Excerpts from the
"Tech High Review" Yearbook
The Memphis Technical High School
- 1946 -
Senior Class History
PROLOGUE
To SOME, graduation from high school is the end of a beautiful or tragic play, the closing of a curtain, but it is really otherwise. When we walk through the portals of Tech High for the last time, we are passing through the corridors where are recorded the achievements, the joys, and the sorrows of three years. When we pass these, there are left before us years of history to be written in our hand. The way we write it is up to us, straight and intelligible, or crooked and smeared. So today on the threshold of this new phase of our lives let us walk back down the corridors of time and briefly recount our engravings upon the walls of the century.
SOPHOMORE YEAR
In the autumn of 1943 Tech High was enriched by the presence of beaming, bright, sometimes called "mighty" and "silly" sophomores, by Mr. Highsaw and the student body respectively.
It was not long before these Sophs, abounding with school spirit, responded to the rousing declarations given by Prof. Highsaw, which made the Soph's spines tingle with pride and excitement and brought the realization that they were the nucleus of a great institution.
The first report card period found 58 Sophs on the Honor Roll.
Our class director was Miss Margaret Williams, who offered invaluable assistance in all the affairs of our class.
The Soph officers were:
President: Billy Cathey Girls' V.-Pres: Catherine Lavendar Boys' V.-Pres: Bill Anderson Secretary: Betty Gordon Treasurer Jimmy Spickard Sgt.-at-Arms: Paul Worthy Chaplain: Gene Strong
Sophs on the Yellowjacket Staff were: Janice Gardner, Lucille Sorce, Betty Ann Morris, and Rodney Scarbrough.Sophs, along with the entire school, did much fine work in the Red Cross, assembling Xmas, Valentine, and Easter cards, filling overseas boxes, and knitting squares for afghans.
Sophs who were cheerleaders were: Paul Gurley and Betty Gordon.
Boys on the Varsity Football team were: Rayburn Moore, Bill Crumby, Johnny Bauer, Jimmy Spickard, and Leo Wood.
Along with these the following were awarded letters: Billy Cathey, Roy Carter, Everett Kook, Whit Poor, Ralph Raney, Ronald Shuler.
This year a fairly good football season was enjoyed, but it wasn't a Good season, as, no season is considered good without a victory over the Central Warriors. The Varsity won four games and lost three. Outstanding playing was displayed by Bill Anderson and Billy Cathey.
Soph. contestants for the Football Queen were: Catherine Lavendar, Betty Lou Shoup, Billie Gates, Virginia Barfield, Martha Edwards, Seneth Mason.
Headliners in the Big Annual Minstrel Show were: Ray Fleet, Billy McMullen, John Swinney.
Soph. beauties seen at the Football Banquet were: Rena Mitchell and Martha Edwards.
Basketball May Day Queen was Joy Ann Worthy.
The conclusion of this school session finds these "Silly Sophs" developed into full-fledged Tech-ites, happy at the prospect of vacation time, yet ever eager to return the next fall to "good ole Tech High."
JUNIOR YEAR
The Sophs returned to school ready for work after a summer of sunshine and play. Confronted with study, war work, and social activities, they plunged into all phases of activities. The class officers elected were:
President: Billy Cathey Girls' V.-Pres: Catherine Lavendar Boys' V.-Pres: Paul Gurley Secretary: Whit Poor Treasurer Billy Randle Sgt.-at-Arms: Paul Worthy Chaplain: Ronald Shuler
Juniors on the Cheering Squad were: Paul Gurley, Ann Brown, Betty Gordon, Marty Little,. Catherine Lavendar was a sub.Candidates for Football Queen were: Diary Catherine Daniels, Janie Van Eaton, Wanda Vinson, Mary Dugan.
Miss Anne Shewmaker replaced Miss Williams as class sponsor. Miss Williams was elected to the post of Intermediate Supervisor at the Board of Education.
Tech won the football championship for the first time since 1941. We scored 2 ties and 6 wins. The letter men in football were: Cathey, Thomas, Crumby, J. Kinard, C. Brand, R. Raney, Poor, Petty, Moore, Crawford, Spickard, Shuler, Laster, H. Riggins, B. Anderson, Kook, J. Baskin, and Turpin. Doug Hall was the manager.
