Mathis High School - Galleon Yearbook (Mathis, TX)

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EPOCH I In September in the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and fortyeight, there landed upon the shores of the Temple of Learning, a goodly number of explorers and seekers after wisdom. Another mighty ex¬ plorer from Crystal City, who even drew the attention of the high and mighty Junior girls, joined the throng. Others gained by the explorers hailed from Tynan. This was the year we had looked forward to and thought we were so grown-up, but after being here for awhile we found out differently. Being shaken in spirit from our rough voyage upon the sea of inexperience, we were quite terrified by the three tribes already inhabiting this realm. They were the Sophs, wild, reckless, and always ready to jump upon the new comers from startling points of ambuscade, attacking them with sarcasm and ridicule. A tribe of greater power was known as Juniors; while the chief settlers were Seniors, a mighty group who spent much time including the Rulers known as faculty members, and in the pursuit of knowledge just before conclaves known as exams. The members of the new band were called Freshmen, which in the language of the realm meant green.” We wei£ twenty-four in ' number, and for the purpose of protection and mutual advancement we organized and elected as president of the c lass Bill Meyer, one of courage and ability. The new colonists made rapid progress. We obtained strong footholds in Algebra, English, History and other important entrenchments of the country. The chief ruler, a kindly disposed man by name of Mr. R. T.Rich and the very able sponsor. Miss Gaynell Wagnon, guided the Freshmen. Incited by the daring of the higher tribes, the Freshmen occasionally gathered for revels known as parties, and even went so far, at intervals, as to break rules. Without serious catastrophe they came to the end of the first epoch. EPOCH II At the beginning of the second epoch, we the Freshmen, advanced and took possession of the strong¬ holds of the Sophs. This was the year we were greeted with a new face, it was that of Mr. Vernon Har- ville who was High School Principal. He put some new rules before us which were sneered at at first but in the end grew to be appreciated. The number was decreased to twenty-one this year. Among the ones leaving us were, John Hoffman, Kay Horton, Oscar Alvarez, Luciano Riviera, and Jesse Villarreal. Another who we thought had been lost on the voyage in the Freshman year, Joanne Guynes, returned to the class. To protect our interests and lead us to greater achievements was the aim of our sponsor Mr. Stafford Rees. This year a vote of confidence was taken and Bill Meyer was once more re-elected to reign as president. We, the new Sophs, eager for revenge for our afflictions of the Freshmen colony, but no casualties are recorded. The diligent Sophs grew in favor with the various members of the faculty. Special occasions of revelry during this period arrived, Rebellions of small importance arose over occasional faculty rulings, and murmurings were heard because of the heavy tax imposed on our minds by the length of lessons, but they were settled by pea eful arbitration. So drew to an end the second epoch. EPOCH in With the beginning of the third epoch several changes were noted. The valiant band who had entered as Freshmen, and had conquered the lessons of the Sophs, now advanced against and occupied the territory of the Juniors. To preside over us as the chief executive we did elect Juanita Jo Wentz, who did walk wisely before us. It was found that several members among us, Joyce Freasier, Natalia Riviera. Edwin Burke, and Joe Garcia had left the class and taken themselves to new scenes and duties, and the ranks were swelled by the arrival at this time of Mary Beth McClellen who became much liked for her prowess of mind and pleasing manner.

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SENIORS President ------------------ Vice President- - ----- - — Secretary-Treasurer- Reporter---- Parliamentarian- - -- -- -- — - - JOANNE GUYNES -PAULA BEYER -BILL MEYER MERILYN McNEILL - -DOYLE LAMBERT SPONSOR MRS. LOLA ALLEN

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Important Faculty Rulers of this period were Robert T. Rich and Vernon Harville who were skillful generals in the contest with Ignorance. They were aided by Mrs. Ella Jean Porter, Mrs. Cherie Harville, and Mr. Ray Haisler, the Junior sponsors. Among the noted warriors on the athletic fields were Doyle Lambert, Norbert Sternadel, Bobby Cosby, Bill Meyer, Wayne Mengers, and Bobby Rouse, who did win honors for us because of their might and muscle. The other warriors helping the athletic heroes were Joanne, Paula, Doris and Mary Beth who couldn ' t exactly play football so they donned the uniform of a pep squad member, while Juanita Jo, Sara, Dorotha and Merilyn decided to don the twirler uniforms to carry their part of the load in the band. Ramiro was doing his part in the band too. This was also the year we had looked forward to because this was the year of the Junior-Senior Ban¬ quet, the most eventful part of our Junior year. The most fun, of course, was keeping the banquet theme a secret and the hardest part was making the money. Finally when the time was drawing near for the banquet everyone was very excited about who had a date with who, which was all acknowledged at the banquet. The theme was Oriental Gardens , and the meal was strictly Chinese Food. At the conclusion of the banquet and dance everyone left, never to forget the wonderful time they had. So was the end of the third epoch. EPOCH IV And now, we have come to the end of the long journey to become the Seniors of 1952. Through long and important reconstruction, our humble band who invaded the freshmen trenches three years before find ourselves now mighty learders of the realm. Most of our success through this year is due to the hard and earnest work of our sponsor. Mrs. Lola Allen. This year Mr. T. A. Harbin, who is an outstanding educator and has done much to improve our school, came to us as our School Superintendent from San Perlito, Texas. The wise and sagacious Joanne Guynes was elected class president, the other officers being, Paula Beyer, Vice President; Bill Meyer, Secretary-Treasurer; Merilyn McNeill, Reporter; and Parlimentarian, Doyle Lambert. We, the Seniors, numbering fourteen did greatly impress ourselves upon the Lower Tribes of the Temple of Learning and became much noted for our ability and diligence--especially did we endeavor ourselves to the Faculty who gave much effort to fitting us for the great contest of graduation. Deserters from the class were Dorotha Brown and Mary BethMcClellen who were lured into matrimony and Buddy Carr who moved back to Crystal City. The new arrival for commencement honors was Flynn Dennis who we did heartily welcome. This year the Pirate Football team, led by what we think is a mighty clan of Senior boys, ended up in district play as Co-Champs. We are proud to say that Doyle Lambert was selected All-District for three years. Another athlete, Paula Beyer, was an All-District forward on the basketball team. Great occasions this year were: Junior-Senior Football game; Junior-Senior Banquet; Senior Day, and Commencement. Thus doth close the fourth epoch and with our motto, LABOR CONQUERS ALL , engraved upon our shields the class of nineteen hundred and fifty-two goes forth to invade and conquer new territories. Merilyn McNeill Senior Class Historian