In the year of our Lord,
Nineteen Hundred and Forty-five, the fourth group of wartime graduates
will proceed in a grave and stately manner through the doors of Memphis
Technical High School into the glowing future. With eager eyes and
throbbing hearts we reach the climax of three of the happiest years of
our lives, having shared moments of sorrow, happiness and reward. We
look forward to the future with a feeling of security because of our
faith in God and the helpful and encouraging inspirations given us by
our teachers.
As we turn back the pages of
memories we discover that they unfold as an interesting book—a book with
the more than two hundred and thirty graduates as the main characters.
Our book contains three thrilling chapters, with each representing an
exciting years work and play spent at Tech. The book was written by us
during the three years from September, 1942, until May, 1945. Our
efficient class director was Miss Ruth Stanfield, to
whom every member of the class is grateful for her outstanding service
as sponsor and teacher.
CHAPTER I
In September, 1942, a large
group of excited, nervous, and shy Sophomores entered Tech High,
thrilled by the thoughts of becoming a part of such a large school. On
our first day Professor Highsaw called us "Mighty Sophomores." Although
we were green and silly as individuals, we were very strong as a body,
and soon lived up to our name. We elected officers and became a part of
the school, taking an active interest in the school's projects. Our
officers were: President, Joe Sax; Vice-President,
Buddy Hoback; Secretary, Doris Ellis;
Treasurer, M. H. Walls; and Chaplain, Charles
Buehl.
The school won many honors
that year, and among them was the National Forensic League Tournament.
Our class was represented in this by Joe Sax, Paul Mostert,
Audrey Greer, and Denby Brandon. Joe
Sax represented the class on the Tech High Debating Team which
won city and district championships.
The Sophomore Class
sponsored a skating party at East End Skating Rink in January. The party
was a big success and everyone had a wonderful time.
The Tech High Radio Singers
gave a program every week on Tuesdays over Station WREC
called "America Is Right." The Sophomores to sing on it were
Genie Shelton, Joye Glass, Dorothy McSwain, Sara Beth Meadows, Martha
Andrews, Annie Rose Barker, Dorothy Wynne, Joe Sax and Irving Evans.
The Music Department
presented the operetta, "Maritana," in which Joe Sax
and Freddi Moran had important roles. The Glee Club
gave several programs in churches in the city and at the Naval Base at
Millington.
Students who were on the
Yellowjacket were Miriam Cristil and Margaret
Williams.
The Sophomore Class
sponsored a Womanless Wedding in October and from our class in the
wedding were Lester Hoback and Joe Sax.
Miss Warren's
Drill Squad which marched at several football games included six girls
from the Sophomore Class. They were Joyce Norris, Ceda Lee,
Josephine Conley, Mary Frances Culp, Shirley Hillstrom and
Mary Ann Fallot.
The class accomplished much
that year and was included in almost all the organizations of the
school. There were the Commercial, Sports, Latin, Music, Art, Spanish
and other departments of the school.
All too soon, our Sophomore
year was completed and the first chapter of our book was closed forever.
CHAPTER II
Very soon our summer
vacation months were over and we returned to Tech as "Jolly Juniors."
Our class officers were: President, Howard Dyer;
Vice-President, Richard Akers; Treasurer, Joyce
Norris; Secretary, Don Robinson; and Chaplain,
Margaret Williams. These officers performed their
duties with gnat efficiency and successfully lead the class in many
projects.
The annual homecoming party
and popularity contest were held in November. A carnival was one of the
attractions of the party, followed by a floor show and the crowning of
the popularity queens. The girls from the Junior Class who were queens
were Rose Marie Danke, June Millwood,
Frances Sorce, Barbara Munn,
Joyce Norris and Anna Fay Whitney.
The Junior Class sponsored a
skating party and a gym dance. Both of the parties were lots of fun and
were enjoyed by the whole school.
Members of the class who
were on the Yellowjacket Staff were Margaret Williams, Miriam
Cristil, June Pitts, Jill Robinson and Jeane Moss.
Margaret Williams,
Miriam Cristil and Jeane Moss were made
members of the Null Adams Chapter of the Quill and Scroll.
The boys who were officers
in R. O. T. C. were John Parker, Bill Wallace, Richard Akers,
Denby Brandon, Howard Dyer, William Rothrock, Don Robinson, Billy Bell
and Carl Harrison. The girls who were sponsors
were Jill Robinson, Sara Beth Meadows, Betty English, June
Miller and Mary Jean Hankins.
One of the most important
events of the year was the Junior-Senior Prom, given by the Juniors
honoring the Seniors. The dance followed the Senior Banquet and was held
in May at the Peabody Hotel.
The class won honors in its
Junior Year, too, and several of the members were taken into the
National Honor Society. They were Paul Mostert, Denby Brandon,
Benton Ellis, Betty Livingston, Opal Cherry, Miriam Cristil, Faye
Herriman, Martha Andrews, Margaret Williams, Josephine Conley, Marilyn
Domangue, Sara Beth Meadows, Ceda Lee and Annabelle
Smith.
Two wonderful and exciting
years were ended and many happy days were over, and all too soon our
second chapter was closed.
CHAPTER III
As we returned to Tech for
the last time we were very "Dignified Seniors" and really wondered if we
looked as silly as Sophs as some of those who were at Tech for the first
time. We also found that our class had been divided into three groups.
