Stuart High School - Jeb Yearbook (Stuart, VA)

Page 17 text:

CLASS HISTORY In the beginning of the year eight and thirty in the ninth month there entered into the land of learning many seekers of knoweldge. There were forty and five in this group and they all came from the green plains of Stuart. And it came to pass as they entered the halls of learning, then in store of the Stuart grammar grades, that they were received with great re¬ joicing by Miss Taylor—their leader for the coming year. And after some months they were allowed to enter the second grade. Here this group increased and after many months were pushed into a third grade. The ruler of this grade was called Miss Dalton who held sway in the new temple of learning in Stuart, probably due to the castor oil bottle which they vividly remember. Some months later the class of fifty was sent to acquire a greater knowledge in a fourth grade, but most learned only of a game called by the name of marbles. After much studying and more play this mem¬ orable class reached the title of seventh graders. Miss Moore directed an unusual negro spiritual play with more unusual characters being none other than the five and forty. And, even so, when these blessed ones plagued the high school faculty by becoming ninth grad¬ ers one svmpathetic teacher gave the refugees cof fee instead of History! They also journeyed in that same year to the far away paradise of Hang¬ ing Rock in a great blue chariot. And it came to pass that the class of fifty found favor in the eyes of these wise and worthy strangers and success looked fair before them and they were much glad except Edwin who liked to talk too much. But a great cry went up and from the throats of the greedy class, ‘To!! if it doth happen that there is much need that we have song and dance.” And so thinking these things made many a party. The first was called a Junior Class Picnic be¬ cause they had it while Juniors. Causing much comment because the honorable police force was called upon to find them the town laughed hi¬ lariously. Then there was much feasting at rare and unusual banquets. Now as the class did journey through the land they were at times one and all seized with strange pestilences an wise men did call some of these infirmities basketball, baseball and some volley ball. None were killed and but a few injured. And it came to pass in the same year that the class did sit themselves down that a picture might be made of great beauty, but when it was done and their eyes did fall upon it disgust was on the face of the whole class and they were much angry—for behold, it was like no thing on the earth, nor under the earth, nor on the face of the angry deep. Then it straightway came to pass that the members of the class began to write down the greatest and most wonderful thoughts such as no one had ever thought before since the begin¬ ning of the world upon sheets and sheets of fools-cap that the people who came to listen to them at commencement need not be turned away disappointed. Likewise they did sew and sew upon yards and yards of fine rayon and cotton that the eyes of the multitude should be gladdened by the glitter of their fine raiment. Now one of the instructors, Mrs. Hazelwood spoke gravely saying, ‘‘Let your work be of silk, though your garments be made of cheesecloth.” But they opened their mouths and answered, ‘‘Nay, both shall be of silk.” And as they prophesied so was it done, even as they had said. They traveled in this land of learning for many months and then with one consent many began to make excuse and the class did decrease

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SENIORS JACK BELL “Talkative in speech, witty in ways, in our hearts he’ll always stay” Transfer from Bent Mountain High School; Glee Club 4; Basketball 4. GIFFORD WILLARD “Not much talk—a great sweet silence” Treasurer of Jr. Class 3; Beta Club 3, 4; Glee Club 4; Basketball 2, 3, 4; Baseball 4. NANCY PUCKETT “Love is such a beautiful thing ,and therefore let’s be merry” Home Ec. Club 1, 2, 3, 4; Athletic Club 1; Glee Club 1, 2, 3, 4; Literary Club 4; Soft ball 1; Reporter of Home Ec. Club 4; Patrol¬ man 3, 4. CAROLYN THOMPSON “A smile for all, a greeting glad, an amiable, happy way she had” Latin Club 1, 2; Athletic Club 1; Glee Club 1, 2, 3, 4; Drum and Bugle Corp 1; Beta Club (Treasurer) 3, 4; Sec. of Jr. Class 3; Basketball 1, 2, 3, 4; Softball 1, 2, 3, 4; Literary Club (President) 4; Business Mana ger of Annual 4. Not Pictured ELEANOR GREGORY “Black her hair as the winter night. White her skin as the summer snow” Home Ec. Club 1, 2, 3, 4; Glee Club 4.

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until those who entered the beginning of the last trials of the class did equal two and twenty. So with many tears and much bewailing, the class of fifty sorrowfully passed on their way and the whole number of this twelfth arer Jack, of the house of Bell, a man of good standing who has been with us for only this year having moved here from the far away land of Roanoke. Lloyd Thomas ,a fine musician from the house of Burge. Margie Lee, only daughter of the house of Carter. George Ervin, agriculture-minded son of the house of Cassidy. Edwin Ayers, of the house of Clark, a witty and smart man. Robert Wharton, only son of the house of Francis. Eleanor Alice, from the house of Gregory. Frances Elizabeth, third daughter from the house of Hazelwood. Barbara Ann, baby girl from the house of Handy. Ruby Wayne, only child from the house of Helms. Dorothy Anne, first daughter from the house of Holt. Betty Laura, first daughter from the house of Hopkins. Verna Eva, brilliant daughter of the house of Hughes. Edward Ray, artistic son of the house of Law- son. Thelma Ree, dancing daughter from the house of Pendleton. Nancy Lee, singing daughter from the house of Puckett. Alton Van, first son of the house of Sharpe, whom the class of fifty did choose to be their president. Gay Vernie, smart daughter of the house of Smart. Carolyn Wright, athletic daughter of the house of Thompson. Ralph Jefferson, of the house of Turner who decided to finish the way of learning with them after helping his country. Gifford Boss, second son of the house of Will¬ ard. Betsy Ruth, first daughter of the house of many Williams. So it has come to pass that of the many who entered this land, only twenty and two will de¬ part. For there have been many to make excuses. The first said, “I needs must toil at home, therefore I cannot graduate.” Another said, “I am dull and cannot learn, I pray thee have me excused.” A third said, “I am poor in health, therefore I cannot graduate.” And still another said, I am going to be mar¬ ried, and therefore I need not graduate.” So thus did the decrease in number. Verily, Verily, I say unto you that broad is the gate and wide is the way that leadeth to high school and many there be that go therat but straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth to grad¬ uation and few there be that find it. “Twelve years hath the class of fifty sojourn¬ ed in the land and eaten of the fruits ye shall surely be driven forth from the land.” Now I say unto you, they must depart thence to go each a separate way to lands they know not of to do they know not what. But, “Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” Class Historians Carolyn Thompson Betsy Williams Van Sharpe