John D Bassett High School - Timber Tints Yearbook (Bassett, VA)

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One day there were many tears shed by some of the Junior girls in History IV Class. A trip had been planned to Richmond and there was much disappointment when the trip was postponed because of bad weather. They did go the next week- end and had a good time. The Junior-Senior banquet was a fete enjoyed by all. The banquet was in the form of an aeroplane trip with aeroplane decorations and green and yellow color scheme. Thelma Brammer, junior class president, was toastmistress. The day after school closed we, the Junior Class, had a picnic. Nearly all the Juniors were present. As it was raining we went to the Country Club House, but it later cleared off and everyone had a good time. This was our last gathering until the next fall. In the fall of thirty-six we entered Bassett High School for our last year. Some old students did not return, they were: Helen Bowers, Doris Vaughn, and C. M. Stafford. We were joined by some new ones: Paul Hollandsworth and Quayle Early. Quayle Early did not stay with us but about a month and he moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, and entered high school there. The Senior Class elected as our President, Gray Jarrett; Vice President, Jimmie Craig; Secretary, Thelma Brammer; and Treasurer, Lorine Shropshire. Again we were represented by the same group of athletes, joined by Paul Hollandsworth. John Helms was manager of the basket ball team. A play, “Sky High,” was presented in the auditorium under the direction of Miss Sara Jane Jose. Some of the Senior boys and girls, Inez Craig, Lorene Eggles- ton, John Helms and Gray Jarrett, were chosen to play important parts in this play. The Seniors who participated in the chorus were Juanita Williams, Frances Martin, Elsie Metz and Celia Shanker. The Seniors had a meeting and elected the following representatives of the Class: Lorine Shropshire as Historian, R. P. Scott as Framer of the Last Will and Testament, Joel Fine as Prophet, Johnnie Ausburne as Poet, and Evelyn Snead as Song Composer aided by Lorene Eggleston. The honor of Valedictorian was won by Thelma Brammer while the honor of Sadutatorian went to Elmead Turner. Other honors given to the Seniors were: Thelma Brammer, Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper, Gray Jarrett, Associate Editor, John Snead, Business Manager, Celia Shanker, Senior Reporter, Evelyn Snead and John Helms, Sports Reporters, Inez Craig, Society Editor, and Jimmie Craig, Humor Editor. The class chose as the Editor-in-Chief of the annual, Thelma Brammer. The Bassett High School Literary Society was organized which was com- pulsory for all High School students. Inez Craig was elected president of the General Literary Society. The High School was then divided into two competitive societies. Air. Harvey Cooper took charge of Group A which was called Patrick Henry Literary Society, and Miss Alildred Akers took charge of Group B which was called the Jeffersonian Literary Society. Jimmie Craig was elected President of the Patrick Henry Society, while Thelma Brammer was chosen President of the Jeffersonian Society. The Home Economics Club was organized by Aliss Clyde Ramsey. The Beta Club was formed for the first time in Bassett High School with Mr. Hoover as sponsor. Some of the Seniors who were eligible for membership were Thelma Brammer, who became President of the Club, Celia Shanker, Elmead Turner, R. P. Scott, and Joel Fine. On Alarch 19th a Beauty Pageant was given and some of the Senior girls were contestants. Hazel Hundley, one of our classmates, was selected as “Aliss Bassett °f I 937 -” The annual Junior-Senior Banquet was held in the Riverside Hotel April 9, 1937. It is an occasion which is anticipated with much pleasure. We expect this record of our class to go down in print and to become one of the famous histories of America. Sincerely yours, Lorine Shropshire

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Class Cistcry Bassett, Virginia May 17, 1937 Dear Bee, In the fall of thirty-three there entered into the Land of Learning forty-three frisky little seekers of knowledge. We knew for the first time how it felt to be called Freshmen — “Rats — ” but oh, my, were we proud of the name. Many“ Freshies” came up from the seventh grade, where we had for many months been busily engaged in storing our minds with the honey of wisdom; some were from other halls of instruction; others came from farms and nearby communities. A few were shy and timid at first, but this soon wore away and each became as pne of the rest. Miss Betty Davidson was our instructor, who led us on toward our goal. The class elected as our president, Helen Bowers. In March, nineteen hundred and thirty-four, a beauty pageant was given to raise funds for the school. Many of the cute little Freshman girls were contestants. The cup was carried off by one of our classmates, Inez Craig. Are you not surprised? It must have been that winning smile of hers. There were many smiles among our classmates the last day of school, but there were many tears shed, too. One classmate said she supposed she was just dumb and could not pass. Another said, “I have been lazy, so I cannot pass.” The majority of our class passed into the second year. My! how the time does fly. Vacation days were over and after a long rest we were ready to start studying again. This year we entered into Miss Clyde Ramsey’s room. Some of our old classmates did not return. Some new ones joined us here. They were Juanita Williams, Doris Vaughn, Juanita Dowdy, Johnnie Ausburne, Quayle Early and C. M. Stafford. One day in midwinter a little dark- haired girl came to be with us. She was none other than Celia Shanker. Although she was put behind in changing schools, she soon caught up with the rest of the class. The Literary Society was begun and sponsored by Miss Olivia Brown. The Dramatic Club was sponsored by Miss Betty Davidson. Many Sophomores were members of these clubs. During the year two of our beloved classmates, Juanita Dowdy and 0 . C. Thomasson left us. There was also much sorrow when it was known that two of our teachers, Miss Betty Davidson and Aliss Olivia Brown were to be married and would not return to be with us the following year. This year was the beginning of The Timber Tints, the first annual of Bassett High School. We, the Sophomore Class were represented by a group picture in the annual. May came at last. Examinations were over and everyone wondered if he passed on History or English. The majority passed but some had to try again. It was fall again, although it seemed that vacation had just begun. Were we excited to be in the same room with the dignified Seniors. We also had some new ones, Evelyn Snead, John Snead, Edward Varner, Elsie Matthews, Lorene Eggles- ton, Alton Purdy and Gray Jarrett. Two of our old classmates said, “We are going to be married, so we need not graduate.” They were Zella Choate and Bee Wagoner, Another, Anne Stanley, went to school in Richmond, Virginia. The Dramatic Club was formed and sponsored by Mr. William J. Story and many of the Juniors were members. Many plays were planned but in the end they were never given. The Literary Society and Hikers Club were formed by Miss Virginia Romm. Our class was not forgotten in the athletic field. Gray Jarrett, Jimmie Craig, John Snead and John Helms played basket ball and baseball. The boys were baseball champions. Som e of the girls who played basket ball were Evelyn Snead, Lorene Eggleston and Juanita Williams. They helped win the County Champion- ship.

