The "Old" Wilson High School, February, 1952? Wasn't it wonderful? As Eighth Graders, walking in those front doors, we really thought we were getting up in the world.
How busy our class was for the first few weeks. We had to study, follow a completely new schedule, meet new friends, and, of course, get lost on the average of two or three times a day.
We and the principals became good friends, because we were turned in to the office at least once a week for doing things we didn't know about to begin with.
Joe Helms, the S.C.A. President, extended a very cordial welcome to our class, but to the other students, we were just little "runts". That didn't bother us, though. We were sitting on cloud nine in seventh heaven.
Will we ever forget our first day as Freshmen? No longer were we the "babies" of Wilson. We were at last real high school students.
Now we could attend all the campaign programs and actually vote in the elections. This was an exceptionally big thrill, because all the candidates wanted our votes. Sometimes they even called us by our real names.
The school President in 1952-'53 was George Gould. We liked to believe that our votes swung that electiort Also, after much campaigning and button distributing, Anne Edwards became our Homecoming Queen.
Yes, our Freshman year was great We at last had recognition. We were students of Woodrow Wilson High.
1953-1954: that was "Victory Year". Remember how proud we were when our football team won the State Championship in Roanoke? Everything was tops that year.
The cheering squad, led by Helen Warren and Barbara Edwards, will never be forgotten.
Barbara Turner made a beautiful Homecoming Queen, and Kit Morse served the student body well as President.
This year was 'a swell climax to all of the fun we had at the "Old" Wilson. We hated to leave, but we really didn't have much to say about it.
The "New" Wilson High School brought many changes. Upon entering the building, our prejudiced opinions made us resent the change and look for faults (especially with the maps we were given). But, we finally had to agree that we had the most wonderful school ever.
Wilson's cafeteria, auditorium, gymnasium, shops, and classrooms were the best in this part of the state. We were proud of our school, and boosted of nothing else for many months.
Bob White was the 1954-1955 President of the S.C.A., and Brent Wickers became the President of the first Honor Gouncil to be permanently organized here.
A petite blond, Gloria Mercer, was elected Homecoming
Queen, and our Junior Varsity Basketball team won the Eastern District title with a 21-1 record.
Our wonderful high school days were slipping by fast. Before we knew it, we were UPPER CLASSMEN!
Being among the leaders of the school now, we all took on a new dignity.
Besides our school work, we had class meetings to attend, projects to work on, and numerous plans to discuss. We even elected class officers. Sammy Pope became our president, and Mrs.. Wilda Oakley was our advisor. Old rose and silver were soon decided on as our class colors, and later in the year some of us worked hard, decorating the gym for the Junior-Senior Prom. The theme, "Moonlight Serenade", was beautiful.
Later in the year, we Juniors were further recognized through our individual pictures in the President. However, our high school days reached a climax when we put on our Class Rin~ for the first time.
This was the same year Mimi Brake was elected our Homecoming Queen; Lad Daniels was President of the S.C.A., and Willie Smith followed Brent Wickers as president of the Honor Council.
Another highlight during the year was the general election between the candidates for U.S. President, Eisenhower and Stevenson. Stevenson won, but no one is right all the time. This; of course, came about in our Mock Convention.
By all meant, we can't forget Baby Day. Wasn't it fun?
Yes, those were great days, but the best was saved 'til last.
Seniors! We could hardly believe it. We had the world in front of us, and W.W.H.S. at our feet. No class ever had a better year. We were not only successful in sports, but in evetything.
Bill Smith was tops as President of the S.C.A. Sammy Pope, with Mr. Pat Blake, our advisor, pulled our class through another year with flying colors as our President. Audrey Cherry was crowned Homecoming Queen at half-time of the first Wilson vs. Churchland football game.
If we had been busy in previous years, we were more so now. Class meetings were coming fast and furious. We had a Class Banquet and Class Play. Statistics were voted, and caps and gowns fitted.
Then came Baccalaureate and Commencement, and we were attain going through doors. We were graduates of the February Class of 1958. We were leaving Woodrow Wilson behind, and with it tlse best years of our lives.