Junior belles seen swirling about the Skyway at the football banquet were: Marty Little, Martha Edwards, Doris Jaudon, Margy James, Catherine Lavendar, Fay Garrett, Mary Ann Hood, Betty Gordon, Ida Lou Weldon, Dot Powers, Ann Brown, Rena Mitchell.
Tech was invited to join a NATIONAL ATHLETIC SCHOLASTIC FRATERNITY and accepted.
Mary Evelyn Dood won the contest for collecting cans for the war effort. She collected 320 in one week, and the entire school collected 12,000 in ten days.
Gifts were collected for Kennedy Hospital.
The Juniors led the Honor Roll lists 4 out of the 6 reports.
Juniors on the Yellowjacket Staff were: Doris Jaudon. Lyla Loring, Betty Ann Morris, Louise Stone, Rodney Scarbrough, and Jan Gardner.
James Walker was elected Chaplain of the National Forensic League Chapter at Tech.
Ray Hampton, a new student from Booneville, Ark., served as a page in the Senate at Washington for one term of six weeks.Junior officers of the R.O.T.C. and their sponsors were:
Lt. Russell Willis—Agnesanne Holloman
2nd Lt. Bill Cathey—
2nd Lt. Bill Anderson—Fay Garrett
2nd Lt. Ronald Shuler --Margy James
Lt. Joe Douthit—Donna Dubberly
Lt. Jimmy Parker—Ann Brown
Capt. Dick Young—Mary J. MaloneJunior Girls who were sponsors of Senior R.O.T.C. officers were:
Juanita Verner--- Major
Betty Cockrill ---Lt. Col.
Betty Gordon—Lt.
Marty Little—Capt.
Louise Stone—Lt.
Joy Roach----2nd Lt.
Mary Catherine Daniels—2nd Lt.
Doris Jaudon—Capt.
Gladys Stephens—Lt.
Carol McDonald—Lt.Junior officers in the Tech Red Cross Chapter were: John Smith, President, and Juanita Verner, Vice-Pres. Among the volunteer workers at the hospitals were Selby Angleton, Donna Dubberty and Catherine Lavendar. Also among the volunteer nurse's aids at school were: Selby Angleton, Sue Munns, Donna Dubberty, Janice Gardner, and Agnes Anne Holloman, Otera Cowell, Nita Verner and Ilse Pahl.
Ed Paine won first prize In the State Fire Prevention Poster contest and Mary Snyder won second place.
During our Jr. year the Jr. Honor Society was established by Miss Mary O. Butler. Jr. officers were:
President: Jimmy Parker Vice-Pres: Ann Brown Secretary: Rebecca Truax Treasurer Idell Crawford Sgt.-at-Arms: Johnnie Smith Chaplain: Dolores Anderson Reporter: Doris Jaudon
The Art Department workers decorated the Good-fellow Headauarter's windows for Yule tide season.Jr. football boys making All-Memphis were: Jim Spickard, Ronald Shuler, and Ralph Raney.
Jr.'s on our basketball team were: Billy Cathey, Bill Anderson, Jimmy Crawford, Everett Kook, Glen Turpin, and Raymond Henderson.Our basketball team placed 1st in the city finals.
The Yellowjacket won 2nd place award for the largest school paper in Memphis and Shelby County.
Jack Myrick was voted outstanding Non-Com.
Joy Ann Worthy won highest honors in the Annual State Easter Seal Contest and also in the city. Jean Hannah won second place in the city and the state.
Juniors initiated into the Honor Society were: Dolly Anderson, V. Barfield, D. Bond, Ann Brown, B. Cockrill, Idell Crawford, B. Gates, C. McDonald, R. Mitchell, Mary Lou Phelps, Bertha Sims, Mary Alice Sinclair, Mary Va. Steide, R. Truax, James Crain, George Haynes, J. Parker, J. Smith, Gene Strong.
The Operetta "Tune In" was given by the Music Department. Ann Brown and John Swinney starred and among the supporting cast were: Irma Jean Bell, Mary Va. Flowers, Ray Fleet, Clarence Rinner, Jerry Thompson, Billy McMullen.
Coach Nemeck left for Tulane where he served as assistant coach.
In the Annual Minstrel Show, Robert Bowman and Russell Willis performed as the "Star Dust" twins. Betty Gordon danced and Ray Fleet and Billy McMullen were among the end men.
