Peabody High School - Lion Yearbook (Petersburg, VA)

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Redone This is your New York society reporter, Lucy Clements. Tonight, we ate thrilled to tell you about the achievements of that well known baritone singer, Vernon Lee, who was our classmate at dear old Peabody. Vernon is making his first appearance in the leading role of Rigoletto at the Metropolitan Opera House. Although he is a great celebrity, Vernon has not forgotten us, his former classmates; he has reserved box seats for us at tonight ' s performance. All arrangements were made by his private secretary, Charlotte Brown. As 1 passed through the lobby, 1 saw Irene Bethea who has taken Loretta Young ' s place on the TV show, The Loretta Young Show . She is accompa- nied by Bernice Brooks the wealthy owner of Chrysler Corporation. Upon hearing two familiar voices behind me as 1 entered the auditorium, 1 turned and saw Judith Cephas and Joyce E. Brown who have received world recognition as soloist and first pianist with the New York Phil- harmonic Orchestra. It is a pleasure to see Maxcine Bullock in the big city. She is now in business with Mr. Graves on Halifax St. repair- ing radios and clocks. Taking a look around the hall before curtain time 1 see beautiful dressed Jeffie Dabney and Joyce Randolph, hair sylists, who are now advertising Toni on television. Sitting next to them ate Delma Dance and Barbara Todd, well known White House secretaries. As I glance at the program 1 notice that the settings for tonight ' s presentation were designed by Moses Martin. He also worked with Barbara Stewart and Mildred Johnson on costumes. Just before the lights dim for Act i, Margaret Jordan who has her own TV show called Chit- chat and Alice Freeman, English teacher at Peabody High, ate led to their seats by head usher. Sterling Tucker. At intermission, in scanning the box seats I see Deloris Duncan and Constance Mitchell, the greatest women athletes of all times, who are playing baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Be rnice Edwards who is smothered in mink is the owner of the largest lake resort in the U. S. It ' s called Edward ' s Lake. Lucy Tucker took time off from work at the Freeman ' s Laundry and Dry Cleaners where she works as cashier for William Freeman to journey up to see her old classmates. In talking with Catherine Graves and Bernell Hayes, managers of the largest hotel in Southern Cal- ifornia, I found that Atnida Griffin and Norman Griffin are holding the important positions of principal and assistant principal of Peabody. Flossie Johnson and Annie Hill ate the new physical education teachers at Harvard University. Ina Jones and Samuel Brown, noted scientists, are working with the Atomic Energy Commission in Neveda. Berman Mitchell is playing great ball with tlie New York Yankees and Charles Pumey is manager of the new heavyweight champion of the world, Charles Raigns. Ronald Johnson, author .of the well known book, How to Cut Class and Stay Healthy , is also with us. Imagine my surprise when Bernell told me that Eloise Wilson and Tony Wells ate a famous dance team of Chicago billed as Lois and Tony. Dons Thomas is appearing at the same night club where she is making a hit in the starring role of a skit on the life of Dinah Washing- ton. John Hobbs who conducted the band at this same night spot has turned his baton over to John Wynn and has put all his savings in Ye Hobbs Tailor Shoppe. Edward Taylor and Rusha Lee would have been with us tonight but they ate honeymooning in Miami. Rusha is Edward ' s third wife. Marcellus Heath, New York district attorney, is sitting on the center aisle with his attractive wife, he has just closed the case called Who Kidnapped Loretta OvN ' ens ? He was assisted by that well known female F. B. I. agent, Joyce Smith. Frank Washington, Ohio State ' s most outstanding football player of the year is accompanied by another great athlete, Richard Allen. Richard who made millions selling ice to the Eskimos only plays basketball as a hobby. Feeling that I need a breath of air I slowly make my way to the lobby. The first person I see is Dr. William Clarke, famous surgeon and brain specialist. With him are his faithful nurses, Nellie Conwell and Louise Drumgoole who ate members of his private staff. In a re- cent newspaper interview he stated that he owed the success of his latest operation to them. In the lobby I can also see General Bernice Mor- gan, first lady so honored; she is with Major Hazel Pender, who will soon be promoted to lieutenant colonel. We heard that