Thomas Dale High School - Reflector Yearbook (Chester, VA)

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lass Pro N returning from a battle, (with textbooks), I, like Macbeth, was met on a blasted heath by Hecate and her three witches, who hailed me, “Vera Wel- chons, prophet of the 1946 Senior Class of ‘Thomas Dale High School, unto you, and you alone, do I grant the mystic gift of foreknowledge. Reveal now to this graduating class the surprising events that shall take place in the land of yet-to-come.” When the smoke of the witch’s brew had cleared, I saw June Brown, a star comedienne of a hill-billy program con- versing with Lalla Faris, America’s number one flirt for 1955, and with Frances House, the internationally famous swim- ming champion. ‘They were discussing a recent successful operation, the removal of a tumor from the brain of the great financier, James Parnell.- “The operation had been performed by Dr. Pat Walke, the famous brain surgeon. In this dif- ficult operation Dr. Walke had been assisted by Dr. Edwin Curtis and anesthetist, Frances Craig. Later when June was admiring the lovely dress Lalla wore, Lalla told her that she had bought it in Chester, Virginia, at the exclusive Carnahan and Faber Shop. Dorothy Kirkman had modeled the dress for her. ‘This expensive shop was operated for the owners by Frances Gates and Ethel Kidd. Lalla also told June that Ruby P. Frith and Josie Coon were managers of the attractive lunch room on the fifth floor of this shop. Cloud after cloud of smoke arose and therein was revealed to me the future of the remainder of my classmates. I saw Harold Hadder, Blake Jackson and Milton Crump preparing to em- bark on a trip to the moon in a space ship. Doubtless they were inspired to un- dertake this feat by Miss Groth’s physics class. At a knitting class taught by Charlotte Tucker there were present: Lillian Farmer, a renowned social worker, and Elizabeth Walker, a student of Alaskan Agriculture. The class was learning to knit socks for fleas. Also included in the group were Judith Dunford, book reviewer; Charlotte Blankenship, news com- mentator; and Evelyn Rainey, radio star of that new program entitled, “Evelyn Smiles on Rainy Days”. ‘The group was pleased to learn that Frances Hazle- wood’s recent novel was a phenomenal success. In their conversation they also mentioned that Lois Critcher and Viola Mason had married their sailor boys. In the next cloud of smoke appeared the Chester Loud Socks managed by Thomas Britt, playing another national league team. On the mound was Mil- “The ReFe flector

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On May 11, 1945, we presented a farce in three acts, entitled “Second Fid- dle.” To us the play was an unqualified success. Many gracious compliments were given to the director, Mrs. Grizzle, and the cast. Those taking part were: Mary Lee Minnick, Frances Gates, Nancy Roberts, Milton Crump, Ethel Stith, Blake Jackson, Frances House, Elizabeth Walker, and Alex Goyne. The three weeks of gruelling practice were forgotten in the glowing praise of the final hours of presentation. During May we watched the class of 1945 prepare for graduation, helping as ushers and as candle bearers in their commencement. “Then we watched with envy as they marched up the aisle in cap and gown, and across the stage to re- ceive their diplomas. One happy thought through it all was “next year we will be in their places.” After an enjoyable summer vacation we returned to ‘Thomas Dale as dig- nified Seniors. During the first semester James Parnell and Elmer Swann joined our class. Both of these boys had served overseas with the United States Army and had returned to complete their high school course. We were glad to wel- come them and feel that they have partially filled the gap made by the departure of our own classmates for similar duty. About the middle of January, the class decided to continue the publication of The Reflector, our school annual. We solicited advertisements from nearby firms, and, when the deadline arrived, found to our great joy and pride, that we had raised more money than had been secured in any previous year. Frances House was chosen editor-in-chief of the annual and Ozell Bennett, business man- ager. ‘These two, with the able assistance of the other members of the staff, worked faithfully. We feel that we are justly proud of the result. Miss Williams, one of our Senior sponsors, and Mr. ‘Thompson, our principal, were our faculty advisors for this project. The senior play, a farce in three acts entitled “A Husband for Sale,” was presented on April 12. Miss Park, our other Senior sponsor, was our most able director. ‘The cast enjoyed working with her and with each other, and, though delighted with the thought that we had concluded another project successfully, we were sorry to see this happy time end. So we come to the close of four happy years. “The time, which had seemed never ending when we started, has passed all too quickly. With many regrets we prepare to leave the dear old school and go our separate ways—some to col- lege, some to jobs, and some to the armed forces of our country. T T etlector

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ton Dance, recognized as one of the outstanding pitchers in his league; in the press box, I recognized Olmo Toombs, who has for a score of years been doing a column on sports for the Punkin Center Weekly Star. As the scene shifted I saw Ann Dow. She was still keeping up the morale of the veterans at McGuire General Hospital. Herman Call, a trained worker in the field of reorientation, was also there. Who was that boarding the airliner? It was Mary Lee Pease, who is tour- ing the world; behind her, Evelyn Dunnavant who plans to present to Empress Nancy Corbin her version of the elements of the moon, in the form of a hat. Breezing around taking pictures for his paper was photographer Alex Goyne. Kaki Mitchell was interviewing architect, Jacquelin Terrell, who has completed plans for the new under-water house. It’s too bad “Jack” couldn't persuade anyone to build it on land. On a successful farm was Jack Taylor, former football and basketball uni- versity star. He was listening to the sales talk of Betty Rose Eyler who was dem- onstrating Ford automobiles for the Bennett Motor Co., owned by our friend, O7zell. Chief pie bakers in Francis Dale’s modern bakery were Edna Fouts and Lil- lie Mae Shelton. Edna had just finished a vitamin special with plastic meringue. As the clouds rolled and parted a theater swam into my vision. ‘There in the ninth row on the aisle was Ruby E. Frith, a capable housewife, enjoying the performance. John McKay, a celebrated vocalist, was rendering Nancy Roberts’ new song hit, “Mouse Trap Blues’. Making use of my supernatural power, X-ray vision, I saw Ethel Stith standing in the wings waiting to come on the stage to perform her famous “Brumble Bee” dance. With her was Jane Wilson, Ethel’s business manager. In her spacious and beautiful studio, commercial artist, Dorothy Jinkins, was busy drawing illustrations of Chris Maxwell’s dress creations. One of the latest was a bizarre little number called the “split atom”’. The fire burned low, the smoke couds thinned, but one last scene swam be- fore my sight. I saw Dorene Pierce and her happy family boarding their auto- giro for a short trip to Mexico City. As this vision faded, I dragged myself from this land of “yet to come” and, looking around on the world as it is, inwardly gave thanks to Hecate and her assistants for the mystic powers which had been granted me. Rive ecinra