Janice Gardner was initiated into the Quill and Scroll, Journalistic Honor Society.In the spring of our Junior year, all of us were stunned by the death of a true friend of youth, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He was an inspiration to every American youth, the personification of greatness, a great humanitarian. Also Tech High students were bereaved by the loss of a beloved teacher, Miss Arna McNicholas.
Thus we come to the end of another year, marking a milestone on the road to knowledge and education.
SENIOR YEAR
Floyd B. Roberts, '33-'34 All- American back, came to Tech as coach, and so ably displayed his ability by coaching our football team to the position as city and state champs.
Tech Highs football team was rated All-South Champs by Mr. Litkenhous, authority on football.
A $50.00 war bond was won by Tech in the Anti-Noise Rally at Crump Stadium.Cheerleaders from the senior class were: Paul Gurley, Capt., Catherine Lavendar, Mary Virginia Flowers, Betty Gordon, Co-Capt., Marty Little, Juanita Carringan, Ann Brown, Doris Jaudon, and Betty Robinson.
Initiated into the Quill and Scroll were: Dolly Anderson, Lyla Loring, Jean Fancher, Doris Jaudon, and Louise Stone.
The stadium was shocked by the news, Thanksgiving Day, that came over the loud speaker that Dickie Young, 17 year old Senior and Cadet Lt. Col. of the Tech High R. O. T. C. unit, had been fatally injured in a car accident. A drill team formed a "Y" and the bugle blew taps. He was a great leader and loved by everyone.
Senior Class Officers were:
President: Billy Cathey Girls' V.-Pres: Ann Brown Boys' V.-Pres: Kit Avery Secretary: Catherine Lavendar Treasurer James Crain Sgt.-at-Arms: Bobby Joe Thomas Chaplain: Rena Mitchell
Officers of the National Honor Society were:
President: Johnny Smith Vice-Pres: Billie Gates Secretary: Carol McDonald Treasurer Jimmy Parker Chaplain: Ann Brown Reporter: Betty Cockrill
Members tapped first semester were: Joycelyn Redmond. Lenora Nelson. Dorothy Johnston. Mary Sue Carman, Margaret Brooks, Lucile Sorce. Joy Ann Worthy. Louise Adney, Betty Orbison, Peggy Ann Valentine. Mary Louise Stewart, Betty Jane Shelton, Joyce Shoffner. Frank Fly, Doris Chumney, Dot Arden. Tapped the 2nd semester were: Samuel Allen, Bobby Hamblin. Gerry Mitchell, Joe Mount, Wanda Rader, and Margaret Hamilton.Virginia Beasly, new student from Treadwell, was crowned popularity Queen of Tech and was awarded an Elgin watch. Runners up were Joan Aurand and Dolly Anderson.
The Yellowjacket boasted 11 seniors: Jan Gardner, Louise Stone, George Haynes, Jean Fancher, Doris Jaudon, Paul Gurley, Lyla Loring, Dolly Anderson, James Bradley and Gwin Sutton.
Idell Crawford was President of "50" club. Marilyn Hunt, Vice-President; Dorothy Harper, Secretary and Treasurer.
Outstanding for their parts in the Ministrel show were: Nita Verner. Ann Brown. Virginia Beasley, John Swinnev, Ray Fleet. Billy McMullin. Jerry Thompson, Bobby Hamlin and Mary Virginia Flowers.
Senior officers of the N. F. L. were:
President: James Walker
Vice-President: Jerry ThompsonAnn Brown won the coveted honor of D. A. R. Girl—outstanding "Girl Citizen" of Tech High.
Nita Verner and Ann Brown won Superior. Plus Ratings in the West Tennessee Music Competitions and John Swinney won a Superior Rating.
In the Summer School Class were 25 from Tech High who received diplomas. While in January, 19 Techites graduated.
One of the happiest memories of the class was the Junior-Senior Prom and Senior Banquet held May 22 in the Hotel Peabody ball room.
CONCLUSION
Yes, these three years have left a definite imprint upon us. Through the association with the best in teachers and leaders, we are emerging into the world of grown-ups with confidence that we, even as we have been students and citizens of our school, will succeed as American citizens, always holding high the banners of truth, justice, equality, Christianity, and human-love.
Web Presentation copyright ©2004-2005, Rose-Anne Cunningham Bray. All Rights Reserved.