The Class Roster and pictures are as represented in the Woodrow Wilson High School, Portsmouth, Virginia yearbook or annual of the year indicated on the page. The Roster may not be complete and pictures and names may have been removed by request of the person involved. Also, it does not officially indicate the year of graduation and/or that the party in question graduated. If you are not represented in your class, you will be added to the last page of the year and you may submit a photo to be added. All information on these pages came from the yearbook represented and alumni who have passed on information and may not be accurate.
DEAR WILSON, WE MUST LEAVE AND TAKE FOND MEMORIES,
YOU'VE DONE YOUR BEST BY THESE----
WE'LL FACE THE FUTURE YEARS.
THE FUN AND WORK WE'VE HAD WILL SOMEDAY MAKE US
GLAD;
'THOUGH NOW WE MAY BE SAD--
WE'LL FACE THE FUTURE YEARS.
SO AS OUR PATHS MUST PART, A DREAM IN EVERY HEART;
WHAT IF THE TEARDROPS START?
WE LOVE YOU, WILSON HIGH SCHOOL
OUR TEACHERS AND THE REST......"MR. TOGETHERNESS".......
YOU WERE THE VERY BEST!
WE'LL FACE THE FUTURE YEARS!!
words by Betty Ann Dearing
Four years ago we entered Woodrow Wilson High School. For some of us it was a long awaited event. We had seen our sisters and brothers attend Wilson, graduate, and leave - now it was our turn.
With great anxiety we began our Freshman year. For weeks the only familiar faces we saw were those of other Freshmen. Homeroom and classes seperated us from our friends. Upperclassmen took advantage of our igorance of the new surroundings. However, before the year was over we had joined clubs and teams, had made many new friends, and, most of all, were beginning to feel that we were a part of Wilson.
Summer came, and, as usual, was gone before we knew it. In September of 1957, we were Sophomores. Soon there were football games, then basket-ball. Before the second term was over, the first Freshman - Sophomore class at Wilson was organized and headed by Ray Crews.
Finally, we were Juniors - upperclassmen. Mr. Robert Allen, Assistant Principal in our Sophomore year, took the place of our retired principal, Mr. Robert L. Sweeney, and lead us through a successful year with his slogan of "Togetherness."
After the first term, Mr. W. T. H. Galliford, our new Assistant Principal, entrusted us with the task of making out our own schedules. It wasn't unusual to see a long line of students stretched down the hall - each one determined to get that certain teacher, or not take the subject at all.
Things really became confused when Norfolk students flooded our classrooms. We made such good friends from the situation forced upon us that when Norfolk schools opened in January, many chose to stay with us until June.
How can we ever forget the 1958-59 basketball team? After years of rivalry between Wilson and Newport News, Wilson came out victorious. In the last second of our final game with Newport News,
the tie was broken, and Wilson won the game and the Eastern District Championship. At the same time, however, the bleachers in the boys' gym balcony folded up and trapped many specators. Fortunately, no one was killed.
It wouldn't be long now - but who could believe it - when we could expect our class rings. They finally arrived, but, of course, they would be late.
The Junior-Senior gave Betty Jean Russell and Coach Strawn, among other people, a few gray hairs, but their work was rewarded with an elegant evening.
And now we were Seniors. There was only one year left to do the things we had looked forward to doing as priveledged seniors. We were the big shots now. It took us a while to get used to the fact, but we caught on.
Members of our class now held important school offices. Marty Brennaman was S.C.A. President; David Anderson was President of the Honor Council; Ray Crews was again President of our class. Work-ing with Marty were Bruce Laughon as Lunchroom Assistant and Pat Johnson, Public Service Assistant.
On Oct. 16, Wilson's "ole grads" returned for the class of '34 reunion. During half-time ceremonies at the Homecoming game between Wilson and Hampton, Jackie Drake was crowned queen. Jean Smithwick also represented the Senior class as one of the Queen's attendents. Mary 'Jo Tusing rode on the Forum's first place float winner, a dreamboat. This was also the first year that Seniors were exempt from taking gym. 'What a break!
The time was drawing nearer. The Juniors gave us a perfect Junior-Senior. We never believed our last few months could be so hectic: the Senior Class Play, the banquet, Baccalaureate, and, at last graduation.
It was a long hard struggle for some of us; for others it was easy, but for all of us the memories accumulated at "Good Ole Wilson" will last forever.
