Wadesboro High School - Tiger Tales Hi Ways Yearbook (Wadesboro, NC)

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Hass History Class Historian Rebecca Jones @e LONG JOURNEY is over—an- other has just begun. A beautiful take-off sends the expertly piloted airplanes soaring upward to the sky. For twelve, long, end- less years a dauntless crew have patiently prepared themselves to land these planes safely in their chosen fields in the land of tomorrow. The training of these mighty pilots started when the parents of these air-minded girls and boys first brought them to the WADES- BORO PILOT’S TRAINING SCHOOL. It was early recognized by instructors Liles and Plunkett that these students were defi- nitely making the sky the limit; therefore they immediately began laying the founda- tion for students whose ideals were stretch- ing upward toward the sky. Before the students could learn to fly, it was necessary for them to learn the parts of the airplane in which they would travel. Thus it became the task of instructors Leak and Baughan to teach them the fundamental parts. These were reading, writing, and arithmetic which would be used throughout their entire training and the knowledge of which would govern the progress they made. By the aid of head instructors Gray, Gul- ledge, and Bennett the students learned to operate the parts of the plane in every de- tail. Here many months of experiment and theory prepared this class for their actual practice flying. Then it became the task of instructors Pinkston, Allen, Dunlap, and Boggan to put into practice the theories learned during the early years of training. Although some rough days were exper- ienced, no fatal crack-ups occurred and after intensive training under chief instructors Cunningham, Gulledge, Johnson, and Wilder- muth the class was prepared to solo. How thrilled they were when they were at last on their own. This year the class was divided because different landing fields were being sought. Some excellent take-offs were made, but storms of study drove some of the planes down in the Latin landing fields. But with the aid of instructors Stancel, Stough, and later Kirby the planes were again able to take off and lookouts Morris and Cartier for English and science saw them pass high over their fields. This year, under the direc- tion of instructor Cartier, a few planes joined the band that was organized. The flying in this field was smooth and at the end of the year the planes competed in a national fly- ing contest. The contest was tough, but the planes came out in second place. In the contest some of the pilots received special recognition and medals for their superb fly- ing. All went well until a small group of planes got lost and cracked-up in the algebra airport. Some of the planes were not badly damaged and through the aid of able instruc- tor Johnson most of the planes were re- paired and again sent on their way. After the loss of these planes the remain- ing planes continued their course. Some forced landings were made in the fields of —— | Pc te ‘

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Hass Soug (Tune: “Pomp and Circumstance” ) Loyalty! Seniors! Forever we'll give Our love, work, and service Our lives to help live. Long years together We've worked and we've played, The goal that we strived for Toward this goal we grew; “The higher we climb, The broader our view.” It’s hard to part When heart to heart, We've lived, loved, and dreamed, and Know dreams will come true. We sing to you, Dear white and blue! Loyal and loving We will ever be! Loyal forever, Class of 743. —CHARLES STEVENS, CAROLINE HILt. Class Poem As we, the departing seniors, Move on to make way for the new, We think of the things we’d forgotten, The things we had planned to do. The remembrance of glorious achievement, Of the ardent, burning desire To succeed in the undertakings That set our hearts afire, Of the earnest, unceasing striving, With the ultimate goal in sight, To build our strength and wisdom, To distinguish wrong from right, Returns with a surge of emotion, As the parting of ways draws near, And we'll fondly treasure the memory Of all that to us is so dear. ==MORTo VIL GH EEE

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English and biology, but the planes took off again under the direction of instructors Spence and Wildermuth. Some of the planes made beautiful landings in the fields of home economics and industrial arts where they were taught by instructors Davis and Hicks, who sent them away prepared for any hard- ships that might arise. As their training continued, their courses became more advanced and required greater study, but these courses carried them into many interesting fields during their eleventh year of preparation. This year a small group of planes landed in the Johnson field of geometry, overcame the storms of study, mastered the dark and gloomy days, and took off victoriously to land in smoother fields of typing, history, and other fields that were sought. This same year instructor Holder of the English airport saw all the planes fly high over that difficult field of English. Some of the planes landed in the French fields to attempt the difficulties in landing on that dangerous runway. Most of the planes made successful landing and in- structor Kirby wished them “Bon voyage’ as they again took off to master other fields. Aside from the regular training of the students, special recreation was planned on different occasions. This year the entire class took part in producing a play ‘“Profes- sor How Could You!” under their beloved instructor Craig, and later the same year they enjoyed a banquet given through their own effort to the upperclassmen. This year was truly filled with learning and with pleasure. With the memories of the last year’s ex- perience still fresh in their minds, the class started their last year of training. Many unexpected changes occurred. Because of the war the pilot training schools were turned over to the government, and WADESBORO PILOT’S TRAINING SCHOOL was no ex- ception. The school became a United States Army Pilot’s Training School, the instruc- tors became commissioned officers, and the students became cadets. Their training was no longer preparing them for civilian pilots —they were being trained to pilot army planes and to do combat fighting. Because of the war conditions, instructors were hard to obtain but the students carried on. In the absence of a band instructor, Charles Stevens stepped in and did a fine job of training the band until Lieutenant Warlick could be secured to take that position. Spe- cial training for the girls under Major Shel- ton and Captains Kirby and Fink was started. The boys received their military training un- der Major Cashion. Other training was not neglected. Instructors Wall, Johnson, and Allen received their commissions as lieuten- ants, and they effectively carried on their part of the job to be done. By the undying efforts of the chief officer General Holder the cadets were able to put their class up to Army Air Corps requirements. After this intensive training they were proud that Cadets Nappy Winfree and Brack Johnson were prepared for actual service and that they were called to the aid of their country. The last year of training was to bring to the cadets a new commanding officer. After the resignation of instructor Snuggs, instruc- tor Wildermuth of the science and math air- fields became the chief instructor and later the commanding officer of the training school. Their job was a hard one and only through the efforts of Four Star General Lewis and Brigadier General Wildermuth were the cadets able to complete their train- ing. At last all the cadets finished their train- ing as Army Pilots and their graduation ex- ercises were held June 1, 1948. Besides the boys who went into active service of their country most of the class graduated together. Although some were lost, others injured fatally, others grounded, most of them braved the storms together. Their training is over, their work has be- gun. All the knowledge, all the experience, (Continued on Page 53)