Senior Class of 1955 History
President
Bernard Wilson
Vice President
Thurman Davis
Secretary
Bettie Rogers
Treasurer
Herbert Hicks

I

In September 1951, 214 wide-eyed Freshmen entered the Washington School with a feeling of entering a great ship that would, in four year, take us to our destination, graduation.  Our captain was Mr. C. H. McLendon and the crewmen were: Ms. S. V. Perry, Mrs. G. H. Harris, Mrs. E. M. Kelly, Mrs. I. E. Washington, Mr. A. T. Whitaker and Mrs. E. L. Clark.

Toward the end of September, we were confronted with the "Miss Washington High" contest.  The contest ended with Susie Hooker as runner-up.

We are extremely proud at the end of that year and why shouldn’t we be, after completing it successfully.
 

II

This year began with most of us as Sophomores, and eager to go on to the more challenging work that lay ahead of us.

Having found a place in the school, we began to take part in extra-curricular activities; band, basketball, majorettes, Y-Teens, and football.

With our crewmen remaining the same, class officers, for the year were, president, Thurman Davis; vice president, Leonard Hunter; secretary, Gloria Hill, assistant secretary, Bettie Rogers; and treasurer Jimmie Gill.  The following of our number won medals for outstanding scholarships; Samuel Gibson, Natural Science; Willard Morris, Biology; Barbara Crockett, Highest Average.

III

Tempus really fugits! It seemed as if only a short while ago we were just entering high school and now were proud juniors.  Proud because we were entering a new school, J. W. Ligon Junior-Senior High School, with a new captain and crewmen, we could be initiated into the Crown and Scepter Club, and attend the Junior-Senior Prom.

A new set of crewman was appointed during this stage of the cruise.  They were: Miss M. C. Bullock, Mr. M. B. Jones, Mrs. L. F. Perrin and Mr. C. C. Lipscomb with Dr. W. H. Watson as Captain.

In football and basketball many of our members participated in and received medals of Honor for outstanding performance.

Since some of us worked hard at the beginning of our cruise some were rewarded by being initiated into the Crown and Scepter Club in 1953.  They were: Verna Batchelor, Thelma Harlee, Gloria Hill, Bettie Rogers, Rosa Scarborough, Delores White, Thurman Davis, Samuel Gibson, Willard Morris, Lenwood Sanders, ad David Washington. One of our passengers, Gloria Hill was elected secretary of the State Crown and Scepter Club.

Class officers for that year were president, Leonard Hunter; vice president, Charles Benjamin; secretary, Bettie Rogers; assistant secretary, Gloria Hill; and treasurer, Herbert Hicks.

An all-school election revealed George Thomas as President of the Student Council for the forthcoming year.
 

IV

With dignity and an eager desire to go forward, we became seniors under the expert guidance of our crewmen and captain.  Added to the crewmen this year was Mrs. R. B. Williams, teacher of Spanish and typing.

Willie Alston and Chester Parker were elected captains of the football team and Charles Benjamin and James Jackson, captains of the basketball team.

Class officers were, president, Bernard Wilson, vice president, Thurman Davis; secretary, Bettie Rogers; assistant secretary, Gwendolyn Forbes; treasurer, Herbert Hicks.

Fourteen senior girls accepted invitations to be presented to society through the annual Debutante Ball given at the Memorial Auditorium. Making their debut were: Gloria Hill, Susie Hooker, Philistine Cooke, Mamie Willis, Jean Evans, Ellen Chavis, Gwendolyn Forbes, Anita Smith, Gloria Hinton, Majiorie Jones, Bettie Rogers, Rosebud Whitaker, Shirley Hagins, and Rosa Scarborough.

In the spring, we took a four-day trip to Washington, D. C., where we visited such places as the Capitol, White House, Mint, Howard University, etc.  On the return trip we stopped at the Luray Cavern, Virginia.

Even though we have reached graduation, we knew that there is much more ahead of us yet to be conquered.  On this we have fought the waves of ignorance and insecurity, but there are still even more cruises to be made.

Historians:  Gloria A. Hill, Susie B. Hooke, and Delores White

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Ligon GT Magnet Middle School
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