Leaksville High School - Weaver Yearbook (Leaksville, NC)

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The 1940 PILOT VALEDICTORY We have come to the end of a road that is four years long. The way has been marked by hard work, tedious tasks, happy friendships, and interesting days of sport and activity. The thoughts of them are part of our treasured memories. Along the road we have been guided by our parents, teachers, and friends. They have in- spired us to do our best work and we wish to express our gratitude for their interest in us. This time is not really an ending but a be- ginning — a commencement. From the road now many paths lead from which we are to choose our way. Some of us will seek further preparation. Many of us will go at once into various fields of active work. Perhaps no class has graduated into a world so upset and con- fused. This condition offers a challenge to each of us to do our very best to make a real contribution. We are not here To play, to dream, to drift: We have hard work to do, and loads to lift. Shun not the task, but take it, ’Tis God’s gift.” It is with mingled feelings of joy and sorrow that we come to the close of our high school life — joy because we have achieved the coveted goal, sorrow because as a group we shall not meet together again. Our friendships, how- ever, we shall keep, even if we go in our sep- arate ways. But to our teachers and to the experiences of high school days I bid farewell. Elizabeth Gordon. SALUTATORY Fellow Classmates and Friends: We who are about to leave, salute you. We are preparing to go forth into the world, leav- ing behind us these familiar buildings in which some of the happiest years of our lives have been spent. At last we have reached the goal toward which we have striven so long and earnestly. The past has been a joyous experi- ence; the future lies untouched before us, its horizon glowing bright with promise. We stand expectantly on the threshold of a new life, perhaps a bit saddened by the thought that we are soon to separate, but eagerly await- ing our turn in the adventures of the world before us. Since this is perhaps the last time that we shall all be together, we are grateful for being able to show you, in some small part, a sum- mary of our four years’ activities, climaxed by this, our graduation. To the faculty, especially, we owe our heart- felt appreciation for their kindness, sympathy, and guidance throughout these years. To you, our friends, who have come to share with us the experiences of these high school days, we extend a cordial welcome. Anne Shaw.

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The 1940 PILOT CLASS HISTORY Four short years ago, in September, 1936, we entered Leaksville Flight School with a larger freshman class than ever before. We were con- sidered green” by the upper classmen when we entered here, but we were all determined to make good. Curtis Dehart was elected pres- ident, and he served his office very well, guid- ing us through a difficult but enjoyable year. It was a difficult year only in that we had to accustom ourselves to new ways, new faces, and new surroundings. Many dropped out, but the rest forged on with all the vim and vigor of youth, determined to succeed and to push behind us one lap of the journey toward a diploma. In the fall of 1937 only 251 out of 316 returned, but they worked with such diligence that they soon were ranked as an outstanding class. I was elected leader that year and I tried my best to follow in Curtis’s successful steps. Many students in our class showed qualities for the leadership that they would soon have to acquire, and which they would need in later life. Our school life expanded and we became members of clubs, of organizations, and of athletic teams. We were really an im- portant part of the school and we felt now that we could, through broadening activities and experiences, help those who came after us to become used to high school life. We finished our sophomore year with a greater degree of self-confidence than we had since our entrance in Leaksville High School. We were the rising Junior Class. With great anticipation we started our third year. All of us worked hard that year, but we found plenty of time to play and have fun. Although our number was again smaller than VS ||. 1 1 - the preceding year, we were still well on the way to being the largest graduating class of Leaksville High. That year we made school history by introducing a Junior-Senior recep- tion and dance instead of the usual banquet. We worked so hard on the idea that everyone proclaimed it an immediate success. The class as a whole participated in many school activi- ties and several of our members left behind them records of which we are proud. In the athletic field many new stars were discovered to fill the places of those who had gone. When spring came the class began making plans for the Commencement, which is fun for the juniors but sadness and sorrow for the seniors. As this e n d e d , we, with happy thoughts, departed on our summer vacation, anxiously awaiting the next term. We returned in the fall of 1939 to begin the happiest year of our high school career. Many had fallen by the wayside because of various reasons, but those who still remained worked harder than ever to attain their goal — a diploma. To start the year off right, we elected George Slayton president, and our faith in him has been justified. Both the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams are composed almost en- tirely of seniors and their record is an enviable one. The class rings, of which we were all preud, helped to create a feeling of pride for our school. This year, our seniors held responsi- ble positions on the staff of the Tri-Hi Di- gest”, our school newspaper. In March we elected Anne Shaw as editor-in-chief of the Annual and this work has progressed nicely under her management. We are anxiously looking ahead to Com- mencement, which brings to an end four of the happiest years of our life. We have reached a small goal in our life. May we strive equally as hard for the greater goals yet to come and have as much success as we have had in the past. Buddy Hawkins. 25

