Siler City High School - Seniorogue Yearbook (Siler City, NC)

Page 29 text:

At the commencement exercises we learned that Carlene Dixon and Nancy Pritchard had heen chosen as delegates from our school to Girls’ State, and that Belton Joyner and Paul G. Braxton were to attend Boys’ State. We understand they had quite an unforgettable experience. Thus ended our busy Junior year and we owe many thanks to Mrs. Howard and Mrs. Lane for pulling us through with so little mishap. With the opening of school once more, we accustomed ourselves somewhat sadly, yet proudly, to our new name: Seniors. It did sound good to us, although giving us an “aweful” feeling of responsibility. We knew there were many rough edges still to be polished, and immediately we set to work to smooth them. We gave Paul Gyles Braxton the job of President; Harold Phillips, Vice-President ; Dot Elder, Secretary ; and Ann Burke, Treasurer. Something new, again provided by Student Government, was added to give the various clubs a chance to meet; namely, an activity period twice a week. Thanks go to Miss Smith for the splendid job she did with the Glee Club which, contrary to the general rule, was started at the first of year. The Commercial Department under the direction of Mrs. Norwood began pub- lishing a new school paper named the Blue Flash. It was a huge success and accepted whole-heartedly by the Student Body. Heading the staff were: Carlene Dixon, Editor-in-Chief, and LaNilta Brady, Business Manager. The boys set a good football record this year with six wins and two losses. Paul Gyles Braxton was awarded a trophy as the most valuable player of the team. Those supporting the team by leading yells included four Senior girls : Dot Elder, Chief ; Blanche Williams, Frances Fitts, and Dorothy Paschal. As work on the annual got under way, Belton J oyner was elected Editor-in- Chief. No one can deny how much we depend upon Miss Holleman for advice, and she was right there ready to help, as she was with all our problems. The entire first string boys’ basketball team was made up of Seniors and they swept through the season with victory after victory. The first five were Paul G. Braxton, Howard Frazier, Harold Phillips, and the co-captains, Marvin Langley and Guy Dowd. Our girls, including Seniors Frances Fitts and Ann Burke as co-captains, and Dot Elder and Annie Faye Brafford, looked mighty fine too. Playing the American favorite, baseball, our boys excelled as in the other sports. W atching them play, we knew their long afternoons of practice had not been in vain. Participating from our class were: Paul Gyles Braxton, Howard Frazier, Harold Phillips, Dave Smart, J. C. Mendenhall, Guy Dowd, and Marvin Langley. It was a rather solemn occasion as we went to the Junior-Senior banquet. Each of us could appreciate the work that had been put forth to give us such a going-away present. With renewed interest we practiced and presented our Senior play, emerg- ing with the knowledge that school is not “all work and no play” but also that with no work there is no “Play.” As we entered for the last day as S. C. H. S. students, our statue was beautifully formed. Maybe a few wished we had done the slightly better job of which we were capable, but most of us were happy and proud of our accomplishment as we donned our caps and gowns and were called one by one to receive our diplomas — the reward for our work. Now it is upon this Education that we will depend throughout our lives; our permaneht Education that is waiting to be used in so many ways. No matter what vocation we choose, we are ready, with this as our guide, to strive for a bright and successful future. Dorothy Paschal Historian 25

Page 28 text:

