McClenaghan High School - Florentine Yearbook (Florence, SC)

Page 9 text:

OFFICERS OF THE SENIOR CLASS Claire Maxwell. President Amelia Wallace, Secretary Saunders Bridges, Vice-President Margaret Edwards. Treasurer Alice Brunson, Sponsor These leaders of our class have piloted us through the year. Theirs has been the task of making plans which have resulted in our attaining our goal—an annual. THE CLASS OF 1942 It was the fall of 1931 that the boys and girls came from the homes of Babyland to Circle and Park Schools. It is from classes like these that come the lawyers, statesmen, and citizens of noble Carolina. The pupils from the two grammar schools, which were to compose the Class of '42, were brought together in Junior High School in the eventful and memorable fall of 1937. Here we spent two years, running wild and keeping the study halls full every afternoon. In September, 1939, one of the largest (if not the largest) Sophomore Classes entered High School. We were known as the Freshmen by the upper classes, and indeed we were a very fresh class, but we did our work in a very pleasing manner. In the gymnasium there were to be trained many future basketball « 6»

Page 8 text:

A The science laboratory holds the interest of many students, who enjoy the lectures and experiments. B—Our study hall now adjoins the library, and pupils have more opportunity to use the many newspapers, magazines, and books, which are easily accessible. C—The cafeteria is a popular addition to our school. Here we are served delicious, wholesome meals at very low cost. Ki.imi: Ti i 5 »

Page 10 text:

stars, while on the athletic field there were future football stars, to say nothing of the boxers who were destined to box their way to fame and glory before they graduated in 1942. Finally, after nine months of hardship, we completed our first year of high school, a wiser and smaller class. After the summer vacation was over, the Battle of Books” began anew. We were Juniors, the second highest class in school. During this year the students of the Junior Class played an important part in school activities. We elected as our class officers: President, Claire Maxwell; Vice-President, Amelia Wallace; Secretary, Harry Howie; Treasurer, Saunders Bridgers; our sponsor was Miss Eugenia Powell. The Junior Class Play, Growing Pains”, was presented in the latter part of May and was hailed by the audience as one of the best plays ever to be presented on the stage of Florence High School. The cast of the play gives the credit for their success to Mr. Abbott Lake, who directed this play through many hysterical rehearsals. Ah! The besta had been saved for the lasta, the most important event of the year, Junior-Senior Reception. Were we, the Class of ’42, going to hold our reception in the gymnasium? No! We were going to have it at the Florence Country Club. I am sure that this will be a long remembered occasion. We attended the Commencement Exercises of the Class of 1941 and dreamed of the following year when we, too, should receive our diplomas. At last, we have reached that shining goal, the Senior Class. We elected Claire Maxwell President, Saunders Bridges Vice-President, Amelia Wallace Secretary, Margaret Edwards Treasurer, and Miss Alice Brunson. Sponsor. Our first project as seniors was the running of the Senior Booth at the County Fair. This was done by members of the class who did their part to advertise our class by yelling loudly and continuously Rrrrrrrred hot, hot dogs, rrrrrrright over here. We started raising money for the annual by selling magazine subscriptions. This gave us a chance to show the people of Florence High School and all the surrounding territory that we were not an ordinary senior class. We sold more subscriptions than any other senior class of Florence High School, and we also sold more than the Senior Class of Sumter. The long awaited rings came in January, 1942. You can be sure that no Senior girl would let any one pass her without displaying her beautiful hands. Another big event was the election of the annual staff. Peggy Haywood was elected Editor-in-Chief and the other members of the staff were elected in the order that they came. We were working, slaving, and wishing for a miracle so that we could have an annual; but, if we couldn't, we had already planned to have a Yearbook. The senior superlatives were elected the following week. On March 6, the class play, Clarence , another big dramatic hit, was presented. Mr. Abbott E. Lake was the director while Miss Alice Brunson was the sponsor. Claire Maxwell was elected May Queen and was crowned at an impressive ceremony. Toward the middle of the semester the Commencement speakers were chosen, and it was not until then that we realized that our last year in high school was rapidly coming to a close. In the last of February we had the first snow that we had had in a number of years. Everyone went hog-wild”, and shouts of joy could be heard all over the building. The snow was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Those of us who were lucky enough to get-by , now stand upon the brink of a new world. We are about to be promoted to life itself. Whatever life may bring forward, we are sure that we will run patiently any race that is set before us. « 7 » Harry Howle, Historian