West Street School - Planet Yearbook (New Bern, NC)

Page 17 text:

7L Planet CLASS HISTORY Like a ship that ' s been launched tor a four year course upon uncharted waters, we, the Class of ' 48 can now relate an adventurous and interesting journey. We embarked in the fall of ' 44 with a crew of over one hundred. You may well pic¬ ture us as frightened young greens wondering what High School life was all about. Discarding our fears after a few months, we began to feel a part of an organized educa¬ tional program. To guide our hesitant, but progressive steps, we were fortunate to have as instructors: Mrs. Danyus, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Mizell, Mr. Boley, and Mr. Carrington. Eager to integrate ourselves into the high school family, we set out to become active participants in many of the extra-curricular activities of the school. Avine White, How¬ ard Henderson, and Lenster Moore became football heroes. Willie Fisher, Cecil Hollo¬ way, and William Nixon became popular as the Barons of Rhythm. Doris Stallings, Berlie Ray, William Simmons, Lenster Moore, and Willie Fisher represented our class in the band. In Dramatics, Berlie Ray and Willie Fisher played the leading roles in the stage hit, The Red Headed Step-child. In addition to club activities the majority of the students made creditable marks in their scholastic endeavors during their freshman year. Having tried the first experiment of high school work, there were many who were willing and eager to try for the second year. This year, 1945-46, had, of course, some slight changes. Our instructors for the sophomore year were Mrs. Fishe r, Miss Roach, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Stewart, Mrs. Mizell, Mr. Boley, and Mr. Carrington. During the school year, the class really displayed its versatility and its adaptability in various fields. On the football squad, our class was highly rep ' esented by such stars as Howard Hender¬ son, Avine White and Lenster Moore. We were also represented in other activities. Rita Mills and Carolyn Smith were excellent in creative dances. Rita Houston was elected State President of a Negro Organization made up of high school Home Economics stu¬ dents, New Home Makers of America, and Phoebe Gibbs was reporter. Along with our progress in other fields we found that many of the students were musically inclined. Cecil Holloway, Willie Fisher, William Nixon, Doris Stallings, Berlie Ray and William Simmons proved to be devoted band members, while Geraldine Dudley showed great promise in the field of Opera. It was in 1946-47 that we united our courageous selves to work toward the end of our goal, graduation. The junior year was a bit difficult, but nevertheless, we con¬ quered it. We now had as advisors Mr. Boley, and Mrs. Jones. Our officers on this experimental trio were Scotty Evans, President; Avine White, Vice-President; Emma Mc- Conner, Recording Secretary; Doris Stallings, Financial Secretary; and Paul Morris, Treasurer. It seemed no time at all before the Junior-Senior Prom was upon us and we were hustling and bustling making preparations for the long waited-for prom, where the girls could show off their most beautiful evening dresses and the boys could look their best in their dark attire. The prom was held in full swing on May 23rd. Everyone was looking his best and a good time was had by all. At the end of our junior year, one of our most talented, Carolyn Smith, began her college career at North Carolina College at Dur ham, North Carolina. Nineteen hundred forty-eight found us seniors. Yes, dignified seniors. This year we elected as our class officers Joseph Brown, President; Willie Fisher, Vice-President; Georgie Glasper, Recording Secretary; Berlie Ray, Financial Secretary; Paul Morris, Treasurer, and Mrs. Rivers, Advisor. Three seniors, Georgia Glasper, Berlie Ray and Rita Houston were elected to take the Pepsi-Cola Scholarship Test. We certainly were proud of those three seniors. Doris Stallings, a senior, merits academic distinction by being president of the Stu¬ dent Council.

