Shelby High School - Cruiser Yearbook (Shelby, NC)

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CAS oe blo @ an It is hard to imagine that the confident seniors we now see before us were the same frightened children who in 1937 reluctantly left their havens of protection and headed for the nearest grammar school. These children, who were born in the depths of depression, had reached the grand age of six and were now ready to begin their journey on the path to edu- cation. This journey was to last for twelve years, and as small and feeble-minded as we were, we knew there would be long years of study and hard work. We passed through that period swiftly enough with only a million trials and tribulations to make our way a little darker. But as the lighthouse keeper guides the pilot safely home, so did our parents and teachers just as surely guide us to our graduation from grammar schools. We left fully assured that our grammar school teachers could not possibly teach us another thing. Junior High was our next step. There we were introduced to the system of hav- ing homerooms and changing periods. In that first year we suffered, to say the least, for we were the underdogs of the con- ceited eighth-graders. The next year, however, vengeance was ours as we claim- ed control of the school and the even more terrified seventh-graders. Again we left convinced that there was not another thing for us to learn. But in 1945 came the greatest happen- ing in our lives. We, the dumbest class of freshmen ever to enter Shelby High School, began the four best years of our lives. After being introduced into this institution, we proceeded to cause trouble and succeeded the whole year long. That first year we did nothing but idolize the older crowd and cause as much trouble as we possibly could by skipping classes, writing notes, and having a crush on every single letterman in school. The next year, however, proved to be a little more progressive as things calmed down and began to run smoothly. The fact that everyone made better grades than in any other year proved that this was our easiest year in school. Still, there was work to do. Looking ahead to our Junior year when we would be in dire need for the funds to sponsor an elaborate Junior- Senior, we canvassed the city selling maga- zines. As our third year rolled around, we really settled down to work. Our class was organized under the sponsorship of Mrs. T. A. Parker and the following of- ficers were elected: President, Milton Noblitt; Vice-President, Gene Arrowood; Secretary, Jack Houser; and Treasurer, Gailya Austell. As a means of making money for the Junior-Senior, we worked diligently to present the annual Junior Variety Show. For the huge success of this affair, we humbly thank Buddy Bum- garner, a former graduate of our school who consented to direct it for us and who had directed every variety show presented in the school for the past three years. We were now beginning to see just who the people were who held our class together. These were the same people who worked faithfully on the variety show and slaved to make our Junior-Senior a success. The Junior-Senior was also proclaimed as the best one ever given in the school. This was truly an eventful year. The opening of school the next year was delayed by the polio epidemic; but finally school started and we were at last the proud, dominating seniors of Shelby High School. The two main events of the year were to be the publication of the an- nual and the presentation of the Senior play. Seeing the year before us with the realization that it would be a hard one, we began to consider who our leaders would be, and knowing that they must be of A plus quality, we elected them— Joe Mauney, President; Gene Arrowood, Vice-President; J. C. Trammell, Secretary, and Betty Baugham, Treasurer. We set to work immediately on our an- nual, electing a dependable, hard-working staff with Jack Houser as editor-in-chief. The staff spent many. long hours striving faithfully to live up to the tradition of our class and make this undertaking a successful one. In cooperation with the untiring efforts of Miss Dorothy King, we hope to have achieved our goal. Twice as many hours were spent re- hearsing for our Senior play. Under the expert supervision of Miss Winifred Fel- (Continued on Page 75) ———EEE

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1. Most Intelligent . Joe Mauney, Doris Abernathy 2. Most Popular . Gene Arrowood, Gailya AustelL 3. Most Original . Jimmy Quinn, Martha Harris 4. Most Athletic . Kenneth Hicks, Carolyn Spangler 5. Most Dependable . Joe Mauney, Betty Baugham 6. Friendliest . . Don Gold, Shirley Moffitt 21

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GEASS PROPHECY. With a resounding roar the rocket ship leaps into the mysterious and open bound- aties of space. It is capable of traveling faster than sound, thus enabling one to journey years into the future. Glancing at the electric navigator, I see that I am now arriving in Shelby in the year 1959. Having reached my destination, I begin, at a breath-taking rate of atomic speed, my long descent to earth. Upon arrival I am astounded by the many changes that have taken place in this fair city during a period of ten years. Be- ing very anxious to learn of the activities of my classmates, I begin my tour of this industrial metropolis. Crossing Main Street, I find that my attention is attracted by a gigantic ad- vertisement of “The Shelby Institution of Dancing”. The receptionist, Miss Jane Olsby, obligingly renders her assistance in my quest for information. I am told, much to my amazement, that the proprie- tors are none other than J. C. Trammell, master of the ‘Charleston’, and Rachel Roberts, the ravishing beauty of dance society. The outstanding local newspaper, edited by Joe Mauney with the assistance of Mildred Shull and Geraldine Géilreath in the society and advertising departments, is giving the annual county fair a huge write-up. The leading attraction this yeat is “The Midget Show” starring Elizabeth Ann Hamrick, the tallest midget in the world. The fame and glory once held by the man on the flying trapeze now belongs to none other than fearless Joe Ellis and his jetcycle. Caswell Bumgarner, magnate of the popcorn vending machine industry, is busily engaged in collecting the fruits of his labor—nickles from the charitable and slugs from the miserly. Another show guaranteed to hold the public’s interest, especially the males, is 23 entitled ‘“American Beauties’, It heralds the famous names of Toby Robinson, Mary Elam, Gailya Austell, and Dovie Lee Morrison as its main attractions. The very modern ‘New Look Barber Shop” has been opened by Pete Frazier, Frank Lowman, and Howard Gold. It seems that the latest fad is green hair. Their best customers are Judge of Superior Court, Jack Houser, and Shelby’s leading lawyer, Ray Summers. The Clipper’s professional football team is now managed by that outstanding sports figure, Don “Rock” Gold. His team boasts of such all-Americans as Ken Hicks, Bob Mitchell, and Benny Allen. With such good material the Clippers are looking forward to a very successful sea- son, Mayor Milton Noblitt has just ap- proved a law closing all city schools for three weeks during Christmas. This meets with the whole-hearted approval of home economics teacher Martha Harris and mathematics instructors Ray Francis and Doris Abernathy. Among the newest business establish- ments is the OS Shop operated by Larry Hamrick and Jimmy Quinn, and the La Dainty Dress Shoppe managed by Iris Falls and Louise Lee. Don Mauney has just opened the Help Yourself Super Market with the assistance of Bill Procter, Jim Wilson, and Ronald Biggerstaff. Many of the older concerns have been taken over by younger and more capable hands. Bobby Wilson is now managing Messick’s Soda Shop. The Hardware Store has been bought out by Jim Rose, the man who made the eight dollar gun possible. Feeling sure the affairs of 1959 are in dependable hands, I prepare to make my exit to the turmoil and problems of °49. Prophet Philip Goforth