General Morgan was recently given a private chauffeur to carry her on her round of activities. He is an old classmate, Ptivate William Gee. Emma Taylor, who has replaced John Foster Dulles as Secretary of State, was unable to attend the concert because she had to fly to Europe on a secret mis- sion for our well beloved president of the United States, William Lawson. Lawson, who was a world famous basketball player before becom- ing president, seems to be enjoying the conversation that he is carrying on with opera star, Lilliam Williamson and Designer Carolyn Taylor who can fit any woman from size 5 to 55 . Approaching them is that well known Louis Carter who has recently won the record for the fastest mile runner in the history of the world. His companion who is equally as famous is Joseph Arrington who received a television award last week for designing the first automobile that can fly. It was appropiately named the Auto Jet. With them is also Dr. Samuel Creighton, thrice president of this class. Samuel is famous for his discovery of a cure for humanity ' s worst plague, cancer. He is being presented a plaque at luncheon tomorrow in commemoration of his great deed. The award will be made by Harold Malloy, multi-millionaire president of the Malloy Foundation. Standing to my left is Emma Brown who was given the day off from her position as secretary of the D.O. department of Peabody. She was able to tell me about our other classmates in Virginia who were unable to come tonight. First she told me about Wylene Lane. Wylene, the sophisticated walking lady, has opened a school for models in Petersburg. Audrene Williams and Joyce Williams have pooled their savings and opened the Williams and Williams Shoe Factory. It is so large that it takes up four city blocks. Samuel Lewis is head coach at Carter G. Woodson, and Royal Walker is head coach at Carver High. The Peabody basketball team which is coached by Leonard Reeves has made such a fine record this year that they are planning to tout the country in exhibition games with the Harlem Globetrotters. Emma Taylor, the girl with the million dollar smile, is director of the Taylor School of Speech and Dramatics. On her staff ate Alease Turner who speaks ten foreign languages fluently; Annie Jones, posture and breathing teacher; Joseph Lyons, business manager; Marian Morse, school nurse; and Shirley Scott, secretary. Shirley, due to the great turnover of business, is on duty nventy-four hours a day Petersburg is also proud to have on its list of better business enterprises the Neverson Service Station which is operated by Bernice and Bernatc Neverson. Ralph Nicholas has formed a church of which he is the pastor and he is very fortunate in having Leroy Powell as leader of the gospel choir. Vincent Stewart is head usher and treasurer of the church. As the first warning is given for the continuation of the concert I start back for my seat. On the way I pass George Maclin and Robert Fitzgerald who are now in business selling used cars to eager customers. Juanita Owens stopped over in New York on her way to Alaska where she is establishing a branch office of the Owens Cleaners. Admiral Luther Morgan is hoping that Juanita will open a plant in the Fiji Islands where he is stationed. Taking a second look at three charming ladies in the outfits of airline hostesses 1 find them to be Mattie Lundy, Lucy Moore and Ida Myers. Their home base is the newly constructed Petersburg Airport for which Richard Hayes and Harold Matthews laid the bricks. India Nelson and Delores Jackson have collaborated in writing a book which has made the bestseller list; it ' s appropiately call The Large and the Small of It . As 1 take my seat the lights dim. From his first note to the last Vernon holds the audience spellbound. He is brought back ag i again for curtain calls. It is indeed Vernon’s night! After the performance all of us are planning to meet at the Cafe Paree, a fabulous club managed by Glen Fitzgerald. The floor show which goes on three times an evening features Jackson ' s Rock and Roll Combo, named for Leroy Jackson. Nathaniel Gatlin who recently completed an engagement at Carnegie Hall is sitting in with the combo tonight. Joan Dillard of the famed Katherine Dunham’s Dance Group is featured dancer with the show. Charles Harris, the famous Barnum and Bailey Circus clown, is appearing as guest star tonight and is also acting as m. c. Well, I must hurry if 1 am to meet the deadline for tomorrow ' s paper. Don ' t forget to read my column called, Looking with Lucy , in the second section of the New York Times.