Page 16 text:

%e Planet DOROTHY ALBERTA VAIL Dimple “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.” Miss West Street” 4 ; Band 1, 2, 3, 4 ; Volley¬ ball 2; N. H. A. 1. 2; Glee Club 2; Cheering Squad 4. PEARLIE COLRETTA WHITFIELD Rett “The best nan to gain a reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear. Glee Club 4: Dance Club 2 : Volleyball Team 1 ; James E. Shepar 1 Club 4. AVINE WHITE Big Train “One truth is clear : Whatever is, is right. Glee Club X, 4 ; Band 1 ; Football 1, 2, 3, 4 : Vice-President of Class 3 ; Varsity Club 2, 3. 4 ; Basketball 1, 2, 8: Library Club 4. CLASS SONG Chant de Depart (Departing Song) Tune: In the Gloaming West Street High School, we are leaving, But thy halls we ' ll ne ' er forget, These few years which we ' ve spent with you We shall ne ' er regret. So wherever we shall wander You will always hear us say, We shall evermore be grateful, Just as on this parting day. We have had our days of sorrow, And we ' ve had our good times too, But since this is life ' s great pattern, We ' ll accept it as our due. In thy sacred halls of study, We have striven long and hard, But we know that in the future, We shall find our just reward. Refrain for the Third Verse Alma Mater we are leaving And we hate to leave thee so, But we know that life is calling, So farewell, for we must go. CAROLYN R. MOORE CLASS POEM Dear West Street High; we proudly pledge to thee Undying love and steadfast loyalty; Four years have passed; our work has been approved By our dear teachers who held our standards high The time has come for us to tell To all a sad farewell, farewell. Though failure frown; though kindly fortune smile, Firm our advance; nought can we e ' er be-guile. To honor bound, to love and virtue sworn, Lift we our voice in full ac-claim, Thy sons shall thee with noble deeds adorn, Hail, West Street High, we praise thy name. Dear parents all; we ' ll never forget The lessons you have tried to teach; Remembering the world tomorrow depends on our deeds today, We ' ll strive to seek, to find and not to yield, The deeds you ' ve done will determine the fate Of this our class of 1948. GLADYS MARIE DAVES

Page 18 text:

T Ue Planet CLASS HISTORY — Continued In our senior year we found that we were most victorious in playing football be¬ cause we were so splendidly held up by our boys. As seniors, we were exceptionally proud of Walter Roundtree, Avine White, Howard Henderson, Cecil Holloway, Willie Fisher, Thomas Hatch and Lenster Moore. At the Home-coming Game one of us, Dorothy Vail, was crowned Miss West Street. We sincerely hope that our treasured Senior Class dignity has been displayed highly. We also comprehend the fact that though we have obtained stoppage at a port of dis¬ embarkation, we are obliged to secure, each of us, a responsible position in a rapidly changing and progressive society. MILDRED JONES T ND QUEENIE KING, Historians. CLASS WILL We, the class of 1948, realizing we are about to pass from this phase of our educc- tion, in full possession of sound minds and in much better temper than usual, do hereby make this, our Last Will and Testament: I. To our school we pledge our loyalty, love and sincere devotion. II. To our principal, Mr. Danyus, we leave our many thanks for all he has do’-e Hr us. His advice and sound counsel will always live in our memory. We will back the steps he took looking for us the days when we took personal vacations from classe-. III. To our instructors, we leave all that is unfinished as far as text books are con¬ cerned, also our undying thanks for the instructions they have given us, and our sin¬ cere gratitude for their unfailing kindness and aid. IV. To the junior class, we bequeath our dignity, our seats in chapel and various senior positions. V. To the sophomore class, we will the ability to face and overcome all tasks which will confront them before graduation. VI. To the freshman class, we leave the courage to overcome any obstacle which they might encounter before becoming seniors. VII. To certain individuals we bequeath our most valued possessions, friendships, hoping that those who are striving to follow in our footsteps, may use these gifts to strengthen their steps in the path we trod. May they use them with competence and gratitude: 1. Lenster Moore wills to George Hill his speed and knowledge of football. 2. William Nixon wills to his brother, Thomas, his position in the senior class. 3. Berlie Ray wills to Rita Mills her ability to speak French fluently and to Delores Dudley her dramatic position. 4. Walter Roundtree wills his football shoes to Charlie Staten. 5. William Simmons wills his ability to get P. A. Democracy to James Young and his ability to guess the kurak answer, which Mr. Boley wants to James Simmons. 6. Virginia Mishoe wills to Halice Hargette her slowest steps hoping that some day she will not break her neck.