WWHS Alumni Class 1969 Page

In 1965, we gave little indication of being

more than a typical freshman class. We

shrieked from our balcony, bumbled down

the halls, elected Andy Hawkins class

president, and felt just a little remorse at

having both our principal, Dr. Allen, and our

assistant principal, Mr. Galliford, retire from

Wilson's administrative staff at the same

time.

As sophomores we became more involved

in school life and discovered what a satisfying

word gross was. Bobby Holland took over the

class presidency, J. V. Cheerleaders leaped

from our midst, and we lurked about the

halls peddling toothbrushes. After about forty

minutes of recurring Stars and Stripes

Forever, William Spong Day was launched to

honor our politically successful alumnus; and

in dramatics we were particularly proud that

Agnes Mobley and Bobby Holland held lead

roles in the annual musical, Li'l Abner.

Mike Tapler, State and National DECA

Vice-President, beaded our junior class, and

we went through the traditions of ordering

class rings and nominating contestants for the

Homecoming Court; Carol Garrett was

elected Maid of Honor, and Pam Hambleton

and Lynne Jeffreys served as her attendants.

We presented the first Powder Puff football

game in several years and watched with

"mixed feelings" as our class sponsor Miss

Lois Gusler, found herself in possession of the

pigskin, began trotting down the field, and

suddenly found herself reclining in a sludge

pit while scores of junior girls seized the

opportunity to avenge biology failures and

connived to construct a cone with Miss

Gusler providing the foundation. Vicki

Newsome proved to be a regular little starlet;

she starred in all three of the annual dramatic

productions. Evaluation meant such degrad-

ing tasks as scraping gum off desk tops and

erasing restroom literature, but Wilson did an

excellent job of impressing the critics, and

the National Honor Society rewarded our

efforts with the freshness of Daisy Day. Spring-

time meant the birth of an unusual television

program called Laugh In and preparation

for the Junior-Senior Prom, "An Arabian

Night," complete with murals, food to fit the

theme, and the gym's first cheesecloth ceiling.

But more happened during our junior year.

The world's first heart transplant was suc-

cessfully performed, Vietnam dragged on,

and a horrible era of violence settled over the

country. Reverend Doctor Martin Luther

King, Jr., was shot, ending his life but not his

"dream," and just as it seemed that his career

would attain new heights Robert Kennedy

was also assassinated.

June 7th came, and our official status

became "senior."

Andy Hawkins headed the student body as

S.C.A. President, and we re-elected Mike

Tapler our class president. "We're Number

1!' was shouted all over Tidewater and the

really glorious thing was that we were! The

Wilson football team won the Eastern

Regional Championship and we had the

satisfacton of knowing that point-wise we

were Number I in the State, too. Other

Number l's Captured were in indoor and

outdoor track, wrestling and cross country,

track, and we tied for District 1st place in.

basketball.' Ruth Campbell reigned as

Homecoming Queen - attended by Rachel

Lindsey and Billie Jean Blaylock - and once

again a Wilson girl, Sue Harris, captured the

Portsmouth Juruor Miss title. On Senior Day

we hauled our traditional lollipops around

and paraded the halls with our heads

swathed in construction paper (mockeries of

the symbolic graduation caps). Becky Barclay

rose to fame as a speech Maker, dramatist,

and over-all scholar, sharing this last honor

with Mark Sullivan as they composed half of

Wilson's winning "Hi-Q" team.

Jackie Kennedy shocked the world by

remarrying, Richard Nixon was inaugurated

President; and Hong Kong Flu travelled the

country, apparently finding Virginia a

distasteful place. Wilson students tutored at

Riddick-Weaver Elementary School, the

"Remember the Pueblo" crew was released.

from Korea, and Vietnam remained undeni-

ably real.

We graduated much like other senior

classes, but each of us knew he had been a

significant, necessary part of an outstanding

class, and we ended the twelve-year project

and broke the unity with dignity. This is our

history, and these are our hopes. "May thy

name e'er stir our mem'ries" - may we take

more than memories with us. We all want

success, happiness, and peace, and we hope

to be remembered as a much greater than

"typical" group of men and women.

"And the thoughts of youth are long, long

thoughts."

By Cynthia Howard (Amorese)

For the Seniors of Wilson High.

We now must say goodbye to our friends,

But on day we'll meet once again.

We thank our teachers and parents dear

For their guidance throughout these years.

Now we go on journeys unkown

To begin a life of our own.

Cherished memories of our class

Will remain through years do pass

Goodbye, goodbye, we say once again,

Four wonderful years have come to an end.

The '69 class bids farewell to you.

Wilson we'll always remain true.

Our final moments are drawing nigh,

So farewell to our Wilson High.

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 offically 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. John “Eddie” Lee ’68.