In September 1950, 240 jubilant freshmen entered Washington High School - the beginning of a high school crusade against Ignorance.  Before us lay a set goal; June 1954, the month and year when those of us able to see the fight to the finish would march down the aisle.

During this four year crusade we were to learn to choose the subjects best suited to our chosen vocations. Our advisors aided us in our choices and became our friends and counselors. This lot fell to Mrs. V. K. Newell, Miss M. B. Bugg, C.C. Lipscomb, and P. H. Williams for three years, with John Ford as our first president.

The first year Ann Hunt, Harry Payne, Anna Coble became soloists in the choral society. We sent to the band: Harry Payne, Vernon High, Hubert Barnes, Maceo Davis, Anna Coble, George Satterfield, Annie Jean Freeman, Delores Fisher, and James Jackson with Shirley Jean Alston as a majorette.

Thomas Scales, Ann Hunt, Mary Treadwell, Beatrice Collins, Jesse Pope, Marjorie Freeman, Zenobia Browning , Delores Utley entered the Dramatics Department.

Finally, as the first battle ended, some among us received recognition for outstanding performance. Ann Hunt maintained the highest average, followed by Zenobia Browning and Delores Utley. Maceo Davis received a medal for attaining the highest average in general science.

Our second year of the great battle began in September 1951. Newcomers in the ranks, Roman Walton, Willie Taylor, Shirley Matthews, replaced the ”Little Soldiers” who had fallen by the way. With the same advisors, we continued to battle, with Harry Payne as President; Dolores Utley, Student Council representative; Zenobia Browning, coordinator;  Beatrice Collins, Anna Coble , Dorothy Williams, Mable Scarver, Francis Roberts, Harry Payne, homeroom representatives; Betty Cooper and Majorie Freeman cheerleaders.

Again, another phase of the battle terminated. This year more among us won honors for valiant service. Anna Coble received the highest average and scholarship award. The local and district prizes in our oratorical contest were won by Beatrice Collins.

In September 1952, approximately 200 proud Juniors enrolled at Washington School, full of vitality, and ready to continue the fight for progress. With the same advisors, we chose a new executive committee with Roman Walton, President.

The recruits sent to reinforce us were: Esther  Hayes, Cochiese Ellis, Amanda Johnson, Louise Bailey, Lorenzo Kearney, Mammie Parker, Jean Delores Leach, Beluah Holden, Ethel Mials, Charles Terrill, and Daniel Howard, Jr.

Joseph Robertson, Franklin Peterson, Ann Hunt, Harry Payne, Edward Towns, Francis Roberts, Mable Scarver, Lawrence Lester, Anna Coble, and Dorothy Williams were the representatives to the Student Council.

This year, fifteen of our members were inducted into the honor society, the Crown and Scepter: Zenobia Browning, Anna Coble, Betty Cooper, Maceo Davis, Vernon High, Gloris King, Gloria Haywood, Docenia  Hammond, Joseph Robertson, Earl Thorpe, Carlene Pulley, Ann Hunt, Roman Walton, and Delores Utley.

This year, Gloria King maintained the highest average with Delores Utley and Zenobia Browning tying for second place. First, second and third prizes in another speaking contest were won by Beatrice Collins, Gloria King, and Francis Roberts, respectively. Delores Utley and Gloria King received awards for having the highest averages in Chemistry and French. Beatrice Collins won second prize in an essay contest - “What the Bill of Rights Means to me.”

Into the fourth battle, we tread, determined to see the fight to the finish. This year, in September 1953, we entered -not Washington - but the J.W. Ligon Junior-Senoir High School. We are honored to be the first graduating class of this beautiful ultra-modern building.

This year, our advisors are new: Mrs. E. M. M. Kelly, Mrs. A. M. Levingston, Mrs. E. D. Toole, and Miss E. M. Yeargin.

“Little Solider” replacements this year are Leon Penn, Nettie Winston,  Eddie Robinson, Bobbie Chavis, and Gloria Jennings.

The Seniors are well represented in the student council with Roman Walton as president and Beatrice Collins as editor of the Tatler and the weekly news round-up.

The Senoir members of the Little Blues varsity football squad included: Francis Roberts and John Baker, co-captains. The Senior players on the varsity basketball team included: Thomas Perry and George Satterfeild as co-captains. The captain of the majorette squad is Shirley Alston with Vernon High as drum major. The cheerleaders are Marjorie Freeman, Betty Cooper, Joyce McNeil, and Marian Page.

We have to a degree defeated Ignorance in our crusade, but we don’t know he is not dead, but severely wounded, and he will rise again to obstruct the “Little Soldiers” who come after us. However, we hope that the classes to follow will be strong and ready to face whatever obstacles may be arise; but for now, the classes of ’54 must move on and accept our places in the world as citizens of Raleigh and the world.