North Carolina School for the Deaf - Clock Tower Yearbook (Morganton, NC)

Page 16 text:

Guy Thomas Stevens I was born at Chapel Hill in Orange County on July 13, 1919. I lost my hearing from an abscess in my ear when I was three years old. I lived on a farm about seven miles from Chapel Hill. My parents moved to Durham when I was about seven years old. I remember that time. I was troubled with my ears being sore. I don’t remember much about my child- hood before I came to school. I entered this school in the fall of 1926. When I came to Goodwin Hall, I cried very hard because the boys and girls talked on their fingers. It was all strange to me and I didn’t know why I was here. I lived in Goodwin Hall for four years and then came to Main Building in 1929. I have been in school for twelve years. In this school I have learned how to write, read, work and many things that will be helpful to me when I go out to make my living. I like to read some magazines especially Liberty Magazine. Basketball and swimming are my favorite sports. I have been working in the carpenter shop for four years. I want to be a carpenter when I finish school. I am thankful that my parents sent me to school here. I am glad that I had Dr. Goodwin as my superintendent during most of my school life and I hope to be a successful man. Nelda Frances Rozzelle I was born deaf in Paw Creek, Mecklenburg County on September 23, 1919. My parents are deaf. When I was about three years old, I was very sick with typhoid fever. My parents worried a lot about me so I was taken to a hospital in Charlotte. There was a doctor named Dr. Taylor who was fond of me and he gave me a beautiful doll and lots of fruit. I was named Nelda for his daughter. At that time my mother had a baby girl named Iva. When I got well, the doctor told Daddy not to let me drink water from the spring because that spring was full of germs. Soon we moved to Burlington where Daddy still holds a position. Daddy sent me to school when I was six and a half years old. I rode on a train and saw many children signing. I already knew that we were going to school and I cried very hard but a big deaf girl, whose name I can’t remember, comforted me and made me stop crying. When we arrived here, I was surprised to see the tall buildings which looked as if they were going to fall down on me. The next morning I entered the schoolroom and Miss Elizabeth Higgins was my first teacher. Paul and Ralph Crutchfield were in the same class. She taught my class for two years. I lived in Goodwin Hall for three years and was trans- ferred to Main Building in 1929. I was promoted to the third grade. At that time Miss Cox was our physical director and taught us how to swim. When I was in the fifth grade, I took the Junior Life Saving test in swimming and got a badge. . I began to enjoy swimming and now it is my favorite exercise, but I also enjoy skating, hiking, playing ball and swinging. I belonged to the Girl Scouts for about four years and was interested in the work. I have passed many tests. My hobbies are cooking and reading. When we go home tor our summer vacation, and even during the Christmas holidays, I always help Mother do the housework and cooking. When I have finished school, I shall be sorry to leave here and shall miss my friends whom I love. I certainly have enjoyed my school days and I am thankful to Daddy and Mother for sending me to school. I hope I can get a good position that will help me make my way in the world.

Page 15 text:

Grover Woodrow Fordham I was born in Kinston in Lenoir County, on December 27,1916. I am partially deaf and my deafness was caused by an attack of influenza when I was two years old. I have a deaf brother younger than I whose deafness came from the same disease as mine. I had been to the public school before I came to this school but learned very little on account of my deafness. I came to Goodwin Hall in the fall of 1929. Mrs. Howell was my first teacher. At that time our class was in a small room at Goodwin Hall, then after Christmas, we were moved to the new school building which is now called East Hall. The next year I was put in the second grade and Miss Hicks was my teacher and taught reading, writing and language drill. We learned fast while she was our teacher. After that I stayed at home for a year attending the public school again. I did very well with some of my subjects but could not learn others on account of my hearing so I had to come back to this school again in the fall. I was transferred to Main Building and put into Mrs. Francis Davis’ class, the fourth grade. Since then I have attended school regularly. When I came to Main Building, I began my vocational work in the carpenter shop and later in the tailor shop in which I am still working. When I was promoted to the eighth grade, Mr. Alexander was my first man teacher and he was very good as a teacher of arithmetic. Carrie Morgan, Nelda Rozzelle, Waverly Hood and Paul Crutchfield have been my classmates since then. I was a Boy Scout for several years. I have hiked to Table Rock twice and also have been to other mountain peaks, Swimming, playing football and baseball are my favorite sports. When I leave here, I hope to get a position in a tailor shop in my home town. Edgar George Newnam I was born near Ruffin, Rockingham County on August 6, 1918. I was born totally deaf. The cause of my deafness is unkown. I have an older brother who is deaf. He attended this school several years ago. When I was almost three years old, my family moved to Pelham where I still live. I have been living on a farm all my life. After I spent three years at Goodwin Hall, I was promoted to Main Building. I was interested in many useful things. I joined the Boy Scouts when I was thirteen years old. I often went on hikes with the Scouts. I was a Scout for about two years. During my first year in the trades depart- ment, I worked in the Manual Arts class under Mr. Hawkins. At first I was interested in wood- working and designing. Later I did not get along well with my work so I was put in the tailor shop. I have worked there for six years. I have enjoyed all kinds of sports. I played football on the first team for three years. Sports have helped me grow strong and well. I remember that I spent the day visiting here before I entered school in the fall of 1925. From the first year I liked the place very much and there were so many boys to pay with that I was not lonesome when my family left me. When I was in Goodwin Hall, I often went to swim in our school pool. I learned to swim very we.l and still enjoy swimming. I have come to school regularly every year. I was put into this class last year. The class was then composed of four boys and two girls but this year another girl was put in our class. I am grateful that my family sent me here. If they hadn’t sent me, I would have grown up in ignorance. I am thankful that I can work as well as hearing people can. I shall never forget what the school has done for me and hope to be successful in my work as a tailor.

Page 17 text:

Paul Bradshaw Crutchfield I was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on the second day of August, 1919. I was born deaf. My parents were deaf and I have three deaf brothers. Two of them finished school a few years ago. My twin brother is in the junior class. I entered this school in 1926. My first teacher was Miss Elizabeth Higgins. She taught me for two years. When I was in Goodwin Hall, I was a mischievous boy and gave plenty of trouble to the supervisors. | livedin Goodwin Hall for three years and was promoted to Main Building in 1929. My cousin, Nelda Rozzelle, is the only one of the pupils in my first class who is still my classmate. Guy Stevens was in my class when I first came here but was put in another class when we were in the seventh grade. He came back to my class last year. My twin brother, Ralph, and I were in the same class until we reached the fifth grade. He had to repeat the fifth grade work and we were separated. Since I have been at Main Building, I have enjoyed my school life because I have always had good times hiking to the mountains, playing games and taking the Scout work. I have been a Boy Scout for six years. Now I am in the Life Scout rank. I have played football, basketball and base- ball on the first team for three years. I was captain of the basketball team for three years. Last year we almost won the Western Conference basketball championship but ranked second. I was in the Manual Art shop for three years and worked in the carpenter shop for three more years. I made many kinds of furniture while I was in the carpenter shop. This year I am learning to operate the linotype. I hope I will take the printing course here next year. I want to secure a job in a printing office as soon as I finish my course. The most awful thing that has happened during my school days was the burning of West Hall, our old school building. We lost lots of books and school furniture. We are thankful that no one was injured. I have enjoyed being in this school. I wish I could go to school several years more because I want to learn more. I feel grateful to Dr. Goodwin, Dr. Rankin and the teachers and officers who have helped me. I hope to succeed in my work and be a credit to my school.