Woodrow Wilson High School - President Yearbook (Portsmouth, VA)

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of freshmen days when we became lost and con- fused once more. Soggy, smoky books were dried and once more put to use. What a time we had decorating the Naval Hospital Auditorium for the Junior-Senior and didn’t the place look beautiful that night! All the stars in the sky helped us carry through our Stardust theme. Just about time for the third quarter whistle, and we realizeci how much we were going to miss our schoolmates who were graduating. All good things must come to an end, and so did our third quarter — our junior year. IV September, ’4G found us still at Barracks A and ready for anything. The football season hit with a bang! Even though the cham- pionship landed across the river again, we enjoyed our fling at it. Before we knew it, fall was over and we were making our Christmas lists. Although far from white, it was a wonderful Christmas, especially since our class rings came so soon afterwards. Then came — oh, yes, exams! How could we forget! After that, graduation and good byes for our friends, the 4B’s. Next came Easter an’ Baby Day an’ calling cards an’ caps and gowns an’ then — June 13th. Yes, we, the class of ’47, who graduated on h ' riday the thirteenth and dared any black cat cross our path, have only memories now. Memories of landing boats and rainy days at the Barracks; of pep meetings on the Court House steps and bonfires at the Buck Childs’ Field. Sad memories of the Petersburg game; of those maroon velvet curtains that used to be in the auditorium. Gay memories of basketball games, of cokes at Murden’s; of hot dogs at Duke’s; of Tommy and “Jonesy”; of the rain at the Wilson-John Marshall football game. Memories of Mildred Smith’s poems and Jane King’s music; of Baby Day and the day we came back to the old Wilson. The game is over now, and we find ourselves surrounded by the mobs who are congratulating us on our victory. We can even hear the band striking up the Victory March, and this time we march off the field proudly, for we carry the award that signifies achievement. It was a great game — all four quarters of it. Sometimes we missed our blocks and for- got to follow our coaches’ instructions, but we had a good fight, some fine cheering from our rooters, and good leadership. It’s the sort of memory we want to carry with us as we leave, for “When the Great Recorder comes. To write against your name. It matters not whether you won or lost, But how you played the game.”

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Senior Class History By Jane Waters The kickoff was scheduled for September 8, 1943, and went off on time. We found our little tan cards more valuable than any pigskin, for they carried a list of our “plays” for the com- ing semester. After the first few days of scrimmage, we found our tickets to seats in the auditorium worthless and settled down to studying. Jane King was elected captain of our squad, approximately 200 strong, and the backfield was com- posed of Betty Cox, Vice-President; Jackie Lou Hancock, Secretary and Treasurer; and George Lewis, Representative to the Student Council. Our first coach was Mrs. Louise Fon- taine. By the time our activity books were autographed, the football season had begun. Of course we all remember No- vember 13, 1943 when our Wilson team defeated Granby 6-0. Wartime conditions made our freshman days difficult but somewhat exciting. Blackouts were the cause of many an unwritten assignment and everyone remembers the air raid drills at school. The Coali- tion election was a little over our heads but nevertheless we enjoyed it immensely. Some- how we struggled through our first year and on June 15 earned the right to call our- selves Sophomores. II The second quarter started with a bang — or rather a blow, for we found ourselves hurricane struck after only several days at school. It was soon decided that Charlie Fleming would carry tbe ball for us this year with able assistance from Randolph Smith- wick, Vice-President; and Mary Evelyn Barham, Secretary and Treasurer. During ’44- ’45, Miss Sallie Macon Porter was our backfield coach. Now, as sophomores, we chose our extra curricular activities. Cub reporter on The Student seemed glamourous enough to snare Martha Rose Robbins, Eli Chovitz, Mary Anne Woodhouse, Garland Hale, and Mindy Chovitz. Elbert Epperson, Nancy Lee Reed, Wallace Smith, and h ' ae Wilson found the business staff more to their liking. Shirley Morgan and Eldred Lawrence found a place in the band; Jane Storey, Audrey Doxey, and Albert Murden joined the school choir. The score at the half was in our favor. We had triumphed over Caesar, Alegebra, the Renaissance and how to get a seat on a 3:20 bus. III September, 1945, meant school and school meant schedule mix-ups, second hand books, and locker keys. We were now efficient Juniors and quite capable of taking care of ourselves — that is, with the excep- tion of remembering to bring our lunch three out of five days a week. Miss Shirley Burnside was chosen adviser and Leo Walsh, as president, captained our team. Billy B. MacDonald was our Vice-President with Betty Lee James, Girls’ Secretary and Treasurer and Dick Jones, Secretary and Treasurer for the boys. Wilson Willie came our way with the compliments of a hard working Activity Board, also came unforgetable dances in the gym after football games. Parents’ Night gave our Mothers and Dads an idea of our school life and gave us many a laugh. The Dramatic Club gave the school “Double Date” with five juniors in the cast; the Farmers’ Dance gave everyone a chance to pull out his jeans and straw hats; chapel gave all who attended a wonderful start on Wednesdays; and T. T. Vinson gave Pat Newsom her first orchid for Easter. The fire in May gave us a few days of unscheduled freedom and then — Barracks A! The excitement was reminiscent

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JUNE CLASS SONG Words by Joyce P ' urman “TO EACH HIS OWN” A school that we’ve loved While at work or at play Wh ere we’ve spent the best days of our lives, We’ll miss you so, We hate to go, But the day arrives. It’s hard to believe ,That four years have slipped away While we tried to learn the things we should, We all agree And say that we Did the best we could. To our teachers and friends Good wishes we send Our journey on life’s road must start, We’ll never forget Schoolmates that we’ve met Farewell, friends, it’s time to part. The halls that we’ve trod Will live in memory, Wilson High School dreams will never end Our Orange and Blue W e’re proud of you Hope we’ll meet again.