Memphis Technical High School - Review Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

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fi 6lfll:02S C-!6l.4.4 mojo 667 Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, creeps in this petty pace from day to day ..... Because Macbeth and his hard-driving Simon Legree of a wife were not enough to keep my eyelids from hang- ing down to my chinmor maybe it was because of that new mascara with the cement base-I decided to leave my fellow inmates of first period English. No, I didn't intend to beg the permission of Miss Johnston to run to my locker on the second floor and get my package of Dentyne tdreamer that I aml. I had one of those new in- ventions, the Handy Pocket Portable Collapsible fit often dldb Peer-o-scope, an extraordinary little gadget which looks off into the future, guaranteed to satisfy or your twenty-five cents refunded, so the clerk at Walgreen's had assured me the day before as I chewed up some lunch there . . . Ooops, discovered! Determined to get my money's worth I set the dial at 1955, put the instrument to my eye-under cover of my English Writers, of course -and peered. lThe Penny Arcade would not comparel I was amazed at the power of my little two-bit con- traption, for there before me 'mong the gay lights of ole Broadway stood a gigantic theater. It made the once-great Madison Square Garden look like a summer stock playhouse. In bright neon letters ten feet high lokay, so it was only nine and a half? appeared the name----the William Rothrock Super Colossal Theater. And under these breath-taking words ran several lines of small print fonly eight feet highj announcing the ap- pearance of many stars of stage, screen, and radio, who were on a tour of the nation. The ticket seller was Thelma Eichelberger, who tried to short-change everyone. Betty Livingston, who never got further than physics at Tech, was arguing the difference between fifty cents and a half dollar and finally walked away with seventy-five cents donated by several irritated people who were tired of waiting in line. Thomas Nicklas, the famous football player, contributed three slightly worn slugs to the col- lection. The ushers, Ben Galloway and Lester Hoback, kept saying, Use the aisles to the right, until the theater-goers vwcre surprised to find themselves out on the street again. Once my peer-o-scope had pierced the inner walls of the theater, looked around at the first nighter audience. Seated in the spacious aditorium were many of my old school friends. Surrounded by furs, jewels, and men, some of whom were-well, bobby sox, I'm no census tak-c-.'!-the multi-millionaires, Jill Robinson. With her were her glamorous friends, Bettye English, who has traveled over every inch of the globe promoting good will 1she's just the one who can do itj, and Miriam Cristil, who is co-owner with Jill of an exclusive dress salon. These two smart girls have practically forced Hattie Carnegie out of businicss. On the third row were the Honorable Paul Mostert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and his office boy, Frank Jackson. I noticed John Anderson making sketches of the surround- x PAG E FI FTY-TWO JANE STEPHERSON AND JEANE MOSS ings. John, who is known porfessionally as Andy, has created several comic strips such as Notes On a Nut, Journeys Of a Jerk, etc., which are read and enjoyed by everyone but Lehman Sammons, who hasn't learned to read yet. Lehmah, by the way, is chief goldbrick of six-star General John Parker, the only one of its kind in existence! Seated next to Andy was the polo-playing playboy, Jerry Dunn. My attention was now drawn to some horrible racket which I recognized as the overture. II had read the scriptj. Waving a baton and dividing his g'ancs between Joe Sax and Walton Sheley, who were playing the white spots on the music instead of the black spots for are you supposed to?J was Mort Scruggs. Just before the house light dimmed I saw Joan Rook and Gloria Booker, those two girls-about-town, dash to their seats in the eighth row. As the lights went out a hush fell over everyone-- everyone but Barbara Munn, the gossip columnist, who gave out with one of those musical f'?J laughs, while Elizabeth Spencer, Joyce Eubank and Marjorie Horton told her the latest about their white collar jobs. 1They work in a laundry.J The master of ceremonies stepped to the footlights and to my surprise I saw that he was Billy Irium Plus Bell iwhata smile! whata