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

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.

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 30 text:

26 Spring-like weather brings dreams of days at O.D. Those “crazy, lazy” days of spring sent the imagina- tion of many students scurrying from the ski slopes of Seven Devils or Beech Mountain to dreams of days at O.D. or other places. However, some were making plans to represent the school at Girls’ State, Boys’ State, Governor’s School, or workshops. Janice Brady and Tina Dixon took part in Girls’ State on the campus of UNC-G, while Paul Bradley and George Robinson attended Boys’ State at Wake Forest University. Anne Mozeley studied the violin and p er- formed with the orchestra at Governor’s School. Laurea O’Shields studied the latest journalistic techniques at a yearbook workshop at Furman University. For many, summer was filled with work, but others travelled to “Far away places with strange sounding names.” Brenda Cannon was the foreign exchange stu- dent to Finland. Chaperoned by Mrs. Jean Avery and her husband, thirty-five students went on a Carribean cruise. They left Charlotte on July 11 and traveled to Disney World. From there, they went to Miami where they boarded the T.S.S. Mardi Gras bound for ports on the Carribean; they returned to Charlotte on July 22. ABOVE: At his job at Carowinds, Tom Query proves that the hand is quicker than the eye. RIGHT: Jodie Todd, Carolyn Kirby, and Melissa Paul dine in elegance on the T.S.S. Mardi Gras. During his stay at Boys’ State, George Robinson and classmates discuss one of many graphs.