Suffolk High School - Peanut Yearbook (Suffolk, VA)

Page 14 text:

H appy Birthday to you . . . More than a half a century has passed since Suffolk High School start¬ ed its career in educating young people. A distinguishable feature of those fifty- five years has been the schools tradition of trendsetting. Compared with other area schools, Suffolk was the first to have a driver’s education program, and the first to try experimental classes such as Journalism or World Cultures. Student life at Suffolk High has completed a cycle. In fashions, dresses that were once long in the ’50s, then short in the ’60s, became long again in the mid- ’70s. Big loose-fitting cardi¬ gans once in during the ’40s and ’50s, then out, made a hit again in the late ’70s. The guys, who were once neat dressers, got sloppy for a while, again turned toward neatness. No longer were plain jeans and sweatshirts in style, but the dressy, more sophisti¬ cated look took over. Student attitudes have remained basically the same over the years. There have always been some serious students who wanted a good education at heart. Reminiscing on her teaching career. Miss Brinkley remarked, “The worst things a teacher has to put up with is the ’don’t care’ attitude,’’ How¬ ever, many students, as well as teachers, began to show more concern for both their studies and their personal out¬ looks. “I’m trying to do okay in school and get involved, like with football, so that I’ll have a decent chance to do what I want when I get out’’ was Adrian Skinner’s remark. Miss Brink- ley reflected the teacher’s side in com¬ menting; “I like to take the best from the past and build on it for the future. ’ In honor of Suffolk High’s fifty- fifth birthday, the students were treat¬ ed to seven sheet cakes, decorated by Mrs. Claire Cason, after their respec¬ tive lunchshifts. At the end of the day. the students and faculty joined together in singing “Happy Birthday’’ to a well¬ loved school. Suffolk High has seen a lot of changes in the past fifty-five years, but the tradition of pride has remained strong. Cathy Richards explained, “Things are a lot different from when my dad went here, but that ’ole pride is still hanging in there?’’ 10 INTRODUCTION

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A Festival First F or the first time, a festival was held to bring together the citi¬ zens of the largest city in Virginia, combining the rural and urban inter¬ ests of Suffolkians. The event took place September 21 through Septem¬ ber 24 at the Suffolk Municipal Air¬ port. During the four day festival, dis¬ plays related to industrial, educational, cultural, and community affairs. The Suffolk Ruritans sponsored a shrimp feast at the airport. All city high schools played home football games. There were two youth dances, a Har¬ vest Festival Ball, and a Country Western Show. A visit by Elizabeth Taylor, who presided over the official opening ceremonies, highlighted the event. Miss Taylor was in Suffolk to campaign for her husband, John War¬ ner, the Republican candidate for the Virginia Senate seat. Suffolk High School shared in the activities with LaTonya Brown repre¬ senting the school as a candidate for the First Harvest Festival Queen. Along with Miss Brown, members from the Wizard of Oz cast helped with the educational exhibits by greeting children and giving out “I Can Read” buttons, encouraging all to experience the fantasy and fun of reading. Benita Rountree, as a Munchkin, said, “It was fun talking to the kids and seeing the looks that people gave me dressed in my suit.” After the conclusion of the festivi¬ ties, Preston H. Reid, President of the Suffolk Chamber of commerce, said, “1 wish to thank all who worked so diligently to insure the success of our event, and hope that all Festival goers departed from our four day event with a finer appreciation of our city and its citizenry. There were problems as with any venture of this nature, but as Paula Simpkins, a junior at Suffolk, ac¬ knowledged, “It was pretty good, but with the experience I think they can make it even better next year.” -4 flurry of excitement grows in the crowd as Mills Godwin, Elizabeth Taylor Warner, and Mayor Nelms opened the Harvest Festival ceremonies. 12 INTRODUCTION