a. personality! whata lie!J. First was the introduction of Miss America by her man- ager, Joe Norvell. For the third time in succession Amer- ica's most beautiful was Faye Herriman. Then there was a dance by Joy Alexander. Next Martha Andrews, the celebrated Metropolitan star, sang an operatic solo. Then there was a play written by the famous playwright, Flora Martin, which starred the Hollywood favorites, Mary Jean Hankins, queen of the pin-ups. and Richard Akers, idol of the idiots. Josephine Conley was given a bit part-something she could sink her teeth into. Next from, the Don Finney Model Agency, were Rose Marie Danlre, Mary Elizabeth Benson, Betty Ann Jones, Mari- lyn Domangue, June Miller and Dorothy Bennett, who were to accompany the new Maid of Cotton, Billie Eng- lish, on her nationwide tour. flf these beauties can't sell cotton, nothing can!J Billie Mae Chastain then sang a song while the audience drooled. For those who wanted the more intellectual type of entertainment a Genius Quiz was presented with repre- sentatives from various fields of learning. Those who took part in this bit of irony-and it really took brass-- were: Oliver Reeves and Neely Roper, mathematical wizards, Dortha Anderson, the new dean of Vassar, Shirley Hillstrom, noted authority on foreign languages: Bruce Reynolds, expert musician, Betsy Brinkmier, prom- inent comedian, Donald Roe, newspaper man, and Lona Lovett, famous artist. Waldo Long, who is noted for nothing, was the quizmaster-a case of the blind lead- ing the blind. '

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Josephine Conley, Marilyn Domangue, Sara Beth Mead- ows, Ceda Lee and Annabelle Smith. Two wonderful and exciting years were ended and many happy days were over, and,all too son our second chapter was closed. CHAPTER III As we returned to Tech for the last time we were very Dignified Seniors and really wondered if we looked as silly as Sophs as some of those who were at Tech for the first time. We also found that our class had been divided into three groups. Some class members had gone to the summer school and graduated in August and some would graduate in January. During our three years at Tech, boys who entered our class and have left school to join the armed forces are Neal Rider, Carson Plumb- ley, Jesse W. Bell, Dalton Cherry, G. W. Lewis, Uis Johnson, Charles Jones, Jimmie Lcdbetter, Wilbert Mor- ris, Jack Wallace, James Eaton, Guy Akin, Eugene An- derson, Virgil Bishop, Bill Brown, Dewey Carden, Dennis Fitzgerald, Tom Kramer, Richard LeGrand, Bill Loftin, Thomas Smith, Bill Stannard, M. H. Walls, Noel Ellis, Leon Hurt, Harry Thurman, Enoch Morris, Byron Chano- yen, Jimmy Whitemone, Herbert Cody, Gene Simmons, Newman Dacus, Emmet Garner, James Perry, Fred Ken- dall, Bernie Mullikin, Jack Norvell, Tom Sawyer, Gary Curtis, James Scott, Clarence Watson, Fred Courts, James Heard, Sammy Arnett, Jack Bolling, George Cash, Mathew Hall, George Hammon, Anton Holmquist and Wilfred McCord. There had been seventeen who had graduated in January and thirty-seven in August. Our Senior Class officers were: President, Denby Bran- don, Boys Vice-President, Don Robinson, Girls' Vice- President, Jill Robinson, Secretary, Sara Beth Meadows, Treasurer, Bill Wallace, and Chaplain, Margaret Wil- liams. The officers of the National Honor Society were: Pres- ident, Denby Brandon, Vice-President, Margaret Wil- liams, Secretary, Marilyn Domangueg Treasurer, Paul Mostertg Chaplain, Miriam Cristil, and Reporter, Mar- tha Andrews. These officers have proved themselves worthy of the duties bestowed upon them, and have been an asset to the school and its activities. The officers of the Quill and Scroll are: Miriam Cristil, President, Margaret Williams, Vice-President, Jeane Moss, Secretary. Other members are Jane Stepherson, Anne Tyus, June Pitts and Jill Robinson. The Tech High football team was city champions. Seniors on the team were: Don Robinson, John Dugard, Gene Forrester, Bill Jones, Thomas Nicklas, Murray Beler, Charles Sarver, and Billy Sawtell. The basketball team was also city champions, and Don Robinson and Pinky Bowers represented the class. Tech also had a very successful baseball team. Those on the team were Don Robinson, Billy Bell, LaVert Wade, Gene Forretser, Alton Hargrove, Pinky Bowers, Richard Akers, James Lee and Don Finney. The Goodwill Committee which visited other schools during the football season to promote goodwill was made up of Denby Brandon, Jill Robinson, Billy Bell, Joyce Norris and Miriam Cristil. Cheer leaders from the class were Bettye English, LaVert Wade and June Millwood. In the important events on the drill field we see the following who are officers and sponsors in the R.0.T.C.: Lt. Col. John Parker and June Miller. Lt. Col. Denby Brandon and Betty Cockrill. Major Richard Akers and Mary Jean Hankins. Major Paul Mostert and Juanita Vernon. Capt. Don Robinson and Martha Little. Capt. Bill Wallace and Mary Jo Baseman. Capt. Bill Rothrock and Sara Beth Meadows. Capt. Don Finney and Billie Mae Chastain. Cap.t Walton Sheely and Doris Jaudon. Capt. Billy Bell and Miriam Cristil. 