Shaw University - Bear Yearbook (Raleigh, NC)

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Senior Class History In September 1955, one hundred-ninety-one interesting, curious, frightened students embarked upon a new career — one of excitement, danger, awe, and even mortality — as freshman enrolled at Shaw University. Like Odysseus we were in for a sojourn of unanticipated experiences through which we would meet strange gods who bestowed upon us blessings of experiences shared with mixed emotions, ex- periences of self-expression, academic achievement, and inevitable development. After a brief period of activities of adjustment in order to introduce us to the college routine, we attempted to settle down to serious business. We attempted to become organized as the freshman class of 1955— to become the class of ' 59 — though many of us had not overcome our loneliness, our homesickness, and fright. We selected our leaders. As our Commander-in-Chief we elected Leroy Smith. As President he guided our uncertain rudders across the sea of our first academic year. Smith ' s Co-captain was Marjorie Jones, George Murphy was Exchequer. Our navi- gator was Dr. Marguerite Adams, the University Counselor. Meanwhile plunging deep into rigors of our first academic year, many of us forgot our personal problem of home- sickness and loneliness as we accepted the new challenges of each succeeding day, made new friends, and plunged our rudders into many ramifications of the curricula and extra-curricula activities of our academic voyage. Plunging their rudders deep into fathoms of activities. Eugene Hammonds, Albert McClain, Edward Turner, and Willie L. McDaniel made their marks on the football team. James Harris plunged into basketball and baseball. Daphne Alexander, Marian Anderson. Alma Brinson. Etta Burt. Queen Cooper, Paul Crump. Mamie Dixon, Aurelia Ed- wards, Christine Everette, Marvisline Gill, Paige Johnson. Doris Lett, Juanita Lowe. Lillie Mitchell, and Virginia Williams successfully joined the clan of Orpheus — the renowned University Chorale Society. Lucille Edwards worshipped faithfully at the throne of Thespis, and the Shaw Players were proud of her. Paying homage to the throne of Justice, Oscar Hinton, Leroy Smith and Clarice Stephens assisted in the student government, the Student Council. Highlights of the first year of our voyage was participa- tion in the Homecoming Parade with Ercell Hargrove, reigning as Miss Freshman; and the Freshman Ball. The success of the Freshman Ball was a presage to the future of our voyage. Being well adjusted now and our rudders keeping rhythm the vacillations of the current of college life, several stu- dent s represented our class as beacon lights in academic achievement, the honor roll, guiding themselves and sta- bilizing the tossing vessel, the freshman class, through un- chartered waters and the distant unknown shore. Spring had come, we were facing the Carybdis and Scylla: final examinations. After rigorous and skillful navi- gation, we successfully passed through the double danger. Many of us packed and joyfully went upon our various ways to our homes and sundry experiences for the summer. Some of us remained on campus a week later and witnessed and or participated in our first college commencement which was most impressive, inspiring and a source of aspiration. After a long summer of multiple of experiences, we re- returned to Shaw with a yearning for the campus similar to the nostalgia that we experienced as freshmen upon our first arrival at Shaw. Adjustment to sophomore year of college life was not difficult. After the rough and uncertain embarkment, and our experiences over the summer, we were literally sopho- moric in our pseudo-sophisticated attitudes, and our con- descension to acknowledge the new crop of lowly fresh- men. Among our many achievements of our freshman year we had come to know and love many of our instructors and members of the staff. So in our renascent vigor for the second lap of our voyage, we began to reorganize. Our leaders for this year were: George Stokes, president; Pa- tricia Burton, secretary; Charles Bullock, treasurer; Oscar Hinton, sergeant-at-arms. We selected Mr. Guilbert A. Daley as our advisor. Those of us already established in various organizations remained, and many new ones joined. Bertha Green, Valeria Harris, Gloria Cephas. Vonzie Erwin. Melton Anderson, Charles Bullock, and Juanita Lowe paid homage to Thespis, and joined the Shaw Players. Aspiring toward the great realm of the peculiarly mag- netic clan of Mt. Olympus, many sought to climb the foot- hills, and trudge the slopes, aspiring for the peak. There were few Vulcanic tragedies, but many reached the top — and joined that heterogenous army of Mosaic Greeks. Alma Brinson, Mamie Dixon, Vonzie Erwin Jessie Savage went Alpha Kappa Alpha. Paige Johnson. George Murphy. Eugene Hammonds, and Edward Turner went Alpha Phi Alpha. Lucille Edwards went Sigma Gamma Rho. George Stokes went Phi Beta Sigma. Juanita Lowe and Doris Lett went Zeta Phi Beta. Marvisline Gill. Myrtle Streeter went Delta Sigma Theta. James Moore. Claude Flythe went Omega Psi Phi. These poor, frightened students who entered those im- pressive gates September 1955 have begun to feel