McClenaghan High School - Florentine Yearbook (Florence, SC)

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HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF 1945 It was in the year of 1934 that we, the Senior Class of Florence High School, first entered Circle and Park Schools. We made this first venture into the world of life very doubtfully; but under the guidance of our teachers we gained self confidence while learning the principles necessary to succeed in the new life. Time passed rapidly, and, seemingly too soon, we finished grammar school and prepared to enter Junior High. Here for the first time we came together as a unit, formed not only of those of us from the schools of the city, but also of our friends and classmates from the schools of the county. At first we were a little confused by the variety of subjects, classes, and teachers. We soon became accustomed to this, however, and made preparations for the final step to Senior High. We entered Senior High during the trying days of its first full wartime session. We fitted ourselves into the scheme of things while taking part in the new physical fitness classes, scrap and war bond drives. Victory Corps activities, and new wartime courses. We were capably led in those busy days by Miss Alice Brunson, our class sponsor, and Ann Burney Johnson, our president. Before we realized it, we became Juniors. Starting the new year right, we chose Miss Mary Manning Hanner as our sponsor and Louis Palles as our president. During the year we discovered talent among our classmates in many different fields. Members of our class proved themselves in the fields of athletics, music, scholarship, and drama. On April 14 we overcame our initial awkwardness and stage fright by presenting Glenn Hughes' fine comedy, Spring-Fever,” under the capable direction of Mrs. Marshall Ligon. Our first dramatic effort attracted an audience which filled the auditorium and was proclaimed a success by all who witnessed it. The summer months quickly fled, and the year of years arrived at last. One September morn we returned to school yet unable to realize that we were Seniors. We soon started the year's program by holding the election of class officers. In the election we selected Barney Dusenbury as president, Vance Gandy as vice-president, Ann Burney Johnson as secretary, Allen Mead as treasurer, and Miss Alice Brunson as sponsor. One of the happiest events of this, our last year, was the opening of the long desired Teen-Age Canteen. None of us will forget the afternoons of fun and dancing spent in the gym. At our first class meeting we resolved to have an annual despite the difficulties presented by the war. To finance its publication, we conducted a magazine sale campaign, which was a great success. Smashing all previous class records, we sold over three thousand dollars' worth of magazines. Our joy over our great success was a little dampened, however, when Sumter exceeded our record in the annual

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Section. (Plate. OFFICERS President.............................................................Barney Dusenbury Vice-President.....................................................Vance Gandy Secretary..........................................Ann Burney Johnson Treasurer...........................................Allen Mead Sponsor..............................Miss Alice Brunson

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HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF 1945 (CONTINUED) friendly contest between the two Senior Classes. Shortly after the close of the magazine sale we selected the Senior ring committee to choose our long-dreamed-of class rings. After weeks of anxious waiting we received these symbols of eleven years of work and achievement. For days afterward we enjoyed displaying them before the envious eyes of the Juniors and Sophomores. January also brought the close of the first semester and the mid-term examinations. The annual staff brought its work to a conclusion, and the annual went to press in February. Soon afterward we began plans and practices for our Senior Class play. This year’s production was presented in the spring under the excellent direction of Mr. Abbot Lake. A break in the regular school routine occurred in May as we observed the traditional May Day exercises. Jean Whisen-hunt, our beautiful Queen, with her lovely attendants reigned supreme during the colorful ceremony. Now our school days are like a tale that is nearly told. Today we stand too close fully to realize what the past ten years and this eleventh and most important year of all really have meant to us. Perhaps in later years we shall come together again to gather the golden threads of memory, recalling the joys and sorrows we have experienced together these last eleven years. Today, however, with courage and hope we stand facing the final hour of Commencement and the future that lies beyond. Edward Coleman, Historian. T uelve