Kirkman Vocational School - Spirit Yearbook (Chattanooga, TN)

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hand. He had punched so many keys on a cash register in his grocery store that he shook' hands one finger at a time. Lymon called my attention to Alice Collake and Bobbie Price who were tidying up their long braids and putting a few extra touches on their wrinkled noses. They're the owners of an old' maid's home. To save myself, I ducked behind Richard Durham, who. gallantly protected me. He'd just come back ffrorp. Ygaihington where he made headlines because of a spectacular piece of work or . . . I raced away to find Doris Carroll Smith. She told me she had a lovely daugh- ter, a splendid husband, and a beautiful home. She said that she was a Matron in Easteml Star, City Librarian, and bossed her own household. Some gal! Some success An over-all clad figure approaced carrying a straw hat clutched firmly. No one could mistake R. E. Goins who drives a cab way down in Alabama where the folks all call him Speedy. Wayne Sherrill and Carroll Thrasher sat quietly at a table noticing and speak- ing to no one. They'd been studying for the ministry, but decided to give up. I no- ticed a stunning brunette walk up to their table and speak to them. I listened to their conversation and discovered that she was everything but the delivery boy for a news- paper down in New Orleans. Corrine St. Johns had come to Chattanooga especially to get a story about a great politician who had risen from street sweeper to con- gressman-none other than T. J. Youngblood. A group of chattering females attracted my attention, and I stood nearby to speak to tl1em when the proper moment came. They were jabbering about husbands, chil- dren, and homesg and I recognized them to be Glenda Eldridge, Mildred I-Iale, Orphal Sain, Martha Rucks, and Emily Brock. Soon we were startled by the hoo-rays coming from the side lines. Close in- spection proved these men to be Billy Center, Bobby Nixon, Gene Nowell, Earl Stapp, and Larry Pope. You'd never guess what they were doing. Going to U. T. taking extra courses ust to get on the grandfather's football team. Anyway, they said they never did get to play in high school. I happened to be standing in a position to see the parking lot when a uniformed chauffeur opened the door of the limousine for Duke Kimbrough. I found out later f f kin fishin e ipment that Duke owns a big actory or ma g g qu . A For some time a band had been entertaining us with musical numbers. Sud- -denly the entertainment broke up so the director could greet the crowd. When he spoke to me, I had to hold onto a chair for dear life. For there with a ribbon in his hair and his goatee properly trimmed, was none other than Martin Harris. You should have heard him boast about the trips his band has made over the country. By this time the crowd had begun to scatter to see the buildings. In the Auto Shop I found four classmates examining a motor. They presented their card for sales purposes: and I found them to be Wesley Green, Max Hambright, and Francis Clepper, the owners of a used car lot on the boulevard. Edward Vamell, their head mechanic, was the fourth one. In the corridor I saw Prof. Heflin and wife Treva Gilbert Heflin. They've been married thirteen years, and he's the mainstay of Martin's band. As I turned from them a bespectacled gentleman growled at me and pressed a smooth, soft hand into mine. None other than Everett Cagle, editor of the local newspaper, whose hobby is still collecting birds and saving feathers. A high-pitched giggle reached me from the other end of the hall, and I knew iGhwag,,Edith Smith with one of her seam-straining jokes. She's on Can You Top is. Leston Garrett approached me with extended hand and pushed a big black cigar toward me with the other. It's a boy this time, he yelled. At that moment I thought it was Humphrey Bogart slapping me on the shoulder, but it was Robert Dobbs, broad brimmed hat, badge, and all. His occupation is Sheriff at Daisy. Hal Harmon, Larry McGregor, Charles Wright, and Earl Penney gave a jug- gler's act in the gmy. Radio and T.V. had been their ambition, but this was as far as they could get. Bill Romine and Gloria Nash come sauntering by. He's driving a city bus nowg Gloria works in the bank. Too bad he never Quld persuade her to marry him. As we talked, Charles Elliott joined us. I'Ie's still at Penney's in the man- ager's position, still gazing at the moon and buying valentines. Beatrice Workman came dashing by pulling a child by the hand, stepped on my toe and practically mashed it flat. Of course she didn't stop to say Excuse me g she never did. She's still working with other people's hair and i sthe typical gossipy operator. She can tell you all you'll want to know. Git u thar. How're y'll? could come from Kenneth Wilson only. He has his own 10 aclies and is still swinging in on a grapevine. Kenneth called my attention ' t the band director. They to four of our classmates who were swaying over to mee were: Ruth Cox, a model at Miller'sg Elsie Ewton, writer and publisher of poetryg Jeanette Johnson, manager of Kress S 81 10g and Virginia Lawson, soloist for the band. , I looked up, and I knew I saw the whole Salvation Army. On closer observa- tion I recognized Joyce Morgan, Clara Roach, Dorothy Rogers, and Mildred Schmitt. They have joined everything from the March of Dimes up and down but still have found no husband. They told me tat Sam Jones was an army captain now in Russia trying to open te Iron Curtain. I . M es were caught by two beauties from off the cover of a fashion magarzne- Helen 'llialylor and Betty French. Thy are quite successful in their chain of fashion ' ' ds sh fi shops in Florida. Both have handsome usban to ow o . i The time for departure arrived, and we all met m the gym. once more to sing Farewell to Thee and render hearty handshakes. Afterward wlth my good fnend Fred Jones, now a banker from Maine, and two beautiful school teachers, Barbara Williams and Delores Wallace, I wondered off down the street to our old hangout for hotdogs, Max's Place. ln my heart I proposed a toast to the next twenty years and 1992.

