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

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WILSON MEANS A DIPLOMA! All things must eventually come to an end, and so it is with our four years of high school. Suddenly, all our hopes are realized in the one fleeting moment when we firmly grasp that coveted diploma. Our thoughts embrace, it seems, every moment of a rich and full year. In rapid succession events and activities flash through our minds: our first day as Seniors, semester themes with their mass of cards and references, Class meetings, mid- year exams, Baby Day, the Prom, and all activities leading up to commencement. Another year has ended, but this one is quite different from any in the past. XVe always go our various ways during the summer, but somehow we suddenly realize that these ways are going to continue separately from now on. Our high school careers have culminated with a Senior year that will always remain a highlight of our lives. rf.-1 Senims 5' K

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February Class History In February of 1955 we entered Wilson High School wide-eyed and a little frightened of this new world of crowded halls, long rows of lockers, numer- ous classrooms, and those big seniors. We were eighth graders, the lowest of, underclassmen, but the teachers soon made us feel at home by loading us with homework and projects. We entered some of these projects in our first Science Fair. Kit Morse, S. C. A. President, presided over the assemblies which were broken into two shifts. Lunch time was divided into three shifts, and how disappointed we were when we found ourselves separated from our friends. We didn't mind sharing lockers and even seats on occasions. It was fairly evident that things were a bit crowded. In September of 1955 the new Woodrow Wilson opened its doors for the first time. Everyone was thrilled about new advantages and opportunities which would be offered there, but we felt a little spited since we were only 8B's and would have to be left behind at Harry Hunt junior High. It wasnit long before February rolled around again, and we were freshmen. We were reunited with an old friend which had acquired a new face. The halls were longer, the classrooms were larger, and the steps were farther apart. With maps in hand, we ventured forth into our high school careers. We participated in the Mock Convention where Mr. Gal- liford and Pogo ran a close race, but Adlai Stevenson was nominated. The S. C. A. elections were held, but it was hard to tell who we were supporting, for our sweaters, shirts, and books were plastered with cam- paign slogans and signs. We were pleased, however, when Lad Daniels was elected President. We armed ourselves with confetti, ribbons, cowbells, and pon- pons during the football games. Mimi Brake was chosen Homecoming Queen. As sophomores, we joined clubs and organiza- tions, and watched the members of our class play on the junior varsity teams and become cheerleaders. Some of us were a little leary of disecting frogs in biology class. And, oh, those experiments in chemis- tryl We were finally and gloriously upperclassmen when we saw 3A written on our report cards, al- though one event marred our happiness this year, Mr. Sweeney announced his retirement. It would be hard for us to imagine Wilson without him. The Junior Class adopted a money-amking project of selling candy, and we worked diligently for the cause. Lanterns and Buddhas were the key words for the junior-senior prom, when the theme was 2.4 Love Is A Many Splendored Thing. How joyous we were when it was announced that our rings had arrived. .jimmy Sanderlin as president of the Student Body led the Student Council to many fine accom- plishments. A permanent crown was purchased for the future homecoming queens. The first to wear the crown was Dianne Carlo. There were reserved seats for everyone in the cafeteria. This system did away with much confusion and improved the after- lunch appearance of the cafeteria. We spent many mornings and afternoons standing in line to buy books and trading other books with passers-by. We enjoyed reading about the Teacher of the Weekn whose interests and doings were posted on the bulle- tin board. Once a month we eagerly dashed into the cafeteria to buy THE STUDENT and look for pic- tures and articles about our firends and ourselves. The Dramatic Club presented Little Women,', and we watched with tears in our eyes. VVith thoughts of the future, we attended college night. The long awaited day finally arrived-we were seniors. Dr. Allen became our new principal and did an excellent job. We took off our masks of dignity and donned short skirts and pants, suckers, and teddy bears, and ran around the halls and lawn act- ing like idiots. Of course, it was Baby Day, and how we did love it. The basketball team was victorious over Newport News High, our top rival that year, and won the Eastern District Championship. The Dance Club was organized and presented its first modern dance performance, Fantastic Intrigue. We elected jeff Stanles as president of the 4B class, and selected Mrs. Phyllis Byrd to be our advisor. Before we realized it homecoming was upon us. We worked far into the night making tissue paper camations for the float until our fingers couldn't bend another piece of wire. Aside from these activties, we found time to write a senior theme and catch up on other assorted homework. We felt so proud and important when we marched into the auditorium in our caps and gowns for the first time during assembly. Our calling cards arrived on the same day, and when we exchanged them with our classmates, we began to realize that graduation was near. We were all deeply saddened by the passing of our classmate, jerry Bryant, whom we had come to respect and love. Surely enough the class play, the banquet, baccaluaureate, and even the long-awaited graduation night became a part of the memories of our high school years.