West Point High School - Point Yearbook (West Point, VA)

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LOOKING BACKWARDS FROM '43 CContinuedj On a sunny day in September, 1944, we entered high school-scared, wide-eyed freshmen-introduo tions, acquaintances, class meetings-team spirit, class spirit, and above all, school spirit, became a part of our lives-the white pillars of West Point High School soon grew friendly and inviting-the Teen Canteen officially opened and our Friday nights were never dull from then on-we bought War Stamps and learned about B-29's and the invasion of Europe -along with us we brought Mrs. Geyer into high school as our homeroom teacher. This was the year that Mr. Humphreys became principal of W. P. H. S. We were such a big class that we had to be divided with twelve in the commercial room under Miss Alvis -and those things we won't forget-our first high school dances-our innumerable English teachers- then our class picnic at Knapp's-as we watched the Seniors of '45 get diplomas, we realized we were now sophomores. In September we were the wise,' sophomores try- ing to help the freshmen, who didn't seem to need our help-Miss Richards, our homeroom teacher- this was the year of those rare parties-a school paper was begun, and since one of us was on the staff, we felt it was almost ours-we had a two-hour movie once a month-we were definitely in favor of this. We read our first Shakespearean play and how hopeless wekseemed-the first May Court since before the War, and we had a representative in it-the wonderful news that Germany had surrendered-now our thoughts were shifted to the Pacific where our relatives and friends were being sent-our unfor- gettable picnic at Belleview-the '45-,46 seniors were our adopted big brothers and sisters, so we sadly watched them walk up the aisle on commencement night. Then in '46 we were jolly juniors and we thought we were IT.', We started the year with no worries but then came American history and we lost some of our frivolity-it was nice, though, the day we made a tour of Williamsburg-we watched a new class being added, the eighth grade-Mrs. Cluverius, our homeroom teacher, tried to quiet us down and make us come down to earth, but we were the big dogsv- we thought now it was our turn to manage the senior affairs from behind the scenes-the buffet sup- per-prom with our favorite Mac Graham orches- tra Cwe did have to admit it was nicej-we decorated the Methodist Church for the commencement sermon, as well as the stage for graduation exercises-we wouldnit dare let the Seniors of '47 know it, but we loved every minute of it-as we watched these Seniors receive their diplomas, we realized that weid be the next ones to walk up that aisle. Then in ,47 we were the dignified seniors-this was the beginning of the end-several classmates re- turned from the armed forces to join us-our foot- ball team was undefeated-victory dance with Macis orchestra as a-surprise-the year of the new lookv when hem lines dropped inches lower-that glorious day came when we slipped on those wonderful class rings-before we knew it, it was spring-in March we had the long awaited Leap Year Dance-Dog- patch style-that basketball game when falthough we hate to admit itj the juniors beat the seniors- we could hardly live that one down, but it was a good game-and shall we ever forget those certain seniors who had to have an explosion every week in the lah?-the poor freshmen could hardly stand it the next period-but we were seniors-and when we heard that this was Miss Kateis last year at W. P. H. S. how sorry we felt for our under classmen, who wouldn't be as fortunate as we to have had her all four years-the opening of the new Industrial Arts building-then came Miss Branch, telling us of all the parties being given in our honor-we really felt a little bigger now-the juniors gave us a progressive dinner and dance, which was well worth all their worries and troubles-we had a glorious time-then came the commencement sermon at the Baptist Church-it was getting a little closer now-then came june 4, 1948-as we walked out the door into the future we couldnit help but shed a tear or two as we thought of our good times, our old songs, games, dances-we were full of promises, and as we said our farewells, we know we'd never forget our first Alma Mater. JEAN F. ANDERSON +55 13 ik--

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LOOKING BACKWARDS FROM '43 i -V lv, luis Nh: XVEHIC Six School days began for the Class of 1948 in Septem- ber, 1937, when a rather bewildered group of young- sters filed into Miss Corris classroom, some clutching their mothers' hands, others walking boldly around trying not to look frightened. Under Miss Corr's gentle care We soon settled down to our regular period from one to three. School was fun and we liked to brag about it. ln 1938 we returned to Miss Corr, who taught the second grade in the morning. This time we were old-timers. NVe could look down on the scared first- graders. NVe were in the second grade. The third grade really seemed a step forward for now We went to school in the morning and in the afternoon. The third grade also meant studies that we had never had before. None of us will ever for- get our delightful unit on the Eskimos. Under Bliss Cornelia lfloggis supervision we made many articles pertaining to the lives of Eskimos. Interesting days passed quickly and june brought the end of another full and happy year. All during the summer of '40 We looked forward to the beginning of school, for it meant that we would go upstairs to Miss Bland's room. VVhcn we climbed the steps on the first day of the new session, it gave us a very superior feeling. The fourth grade also meant being able to use the fire escape that had just been installed. This was a big thrill for all of us. The filth grade came next. Under Miss Cleasby's guidance. we learned a great deal. A very pleasant memory of the fifth grade is the entertaining radio program to which We listened in the mornings. This program was designed especially for school children. That was the year, too, that our country Went to War. NVe were young, yet deeply allected by it. In 1942, We were in the sixth grade with only two years of elementary school left. The War was still going on and Miss Elizabeth Hogg, our teacher, brought into our courses an emphasis on history and geography. September, 1943, found us in the seventh grade at the top of the elementary school. We fancied, at least, that the younger children looked up to us admiringly from a distance. NVe were again down- stairs, due to the illness of our teacher, Mrs. Geyer. VVe shall never forget Mrs. Geyer and her rhytlnn band. We now got the choicest instruments to play and gloried in it. So ended our elementa1'y school career. We were now ready tor high school and timid again, as We were in the beginning. SHIRLICY K NAPI' eil 1241

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