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Prophecy of the Class of 1952 I stepped into my office with the sophistication and poise that come to the suc- cessful. At least I thought myself successful. I was an ambassador from the U. S. to Spain and had offices at home and abroad. Not many hours before, I had stepped from a plane and was now ready to catch up on my mail. Before long I opened a to the point letter from Max Johnson, President of the Kirkman Alumni Asso- ciation and co-owner of Johnson Bros. Contractors. Old spur of the moment' Max wasn't giving me much time-in one short week there was to be a reunion of the Classdof 12552. I made a mental note-June 4, 1972. Twenty long years. My, how time oes y. The week fairly melted away like ice in a July sun. and I soon found myself hastening toward Chattanooga, the old home town that I hsdn't seen for some years. I felt like the Prodigal son retuming home. It was early aftemoon when I drove into the visitors parking lot at Kirkman Vocational High School, and I had a few hours in which to look around before reunion time. I stood in wonder and gazed at the change that had come over my school. A new building fthat is new to mel extended from Third Street to First Street. There was a big gym, named for Coach Carr, and having the largest playing floor in the city. A wonderful big auditorium stood ready to accommodate the Stephen A. Harding play cast. I had to walk over a block through corridors before I found the cafeteria, a large, lovely room that surely stopped Miss Bennett from pulling out her hair at Junior-Senior Banquet time. I wanted to see what had happened to the old cafeteria, so I went as rapidly as my age and 250 pounds would allow me up the stairs and turned right. There I found a huge library filled with many books and eager students. In one corner of this room I found an art exhibit, and suddenly longed for my old interest-Art! Without realizing it, I lost myself in books and art: and when I came to earth again, it was past reunion time, so I rushed back to the . A gif broad-shouldered man was extending a welcome to the members of the Class of '52. His grey hair deceived me, but his voice was the same. There was our friend and advisor of year gone by, Principal Robert Taylor. When his welcome was finished he turned the program back to Max Johnson, who directed ua to the barbecue tables set up on the football field behind the gym. To be sure we ate: but we also talked. Many of them seemed to have kept in close contact. But I felt a stranger among these people I had known 20 years ago. I walked through the crowd like an eager child, reapturing old memories and faces. I first saw Norma Blankenship and thought how much she looked like her for- mer self. Then I came to with a start. That wasn't Nonna, it was her daughter, the verv image of her mother 20 years ago. A hasty look told me that Norma had her children with her-1-2-3-4-5 of them. . I I tumed suddenly to bump into a tall, dark-haired man whom I recognized nn- mediately--Ralph Adams. He informed me that at last he had leamed to work his math problems and had entered the field of politics, At that time he was head of the streets and sewers department and expected to nm for mayor in the next elec- tion. A pleasant, childish voice called me to come over and 'join a group .at one 03 the tables. Sammie Cagle stood staring at me with those great big beautiful eyes, and then she introduced me to her husband. Both of them were employed m Civil ' ork . Servl2eTlihnk Heavens, I said to myself, you're not the only one who has added a few extra pounds to his Eirth. Just look at Benny Bostong and hes smxhng. I could scarcelv believe it w en he told me that he and the former Zome Stone had been married a little more than a year. I guessed that Zonie had taught to smxleg but how she ever hooked him I'll never know, for Benny had a feeling when we were in school that every day was Sadie Hawkin's Day. N Turning from Benny, I suddenly exclaimed, I-Iow're you Red?. for even Barton Bowman's dyed hair couldn't disguise that face. I guess that trying TOMMY natural hadn't helped me much for he had a terrific time but at last recalled Old geezer himself-Chester Martin. Barton, his mountain friends, and hotrods were always a nuisance in schoolg so you understand why I had to take a pill for my heart and sit down to rest awhile when he said he'd just got back from Borneo where he had been a missionary. I just couldn't rest until I saw the girl I admired years ago. At last I found her, and she hadn't changed any. Same smile, same dreamy eyes, same Jean Shad- rick. She's now owner