Jarratt High School - Builders Yearbook (Jarratt, VA)

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Senior Class Prophecy In the distance were reflected flashes of lightning, but the storm was too distant to hear the thunder. It was a humid, disagreeable night and I wished for an opportunity to cool off. I got in the car and tried to stir up a little breeze. It was too hot to try to sleep, so I rode on and on. After some time I saw bright lights and when | approached the spot I saw that a carnival was visiting the small town to which I had ridden. I can never pass by a carnival, so I parked the car and sauntered in. Perhaps, I thought, it would be cool on the Ferris Wheel, so 1 walked over and bought half a dozen tickets. I had handed over my fourth ticket and had settled back to enjoy the cool- ness the ride afforded. As I reached the top, the wheel stopped and the whole place was a total darkness. The distant storm, I learned later, had caused the trouble. There would be no electricity until the ‘‘trouble-shooters’’ could find the breakdown. Anyhow, thought I, it is cool here, but if I take a nap I might fall out, so I wondered what I could do to keep awake. The storm had moved on and the stars were beginning to show. I watched as they grew brighter and brighter and tried to locate the few that I could name. Ancient people studied the heavens and predicted the future from a study of the stars. As they twinkled and glowed, I wished I knew what the future held for me and some of my friends. Suddenly, one star seemed to stand out alone. It was on a door and under the star was a name. Easily I could read, LUCY NEAL, PIANIST. Just at that moment a door opened and Lucy calmly walked out and I could see her as she went to the stage of a crowded auditorium and began to play. I wasn't at all surprised for I knew that Lucy had great talent. I stared long at the skies, hoping to see more into the future. Clouds can do funny things all right. This is what I saw that night. There was a darling little house with a picture window. In the picture window was a lovely lamp and a bow} of flowers. Beyond the flowers was Walter Harrell, bouncing a baby boy on his knee. I tried to peer further into the house, but the clouds shifted and the scene was gone. Just then a meteor shot across the sky. It took the shape of a racer and sitting calmly at the wheel was Rylan Pritchett. I knew he could handle a school bus, but anyone could tell he was enjoying racing. A group of stars attracted my attention. I tried to give them names and a purpose. Why did they hold my attention so if they had no meaning for me? At last I could see a face forming---it was Nancy Graham and in her hand was a ball. I understood---she will become the wonderful coach of an all-star team. Hurrah for Nancy: 16

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Nancy Graham Remember ? Walter Harrell Vivian Harrell Robbins ise . Lou tal ev ] ° ih 3 ot § i] te om 5, i) ) z 1) bs] | 8 vo 3 [e) § se chett it Rylan Pr is Starke Lo Jean Proctor Edna Hall ily Bendall Em: 15

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Sirius, the dog star, began to shine brighter than usual. ‘‘It is trying to tell me something,'' I thought. I concentrated hard and it was no surprise to see Vivian Harrell. There seemed to be more so I looked hard and beside Vivian I saw a beautiful horse and beyond her grassy meadows and a ranch house. I observed a big star and a small one which seemed inseparable. I tried squinting, concentrating and all other methods, but could get no clear picture. | was about to give up when I though I heard a well known voice. It was saying, ‘'1 am so glad you won the spelling bee at your school. When I was a little girl | could spell too.’’ We all know that was Edna Hall. The moon, round and bright, was now shining clearly. I gazed into it to see if it could reveal the future of any of my friends. After some time I could see Louise Robbins’ gentle face smiling down on all the world. I saw the picture clearly---she was a friendly and well loved teacher, the stars were her pupils. I gazed along the Milky Way and wondered how many cows it would take to give enough milk if each star represented one gallon. To my surprise, faces began to appear, one was quite clear. It was Alton Owen at a 4-H Club F vent and he had just arrived ina Frazer to judge livestock. Someone approached him and said, ‘‘You don't know how much we appreciate your taking time out to act as judge, Mr. Mayor. ’ Three young ladies were with Alton and he turned to introduce them to his friend. The first he introduced as Jean Proctor. ‘‘She is to judge the canned goods and farm products,’’ said Alton. ‘‘Fruits are her specialty, especially Pears, ’ he added with a twinkle in his eye. The second was Lois Starke. ‘‘She is an authority on needlework and has come to judge that,'’ he explained. ‘‘This is our secretary to record the results of the meeting.’’' He then introduced Emily Bendall. A circle of stars next attrdcted my attention. One of the circle was a woman. From their conversation I learned that it was a town council and that Virginia Joyner was one of its most influential members. Just then the lights flashed on and the Ferris Wheel began to revolve slowly as passengers were allowed to get off. When I reached ground once more, I felt a little dazed and still out of this world. The owner began to offer profuse apologies and to explain that he had been helpless. ‘‘Think nothing of it,'' I replied cheerfully. ‘‘I visited some of my friends ten years from now. Quite a novel experience.’’ I went off whistling but took a backward glance just in time to see him look at me sadly and tap his finger against his head. His words which floated to me over the quiet night air were: ‘‘I hope we're not responsible for that poor guy’s condition. ’ li?