West Hyde High School - Quarterian Yearbook (Swan Quarter, NC)

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Class History In September 1949 the teachers of Fairfield, Sladesville, and Swan Quarter Schools made new and strange discoveries. Just inside the front doors, they found huddled together in mute embarrassment and anxiety the members of what has become the Class of 1953 of Swan Quarter School. Gently attempting to dispel the fears of the strangers, the facilities bade them enter and spent the next few weeks attempting to gain their confidence and friendship. This they accomplished. The strangers were given the name, Freshmen, and became a part of the life of their school. They were taught many new, strange customs and manners and were required tolearn difficult lessons. At first, they often wished they had never been found, but before the year was over, they became thoroughly at home in their new surroundings. Outstanding activities of the Freshman year included going to the State Fair, picnics, and initiation in FFA and FHA. Athletics and dramatics, too, took on a new meaning for the Freshmen. Kay Bell played on the girls ' basketball team, while William Equils made the boys ' basketball team. As for dramatics, Anne Shelton, Ella Lou Cahoon, and Gene Swindell had leading parts in the Class Night exercises of the Class of ' 50. When school reopened in September 1950, the strangers of ' 49 found themselves new, self-confident Sophomores. The Sladesville group welcomed a new member, Lavons Austin. Again Kay Bell made the basketball team, and had a role in the senior play. Travis Sadler, Merlin Berry, Wayne McKinney, Ella Lou Cahoon, Jane Midyette, Christine Hudson, and Wendell Williams made the basketball teams. The Swan Quarter Sophomores were particularly proud of the scholastic attainment of Pratt Williamson, Jr., Merlin Berry, Gene Swindell, Ella Lou Cahoon, Anne Shelton, and Odessa Wil¬ liams, who were taken into the Beta Club. In September 1951 the Sophomores became Juniors. As this was a year of hard work and many acti¬ vities, the class organizations are worthy of note. At Fairfield, Jane Midyette was elected president; Wen¬ dell Williams, vice president; and Christine Hudson, secretary. At Saldesville, Kay Bell was president; Lavons Austin, vice president; and Roy Garrish, secretary and treasurer. At Swan Quarter, Anne Shelton was president; Peggy Gibbs, vice president; Ella Lou Cahoon, secretary; Odessa Williams, treasurer; and Helen Gibbs, reporter. By this time the faculties were beginning to realize the real values of those 34 strangers of ' 49. In February all the Fairfield Juniors had leading parts in the senior play, Along Came Charlie. In Swan Quarter, Gene Swindell, Wayne McKinney, Merlin Berry, Odessa Williams, and Anne Shelton had parts in the senior play, Little Women. Those playing basketball as Freshmen andSophomores were holding their own in basketball as well as softball, and Roy Garrish was added to the teams. The big events of the year were the Junior-Senior banquets. Each was a huge success, and the Ju¬ niors will long remember the beautiful settings of lovely flowers, soft lights, beautiful girls and handsome young men, at Mattamuskeet Lodge, Saleeby ' s, and Forest Manor. Perhaps the most exciting event was the receiving of the class rings by Fairfield and Sladesville Ju¬ niors, while Swan Quarter Juniors had only the pleasure of selecting theirs. The awards to Juniors must not be overlooked. Pratt Williamson, Jr. , and Jane Midyette received citizenship awards; Cleron Carawan, an athletic medal; and Merlin Berry, a bus driver ' s pin. The first few months of 1953 meant another period of orientation for this class. During 1952 the state saw fit to consolidate Fairfield, Sladesville and Swan Quarter Schools at Swan Quarter. The faculty, with gentleness and courtesy, helped to promote a friendly and cooperative spirit among the groups; and within a short time the best of team work was exemplified. The organization of the Senior Class was noteworthy. Jane Midyette was elected president; Kay Bell, vice president; Ella Lou Cahoon, secretary; Pratt Williamson, Jr., treasurer; Anne Shelton, reporter. Soon after election of officers, the annual staff, with Odessa Williams as editor-in-chief, was named. Im¬ mediately the class began selling ads and sponsoring activities to raise money. Many long, tedious hours of work were spent to make the QUARTERIAN of 1953 the best annual. The class really did itself proud when it presented the senior play, Here Comes Charlie. As this history goes to press, the Seniors have only one concern - that of graduation. On June 2, 1953, they will stand together the last time as a class. As they part, may they look forward to their alum¬ ni career of even greater glory than their four years of high school. Historians: Anne Shelton Christine Hudson Kay Bell