Class History In 1941 the first chips began to fly from a shapeless form ealled Ignoranee by the use of the tools Ability, Industriousness, and Understanding. Through the care- ful instruction and willing help or our patient teaehers, this “block” was to be shaped in to a beautiful statue, Edueation. The work, through necessity, progressed slowly. Our instruetion began at the Siler High School or the Henry Siler School, and from time to time, new students were welcomed in from other schools. In the eighth grade, we beeame one big, happy class at S. C. H. S. Under the guiding hands of Miss Smith and Mrs. Gyles, we were prepared for the eoming four years of high school. By the opening of our Freshman year we could see considerable results from the past years. Now we were ready for the more painstaking, careful work with a large variety of things to do. Mrs. Foust and Mr. Brown were our home-room teachers and class officers were: Belton Joyner, President; Marvin Langley, Vice- President; and Dorothy Paschal, Secretary. This proved to be a challenging year, but equipped with our tools, we were not discouraged. Soon after entering the tenth grade, all eyes turned toward our football team with enthusiasm — which was partly due to the fine performance of the band at balf-time so capably led by our drum majorette, Ann Burke. Later in the year our boys went on to become county champions in basketball and baseball. Our class was well represented in all three sports. We completed this year with the leader- ship of our home-room teaehers. Miss Caviness and Mr. Bridges, and our class officers — Dorothy Paschal, President; Harold Phillips, Vice-President; Dot Elder, Secretary; and Howard Frazier, Treasurer. Next came our all-important Junior year, and we realized the necessity of working co-operatively. First, we elected our officers for the year: President, Belton Joyner; Vice-President, Paul Gyles Braxton; Secretary, Ann Burke; and Treasurer, Dorothy Paschal. We went over our magazine sales goal by selling about twenty-one hundred dollars worth and received a lovely trophy for doing so. With part of this money we prepared a most successful and impressive banquet for the Seniors. Though it took a lot of work from everyone, much of the credit is due to the fine planning of our banquet co-cbairmen. Dot Elder and Blanche Williams, and to Nancy Pritchard and LaNilta Brady for a grand piece of art work. We thought it was about the prettiest the school had ever had. During this same year a student govering system was incorporated into the school, resulting in the honor system, raising of school spirit, and betterment of tbe school in general. Belton Joyner, who was first Vice-President of the Student Council, had such an active interest, that he was elected President for the coming year. This organization gave us the opportunity to have a part in the running of our school. Though this Student Government, a Beta Club was organized which made any Sophomore after mid-term, any Junior, and any Senior with an over-all average of 90 eligible to join. The majority of members this first year were Juniors. Plans were made for a full program of activities the succeeding year. Also, that year a new system was begun for electing the marshals for graduation exercises. From then on they were to be all Juniors chosen by their holding the highest averages in the class. These were: Dorothy Paschal, chief; Ann Burke, Carolene Dixon, Ruth Freeman, L. J. Fields, and Belton Joyner. 24

Page 30 text:

Last Will and Testament We, the graduating class of Siler City High School in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and fifty-three, being of sound mind and having high moral, physical, and mental faculties, do hereby declare this to be our last will and testament and any previous expression of our will to be niill and void: ARTICLE I Item 1 — We leave unto the faculty and Mr. Braxton our deep appreciation for helping and guiding us all through our high school years. Item 2 — We leave unto the entire school our loud voices, our good times, and our achievements. There is an abundance of the first two. Item 3 — We leave unto the Juniors our job of selling paper and Christmas cards, and also our English books. We vrish for them much success during their Senior year. Item i — We leave unto the Sophomores the job of selling magazines next year. It is our hope that they will break all records, which will really mean selling. Item 5 — We leave unto the Freshmen our ability to be dignified Seniors. They will have to work hard and be fair in order to follow us successfully. ARTICLE II Item 1 — I, Belton Joyner, leave unto Frank “Stinker” Clark my score book and pencil for all games next year. They are well worn, but worth keeping. Item 2- — I, Harold Phillips, leave unto Jerry Pickard my love for football practice. It pays to practice, Jerry. Item 3 — I, Marvin Langley, leave unto Roland Thomas my ability to dodge those linemen’s elbows. Watch ’em Rollo; they’re dangerous. Item 4- — I, Russell Oldham, leave unto Peggy Rogers my ability to type. Learn those “home-keys,” Peggy. Item 5 — I, LaNilta Brady, leave unto Doris Beck my 99 average on shorthand. You’ll have to keep that book open night and day, Doris. Will You. ? Item 6 — I, Ruth Freeman, leave Lena (my car) unto anyone that will accept it. It’s a real friend when you need it. Item 7 — I, Annie Faye Brafford, leave unto Mrs. Norwood my false tooth. Hope you have better luck with it than I did, teacher. Item 8 — I, Rachel Barker, leave unto Joe Dixon my love for Wake Forest. Item 9 — I, Dot Elder, leave unto Judy Clapp my title as chief cheerleader. Keep up the good work, Judy, and be loud! Item 10 — I, L. J. Fields, leave mito Aries Smith my 232 pounds. 26