Article 1, Volume 1
Arrival of campus
When I arrived on campus, that warm September day in 1955, with my peanut butter and jelly sandwich, wearing my new brogan shoes and overalls, I was one of the most excited students on campus. At last I was on campus with many of the students I had read about in the newspaper for 3 and 4 years.
I was faced with a lot adjustments. Approximately 180 eighth grade students were coming in from all over the county. We were divided and assigned to 5 classrooms. My homeroom teacher was Mrs. Evelyn Jackson.
I was assigned to take 5 classes in 5 different rooms, with different teachers. This was a total new experience for me. Previously, all I had to do was go to one classroom and sit all day.
Ain't gonna take it no more
I did not adjust to boys plucking my head, and hitting me for no reason. I'd say, Stop! But my plea fell on deaf ears. I didn't fight back because I was a Christian and that did not seem the appropriate thing to do. Then, one day, in October 1955, I was soaking wet from walking to school in a heavy downpour of rain, and a bully classmate had the nerve to pluck my head. Without hesitation, I turned around and hit him with an uppercut. He fell back and went into a shock - came back at me swinging wildly - we fought for about 3 minutes. The teacher stood and looked and finally intervened. I won the battle that day. After class, the teacher told me on the way out the door, "Good fight, good fight." Well, I believe I fought that day because I was a Christian.
I gained a little respect that day but I still had to fight others through the 10th grade. Maybe, I appeared to be a pushover. Still can't figure out - to this day - why so many boys wanted to fight me. Maybe, it was because the girls always cheered for me.
Social awareness
Until I arrived on campus, I did not realize that so many pretty girls were in Nansemond County. We had little and big ones, tall & short ones, mean and good ones, smart & other than smart ones. Seemingly, girls were not allowed to wear pants. If so, they would have to wear a dress over them. Their legs were extra cold when they arrived at school on cold days.
During my 8th grade year, in November, East Suffolk beat Booker T Washington of Suffolk for the first time in school history. Everybody was excited! We did not have classes (seemingly) that Monday. I remember 3 guys from my neighborhood stood tall in that game. Wilbur Cherry, Eugene Scott and William Harrell -Porter. I can still see little Wilbur jumping up and pulling in a touchdown pass. They started calling him "Ally Oop."
Impressed by seniors
The seniors who excelled in the classrooms and on the athletic fields were like rock stars to me. I would go out of my way just to say hello to some of them. They would probably wonder, "Who is this pesky 8th grader?"
School year over
In June 1956 my first year on campus ended. Now, it was time to go home for the summer and get ready for my Freshman year.
I'm anxious to read about my freshman year. It was more exciting than my eighth grade year.
That story will be in my next blog.
Note
The East Suffolk High School Alumni Association is scheduled to meet the first Saturday of each month in Suffolk, VA.
Grady E. Bryant, Sr.
ESH 60
Arrival of campus
When I arrived on campus, that warm September day in 1955, with my peanut butter and jelly sandwich, wearing my new brogan shoes and overalls, I was one of the most excited students on campus. At last I was on campus with many of the students I had read about in the newspaper for 3 and 4 years.
I was faced with a lot adjustments. Approximately 180 eighth grade students were coming in from all over the county. We were divided and assigned to 5 classrooms. My homeroom teacher was Mrs. Evelyn Jackson.
I was assigned to take 5 classes in 5 different rooms, with different teachers. This was a total new experience for me. Previously, all I had to do was go to one classroom and sit all day.
Ain't gonna take it no more
I did not adjust to boys plucking my head, and hitting me for no reason. I'd say, Stop! But my plea fell on deaf ears. I didn't fight back because I was a Christian and that did not seem the appropriate thing to do. Then, one day, in October 1955, I was soaking wet from walking to school in a heavy downpour of rain, and a bully classmate had the nerve to pluck my head. Without hesitation, I turned around and hit him with an uppercut. He fell back and went into a shock - came back at me swinging wildly - we fought for about 3 minutes. The teacher stood and looked and finally intervened. I won the battle that day. After class, the teacher told me on the way out the door, "Good fight, good fight." Well, I believe I fought that day because I was a Christian.
I gained a little respect that day but I still had to fight others through the 10th grade. Maybe, I appeared to be a pushover. Still can't figure out - to this day - why so many boys wanted to fight me. Maybe, it was because the girls always cheered for me.
Social awareness
Until I arrived on campus, I did not realize that so many pretty girls were in Nansemond County. We had little and big ones, tall & short ones, mean and good ones, smart & other than smart ones. Seemingly, girls were not allowed to wear pants. If so, they would have to wear a dress over them. Their legs were extra cold when they arrived at school on cold days.
During my 8th grade year, in November, East Suffolk beat Booker T Washington of Suffolk for the first time in school history. Everybody was excited! We did not have classes (seemingly) that Monday. I remember 3 guys from my neighborhood stood tall in that game. Wilbur Cherry, Eugene Scott and William Harrell -Porter. I can still see little Wilbur jumping up and pulling in a touchdown pass. They started calling him "Ally Oop."
Impressed by seniors
The seniors who excelled in the classrooms and on the athletic fields were like rock stars to me. I would go out of my way just to say hello to some of them. They would probably wonder, "Who is this pesky 8th grader?"
School year over
In June 1956 my first year on campus ended. Now, it was time to go home for the summer and get ready for my Freshman year.
I'm anxious to read about my freshman year. It was more exciting than my eighth grade year.
That story will be in my next blog.
Note
The East Suffolk High School Alumni Association is scheduled to meet the first Saturday of each month in Suffolk, VA.
Grady E. Bryant, Sr.
ESH 60
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