Article 4, Volume 1
The new school year started for me on August 15, 1957. That was the day I reported for football practice. The coach was surprised to see me. After all, I was the 47th player on the depth chart of a 45 man roster the previous year. I told them that I had a new name. It was "Bone Crusher."
When I walked on the football field that day I felt super strong. I had spent the summer working at a saw mill tossing lumber and wood all day. The work helped take the fear out of me. Now those upperclassmen on the team looked so normal. When the practice competition started, I was able to hang with the best players on the team. On team selection day, I was the 18th player chosen for the team. In a year when the school did not have a graduation class ( most prior year players returned), I went from the 47th player on the team to 18th. I will always be thankful to the late Rosevelt Ricks for helping me that year. He was an assistant coach, who had recently graduated from Allen University in South Carolina. The head coach was Fitz Turner and the assistant coaches were Mack Benn, Jr and Charlie Jones.
George Glee, who could not throw passes, was the quarterback. So on passing downs, Joe Riddick, the starting right tackle, would go in the backfield to be the passer (a linesman would take his place on the line). We finished the season with a winning record, and at least three players received scholarships. Elton Jenkins to Allen University, and Alfred Robertson and Glee to Voohees College in South Carolina.
William Harrell-Porter had his best year in football in 1957. ( In his senior year he had to share the ball with McCoy Ricks, who was voted the Athlete of the Year for the class of 1959).
Nevertheless, they adjusted and did what they had to do to pass. Students were happy to get a "D" and move on. Mrs. Clara was tough, but she was good, and she became one of my all-time favorite teachers.
Girls
Only the senior girls were allowed to wear makeup and stockings.
Homeroom classes were required to pray, sing a hymnn, pledge allegiance to the flag and sometimes give a testimony.
After clearance by Mrs. Norfleet, we were dismissed at 9 a.m. to report to our various classes.
My homeroom had a lot of talented and academically gifted students. Two of them comes to mind instantly. They are Cecilia Hill (Hawkins) & James Parsons. They were flat out gifted academically. Yet, they were normal in their demeanor.
The new school year started for me on August 15, 1957. That was the day I reported for football practice. The coach was surprised to see me. After all, I was the 47th player on the depth chart of a 45 man roster the previous year. I told them that I had a new name. It was "Bone Crusher."
When I walked on the football field that day I felt super strong. I had spent the summer working at a saw mill tossing lumber and wood all day. The work helped take the fear out of me. Now those upperclassmen on the team looked so normal. When the practice competition started, I was able to hang with the best players on the team. On team selection day, I was the 18th player chosen for the team. In a year when the school did not have a graduation class ( most prior year players returned), I went from the 47th player on the team to 18th. I will always be thankful to the late Rosevelt Ricks for helping me that year. He was an assistant coach, who had recently graduated from Allen University in South Carolina. The head coach was Fitz Turner and the assistant coaches were Mack Benn, Jr and Charlie Jones.
Football
We were favorite to win the district that year because we had an experienced team. It did not happen. Despite our best effort, we were no match for Booker T Washington of Norfolk and I. C. Norcum of Portsmouth. However. we were competitive with both teams. To this day, I do not understand why weopened the season every year against three of the best teams in the state. (I. C. Norcum, Booker T of Norfolk, and Peabody). These schools had good feeder programs and prepared year round. We were primarily, country boys. When we pulled our uniforms off in November we did not do anything related to football until the following August.
George Glee, who could not throw passes, was the quarterback. So on passing downs, Joe Riddick, the starting right tackle, would go in the backfield to be the passer (a linesman would take his place on the line). We finished the season with a winning record, and at least three players received scholarships. Elton Jenkins to Allen University, and Alfred Robertson and Glee to Voohees College in South Carolina.
William Harrell-Porter had his best year in football in 1957. ( In his senior year he had to share the ball with McCoy Ricks, who was voted the Athlete of the Year for the class of 1959).
New Teachers
We had several new teachers added to the faculty. Included were Mr. & Mrs. James and Clara Harris, two dynamic teachers. Mrs. Clara Harris, a Liberal Arts teacher, made an instant impact. She did not give any breaks, do the work or repeat. Seemingly, most of the students were deficient in grammar and literature.
Nevertheless, they adjusted and did what they had to do to pass. Students were happy to get a "D" and move on. Mrs. Clara was tough, but she was good, and she became one of my all-time favorite teachers.
Girls
The sophomore girls looked a lot different on opening day (September 3, 1957) than they did in June when the school closed for summer vacation. Collectively, they looked more mature, and dressed more fashionable. Mostly, they were in the "Sweet Sixteen" category. However, they still were not allowed to wear pants; and if they came to school with their hair nappy, they were subject to be sent home. Also, they were not allowed wear lipstick, makeup or stockings.
Only the senior girls were allowed to wear makeup and stockings.
Homeroom
Mrs. Thelma Norfleet was my homeroom teacher. We reported to our homeroom at 8:30am for inspection. The homeroom teachers were secretly responsible for determining if students in their homerooms were prepared to go to their various classes. They observed each student's dress, attitude, demeanor, and other factors.
Homeroom classes were required to pray, sing a hymnn, pledge allegiance to the flag and sometimes give a testimony.
After clearance by Mrs. Norfleet, we were dismissed at 9 a.m. to report to our various classes.
My homeroom had a lot of talented and academically gifted students. Two of them comes to mind instantly. They are Cecilia Hill (Hawkins) & James Parsons. They were flat out gifted academically. Yet, they were normal in their demeanor.
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