1964: We made our debut at Wilson much like most freshmen-in the balcony.
S.C.A. President Bobby Heely greeted us, and the guidance counselors gallantly explained scheduling and sections: third floor is science and math; second floor of F section is languages, etc. We yelled as loud as we could during pep rallies to make it known that we were Prexies, too. Then came our first homecoming, with the thrilling task of making thousands of paper flowers to decorate floats. As proud Wilson students, we saw Wilson beat the undefeated Tigers of Oscar Smith -definitely a memory-making night. During basketball season we watched our team go all the way to Richmond to win the State Basketball Tournament, and we knew we were part of a great school.
As the year drew to a close, we chose our classes for next year and took our final exams. Another senior class was graduated, and we could not quite under-stand that sad, happy attitude most of them had.
Making it a point to smirk and snicker at the new freshmen, we re-entered school and swaggered down the halls, feeling terribly proud of our upper-lower-classmen position. As well as digging worms for biology and stumbling through Julius Caesar; we found means of avoiding the cafeteria and learned all the passable excuses. Tommy Buck held the S.C.A. gavel, and Ginny Lou Morin presided over homecoming, when we beat Hampton before 7,000 excited fans. Our second year at Wilson ended, and we prepared to climb up one more rung.
The ordering of class rings was one of the highlights of our junior year. Gradually something had been seeping through to us since our first day at Wilson, and we suddenly realized what strong bonds there were between our school and us. We were respected now, and our behavior was setting patterns for the lower-classmen to follow. Juniors were holding offices in the clubs, Hi-Y's, and Tri-Hi-Y's; junior boys were reaching the heights of superior athletic achievements; and we all felt a touch of pride when Walt Tobler was praised in the papers. Varsity cheerleaders came from our midst, and we also presented the school with Sharon Adams, homecoming maid of honor, and her two attendants, Debbie Broughton and Judy Rupnik. Kathy White made a lovely queen as we watched our team beat Oscar Smith again. Pat Kreger proved her-self an able class president, as did Wayne Sykes as SCA President. The year ended with the "Top Hat" Jr.-Sr. Prom, which we, as juniors, worked so hard to make the best one yet.
A girl president rose to the throne again to prove that boys do not really rule Wilson-our own Pat Kreger, S.C.A. President. We elected York Poole our class president and embarked on our final year at Wilson. School spirit was our goal, and we did our best to achieve it. Shirley Valentine and Cindee Brouwer led the cheers. Debbie Broughton reigned over homecoming with Penny Nichols and Linda Boothe at her side as Wilson beat Maury before some very proud old grads. With numb feet, stiff joints, and dripping um-brellas, we sat in our reserved senior section and watched our football team tear the Truckers apart in the last game of the season. That was the last Wilson game for Walt Tobler, Jerry Goney, Thad Parsons, and Johnny Viers, and we were glad it had been a victory.
To the world, or at least to the city, we presented Penny Nichols, who became Portsmouth's Junior Miss. But were we content just to capture the highest title? No! We made a clean sweep of the contest, and left the officials flabbergasted as Nancy Cherry placed second and Marilyn Austin third.
Soon dues, working on the class song, caps and gowns, calling cards and announcements, marching up and down the auditorium, even the prom, were over. Only graduation remained, and after that we would enter the world on our own.
Emerson once said,
"Hitch your wagon to a star."
We hitched our wagons twelve years ago, and now as we look up, there is light; briliiant light shimmering all around us, mighty flashes of burning gold; the blinding light of success.
CLASS OF 1968
Seniors--we stand as one,
Knowing thetime has finally come
For us to graduate.
Tears fill our eyes; goodbyes we hate.
When we as Freshmen came
To graduate was our main aim;
But--now we hate to go
For Wilson High, we'll miss you so.
High School days were such fun while here
And your name, Wilson High, we'll hold dear.
Though we go seperate ways
We'll not forget these high school days.
Now we must break our ties
As we sadly say our last goodbyes.
Through years fade friendship of the past,
We'll still recall our '68 Class.
Some things are hard to say
But still are felt in our hearts today.
One thought, though, makes us blue
This being-- Wilson High, Adieu.
