Victory High School - Optic Yearbook (Clarksburg, WV)

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More knowledge and better understanding of the rest of the world were only two of the many fine things that Jack Summers, Diane Felton, Ferrold Devericks, Frances Fowler, and John Cottrill learned as members of the United Nations Pilgrimage. An entertaining Thanksgiving play was presented by several ultra-dramatic students. These participants included Toni Sprouse, Pattie Weekley, John Bellotte, Jerry Stew-art, Dixie Sinnett, Jackie Summers, and Don Talkington. An added feature to this program was a song by Joyce Looman. All who knew her were bursting with pride w-hen they heard that Betty Felix was selected from numerous teenagers, in all parts of the U. S. and other countries, as the Outstanding Girl” attending the National Red Cross conference at Hood College. September 4, 1956, saw us returning once again to the halls of Victory. We were filled with excitement and enthusiasm as we renewed acquaintances with our classmates by comparing sun tans and discussing the highlights of the summer vacation. For the third consecutive year, Jim Villers was chosen to lead the class. Aiding Jim were Jonathan Ventura, Frances Fowler, and Jean Clark. The next event in line was the final shooting of mug-shots” by Buffington Studio. Our congratulations to Mr. Paul Hess, one of the most tolerant instructors in Victory, who had the endurance to maintain his wits and still patiently answer questions concerning our class rings. From approximately an hour after we were measured for ring size, until the very day, eight weeks later, when the rings finally arrived, two-thirds of the seniors never failed to let a day pass without asking Mr. Hess if the rings had arrived. Football honors were earned by co-captains Dave Villers and Dave Lucente, Villers making the All-County and gaining honorable mention on the All-State Team; and Lucente qualifying for All-County Team and honorable mention for the Big Ten. We are proud of several students for the honors they have earned — Barbara Marcurella, for being chosen Future Teacher of the Month from Harrison County; Jean Wilson, for winning the Betty Crocker Future Homemaker Award; and Diane Felton, who won the Good Citizenship Award offered by the D.A.R. The Kiwanis Club Boy-of-the-Month selections were Jim Villers, Jonathan Ventura, Jackie Summers, Dale Knight, Louis Kidd, and John Chatham. The Woman's Club of Clarksburg honored Victory by choosing Sandra Reed as the Girl-of-the-Month.” Beyond all doubt, the Christmas Party, which was under the supervision of Mrs. Julia Embry, was one of the most enjoyable events of the year. Mrs. Embry and committee surely outdid themselves in providing elaborate decorations and delightful entertainment for the Seniors and their guests. Two events of the Senior year that will be remembered at Victory High School are the successful Toys for Tots Christmas campaign, led to a glorious conclusion by the Seniors; and the annual scrubbing of the Senior Steps” by a few recalcitrant students. This event led to the defining of Senior privileges concerning the front door. On December 14, fifteen more members of the Senior Class were taken into the National Honor Society. These students were: Barbara Marcurella, Lorraine Reed, Rosemary Boggs, Rose Ann Marano, Patty Lawrence, Ferrold Devericks, John Chatham, Donnie Michael, Dixie Whitehair, Joretta McIntyre, Sam DeMaria, John Bellotte, Jonathan Ventura, Delores Thomas, and Jean Wilson. May — the most wonderful month of the school year! — the time when all seniors are in a frenzy, bustling about with more things to do than time to do them. Amidst all the Senior activities, such as the play, banquet, Baccalaureate sermon, the prom, Sneak Day, and graduation, again I pause to reminisce of days gone by, and recall some of the more solemn moments when the class was faced with transient problems that seemed unbearable at the time. However, after a struggle, we finally emerged triumphantly and realized that the problems, heartaches, and disappointments we faced were not as disastrous as they once seemed. Now just a few steps and a few seconds from my reach is the coveted paper, a token signifying the conclusion of my days as a student of Victory High. Soon we shall gather our golden memories and move on to discover what the future holds for us, the Class of '57.

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Class of '57’s Spirit Past and Present High school days will soon be a thing of the past for the class of '57. We've walked the halls leading to our classrooms for the last time. Tonight is the big moment — the moment when Mr. Powell will present us with that invaluable certificate — the document for which we have strived long and arduously. One by one my classmates are receiving their diplomas and as I watch and wait for my turn, many memories flash through my mind. Why, it seems only yesterday that we entered the portals of Victory as shy, noisy, and unstable sophomores. Upon our arrival, Mr. Powell, along with the teachers, acquainted us with the established rules and regulations regarding our new home. We found ourselves assigned to homerooms under the jurisdiction of several teachers, who we discovered were to be our guides for the next three years, namely: Mr. Childers (who was later replaced by Mrs. Embry), Miss Upton, Miss Davis, Miss Gray, Mr. Sappington, Mrs. Clevenger (who was later replaced by Mrs. Romeo), and Mr. Hess. Within a few days, an election was conducted for the purpose of choosing the outstanding students, who would serve as class officers. The members who qualified for the positions were: Jim Villers, president; Joyce Looman, vice president; Anthony Defazio, secretary; and Cooper Thorne, treasurer. Our desire for one last fling before we settled down to concentrate on school studies was fulfilled with a gala event, the Sophomore Party. It was made known that special privileges would be granted us during our last two years, providing we procured sufficient funds to support these privileges. One means by which the necessary capital was obtained was a magazine campaign for subscriptions. High salesmen were John Cottrill, Ferrold Devericks, Connie Annie, Barbara Marcurella, and John Bellotte. Net profit amounted to $471.08. Easter gave us Sophomores the first opportunity to display our varied talents. Those participating in this program were Pattie Weekley, Toni Sprouse, Shirley Pulice, Jim Villers. John Tenda, Colleen Nichols, Marge Pukey, and many others. We could definitely feel prestige mounting as we acknowledged the termination of our first year at Victory High during the Class Day ceremonies, when we moved into the section reserved for Juniors. Immediately after returning in the fall of '55, we conducted another election. Once again Jim Villers was elected to the paramount position. Jack Summers, Frances Fowler, and Jean Clark served as the subordinate officers. Our main project during our second year was the annual Christmas card sale. Jone Adams, Sandra Skinner, and Sherry Reider were the top salesmen. Our net profit was $591.92. Alas and alack! Our dramatic talents remained hidden as none of the teachers had time to assist us in the annual Junior Play. Jackie Summers and Diane Felton were sent to the state capitol as representatives of Victory High on Know Your Government Day to see our government in action. Shirley Pulice, a petite and vivacious lassie, received the title of Head Cheerleader for the untiring effort she had so conscientiously spent boosting the spirit of her fellow classmates. All eyes were upon Shirley Pulice, Jean Clark, Jim Villers, Frances Fowler, Jack Summers, Betsy Gore, Joyce Looman, Sandra Reed, Sonja Hanna, and Diane Felton, who received the highest honor this school bestows—acceptance of membership in the National Honor Society. For attaining this high goal, these individuals were feted at a banquet held at O Day's. May 19 was a memorable evening, for all the juniors were bubbling with joy as they made preparations for their first formal dance — the Junior-Senior Prom. After having danced to the entrancing music of Hal Hartman's Orchestra until the Cinderella hour, we enjoyed a movie, more dancing at the Carmichael Auditorium, and breakfast at 6:30 a.m., compliments of the Exchange Club. Sonja Hanna, Betsy Gore, Jim Villers, and Jack Summers were honored by being chosen to attend Girls' State and Boys' State, respectively.

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Mr. Zrustee! Prison bars Reveille Fellow cell-mates rare moment Preparations for last mile