Some class members had gone to the summer school and graduated in August
and some would graduate in January. During our three years at Tech, boys
who entered our class and have left school to join the armed forces are
Neal Rider, Carson Plumbley, Jesse W. Bell, Dalton Cherry, G. W.
Lewis, Uis Johnson, Charles Jones, Jimmie Ledbetter, Wilbert Morris,
Jack Wallace, James Eaton, Guy Akin, Eugene Anderson, Virgil Bishop,
Bill Brown, Dewey Carden, Dennis Fitzgerald, Tom Kramer, Richard LeGrand,
Bill Loftin, Thomas Smith, Bill Stannard, M. H. Walls, Noel Ellis, Leon
Hurt, Harry Thurman, Enoch Morris, Byron Chanoyen, Jimmy Whitemone,
Herbert Cody, Gene Simmons, Newman Dacus, Emmet Garner, James Perry,
Fred Kendall, Bernie Mullikin, Jack Norvell, Tom Sawyer, Gary Curtis,
James Scott, Clarence Watson, Fred Courts, James Heard, Sammy Arnett,
Jack Bolling, George Cash, Mathew Hall, George Hammon, Anton Holmquist
and Wilfred McCord. There had been seventeen
who had graduated in January and thirty-seven in August.
Our Senior Class officers
were: President, Denby Brandon; Boys Vice-President,
Don Robinson; Girls' Vice-President, Jill
Robinson; Secretary, Sara Beth Meadows;
Treasurer, Bill Wallace; and Chaplain, Margaret
Williams.
The officers of the National
Honor Society were: President, Denby Brandon;
Vice-President, Margaret Williams; Secretary,
Marilyn Domangue; Treasurer, Paul Mostert;
Chaplain, Miriam Cristil; and Reporter, Martha
Andrews. These officers have proved themselves worthy of the
duties bestowed upon them, and have been an asset to the school and its
activities.
The officers of the Quill
and Scroll are: Miriam Cristil, President;
Margaret Williams, Vice-President; Jeane Moss,
Secretary. Other members are Jane Stepherson,
Anne Tyus, June Pitts and Jill
Robinson.
The Tech High football team
was city champions. Seniors on the team were: Don Robinson, John
Dugard, Gene Forrester, Bill Jones, Thomas Nicklas, Murray Beier,
Charles Sarver, and Billy Sawtell. The
basketball team was also city champions, and Don Robinson
and Pinky Bowers represented the class. Tech also had a
very successful baseball team. Those on the team were Don
Robinson, Billy Bell, LaVert Wade, Gene Forretser, Alton Hargrove, Pinky
Bowers, Richard Akers, James Lee and Don Finney.
The Goodwill Committee which
visited other schools (luring the football season to promote goodwill
was made up of Denby Brandon, Jill Robinson, Billy Bell, Joyce
Norris and Miriam Cristil. Cheer leaders from
the class were Bettye English, LaVert Wade and
June Millwood.
In the important events on
the drill field we see the following who arc. officers and sponsors in
the R.O.T.C.:
Lt. Col. John
Parker and June Miller.Lt. Col.
Denby Brandon and Betty Cockrill.
Major Richard Akers and Mary Jean Hankins
Major Paul Mostert and Juanita
Vernon. Capt. Don Robinson and
Martha Little. Capt. Bill Wallace and
Mary Jo Baseman. Capt. Bill Rothrock
and Sara Beth Meadows. Capt. Don Finney
and Billie Mae Chastain. Capt. Walton Sheely
and Doris Jaudon. Capt. Billy Bell
and Miriam Cristil. 1st Lt. Pittman Warren
and Louise Stone. 1st Lt. Lehman Sammons
and Joyce Norris. 1st Lt. Joe Norvell
and Faye Herriman. 1st Lt. Mort Scruggs
and Carol McDonald. 2nd Lt. Jerry
Nevels and Mary C. Daniels. 2nd Lt.
James Lee and Jane Williamson. 2nd Lt.
Joe Sax and Jeanne Ford.
Honorary sponsors are Lt.
Col. June Miller, Capt. Elizabeth Rodgers,
1st Lt. Martha Andrews, Major Jean Hankins,
and 2nd Lt. Betsy Brinkmeir.
Lt. Col. Parker enlisted in the Merchant Marine and
Denby Brandon became lieutenant colonel. Cadet Major
Richard Akers also joined the Merchant Marine.
The Seniors on the Yellowjacket staff were: Editorsin-chief,
Miriam Cristil and Margaret Williams; exchange
editor, Jeanne Moss; cartoonist, John Anderson;
columnist, Bill Rothrock; and secretary, June
Pitts. Assisting the staff were Bettye English, Jack
Ringer, Betty Ann Jones, Flora Martin, Jill Robinson, Jane Stepherson,
Anne Tyus and Pinky Bowers.
We have had a very successful three years at Tech and we shall always
remember the patient kindness of all our teachers. To our class division
teachers we give double thanks for their helpfulness along our way to
success while in high school.
As we go we leave behind our teachers and classmates but we shall
forever take our precious memories with us. With us we as individuals
take our school motto, "Ad Astra Per Aspera,"
and shall some day reach the stars through difficulties.
Our book is finished and though we shall soon be in all parts of the
earth, we shall never forget our days at Tech.