at home, and to make the mark that distinguished our class since our arrival here. Vonzie Erwin made her dramatic debut in several short plays and soliloquys, and achieved re- nown in a television performance, directed by our versatile advisor, Mr. G. A. Daley, more fondly known as Mr. Aloysius, or Mr. G. A. D.; Juanita Lowe and Melton Anderson captured laurel wreaths for their performances in The Glass Menagerie. We all enjoyed the production here in Greenleaf, and Miss Lowe and Mr. Anderson achieved more acclaim as the show went on the road. Marvisline Gill made her debut as a soloist in the choir. Joyce Fuller was selected Miss Sophomore and reigned su- preme during the Homecoming parade, one of the high- lights of our sophomore year. The sophomore class in 1956 won second place award in the non-Greek, non-com- mercial category for the most beautiful float. The months passed rapidly; the snares and danger traps were not so treacherous now as the sagacity of experience had taught us to surmont them with calm, skillful manuevering. and just plain common sense. As we approached the end of the sophomore year, we were less sophomoric. we hope, and more worthy of becoming the juniors we hoped to be. There were among us a few academic mortalities, a few unsur- mountable financial obstacles, but the class did not lose its fervor. We accepted our failures as stepping stones to build future success; we looked upon our past experiences as foundations for stronger, future edifices. We sometimes winced, but we could not cry aloud. We gripped more firmly the banner inscribed Excelsior and faced our future bravely. The summer months wore on, bringing again many varied experiences for all of us. But when Hyperion ' s fierce countenance began to subside; on the land, the seasons once more began the third quarter of their full circle: Persephone made preparation for her return to Pluto. Ceres began to adorn Mother Earth in her mourning weeds of yellow, gold, red, and brown. As Mother Earth made her last splashing display of splendor as though her garments were kissed by Iris, but followed closely on the heels by the grieving touch of the wand of mournful Ceres, we, with the paradoxical and dubious anticipation of Per- sephone, return to her beloved Shades and Pluto, returned to the somber, but hallowed worlds of learning — eager, happy, energetic, awed, still a little afraid. For now we embark on the third lap of our unchartered voyage. Yes, we are a little afraid, for this course is entirely new. The realization that we are approaching that unknown 21

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shore weakens our confidence, and mocks our courage. But we are here to face it as brave mariners, each man in himself his own Odysseus. We pledged ourselves to make this year one of our greatest and most successful. We planned carefully each knot of our course in detail. We organized once again. George Stokes is again at the wheel with Shirley Parker our logue keeper, Charles Bullock our treasurer. Elma Melton our chaplain, and Mr. Daley still our navigator. We set our course and began to accomplish our destina- tion. During our sojourn Doris Lett joined the Shaw Players. Vonzie Erwin crowned her achievements as Regina in the Shaw Players production of The Little Foxes, and Melton Anderson strongly supporting her as Ben, her equally greedy brother. Greek letter organizations again like the sirens beckon us, Edna Marlowe, Elma Melton, Jesse Bullock, and Rosine Turner, Zeta Phi Beta; Shirley Parker, Alpha Kappa Alpha; Marvin Lassiter, Melton Anderson, Paul Crump, Kappa Alpha Psi; Clarice Stephens, Delta Sigma Theta. The rigors of probation for many of us were like the lotus blossoms, but we rallied from under the dangerous slumber and headed due north on course. Chapel and Religious Life Committee beckoned Janie Holloway, Queen Cooper, and Elma Melton. Other organ- izations, such as: Baptist Student Union. Student Christian Association retained many of us from our freshman and sophomore years. Highlighting this year of our voyage was Miss Shirley Parker ' s election of Miss Junior Class, with Myrtle Streeter and Daphne Alexander her attractive and talented escorts. Honored by outstanding academic achievement Myrtle Streeter. George Murphy, Helen Sneed were elected to Beta Kappa Chi; Vonzie Erwin, Helen Sneed were elected to Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society. Later on in the spring of this our third year of our journey George Stokes. Vonzie Erwin were elected to Who ' s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. Also in the spring of this year the class took a break from the rigors of traveling and academic achievement to sponsor the Junior-Senior Prom. It was the most magnificent prom sponsored in recent years. Its theme was Sayonara to our predecessors, the class of 1958. For the first time in the history of classes of our Alma Mater the prom, setting no precedent, but yet. a milestone in our achievements, was held from nine p.m. to one a.m. Everyone attending this affair had an over- whelmingly good time. The decorations inspired by mem- bers of our own group, and executed by all of us were unique in the design and their exotic beauty. In the spring elections