Southwest High School - Iliad Yearbook (Clemmons, NC)

Page 15 text:

Lunch period came as the most welcomed part of the day. Students could relax from the strain of their morning studying and enjoy informal socializing with friends. Since the length of our lunch period had been cut in half, we barely found time to eat that last bite of pie. During these minutes of rush, we learned much about budgeting our time to fill ourneeds. Groans often accompanied the bell that told us lunch was over, and we skurried down the halls to win the race with the tardy bell. Fellowship and unity between teachers and students was another of the important facets of daily life at Southwest. Our teachers were never too busy to lend a helping hand when students reached barriers they could not conquer alone. Although they found enjoyment in passing joking remarks at teachers, the students never let the respect for their elders waver. Because of this close association between students and teachers, Trojans felt that they had approached a goal in human relationship. The new craze at Sout hwest seemed to be the need for luncheon meetings. Since we nolonger had an activity period, various organizations decided that lunch- time was the only period throughout the day when members could meet and carry on business. These meetings always prospered, but many presidents became exasperated asthey tried to talk above the crunch of a cookie or a muffled hiccough which accompanied hurried eating.

Page 14 text:

From these moments .. . Once we were in the building, our frowns melted into smiles as we heard the cheery morning greetings from our friends. Quite often early morning gossip detracted our attention, and moments later we were surprised to find that we stood facing an open locker door with piles of books still in our arms. Crowds gathered, news flew, the tardy bell rang, and we found it hard to tear away from this social, carefree atmosphere. If we take one day from the school life at Southwest and analize each part, we find that rewards, opportunities, and challenges flow freely from her doors. As students we faced each day at Southwest with the hope of accomplishment. Sometimes we frowned upon the same daily routine, but in years to come we will look back with fond re- membrances to the days when youth was at its height and our lives were filled with carefree responsibility. We will wish for the happiness which came from within the walls of Southwest. We sometimes found it hard to smile a s we entered these doors because school life seemed to be such a toilsome burden. But then as we thought a second time, we dawned on the realization that school life offers many opportunities to enrich our minds and bodies. Classes filled the majority of our day. It was hard to realize that these few hours could possibly build a successful future. However, we strived to fulfill an inner goal as we conjugated verbs, dissected frogs, and learned toappreciate 'Macbeth.'' Com- plaints of too much homework passed from class to class, but hidden under these com- plaints was a desire to please--not only ourselves, but our parents and teachers. Although sometimes forgotten, our aim was to first seek and then find knowledge both of subject matter and of life in a world which cries for better citizens.

Page 16 text:

@ucatgeasti alana Southwest students also found time to let their hair down when various organi - zations sponsored dances after ballgames. Not only did they furnish entertainment to a busy school routine, but these dances also helped students get along better among themselves. Students realized that not only were they to come to school for scholastic pur- poses but were:also to build a well-rounded life through extra-curricular activities. Participation, as players or boosters of school spirit in athleticlactivitives: strengthened the framework of each indi- vidual. Many times a cheering crowd, which backed Trojan players as they climbed to victory or faced defeat, marked the success of another chapter in the open book of life. There was also a need for special recog- nition of students who brought glamour and poise to Southwest. Queens were crowned, and dances were held in their honor. Semi- formal dances especially came as a relief to the normal run of Southwest. Party dresses and suits seemed to completely change the students who wore them, and from beneath frowns of disturbance with school life, gaysmiles spread over the faces of boys and girls who were at last learning that etiquette is essential in life no matter where individual courses may lie.