McClenaghan High School - Florentine Yearbook (Florence, SC)

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During our first two years we had many encounters (good and bad) with Mr. Briggs, but he soon convinced us we could carry our problems to him for advice. Later, in our Senior year, we learned to know him as a true friend, and not the person of whom we had stood in awe, at our entrance into Florence High. Under the supervision of Bryant Hicks, our president, and Miss Ray, our sponsor, a tedious but successful year as sophomores was brought to a close. In our second year, as juniors, we began to take a greater part in school activities. During the latter part of May, we presented our class play, the melodrama, Pure As the Driven Snow, under the direction of Mr. Abbott Lake. We can sincerely say that this was thoroughly enjoyed by all who were fortunate enough to see it. Together with our sponsor, Miss Thomas, and Dick Dusenbury, our president, we began to raise money for and look forward to our Junior-Senior,” but we decided to deny ourselves this pleasure and to give our money to the American Red Cross. This act was highly commended by each and every student and member of the faculty. Then came the memorable fall of 1942 when we were accorded the title of Seniors. We had striven for ten years to attain this ideal and now we felt very distinguished and filled with aspirations for the remaining year of our scholastic career. Now we were the students who headed the student council and newspaper staff, led the athletic teams, and other school activities. We could hardly realize that we were to assume the leadership of Florence High, but we were determined to put our best foot forward and L-E-A-D. After thoughtful deliberation we elected the following class officers: President, Dick Dusenbury; Vice-President, Bryant Hicks; Secretary, Betty Lou Hickey; Treasurer, Mary Jo Cain; and Sponsor, Miss Hanner. As soon as we were settled in classes, we got down to work to raise money for our annual, which means so much to us now. Our first campaign was to secure magazine subscriptions, and we proved that we wanted a good annual by obtaining more subscriptions than any other class in the history of our school. A few weeks later we elected the senior ring committee to choose that for which we had longed for and dreamed of, our class rings. After what seemed like ages, we finally received them, and, believe me, everyone was elated over them. They were our symbols of eleven years of hard work. Then came the election of the annual staff. Into the hands of a capable few we entrusted the writing of that which will always remind us of our enjoyable stay in Florence High. After much writing and rewriting, planning and more planning, we at last had our cherished possession ready for the press. All of this time we were trying to do all that we could to help in the various wartime activities carried on by our school and by the city. At last it was time to think of our Class Play. Under the expert direction of Mr. Abbott Lake, The Thirteenth Chair was duly presented and delighted the large audience. After rendering our commencement speeches, we were awarded our hard earned and long awaited Sheepskins at the impressive exercises on June 4, 1943. As we leave the classrooms of dear ole” F. H. S. and step into the new life fate holds in store for us, we shall carry with us fond memories of our school, our splendid teachers, and our inspiring principles, Mr. Briggs, and Mrs. Gee, and we shall never forget our sponsor, Miss Hanner. Through every endeavor of life we shall carry as our own watchword, that of Colonel Moore, Choose the Better Way,” and shall strive to be worthy graduates of our Alma Mater. Jimmy Lyles, Historian. ★ UP THE 1943 FLORENTINE IjfP ★ ★ Nine

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THE CLASS OF ’43 OFFICERS OF THE SENIOR CLASS President . Vice-President Secretary . T reasurer . Sponsor . . Dick Dusenbury ............Bryant Hicks . Betty Lou Hickey .... Mary Jo Cain Miss Mary Manning Hanner HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF 1943 Let us drift back to the year 1932 when we, the present Senior Class, left our cradles and hobby horses, and gathered at Circle and Park schools to begin a new life. Here we were taught the principles and needs of school in preparation for the long years ahead of us to success. In September of 1938 we entered Junior High, our only stepping stone before reaching our Alma Mater. We had a hard time adjusting ourselves to our new surroundings, teachers, and harder and more advanced courses. These two years in Junior High gave us an idea of what the future held for us. Here we vied with each other for leadership in sports and other activities, making our trek through school a most interesting one. Then came the fall of 1940, and at last, we had achieved our most coveted goal, the portals of Senior High. As we walked into the building on that glorious morning, we carried an air of confidence, but not for long, for alas! Those upperclassmen soon crushed us into meek submission. Here we seemed to have started life anew, but actually we had only moved from one school to another. (J THE 1943 FLORENTINE Eight ★ ★ ★

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Sara Louise Anderson Fair . . . individual walk . . . highly valued. Rosa Lee Atwill Delightful disposition . . . cherubic . . . ability along many lines. Thomas Bailey “Tommy’ . . . trustworthy . . . fair and just. Luther Barefoot Everybody's friend . . . unconscious ... 10 o’clock scholar. Christine Eve Beck “Becky” . . . athletic ability . . . late again? . . . vivacious. Mary Ella Asko Sincere . . . unassuming ... a good sport. James E. Bailey Sturdy . . . never meets a stranger . . . manly . . . all-round athlete. Jacqueline Bain “Jackie . . . T.N.T. . . . “Let’s do it! ... Twerp. Waddy G. Baroody, Jr. Orator . . . capuble . . . “Smile at the birdie, please! Annie Laura Bennett “Bennett-back . . tures of movie stars collects pic-. . friendly.