West Mecklenburg High School - Tomahawk Yearbook (Charlotte, NC)

Page 28 text:

Upperclassmen experience changes, new realities After experiencing many changes during the last three years, the 448 members of the 1974 graduating class looked ahead to the new realities promised by the future. As the 8:00 p.m. hour approached June 6, seniors ceased their nervous fidgeting of caps and tassels. While the Junior Mar- shals led them into Ovens Au- ditorium, the orchestra played “Pomp and Circumstance,”’ which traditionally suggests an ending to twelve years of school and signifies a new be- binning in the adult world with its uncertainties. Fulfilling one segment of their duties, marshals checked tickets carefully at the doors before anyone was allowed to enter. Even though seniors were given only four tickets, Ovens with its limited seating capacity was still filled with 24 parents — some sitting, some standing. Following a speech by Mr. Phillip James Kirk, personal aide to Governor Jim Hols- houser, seniors were presented their diplomas by Principal Freddy Leger. While the grad- uates received them, bulbs flashed as proud parents made pictures of the events. As the ceremony ended with Mike Hickman singing “Eternal Life,” changes in the school’s program became insignificant as seniors contemplated chang- es which the future held. ABOVE RIGHT: Attired in traditional cap and gown, seniors wait for the ceremonies to begin. FRONT ROW: Kathy Hart, Dana Tur- pin, Beth Rose, Lee Ann Elmore, Hazel Blackburn, Toni Smith, Barbara Leath- erman, Debbie Irvin, Cheri Homzak, Brenda Cannon. SECOND ROW: Cathy Ramseur, Sharon Whilden, Rhonda Klein, Janet Gupton, Pam Bridges, Peggy Harrington, Julie Easterling, Delaine Brown. UPPER LEVEL: Frankie Mullis, Paul Bradley, Jeff Forrester, Jimmy Pinkston.

Page 27 text:

LEFT: Elaine Primm, ‘74 Tomahawk co-editor shows the first copy of the annual to the Senior Class. BELOW: Administration members and former Mayor Stan Brookshire enjoy the meal at the banquet. BELOW LEFT: After being served, Susan Lawing and Tim Edmonson take their trays to a table. Seniors presented ’74 yearbooks at class banquet Wrapping up their memories of work and fun, seniors enjoyed a class banquet on May 20 as one of their final get togethers when they received their ’74 Tomahawks. The banquet, which replaced the tra- ditional class breakfast, gave the upperclassmen an opportunity to receive their annuals early and to have them signed at a party after the banquet. Following the presentation of the first copies of the yearbook to Principal Freddy Leger and Einar Stenstal- vold, Representative Jo Graham Foster introduced Mr. Stan Brookshire, the former mayor of Charlotte and chairman of the Dimensions for Charlotte-Mecklen- burg Committee. Mr. Brookshire presented the Toma- hawk staffers a certificate in appreciation for their outstanding work in using “Quests for New Dimen- sions” as the theme of the annual. Newsmen from WSOC-TV covered the banquet and the award pres- entation. Yearbooks were distributed to the seniors, who, after finding their pictures in them, lingered to sign their friends’ annuals.

Page 29 text:

ABOVE LEFT: Twelve years of work are ended as Bobby Atkinson receives his diploma from Mr. Leger. ABOVE: Junior Marshal Julie Easterling waits with seniors for first strains of the processional. LEFT: Senior graduates anticipate the future as they prepare to leave gradu- ation ceremonies.