George Stokes was contender for President of the Student Body; Shirley Parker, Myrtle Streeter were contenders for Miss Shaw. Our traveling became a little rough that year, as personalities clashed and issues were viewed in terms of personalities rather than principle. We realize our mistakes, however, and attribute them to the problems of mental growth and development of character. George Stokes did not make President of the Student Body, but Shirley Parker was elected Miss Shaw to reign officially over all official school activities for the ensuing year. George Stokes was elected, however, as President of the Pan- Hellenic Council; Vonzie Erwin was elected the Council ' s Secretary. Vonzie Erwin was elected Basileus of her chap- ter of Alpha Kappa Alpha; George Stokes was elected Secretary of Iota Chapter. Phi Beta Sigma; Claude Flythe. President of Omega Psi Phi; Lucille Edwards was elected Basileus of Sigma Gamma Rho; Doris Lett was elected Basileus of Zeta Phi Beta. Again our year has been speedily, but successfully spent. Persephone returns and Ceres in her jubilation adorns old, tired, drab Mother Earth in her most exciting green splashed with many colors of the flowers, the nestled, the boughs of the trees with her choir of birds and rustling brooks with a constant background of the soft melodies of Zephyr. Like Odysseus, we fight the anger of Neptune, as the sea of final examinations rage. The storms subsided we awake and find ourselves on a strange land. We passed our examinations and now we are dignified seniors. In this final lap of our hazardous journey, we keep steering our course straight to achieve our goal and prize of the mark of our calling. After the usual summer break, we re- turn with renewed zeal, ready hands, stout hearts, and open minds to complete our program, successfully chart our course and reach our destination, our beloved Ithaca — Commencement. Once again we organize ourselves and this time at our helm Claude Flythe steers our course, and Richard Cook serves as his co-captain, Shirley Parker still keeper of our logue, Lucille Edwards, our exchequer, George Stokes, business manager, and Elma Melton is retained as Liaison Officer to Celestial Throne. Our navigator remains the same. Joining those of us who have taken our places as opportunities avail themselves in various activities, Bertha Greene, Joyce Fuller and Janie Holloway join the Chorale Society. Baseball, basketball, and football pulmulted Eu- gene Hammonds to the pinnacle of skill and sportsmanship. Vonzie Erwin and Melton Anderson in a play For France win second place in a state drama festival at North Caro- lina State College. Greek societies still beckon many late comers. Marian Anderson joins the throne of Zeta Phi Beta; Lillie Pearl Dewberry revels in Delta Sigma Theta; Em- manual Gray in Kappa Alpha Psi, and Lillie Mitchell in Sigma Gamma Rho. To begin the highlights of our year, we witness the coronation of our beautiful, beloved Miss Shaw, Shirley Parker, escorted by George Goode, President of the Student Body. In the court we see Myrtle Streeter, Vonzie Erwin. what a beautiful procession — and our class well represented. Highlighting the Homecoming Parade Joyce Fuller rises again as Miss Senior Class. Her attendants are Vida Wil- liams and Valeria Harris. She rides the beautiful float which won honorable mention for the commercial category of the float contests. Shirley Parker, our beloved Miss Shaw reigned over the half-time activities of the Homecoming Game. Who ' s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities recognizes more among our number and recog- nizes for the second time some others. Vonzie Erwin, George Goode, Elma Melton, George Murphy, Shirley Parker, Helen Sneed, George Stokes, and Myrtle Streeter are among Who ' s Who. Our plan to publish the Annual, The Bear, is a Hercu- lean task, even for an Odysseus — such was our struggle for success in this project, an exhibition of our skills, and record of our achievements. With the aid and guidance of our beloved advisor, Mr. Guilbert Alfred Daley, who has bridged many chasms for us during the past three years, we hope this project will be a success. Those frightened, curious students who entered the front gate 1955 have some losses among them, but for various reaso ns, these losses we regret. Also we have picked up many seafarers in our sojourn whose experiences and handicaps, whose associations have embellished our class, and enriched our lives. But that goal to be the Class of ' 59 was never lost sight of. We have reached our beloved Ithaca. History is a story of the past; this is our story. Being fully cognizant of the fact that history repeats itself; events occur and recur in cycles; and that the present is built upon the past and the future is built on the present, we the Class of ' 59 do not stop here. Commencement will not be our Terminus, but a mere pause and a period of evalua- tion of our achievements. This is a very important chapter. Like Odysseus, but firm of mind and will ... we the class of ' 59 . . . cannot rest from travel: (We) will drink Life to the lees . . . Made weak by time and fate, (We the Class of ' 59) . . . but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. — Elma Melton. 22