of the Shadrick Beauty Salon. Her glances at my waistline were embarrassing to me, so I hastened away to stare at what must have been Web- ster's idea of a nightmare. I reached for my sun glasses and was then able to make out the face of Gordon Varnell. The dazzle came from the medals covering his chest. He told me about his place in the Marine Corps, and I made a mental note that it's no wonder the war is over. A shrill whistle quietened the many voices, and the command to find a part- ner was heard in the silence. That voice-it was familiar. Oh. Yes. We soon dis- covered that not even twenty years had destroyed Mrs. Apperson's love for folk games. My partner was Jessie Fuller, now Mrs. Thomas Hickman. Thomas owns a florist shop and Jessie does the office work for him. ' Neither Jessie nor l could stand the rapid pace, so we sat down to talk. A tap on the shoulder caused me to turn to see Lymon Butler standing with outstretched

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The History of the Class of 1952 On the morning of September 3, 194-8, a group of 106 green Freshmen was found waiting for the 8 o'clock hell to ring at Kirkman Vocational High School. They were eager to become a part of this great organization. That year kept them busy learning new rules, new regulations, new faces, and facts about a new school. They stood in open mouthed wonder and watched with envy as upper classmen or- ganized, and carried out their mysterious and amazing activities. The Freshmen did not organize, but as they watched the new school life around them, they soon became a year. older without realizing itg and before anyone was aware of the passage of time, they found themselves returning from a summer vacation. Now, it was September, 194-9, and they were Sophomores. The class organized and elected Mrs. Brownsey sponsor. Class officers were: Charles Branch, presidentg Ronald Johnson, vice-president, June Rish, secretary, and Tommy Gideon, treasurerg During the year the class enjoyed a Wiener roast, a St. Patrick's Day Party, and a picnic at the end of the year. A proud group of eager and anxious Juniors returned to the school in Septem- ber, 1950. When time came for class organization, Mrs. Apperson was elected spon- sor and Miss Bennett, co-sponsor. Class officers were: Harold Roy, president, Jean Shadrick, vice-president, Doris Carroll, secretayg Treva Gilbert, treasurer. High- light of a busy year of activities were: a Harvest Festival in November, a Christmas Party the first pie supper ever held at Kirkman, and on April 20, the Junior-Senior Banquet, which was based on a collegiate theme. No Junior could restrain an ever- growing feeling of excitement as he watched the proud Seniors as thy held their Class Day and Commencement activities. The next year they would be Seniors. The sunshiny morning of September 4-, 1951, saw 90 excited Seniors gathered to begin their last eventful year at Kirkman Vocational High School. Late in Sep- tember the class met to organize and elect sponsors and officers. They elected Miss Willie Blanche Wheeler, sponsor, and Miss Charlotte Roesslein and Mr. W. E. Shar- rock, co-sponsors. Officers were Benny Boston, president, David Legg, vice-presi- dentg Doris Carroll, secretaryg Robert Kofr, treasurer. Robert left school in Janu- ary, and Lyman Butler was elected to serve as treasurer for the remainder of the vcar. ' Early in the year the Seniors decided to sell Christmas cards to swell their treas- ury. On December 7 the 'class sponsored one of the most successful Senior Carni- vals ever to be held at Kirkman. The class accepted publication of the Spirit of 1952 as a class project and those who spent hours both night and day will long remember the work and the fun. On April 18 the members of the class had ample opportunity to change their identity to Sadie Hawkins, Little Abner, Captain Kid, or What-have-you. It was Senior Day. At noon that day they enjoyed a Senior luncheon and returned that night for a Tacky Party. Class activities were rapidly growing to a close. Senior orals came and went. June 1, the class met for the Baccalaureate Sermon, followed by a reception in honor of their parents and friends. June 4- dawned on excited, happy, and sorrowful Seniors. It was Class Day and time to crown Mr. and Miss Kirkman, present the Seniors to the school for the last time, and bid a formal farewell to the beloved school. June 6 the Class convened for the Commencement exercises and to receive the long awaited diplomas. . . June 9 the Seniors gathered bright and early to start on their class trip and so was performed the last official act of the Class of 1952.