Williston High School - Willistonian Yearbook (Wilmington, NC)

Page 9 text:

)nhodnotion Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;

Page 8 text:

All ages have their greats. There are greats in science, art, music, and sports. Each one contributes his part in setting the pace of modern society. Likewise Williston has among her graduates those who have made national and internation fame--those who have made us proud to be in the Williston family. The class of ' 65 wishes to honor those outstanding Willis - tonians in hope that they will give us the incentive to strive on that we might leave our footprints in the sands of time.

Page 10 text:

Q atina Ouieiti From the time she could talk she was talking music. At age five she played the piano by ear. !% day she got the piano of her own was one of rejoicing . She played until she fell asleep on the keys. There was the beginning of the career of an extremely tal¬ ented girl, Joanna Owens. Joanna Owens is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Owens of Wilmington. She is one of nine chil¬ dren, all of who exited through the dopr of WO 1 is ton. From an early age she displayed her special God given gift of song. It was said that her golden voice poured forth from her body gnd soul as if by magic. During her high school career ' fihe received constant encouragement, inspiration, and direction from her music instructor, Mrs ZW C. O ' Dell and all the teachers at Willistcm, It Was here that she decided to become a singer. After graduating Valedictorian of her class, she went to Hampton Institute where she studied music. While at Hampton, through her vibrant per¬ sonality and outstanding talent, she became known throughout the peninsula area, Virginia, and North Carolina. Upon graduating from Hampton, she furthered her studies in New York Wjth Robert McFerrin, Met¬ ropolitan Opera star and Madame Lotte Leonard of the Juilliar behoof of Music. In February, 1862, Miss Owens made her debut at Carnegie Hall. Since then her performances, hav¬ ing included acclaimable series in colleges and uni¬ versities. Last summer she appeared in The King and I for the opening of the New York State Theatre of the Lincoln Center for performing arts. This summer she expects to go to Vienna where she will sing the role of Bess from George Gersh- winn ' s Porgy and Bess. If asked to give advice to graduating seniors, Miss Owens ' advice would be: Look to tomorrow. Set your life ' s goal and work hard for it. FIGHT, until you reach it. It may not always come the way you expect it, but it will come. The world of music could fasten no greater imprints than the thrilling voice of Joanna Owens. 6