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The Crystal Cazer I gaze into the magic crystal hall , The mystic sphere which holds the past And future of my classmates each and all; And like the wind they move so fast. With outstretched hands I try to grasp Them close to me and hold them tight, And never again let them out of my sight. As the mysterious smoke which enshrouds the ball Thins and disappears, I see the name that I love best, The three letters that are engraved upon my mind, Good old B.H.S. where the immortal sun will for- ever shine. Behold this name I see some more; Lo, it is the date of 1954. I am standing on the corner of something very new, For in 1954 it ' s a streamline avenue. Suspended from a building is a sign of white and brown. On it reads, “ Vote for Elmead Turner for the mayor of this modernistic town.” On passing by the “ Radium Theater,” I wanted to know what ' s playing. On the screen was “ The Purple Sage ” Plus Evelyn Snead and Celia Shanker on the stage. Next to this was a music studio. Who rented this studio Pd like to know, So I read the sign above that stated: “ Inez Craig and Hazel Hundley, Incorporated.” On the next block was a radio store. The whole front was trimmed with Neon lights; On the roof was the word that I adore. With letters six feet tall, “ W. F. Wright ' s.” Oh, 1 hear a noise above me, It ' s an airplane that I see. In 1954 tt ' s the only means of transportation, Thanks to R. P. Scott for this progress in aviation. Speeding down the street In an airflow limousine, Was the grandest sight I ' ve ever seen. There sat Juanita Williams with a pearl necklace Around her neck And a diamond pin in her hair. For she had married a multi-millionaire. As I walked unconsciously on the way, I bumped into a friend of mine of bygone days. Today he was the king of speed. It was none other than handsome John Snead. I looked across the wide avenue. A humorous sight came into view. Why, it was the funiiiesi sight in all the land; It was Hazel Stone running a beauty stand. In passing the town ' s golf course, I noticed on the green Robert Carter taking the cup For being the national champion. I noticed up the street a crowd of girls around An old pal of mine from my home town, For then and there he made his show; It was Paul Hollandsworth, the professional gigilo. By me passed two enormous trucks Loaded with pigs, chickens and ducks. Although he did not become a girl charmer, God made Alton Purdy a prosperous farmer. In passing by a horse race track, I saw John Helms on a horse ' s back. And on his face were scratches and smudges, And around him stood three stately judges. Since my school days I wasn ' t surprised, That some day John Helms would take the first prize. I heard a voice shouting behind me, I turned around to see who it could be. It was neither G able, Garbo or Taylor; It was Lorine Shropshire, Sec. of Labor. She said, “I’m glad to see you, Joel Fine.” “ Come up and see me, and I ' ll give you a job, sometime . I was as weary as can be When a beautiful painting attracted me. I hurried over there to be sure, And to be true at the bottom was Johnnie Aus- burne ' s signature. Oh, there’s an accident, and someone has broken a leg - Oh, my stars, it ' s Jimmie Craig. I knew that great comedians couldn’t last, For now he ' s got his leg in a cast. And gee, with Elsie Metz as his nurse, I know that’s a lot of money out of somebody ' s purse. I noticed signs floating everywhere Of the new sensation that was in the air; Thelma Brammer has written a new book On “Why Should Women Learn To Cook.” There’s a public gathering up the street. A piece of land was being confiscated; And whom do you think I should meet — Odessa Turner, married and domesticated. The latest news is out, And it ' s all about A woman has been elected. It should have been expected That Lorene Eggleston Would some day go to Washington. I stopped to visit an old friend of mine, The most well-known man at this time; Gray Jarrett has become a great orator And acquired the job as state legislator. As I turned the last corner of this paradise, I met someone who was very nice. I asked her for her autograph; Frances Martin is on the President’ s staff. -Joe Fine.