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In the beginning, we were one hundred and fifty-five strong. With the guidance of our tolerant sponsors we gradually adjusted ourselves to life in high school. This was the birth of the class of 56... we were freshmen. We made friends, acquired knowledge and experienced many happy days. Judith Cephas was elected treasurer of the Student Council. Moses Martin, William Clarke and Shirley Scott were representatives. Irene Bethea became secretary of the Safety Patrol. Lillian Williamson, Marcellus Heath and Vernon Lee joined the choir. Rusha Lee and Irene Bethea became members of the Library Club. In September we returned as sophomores. At the beginning of this year we elected Samuel Creighton, president; Sam- uel Brown, vice-president; Irene Bethea, secretary; Mildred Johnson, assistant secretary and Alease Turner, treasurer. Judith Cephas held the office of secretary of the Student Council. Richard Hayes, Nathaniel Gatlin, Emma Brown, Louise Drumgoole and Emma Taylor were representatives. Participants in the Science Club were Mildred Johnson and Barbara Ste- wart. Members who joined the band were Joyce Smith, Rusha Lee, Bernice Neverson, Charles Harris, Nathaniel Gatlin and Delma Dance. William Gee and Richard Allen were members of the basketball team with Edward Taylor and Samuel Brown serving as trainers. Members of the girls ' basketball team were Deloris Duncan, Lucy Clements, Joyce Randolph and Nel- lie Conwell. William Freeman became trainer for the baseball team and William Gee was a player. Juanita Owens was the only member of the class to join the Modern Dance Group. The members of the Junior Athletic Association were Judith Cephas, Samuel Creighton, Amida Griffin, Joyce Randolph and Harold Malloy. Samuel Creighton became a member of the Cheering Squad. Members of the Pep Club were Flossie Johnson, Nellie Conwell, Joan Dillard and Maxine Bullock. Emma Taylor, Arni da Griffin and Joyce Randolph enrolled as members of the Junior Red Cross. Emma Brown affliated herself with the Art Club and Glen Fitzgerald and William Clarke received excellent ratings as members of the Dramatics Club when presented in the State Dramatics Festival. The Projec- tion Crew was happy to have Samuel Brown join its staff. Emma Taylor took upon herself the honored responsibility of pres- ident of the New Homemakers of America. Mildred Johnson served as chaplain of the J. E. Shields Science Club. In the twinkle of an eye we found ourselves juniors. Samuel Creighton had done such an excellent job as sophomore class president that we elected him as president of the junior class. He was assisted by Richard Allen as vice-president; Irene Bethea, secretary; Alease Turner, assistant secretary; Royal Walker, treasurer and Walter Mitchell, chaplain. Led by our able officers we took part in many activities. Autumn was followed by winter, and as the snows melted into the spring we began plans for one of our most exciting projects, the Junior Senior Prom. This was one event that required the services of all class members. The theme selected was An Evening in Paris. It was beautifully and colorfully carried out in every detail. What memories we have from that night 1 SENIOR YEAR. ..Now the last nine months of our high school life were before us. The first task we undertook was the election of officers to head that dignified group of intellects. Samuel Creighton was again elected president. He also served as captain of the Safety Patrol. Alease Turner was acclaimed Miss Homecoming for the homecoming festivities. She presided over the many events of the day with grace and charm. The senior class selected Senior Day as an occasion on which to pay homage to Miss Harrison who retired last year. She was presented to the student body by the president of the class and was the honored guest at the Senior Day luncheon. Another outstanding event of the day was the presentation of Irene Bethea as Miss Senior of 1956. Talent among the seniors was displayed to her and her court consisting of Alease Turner, Ina Jones, Juanita Owens and Judith Cephas. Many parents and friends enjoyed the gala affair. Irene was crowned by our class president, Samuel Creighton, who expressed the sentiments of the entire class when he called her a most worthy recipient of the honor. The activities of the football team were managed by Edward Taylor and squad members were Samuel Brown, Samuel Creighton, Harold Matthews, Marcellus Heath, Richard Allen, Richard Hayes, Charles Harris, Norman Griffin, Charles Raigns and Leonard Reeves. The Art Club was represented by Lilliam Williamson, vice-president; Glen Gitzgerald, secretary; Irene Betha, assistant secretary; Barbara Todd, treasurer, Louise Drumgoole, chaplain and Alease Turner, reporter. Vernon Lee participated in Book Week Activities observed in the library, January featured the school operetta, Rancho Rivera, in which Vernon Lee, Judith Cephas, Marcellus Heath, Mar- garet Jordan, William Clarke, Walter Mitchell and Emma Taylor participated. The senior class play, annual prom and graduation activities brought to a close our high school days. As the strains of the graduation march build slowly to a crescendo in the background we turn the pages of this book and live again our four membcable years of high school. Reluctantly we close the covet and leave forever the corridors and classrooms, the clubs and cafeteria, our teachers and friends, the athletic activities and socials, to take our places as world citizens. To Peabody High School, hail and farewell! 7

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Miss Harrison is welcomed to Senior Day activities by Samuel Creighton, president of the class.