus ended our third act under the leadership of Mrs. D. P. Jenkins, Mrs. L. B. Smith and Mrs. M. B. Dan- yus. Our Senior year proved to be one of great deeds. Our football team won the N. C. A. A. A. Championship with all the mighty seniors. Two of the seniors, Walter Bellamy and Edward Mendes, were elected to play in the Shrine Bowl All-Star Game. In addition, the Warrior got its first girl editor-in-chief, Kay Franklin. Our last drama has been a tough pull; we have lost many classmates along the way, but we who have braved the battle, feel it was well worth our while. We have our advisors, Mrs. D. P. Jenkins, Mrs. M. B. Danyus, and Mrs. L. B. Smith, to thank for standing by us all the way and they can rest well-assured that their sleepless nights here have not been in vain and we have profited by all our mistakes. Historians: Kay Franklin Ann Sawyer Ida Dove Dorothea Kearney 26