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The 1940 PILOT X u •A, ) } SENIOR CLASS PROPHECY It was in the month of May, 1950, ten years follow- ing my graduation on that ever-to-be-remembered night when there appeared unto me a vision which I am about to relate to you. Being a great believer in spirits, I trembled and stood aghast, afraid to move or speak. Presently a man wearing a robe of many colors ap- proached me and gave me a key saying, Here is the key to the Great Unknown.” Then my eyes fell upon a door over which was inscribed the single word Destiny.” After some moments of hesitation, I put the key into the lock and the door sprang open. Behold,” said the man at my side, you are about to see many things which shall befall the Class of 1940!” I lifted my eyes and beheld a lofty mountain which I saw was the Mountain of Fame, and on its crags here and there climbed many a member of the Class of 40. Among the first to attract my attention were Mr. and Mrs. George Slayton, leading socialites on Box X Ranch in Texas. The former Marion Buckner, his wife, insisted on its being that way since cowpunching was his life’s vocation. Next I saw Mamie Link directing the Corn Stalk Fiddlers’ Band in which Bobby Archibald was vocalist. Albert Swinney was the proprietor of The Bald Head Barber Shop and Jack Spencer had become a hard-shell preacher instead of the Superman’s assistant which he once set his mind to be. Betty Kirkpatrick was still playing the piano and was now trying to win the world’s record by playing with her toes. Several members of the class had heeded the call of the wild. Tommy Kirkoatrick had gone to the South Seas — mission work. John Lee Suttenfield had gone to the Orient and Buford Nelson to the North Pole. Frank Ratliff had entered the field of astronomy, being engaged in assisting Mr. Jarrett locate stars for his Junior Follies. Tommy Smith had entered the movies, not selling popcorn, but operating the projector machine in the local theater. Cut” Dehart, Curtis the Mag- nificent, was now teaching the latest dance steps by correspondence. Charles Bell was giving a soapbox ora- tion on the shortage of girls in the United States. Avis Jamerson has finally settled down and become a great literary figure. Her latest book is How to Court in French Class.” Ernest Easley is the hero. Sarah Hopper and Francis Newman are now living as happily as a newly divorced Hollywood couple on Honey- moon Isle. Jean Dickinson is still going to college proms, but she has decided to settle down next year and take algebra under the renowned Harvard professor, Frank Henry. Cora Ann Trogdon, correspondent for a local news- paper, is now running her wonderful novel, Love, the Lost Ecstasy. ” Buddy Hawkins, wealthy bachelor, is owner of a large automobile concern and can at last sit back and watch the little man work. The West twins have finally entered a convent, because they couldn’t find twins to marry. Grover Younger and Eve- lyn Earles were lawyers arguing whether or not the moon is a silver dollar. You probably guessed that Vivian Rakestraw was the editor-in-chief of the Daily Joke Herald.” Liza Pender and Rebecca Warren are old maid school teachers. Rebecca’s fate changed when Robert Turner took Haywood Meeks’ (famous veteri- narian) solution for love sick hearts — H 2 So 4 . Robert Kendrick, attorney at law, found the perfect model, Beatrice Gaulden, so he gave up the bar for the brush. Lillie Hill Robertson and Elaine Ziglar have become the wives of Mutt and Jeff and are operating a restau- rant, The Rendezvous”. Roma Roberson is head ath- letic director at Virginia Intermot college. This, of course, takes in basketball. Judy Gover, while in the nursing profession, was sent to France, where she was induced to model Chapeau’s hats. Pappy” Southard acquired several million dollars from connecting gas stoves, but now has bought Miss French a wedding pres- ent and is so flat you could play him on a victrola. Elizabeth Gordon lived up to the expectations of every- one that she would soar to great heights and is now an aviatrix piloting Bill Combs, hubby, to his farm in Argentina, where his chief crop is kangaroos. Anne Shaw and Virginia Gilley are now co-dishwashers in one of New York’s largest restaurants. Looking further into the future, I saw members of the Class of 1940 standing high in the race’s march of progress. I saw a race freed from chains which bound it to earth, all free, all working toward the attainment of the great secrets and truth of God. Then a sudden flash which nearly made me blind for a moment came and I saw Frances Byrd burning at the stake for things written about the Class of 1940. Frances Byrd. 27