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Seniors 1953 TRAVIS AVNER SADLER FFA 1 -3, Officer 3, 4; Social Science Club 4; Basketball 2-4; Softball 1-4. ELIZABETH ANNE SHELTON FHA 1 -4, Officer 2, 3, Conv. 1; Be- taClub 2-4, Officer 3,4, State Conv. 3; Social Science Club 4, Officer 4; Glee Club 1-4; Class Officer 1, 3,4; Girls Basketball Manager 4; Reflec - tor Staff 1, 3; Quarterian Staff 2, 4; Senior Class Play 3; Class Day Exercises 1; Marshal 3. GENE AUSTIN SWINDELL FFA 1-4, Officer 1-4, State Conv. 2, 3; Beta Club 2-4, Officer 3, Con¬ vention 3; Glee Club 1-4; 4-H Club 1, Officer 1; Reflector Staff 2, 3; Se- nior Play 3; Class Day Exercises 1, 3; Bus Driver 4. EVELYN ODESSA WILLIAMS FHA 1-3, Officer 1,2, State Conv. 2; Beta Club 2-4, State Conv. 3; So¬ cial Science Club 4; Glee Club 1 -4; 4-H Club 1,2, Officer 1,2; Class Of¬ ficer 1, 3; Cheerleader 1-4; Chief 2, 3; Reflector Staff 3; Quarterian Staff 1, 3, 4; Senior Play 3, 4; Marshal 1,2. PRATT WILLIAMSON, JR. FFA 1-4, Officer 2-4; Beta Club 2-4, Officer 2,4, State Conv. 3; So¬ cial Science Club 4; Class Officer 2, 4; Reflector Staff 3; Quarterian Staff 2-4; Senior Play 4; Marshal 2; Bus Driver 4. WENDELL WILLIAMS Class Officer 1-3; Basketball 1 -4; Softball 1-3; Quarterian Staff 4; Se¬ nior Play 3.

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Class Prophecy I was attending a teachers ' convention at Columbia University. While I was walking down Broadway in New York City, a hearty gust of wind blew off my hat. I was thankful to a handsome young man who ran gracefully after my bonnet. Surprise reigned when I perceived that the young man was none other than youthful Grey Hopkins. We were elated at the meeting - were soon talking about the 1953 Seniors of the Alma Mater, and to our surprise we were able to trace each of them. Gene Swindell is a soloist in Guy Lombardo ' s band. Anne Shelton, the Society Editor for The New York Sun. often puts Odessa Williams, a Paris-trained de¬ signer and model, in the spotlight. Christine Hudson has finally reached her goal of being a private secretary and to none other than the Director of the F. B. I. Roy Garrish is Vice President of the Greyhound Bus Company, while RalphHodges sells new and used cars and, with his high-class chauffeur, rides in a Cadillac. Helen Gibbs is an author and has published atop seller in 196 3. Reverend MerlinBerry conducts the devotionals each week at Swan Quarter School, while El¬ la Lou Cahoon, the President of the P. T. A. , has succeeded in getting all doors of the classrooms equipped with electric eyes. Kay Bell, who preferred to remain at home also, is an authority on the ferti¬ lization of flowers. Wendell Williams is the Farm Agent in Hyde County. His re¬ cent seed experiments brought about a wonderful product. Travis Sadler is now coaching basketball at Mississippi University. Several of our classmates drifted to the Capital City. Pratt Williamson, Jr. is the President ' s private photographer, and Wayne McKinney is a member of the police force there. Peggy Gibbs has elevated herself to the position of San Francisco ' s friendli¬ est hotel receptionist. Lavons Austin, after taking private lessons from Milton Berle, is the most popular comedian on TV. Grey and I could not reminisce for long because he was en route to Alaska, where he owns a prosperous fur business. Prophets: Jane Midyette Gene Swindell Roy Garrish