Northeastern High School - Aerie Yearbook (Elizabeth City, NC)

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Above—A birds eye view of the 1977 graduating senior Eagles. They have been tutored and nurtured and are now ready to fly off on their own. Below left—Sharon Moore, Mr. Herndon, Rev. Crimminger, Mr. Locke, Betsy Crimminger, and the NHS seniors all stand at dignified attention before the ceremony begins. Below right—Because their names begin with “WV’ Bob and Dianna Williams would be experts on the feeling one would have after watching 300 friends graduate before them. 28 COMMENCEMENT

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Above—While delighting her “smell buds” with a glorious summer-time blossom, Patsy Pierce must also remember that summer can be the “sneezin’ season with its tickling pollen-filled breezes. Below—The spectators at least won’t strike out because they are partaking in a great American summer pastime. Watching a base- ball game is especially enjoyable when the performance is a fine one by the home team. Sunny Summer Stimulates Cinq g Savory Senses w The time of adolescence in life is often compared to the season of summer. Teenage days are often warm, but not without occasional thunderstorms. In summer, as in adolescence, the human senses are alerted to respond quickly to the many titilating stimuli that they encounter. The summer fruits and vegetables lusciously tempt the taste buds. The hot summer sun penetrates the skin to enliven the inner feelings. As many teenagers, Northeasterners were also in tune to, and exposed to these various stimulants, and thus greatly enjoyed their vacation months. Summer and adolescence can be enjoyable and lively, but the most important analogy drawn be- tween the two is that both are a time for growth, and preparation for the harvest of maturity in the upcoming fall. M

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Graduates Celebrate ‘Happy Hour’ Out-Of-Doors Above—Honor Graduate, Neena Sachdev, smiles with joyous relief as she receives the token of her accomplishments from School Superintendent, Harry Thomas. Below—The NHS Band, under the direction of Mr. Scott Calloway, added musical regality Above—Junior Marshals Lindsey Stevenson, Cindy Price, Betsy Crimminger, and Hoy Lane not only maintained straight “AV but also Senior order during Graduation. to Commencement with its special music before, during, and after Graduation. The ceremony is the ritual initia- tion into the universal organization called adulthood. It was a culmina- tion of twelve long, but quickly passing, years of growth and prepa- ration for the future. The graduation exercises of 1977 were, like all grad- uations, a milestone in the lives of some 300 young men and women, signifying achievement of a coveted dream, and acting as a roadsign, pointed towards the outstretching future. The Commencement was also unique, not only as compared to other exercises, but also in the hearts of each of the graduates, for it was the first to be held in the Athletic Complex. Against God’s vast and open background, the exercises be- came more universal and more inspirational, for one was continually reminded of the unlimited possibili- ties of the future, and the ever- present help that be along side in the journey into that future. The gradu- ation belonged singularly to each par- ticipant for it was the only time that he could proudly and joyfully step forward to receive his well earned prize of a high school diploma. During this one “happy hour” the seniors universally recognized that they had worked long and hard, through many falls, winters, and springs, and that now their budding dreams were be- ginning to flower. With pride, joy, some regret, but with much coura- geous anxiety, the graduates marched in the stadium, then out into the waiting world. Below—Everyone thinks of “Pomp and Circumstance” when they think of the regality of Commencement. i» f ASF ARE AND PROCESSIONAL COMMENCEMENT 29