1st Lt. Pittman Warren and Louise Stone. lst Lt. Lehman Sammons and Joyce Norris. lst Lt. Joe Norvell and Faye Herriman. lst Lt. Mort Scruggs and Carol McDonald. 2nd Lt. Jerry Nevels and Mary C. Daniels. 2nd Lt. James Lee and Jane Williamson. 2nd Lt. Joe Sax and Jeanne Ford. Honorary sponsors are Lt. Col. June Miller, Capt. Elizabeth Rodgers, 1st Lt. Martha Andrews, Major Jean Hankins, and 2nd Lt. Betsy Brinkmeir. Lt. Col. Parker enlisted in the Merchant Marine and Denby Brandon became lieutenant colonel. Cadet Major Richard Akers also joined the Merchant Marine. The Seniors on the Yellowjacket staff were: Editors- in-chief, Miriam Cristil and Margaret Williamsg ex- change editor, Jeanne Moss, cartoonist, John Anderson: columnist, Bill Rothrock, and secretary, June Pitts. As- sisting the staff were Bettye English, Jack Ringer, Betty Ann Jones, Flora Martin, Jill Robinson, Jane Stepherson, Anne Tyus and Pinky Bowers. We have had a very successful three years at Tech and we shall always remember the patient kindness of all our teachers. To our class division teachers we give double thanks for their helpfulness along our way to success while in high school. As we go we le-ave behind our teachers and class- mates but we shall forever take our precious memories with us. With us we as individuals take our school motto, Ad Astra Per Aspera, and shall some day reach the stars through difficulties. s Our book is finished and though we shall soon be in all parts of the earth, we shall never forget our days at Tech. 4 4 4 4 4 PAGE FIFTY ONE

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After such a mass lor is it mess?J of brains the au- dience needed rest. During the intermission I saw Letrice Andrews, a buyer form Gerber's, who was looking over the New York fashions, talking to Juanita Carpenter, whose poetry has won her a familiar name all over America. What that name is I won't say, but we've all got imaginations, haven't we? I heard Arnold Shappley and Joe Crone, who own a chain of gas stations, talking shop. Now that gas rationing is off, they're doing a boom- ing busin-css. iThree filling stations blew up when at- tendants Marshall Loftin, Ewing Browder and Earl Hood lit matches and peered into gas tanks! A little learn- ing is a dangerous thingy. Elizabeth Fairleigh, the book reviewer, was reading a book by Jerry Nevils en- titled, Flat Feet, or What Did I Do in the Infantry. I saw Harold Dotson signing a contract with William Kellum. Harold owns a barber shop and supplies Wil- liam with hair for his toupee factory. If you're wonder- ing how Mr. Kellum got his brilliant idea for a head muffler factory, just recall his unfortunate ifor othersl habit of hair-pulling. And just for the record, Harold's first customer in his barber shop was Don Smith, who decided, when a group of autograph hounds mobbed him, calling him Miss Lake, that it was time he had a hair- cut. Then I saw Jimmie One Meatball Ledbettier, who is thc butcher in James Yes, We Have No Bananas Heard's Super Duper Market, seemingly listening most sympathetically to Fred Kendall's reasons for being a vegetarian. Hearing Jim Billingsley, Wall Street broker the often isl, telling James Hadley, cub reporter for the Bare Facts, that the theater had been designed by Walter Buddy Hoback, the great land I say that doubtfullyl architect, and built by George Rothwell, contractor, I rushed madly, nay, furiously, to the door and was ouside before I realized that I wasn't even there! So, fearlessly, I waited for the second part of the show to begin. As Mary Frances Culp and Billye Green- way, who own a tea shop, chatted on unmindful of the glares of Dorothy Cox, the secretary to dollar-a-year man George Nutzell, who must pay back 99c of it to the government, and Robert Houston, co-owner of the Thrifty Department Store tAlton Hargrove's the