St Johns High School - Blue Devil Yearbook (Darlington, SC)

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The History of Class '27 A Case of Evolution THE HISTORY of our high school life, like that of mankind, may be divided into four parts, namely: the Old Stone Age. the New Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the Historic Age. The lesser of these divisions, known to us as the Old Stone Age, began when we entered High School. Surely the romance of savage life holds no more thrills and wonders than our Freshman year held for us. We were a wild and barbarous tribe, who roamed aimlessly through the fresh, green jungles of Ignorance and Folly. Among the wildest of our number were two young savages who rejoiced in the name of Jack and Murray. Cave men of first order, they delighted in tortur- ing the strangers in our midst—namely, the teachers. However, there were others who even at this early stage began to grope for higher development— among whom were Pap, Q. M., and Moses. Under the leadership of these we gradually learned the use of such weapons as Algebra, Arithmetic and Grammar. About this time we made several important discoveries, namely: our igno- rance of the true meaning of high school life, o»ir teachers’ genuine interest in our welfare, and the possibility of attaining a high stage of civilization. Thus we passed into that period of time which shows a definite advancement of our race—the New Stone Age. It was here that we gave a sharper edge to our weapons by toiling and studying—an easier means to gain knowledge. We mastered Caesar, entered the new fields of Domestic Science and Biology, learned to work originals in Algebra and even gained a slight knowledge of History. Before this period came to a close most of us had built dreams in which we found ourselves Seniors. We also came face to face with a serious problem. A dread disease made its appearance among us—the age-old plague, commonly known by the name of “Love”. Pap seemed to suffer worse than the rest of us. He worried day and night on how he could learn to manage a “Lever”. When this heart crusher threw him down, the poor savage buried all his love and kind feeling for feminine companionship. However, despite the ravages of this trying but interesting malady, we con- tinued to extend the field of our activities and widen the horizon of our thought. And so this period merged into the third stage of our development. Now how happy we felt! Together we had climbed through ages of toil and hardship to find ourselves upon the threshold of the Bronze Age. Here we finally learned to use the knowledge which we had accumulated at the price of untold suffering and toil. Especially did the females among our number advance by rapid strides. Through the ceaseless efforts of three of these— Mazie, Lurline and Rena—was the savage Ervin lured from the cave of Bash- fulness and tamed until he learned to eat from the hands of the fairer sex. A new savage—Everett—strayed into our midst, who proved so wild as to elude every effort of Andrea to capture and tame him. It was here that two girls called Josie and Elizabeth distinguished themselves by making wonderful

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Haec Olim Meminisse Juvabit Classmates, do you recall the day we assembled to select our motto: When we chose “Some day we shall be glad to remember these things? Little did we realize how very true those words would be! We scarcely thought that some day we should pause for reflection upon even the extremely minor events of our high school days. When our friendships have broadened, we shall recall the way we used to meet our high school pals each morning, how much we enjoyed those few moments of conversation before chapel—and the way we assembled in the auditorium to the peppy marches our orchestra used to play. When we hear the world’s sublimest symphony orchestra, I think we shall he reminded of Mr. Gainey and his faithful band of young musicians. How we shall long to hear once more those splendid old tunes they used to play! And then we shall remember the songs we sang, and the pep meetings we so loved, and the looks of determination upon the faces of the team we were boosting on to victory. When we are on our way in the world and temptations beset us, we shall com- pare these with the little allurements we used to meet in school, when there was something inside of us that tried so hard to keep us from studying. Then per- haps we shall be glad to remember how we cast aside that little something, and prepared those lessons, and how we rejoiced when we saw our teachers mark down i's and 2’s by our names! How we welcomed the recess hell! How we mobbed poor old Bob with his travelling lunch stand and what fun vve had eating our sandwiches and gossiping under the friendly oaks! Then, perhaps, we’d have a snake dance. What a thrill we used to get out of singing, “Oh. we'll ride old Hartsville, on the rail!” and how proud we were when we sang Blue and White!” Then literary society! Shall we ever forget the grand-operas and the mock trials with which we had so much fun? When the boys are aged and gray I’m sure they’ll chuckle to recall their queer impersonations of Cleo and Mark Antony! What a rush there used to he to get to the hall games on Fridays! We shall indeed be proud to remember the times our team crossed the touchdown line, and a trusty toe sent the pigskin sailing over the goal, and our boys came off the field— tired but victorious! Then we shall think of the thrills we used to get when our girls or boys were successful in making a particularly spectacular goal in basket- ball. We shall recall how our spirits rose and fell at the baseball games, what a satisfied feeling we had when our pitcher struck out an opponent and how we nearly died of excitement over a home run! And now the thought come to my mind, that, when our days on earth are o'er, even amongst the jewelled streets of Paradise we shall not be entirely oblivious of our mundane experiences. If such be the case, what shall we be glad to recall? What memories shall we carry with us into Eternity? Let another speak for us here: “Eternity is not good for shams, nor for worry, nor for self-seeking. But let us take loyal hold of time, work, present happiness, love, friendship, duty.” —Lurline McCullough, ’27. Salutatorian.

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pictures, through which our history was handed down to posterity. Another who inspired us to higher things was Mary Elizabeth. Music hath charms to sooth the savage breast. Thus Mary had her share in soothing our savage hearts and leading us into the land of civilization. At the close of this period we left that high-brow society—the Physics Club—to those who should come behind us. We contributed a night of fun and frolic in the Carnival; and a day of feasting and merry-making—the Junior-Senior Picnic. So finally we emerged from the dark ages into the fair and shining land, known as the His- toric Age. And no period in our existence could be better named, for this year we have made history. I ogether, we have steadily toiled on and on in the attempt to reach our goal. Behold us, world—the first civilized people! Learned and cultured in all the arts and sciences of modern high school life! Conceited? Not a bit of it! We realize that our classmates are passing through the same stages of evolution from which we have just emerged. We understand their troubles and are always ready with a cheering smile and a helping hand. The class rings and pins, which are the emblem of a cultured and refined race, we carry away with us. 'I he Annual, which records our struggles and achieve- ments, we leave to our Alma Mater. The Bulletin we turn over to those who are at present in the Bronze Age, but shall soon become a civilized people. Yes, our class has literally made history; for we have taken a step which we hope marks the beginning of a new age at St. John’s. In fear and trembling, yet in faith and confidence, we established the Honor System” at St. John’s. It fills us with pride and yet with humility to have done this for our Alma Mater. May those who follow us guard this system as a jewel beyond all price. —Wallace Abbott, ’27.