Thomas Hunter High School - Seahawk Yearbook (Mathews, VA)

Page 11 text:

ADMINISTRATION

Page 10 text:

A Brief History Of Thomas Hunter The idea of a training school began to take formation under the auspices of the Reverend Flickling. After Reverend Flickling left the county, the Educational League of Mathews, Virginia, composed of parents and residents of the various communities organized to continue working for the cause. The school board and the Rosenwald Fund donated one thousand dollars toward the building of the school. The Educational League paid the balance of the money needed to build and furnish the school. Mr. G. E. T. Lane donated a small amount of money to the cause with the understanding that the school would be named Thomas Hunter. Thomas Hunter School opened in October of 1927 under the administration of Mrs. Clara Brothers. Mrs. Brothers served as principal from 1927 to 1931 and taught grades 6 and 7. Mrs. Blanche Lewis taught grades 1, 2, and 3, and Mr. Alex Lewis taught grades 4 and 5. No transportation was provided for Negro students. In 1928, Miss Addie White joined the faculty and the eighth grade was added. Although the school was limited in facilities and curriculum, many of the students went to cities to complete their high school training. Mrs. Lelia Williams of Mathews, Virginia was principal from 1931 to 1933. Under her administra¬ tion, the school song and colors were adopted. She was also responsible for initiating a county-wide May Day. Mr. J. Murray Brooks was principal from 1933 to 1961. Under his administration, Thomas Hunter underwent many changes. In 1933, the tenth grade was added. In 1934 a third high school teacher and the eleventh grade were added making Thomas Hunter a four year school. In 1938, a dwelling on the campus was renovated and vocational agriculture and home economics were housed in the structure. The Mathews County School Board assumed the total cost of transportation under the administration of Superintendent D. D. Forrest. In 1939, Thomas Hunter was accredited by the State Board of Education. Organized classes in music and a band were added in 1940-41. Another frame structure was built in 1942, housing the vocational agriculture shop, two classrooms and an office. A cannery was built on the campus in 1945 and was later converted to a cafeteria, even before it was used as a cannery. In 1947, the agriculture building was expanded to house the agriculture department, the library, the prin¬ cipal’s off ice and two additional classrooms. While the temporary building expansion was taking place, the other elementary schools in the county were all being consolidated at Thomas Hunter and the faculty enlarged. In 1953, the school moved into a new building. The new structure housed all of the aca¬ demic classrooms except the cafeteria and one classroom. During this time, a physical education in¬ structor, a commercial instructor and a music instructor were added to the faculty. Plans were formu¬ lated for membership into the National Honor Society. By 1961, Thomas Hunter had a faculty of nine¬ teen members and a pupil enrollment of 392. From 1961 to 1963, Mr. Theodore Mabry was principal. Under his administration, three new school buses were added to the over-crowded condition. Plans were developed for the addition to Thomas Hunt¬ er including the new Vo-Ag. shop. From 1963 to 1966, Mr. Joseph Byrd was principal. The addition to the school was completed, a driver’s education class was added, and controlled study periods were provided. Elementary French, a semi-departmentalized elementary grades, and a course in geography were added. Mr. Byrd drew up the plans and wrote up the project for the county’s ESEA Program and set up the general program at Thomas Hunter. Mrs. Lois Diggs became principal in 1966. Her accomplishments are still in progress.

Page 12 text:

Congratulations Seniors DENNIS D. FORREST DIVISION SUPERINTENDENT Life, according to an Arabic proverb, is composed of two parts: that which is past ... a dream; and that which is to come ... a wish. I trust that your years at Thomas Hunter have been no idle dream, but a solemn reality - a period of acquiring knowledge which when used wisely will assure you of a future beyond your wildest dreams. You are about to embark upon this second phase of life and may fine it easy to “drift with the tide,” doing what is expected of you and nothing more, feeling satisfied with yourself. Instead, continue improving yourself with additional study and work. If we do not better our civilization, our way of life, and our democracy, there is no use trying to “save them by fighting; they will crumble away under the very feet of our enemies. You may ask, “How can a working man find time for self improvement?” The answer is simple ... an earnest purpose finds time, or MAKES it. Seize each spare moment, follow your calling with industry and spirit and use your earnings economically. It is astonishing how fruitful of improvement a short season becomes, when eagerly seized and faithfully used. Faith is necessary - faith in yourself and faith in God. All the strength and force of man comes from his faith in things unseen. He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions.