Warner Robins High School - Pioneer Yearbook (Warner Robins, GA)

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CLASS HISTORY One day while reminiscing over my greatest tasks and achievements, it came about in my mind that one of my most difficult achievements was being co-author of the class history of 1951. | thereupon set out to find my most cherished possessions, my 1951 “Pioneer.” | found it gather- ing dust along with my high school diploma. I then picked it up, dusted off its bright red cover and seated myself in a nice, big easy chair. After glancing through the book, I turned to the page entitled Class History. There | found the result of my many efforts. For on one small page was written: [his is a history, not just any ordinary history, but the history of the birth of the Senior Class of 1951. It is a prologue to many lives. Of some who will become famous and whose names will be spoken with pride, and others who will make the nation’s backbone—Mr. and Mrs. Average American. We started our high school career as the freshmen in the newly created 8A, caused by the switch from the eleven to the twelve grade system. It was composed of 30 members, all of whom were either set up or set back a grade due to the change of systems. Although we felt unnecessary, we were still full of high school spirit, and determination to leave an impression in the history of this school never to be forgotten. We spent our first year in high school adjusting ourselves ro our new glory, a high school student. Well-seated in the science lab among the aroma of acids, bases, and salts, we began our second year in high school. To begin the year right, we elected the class officers with Richard Peebles, president, Sid Carter, vice-president, and Chris Haydis, secretary, under the supervision of Mr. Joe Bacon. During our sophomore year we did nothing outside the routine of daily school life and like all sophomores, we looked forward to our junior year. At last we became juniors, as most sophomores do, and looked a lot of hard work right in the face. Our first major activity was to elect the class officers. Sid Carter was elected president, Wyman Treadaway vice-president, Bernice Wood secretary, and Wynell Pittman treasurer. With this task completed, we began to plan our Hallowe'en Carnival, the main attraction being a one-act play, “The Haunted Clothesline,’ which was a hilarious success. We then started breaking the traditions that for so long have dominated the juniors and seniors. We gave the seniors their choice of either a barbecue or a formal banquet and with the barbecue we were to give them all the excess money in the treasury. [hey accepted the barbecue (I wonder why? ). It was a large success enjoyed by all, including Mr. L. W. Tabor, our newly-elected county supe rintendent. At last we attained the hei ght of our high school career. Our somewhat diminishing class had reached a surprisingly low of 13 students. This was quite a decrease from our 18 juniors, creating the smallest senior class ever known and possibly ever will be known in the history of W.R. H.S., thus breaking the tradition of an increasing senior class. [hen we reluctantly followed an old tradition, we elected class officers. As president, Wyman I readaway succeeded Sid Carter; as vice-president, Billy Douglas succeeded Wyman [Treadaway;, Charlcie Ann Bussey was elected secretary; and Bernice Wood, treasurer. We inherited a most dilapidated coke machine, on which we spent most of our profits keeping it repaired. On the subject of making improvements, we also made a few on “The Chirp” and the “Pioneer,” the outstanding ones being the covers of each. [he publishers of the annual and the type of print were also changed from J. W. Burke to Josten’s and from regular print to lithograph, which produces better pictures. lo the amazement and disappointment of many, the seniors won the King and Queen contest of the school with Charlcie Ann Bussey as Queen and Wyman Treadaway as King. Due to the large amount of work and the small amount of profit, we decided not to have a Sadie Hawkins’ Day Dance or the traditional senior dance (another tradition we changed To balance our budget we sold Christmas cards and magazine subscripuons, the latter being the least successful. The seniors, having the habit by this me of breaking traditions, did it again by changing the Christmas Pageant and letting the Glee Club present the program (even though the seniors assisted in special lighting). A tradition we unanimously agreed not to change was the Christmas holidays. Although they were shortened to seven school days, they were seven glorious days. We were greeted with semi-final exams upon our return. Immediately following our exams we concentrated all our energies, well, most of them, on soliciting ads for the 1951 Pioneer. This adventure brought about a moderate success. Then came the task of composing articles for the annual. This we did over a period of time. Oh, well! Rome wasnt built in a day either. Next came the selection of the senior play and cast. This was a difficult task for the director, Mrs. E. L. Mason, stnce we have a small class of nine boys and four girls. On the night of the play the audience failed to take the advice of the title, “Take It I asy, but literally rolled in the aisles with laughter. In brief, the play was a great success. On Friday night, May twenty-fifth, at eight o’clock in the high school auditorium, our high school career was climaxed; we each solemnly received our diplomas. In this one brief mght the first phase of our lives was ended. CHARLCIF ANN BUSSEY BILLY DOUGLAS Class Historians