James Monroe High School - Echo Yearbook (Fredericksburg, VA)

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Latin. They have also discovered that something new has been added to Math, an alphabet, and the result is that lovable subject, Algebra. Another characteristic which is noticeable at this time is the romantic affairs which bud even in the dreary winter. The actors are improving their appearance. The girls wear make-up, and the boys have at last trained those stray ends of hair. The brightness is shadowed sometimes by that ever present villain, Study, and is darkened when Examinations reappears. Such is life! The actors are better prepared for him than before. A few of the weaker ones are defeated, and therefore are not eligible for Act Ill, which follows after another brief intermission of three months. In Act III, the actors are called Juniors and are so different that the play seems entirely new. They are still pursued by Study, but they understand him better. They are able to arrange their time, so that they can attend the Senior-Junior Prom and the Junior-Senior Prom, which is given by them and financed from a benefit movie. The day before the prom the girls are seen wearing “blue jeans,” for everyone helps decorate the gym. The night of the prom finally arrives. The gym emerges as a beautiful dance floor with soft lights and heavenly music. Many activities hold the interest of the actors in this act. There are Essay, Oration, and Spelling Contests, a Variety Show, Open House, the Youth Can¬ teen and a Music Festival. In the midst of these happenings, the high school rings arrive and bring more excitement. The officers of the Junior Class are Ernest Cope, President; Bettie Willard, Vice-President; Ward Jones, Secretary; and Randy Mills, Treasurer. Again the curtain falls, and the actors enjoy another three months inter¬ mission. This time they prepare for the fourth and final act. The matured actors greet Act IV joyfully. They have acquired deep friendships for each other through the acts and can now enjoy their various accomplishments. The first big assignment which falls upon this class is the Annual. The actors work hard on this piece of work; it is their contribution to the school. Another assignment is the Senior Play entitled “Lavender and Old Lace.” This is a tremendous success. From the title, the class chooses its colors, Laven¬ der and White, and its flower, the Orchid. Following these assignments is Senior Day—the day when Seniors take over the school. During the day, peculiar sights are seen in the halls and class¬ rooms. An entertaining assembly is given by the Seniors, and the day is fun, even for the underclassmen. The Seniors are now full of knowledge, and the majority of them are at last signing their names to the Honor Roll List. This is the goal throughout the play, and most of the actors are victorious. There only remains freedom from Study and Examinations. At last, the fatal hour arrives, and Final Examinations appears. The Seniors are brave, and a huge success is their reward. They are finished with Study, whom they find is not an enemy, but a great friend. Throughout the act, the Seniors have many forms of entertainment and privileges. Parties are given in their honor, and the class picnic is “loads” of fun. These accomplishments are due to their competent sponsors, Mrs. Beable and Mrs. Chick. The play concludes in a burst of glory, with music, flowers and many congratulations at what is known as Commencement Exercises. They have a wonderful, happy Ending, which in reality is only the Beginning. i 9 y

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CLASS HISTORY Bi Betty Jean Jefferson Have you ever turned your thoughts to memories of the past? If so, perhaps you can visualize the happenings of the Class of 1948, which I am going to relate to you. The history of this class is so dramatic and unusual that it resembles a play—not the regular plays which are given, but a very special play which could have happened only once. This play, which is entitled “The Class of 1948,” is in four acts and includes three brief intermissions. It is written by the actors as they play their parts under the direction of Mr. Guy H. Brown, the principal, and a very com¬ petent faculty. It is produced by the Board of Education, with the cooperation of the taxpayers of Virginia. All the scenes take place in the high school building in classrooms, the gymnasium, the auditorium and storied halls. The curtain rises on a September morning four years ago. A number of dark forms are observed sneaking toward the direction of the high school build¬ ing. They are the students who constitute the Freshman Class. Their first action is the election of class officers. After much thought, Bobby Thurston is elected President, and John Shaner, Vice-President. Ward Jones is elected Secretary- Treasurer. Finally, the Freshmen overcome their timidness and begin concentrating on their work. At this point, the villain Study enters the scene and interferes with the happiness and freedom of the students. They in turn encounter Study’s brother Examinations, who discourages them to no end at the close of the semester. It seems that during this period there is another villain who is threatening the world. His name is War, and in order to defeat him the Freshmen dive wholeheartedly into the sale of war bonds. In connection with this sale, a Victory Queen and a Victory King contest is held with Freshmen participating. The coronation ball, after the contest, brings forth many Freshmen in their formal attire. For most of them, it is their first dance; so the aiir is full of excitemen t. Still another event takes place. This time it is a mock election. Most of the school participates, with the exception of a few who cannot afford the high poll tax—a penny. The curtain falls on the first act, and an intermission of three months follows. The actors rest for the second act, which, they are told, is even harder than the first. Act II begins with the same actors in the same place, but with a little more knowledge and a higher rank, for they are now known as Sophomores. A few of the actors are not present, as they were unable to conquer the villain Examina¬ tions. The Sophomores seem to possess poise and a feeling of security, which is noticeably lacking in Act I. Many clubs are formed with Sophomores, and everyone receives a chance to talk over the radio on the program, “Your Schools on the Air. ” The Sophomores become acquainted with three “joys” which, as we observe in the last act of the play, take up a great deal of their leisure time. These “joys” are better known as football, basketball, and baseball. The actors overexert themselves at “pep rallies.” Following these events most of them are unable to talk, and they utter peculiar sounds. Not all these sounds can be blamed on the “pep rallies,” for it seems that the actors have discovered French and I 8 h

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F P I C E R S Betty Sullivan President Jack Russler Vice-President Elsie Williams Secretary Ward Jones Treasurer CQ.a 44 Song Where, oh where are the grand old Seniors? Where, oh where are the grand old Seniors? Where, oli where are the grand old Seniors? Safe now in the wide, wide world. They’ve gone out from t heir Alma Mater, They’ve gone out from their Alma Mater, They’ve gone out from their Alma Mater, Safe now in the wide, wide world. Class Colors Class Flower Lavender and White Purple Orchid 1 10 y