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

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The next year, we were pleased that we were permitted to choose our subjects. Of course, it was pointed out that English, science, and math were compulsory, but that didn’t even faze us. We were freshmen at last! And, although we still stood in awe of the upperclassmen, we took advantage of the fact that we were now superior to the sub-freshmen. New methods of initiation were devised for the incoming crop of eighth graders. Hookyitis affected many freshmen. But, when the Detention Hall treatment was prescribed, the ailment dis- appeared. In the years that followed we became more conciousofour privileges at St.John's. Each year there were added responsibilities; yet each year was more fun than the one before. Raymond Huckabee and Melvin Hyman added spice to our classes with their humor and wit. We all marveled at the way Sonny Smith could eat candy in class. For three years our class was presided over by Jake Patterson, who looks more like an athlete than a class presi- dent, but whose skill as a presiding officer equaled his dexterity on the field. We were now participating in more of the many extra-curricular activities offered at St. John's. Perhaps the two busiest years of high school are the last two--the junior and the senior years. How hard we worked all over town selling magazine subscriptions so that we could give the seniors a banquet they would remem- ber. Doris Tindall was high saleswoman and was presented the traditional award--a wrist watch. We worked hard for that Junior-Senior Prom, but we enjoyed every minute of it. Our theme of an Oriential garden was truly beau- tiful, even if we did rob the trees from miles around of their moss. In the spring we were always eager for vacations; in the fall we were just as eager tocome oack to school. We returned from our summer vacation last year to find ourselves seniors. As juniors we had thought we were busy; as seniors we were busy. Senior English, taught by Miss Isabel Entz- minger, was a trial for all and a tribulation for some. As seniors we saw a change in our school system. The whole educational framework of the state was revised. Although this did not affect us much, it will have a great bearing on education in future years. This class had been kicked around, lorded over, and picked at. Yet we managed to produce such scholars as Lucy Hoffmeyer, Bill DuBose, and Nellie Kennedy. We boast that in our ranks are such top athletes as the Stokes brothers, Clifton Hursey, and Mack Richardson. We failed Latin tests, laughed and tried harder the next time. We struggled through geometry, French, and sen- ior math. Yet we survived undaunted and unsubdued. Now, we are leaving the Alma Mater that we have grown to love. We smilingly remember the little episodes that made our high school days happy ones. It has been said that one should never look back--only ahead. And although we cannot resist occasional glances over our shoulders at our blissful past, we cannot fail to see the new day that beckons with its promises. It is call- ing us to prove our worth in this world. There is no turning back for way leads on to way. We have been well prepared for our journey into the future--by our teachers, who gave us our education; by our friends, who encouraged us ever forward; and by our parents, who gave us their aid and counsel. There are gold mines of happiness waiting to be dug, forests of bountifulness waiting to be cut, and fields of good will waiting to be reaped and sowed and reaped again. Providence has favored this class. We hope this favor will continue as we now prepare to go our separate ways. What is to come we know not. But we know that what has been was Good. —Ann Suggs, Historian 19

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FROM BEWILDERED FRESHMEN TO DIGNIFIED SENIORS Everything has a history. Every tree, from the exquisitely proportioned dwarf ming to the sprawling giant oak, has a history all its own. Every person, every nation, every institution, and every class has a history. Here is the history of the 1953 graduates of St. John's High School: HISTORY This year is a dream come true for our graduating class. As far back as we can remember, we have looked for- ward to the day when we would graduate from high school. In the fall of 1948, we turned to the faculty of St. John's for guidance for the following five years. Although we were not aware of it then, we have realized since that we could not have selected a better school or a nicer faculty. We were greeted on our first day in high school by Mr. William Cain, who gave us the traditional pep talk, We were told that we,the sub-freshmen class, must learn the rules and regulations of St.John's. Of course, we were all too willing to submit to these rules, but our egos suffered a terrific blow when we learned that we were only sub-freshmen. Why! We were not even freshmen! But being in the building was some compensation, and we cer- tainly made the most of it. At our first class we realized that our rope-jumping, doll-playing, marble-shooting days were over. Why, to bring an apple to the teacher, a usual habit in grammar school, was definitely passe for high-school students. Our memories of exchanging valentines and Christmas cards were replaced by the realities of joining clubs, striving for high grades, and adapting ourselves to our new environment. I think I can truthfully say that we, as sub-freshman, got lost in the high school building more than any other class since 1916, when the school was officially opened. Some of our classmates were introduced to Detention Hall, and a few of them became famous for the time they spent there. Our first fire-drill will remain in our memories as a most unforgettable occasion. In our fright to vacate the building, some of us even jumped out of windows. Fortunately those windows proved to be only a few feet from the ground. We will never forget eighth grade math, taught by Miss Louise Douglas. She knew how much we wanted to be successful, and we have her to thank for getting us started right in our high-school careers. As eighth graders we were rats, and we were subject to initiation whenever the upperclassmen felt they needed a little entertainment. They had many stunts which we were called upon to perform. A favorite was the pencil game. To play this game, one had only to crawl along the gound, pushing a pencil with his nose. Our faces were smeared with lipstick, and a few of the boys were made to wear their pants backwards. Our attitudes toward this constant initiation determined our standing, not only with our classmates, but also with the upperclassmen. 18

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MOST FRIENDLIEST Billy and Joan MOST TALENTED Billy and Jane 20