silent partnerfor is that a little on the impossible sidel the lights dimmer and the curtain went up. Now came the comedy i?l act of the Three Wits, Nit, Half and Dim, composed of Evelyn Pedretty, Anne Tyus, and that's me third from the left. However, only two wits came out on the stage, which further proves that those three aren't all there. I can't understand it, but without me the act was a smashing success-smashed by several irate patrons with axes whom I recognized to be Gene Forrester, Emmett Garner and Jack Norvell. Oh, well, you can please some of the people half of the time but one-eighth of the people are smarter than you anyway. Next the Pie-Eyed Pipers sang a few songs, accom- panic-d by Jean Schwend, who had been introduced to the piano for the first time in her life not two minutes before. The Pipers, who were rusty as well as pie-eyed, included Dorothy Wynne, Georgia Bell Smith and Tom Sawyer. The new crooner, John Dugard, put the audience into an uproar. Never had Sinatra so stirred an audience! Everyone was screaming-it was murder. KM. L. Lyle tried it on Johnl. Vivian Easley and Donna Briggs fainted while Ushers Tom Edwards and Charles Crail ran around with smelling salts and stretchers for ex- treme cases. Billy Haynes even began calling Dr. Kildare. Singer Dugard, deeply hurt Iby the terrific right of James McCulloughJ left the stage. Speaking of boxing, James Lee is making that his profession, but he spends so much time on the canvas he's becoming famous as the Boll Weevil. Following were the Vitamin-Plus Kids, Frances Sorce and Jane Williamson,. who sang and danced. The Muscle Man from the nearby circus, Bill Jones, was going to perform some feats of miraculous strength but he left his muscles in his other leopard skin. After his apology, the attendant, Walter Miller, came out from the wings and nonchalantly carried tht: huge weights from the stage. James Goolsby was the next to sing. You'll have to hand it to him-with brass knuckles. That guy really has nerve! I thought it was too good to be James and was sure of it when the record got stuck. M. B. McC1earen was to blame-a throw-back to the Macbeth days at Tech. This brought the curtain down on the final act. The audience rose to its feet armed with over-ripe vegetables. I understood that after the show there was to be a stew, but since I never touch the stuff, I knew it wasn't to be me. Now I can get the real significance of that statement! Seeing that so many of the people were going back- stage iseeking revengej, I decided to join theun. Read- justing my Peer-o-scope, I went through another wall and found myself among the props, ropes and settings of backstage. There I saw Elsie McDermott, who de- signed and made the lavish costumes for the production, and her helpers, Annie Rose Barker and Mary Welch. They were busily re-sewing the seams of Carol Wynne's costume ldoesn't that needle you-or do you get the point?J which she spit laughing at the antics of James Eaton, slapstick comedian. Busy signing autographs for the starry-eyed Margaret Newman and Dorothy Smith was Billy Rogers, who has topped Fred Astaire's great dancing abilities. The beautiful New York debs, Anna- belle Smith and Elizabeth Rodgers, were scan chatting with the doorman, James Tribble, while they impatient- ly awaited the return of their escort, Professor Wilbiert Morris, who teachers at Frank Faulkner's School of Hard Knocks IOpportunity is a student therel. The school's colors are black and blue, as are the pupils. And speaking of bruises, I saw that big bruiser, Ron- ald Green, who has been patronizing the massuer, Ber- nie Mulliken. Bernie has a college degree, M.A.P. lMas- ter of Ach-cs and Painsl, and his customers are also given a degree-the third one! Bernie's assistant, Charles Jones, really rolls the patrons. By the Way, who is this Little Joe? All this dope I got from J. B. Robertson, foreign correspondent for Associated Press-they like him better at a distance-who, because he was able to crawl away after a message, received the Purple Heart, a charley horse, and a pair of crutches. Hearing a loud crash, I turned to see Betty Grear twisted on ropes, wires, and overturned lights, and Leon Hurt, the photographer, fussing at her for smashing the lights and ruining the film. Leon was photographing Dorothy Hinsley, singer at the Apple Orchard, a pretty seedy night club owned by Clarence Walker and Clar- ence Allen. The famous model who poses for Scream PAGE FIFTY-THREE