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Excerpts from:

White Haven School News

White Haven, Tennessee

Commencement Edition

1923

Published by
The Students of White Haven School
White Haven, Tenn.

Sue McFall Powers
Superintendent of Shelby County Schools,
Principal of White Haven Schools 1910-1922

The Faculty:

The Senior Class:

History is written in cycles. The class which graduated last year had been pupils of the Whitehaven School since 1910. The teachers who had been connected with the school had a special sentiment for that particular group. Time brings changes. Three of the three hundred and twenty students below the Senior Class who answer roll call every day have been in Whitehaven School for a period of ten years. We would not have a beginner of 1910 left if Martha Pollard's work had not been interrupted. Personal characteristics remain the same. Martha has always been an active participant in school affairs. She was a pupil elsewhere for a time, but returned to Whitehaven feeling that her best chance for advancement was among the students and teachers who knew her. She represented the school creditably in debating and more recently has served as chairman of the social committee of the Girl Reserves and as society editor of the school paper. Virginia Martin was a beginner in 1911. She spent her entire school life at Whitehaven. She has been a conscientious student. The girls complimented her when they made her president of the Girl Reserves. She was also secretary of the Whitehaven Deliberative Society. Edward Harris entered in time to finish the last lap of the journey. He had the first three years of his high school work in another county high school. He has taken a conspicuous part in athletics and has been a loyal supporter of the school. More that is interesting could be said. It would be a very glad occasion if all of those who received certificates in 1919 were finishing. It would still be a glad occasion if those who have been a part of the class through high school were with them. Some of them have left enviable records and have sustained their reputation elsewhere. We would be glad if there were nearby to wish their companions well. The class of 1923 are worthy representatives of Whitehaven School. Their friends and their teachers are interested in their continued progress.

School Activities:

"The old order changeth, yielding place to new." The year 1922-23 has been unusual. The same principal had served the school for twelve years and many of the teachers had been members of the faculty long enough to become attached to the school and to be deeply interested in its progress. Students graduated who had never known any other dispensation. A new principal and an almost entirely new faculty did not change the fine spirit of the school - the spirit by which Whitehaven has been known. The difference has been scarcely perceptible.

We have won our share of honors in 1922-23. At the Community Fair held in September a pageant of Tennessee history was presented before an audience of fifteen hundred people. The music, lights and setting harmonized with the spirit of the occasion. From an educational standpoint it was considered worthwhile by people who were competent judges.

At the Tri-State Fair, Whitehaven won second place among the community booths. It was regarded by many as the most attractive booth in the group.

On Armistice Day we won the cup offered in the parade. We had the greatest number of school organizations represented. Our boys and girls were particularly attractive with the Girl Reserve and Hi-Y insignias.

Most of our best athletes graduated last year, and it takes time to develop a team, but the school made a creditable record in basketball. We did not win on Field Day, but neither did we last year.

We came third among the county schools at the Junior Farm Bureau Rally held at Bartlett.

Marion Davis, our representative, came third in the County Declamation Contest, with eleven schools competing.

Marjorie Dean won first place as a pianist among the smaller high schools at the West Tennessee High School Meet at Normal.

In a triangular debate between Whitehaven, Capleville and Germantown, both Whitehaven teams won. It was our first debate among county schools.

The library has been increased and additional equipment has been added to the Science Department.

The year has been very successful; a high standard of scholarship has been maintained and there are few failures.

So well established has the school become that there need be no fear of retrogression. The transitional period has passed.

The people who cared for it in its formative period are gone, but Whitehaven still holds an honorable position and sustains her reputation.

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