Article 9, Volume 1
The Virtual Retro Committee included three sophomores on the "Ten Most Attractive Girls on Campus" list for school year 1957-58. This selection is the final of the sophomores selected. Those of us who knew her, called her by her nickname,"Lene". She was a gifted and very caring person. She was a member of the SPA, National Honor Society, Drama Club, and at least four other activities. Lene excelled in Math and Science and stated that she wanted a career in Commercial Science.
Lene wanted to participate in more activities, but was hindered, in part, because she rode the school bus. Her daily round trip was about 38 miles from and to Bellsville. Also, she had family responsibilities after school.
On the bus, Lene used the 70 minutes one way travel time wisely. On the bus ride, Lene and Cecelia Hill, a classmate usually sat together, near the front,and spent most of the time studying. Perceptibly, they spent about 80 percent of the time exchanging notes and doing homework. It's no wonder they ranked in the top three of their graduating class. In a virtual conversation, Lene explained why she spent so much time studying. "I don't have any time to lose, when I get home I help my siblings and grandmother and then study some more. I need a full scholarship."
Lene stayed focused on her school work, because she knew that after all is said and done, the measuring tool for her success would be based on how well she had performed in class.
She performed very well and earned the right to be the class Valedictorian, and received a full scholarship to Virginia State College (now Virginia State University) in Petersburg. She eventually continued her studies, and received a doctorate degree (Ph.D).
Physically, Lene took very good care of herself. She had regular features, and noticeable attractive thick, natural black eyebrows, covering her brown eyes.
Today, Lene resides in Hawaii.
The student name is (to be continued below under Ten Most Attractive Girls on Campus)
Temporary Building
When we returned to school, after summer break, on Tuesday, September 3, 1957, we saw that big grey trailer looking, building on the school ground. Our first impression was that it was a storage building. Nope!,that was not the case. It was a temporary building for six new classrooms. Some of us, I believe, were praying that our homeroom would not be in that building out there near the woods. On September 4th, they started deciding which students would go to Mr. Charles Jones sophomore class in that ugly building. My homeroom class stayed put, but 8 students transferred from my homeroom to Mr. Jones classroom.
New Teachers
The new building enabled the school system to use the funds from a special government grant to hire ten new teachers. The new teachers, I believe, included:
James Harris, Math; Clara Harris (wife of James), Language Arts; Charlie Jones, Math; James Barge, Music Education ( In 1955, he recorded the nationwide popular and hit song, "Country" that featured him playing the saxophone); Irma Burke, Math; Leo Purnell, Math (he was killed in a car accident after one (or less) years at ESH; Floyd Miller, Science; Ruth Whitfield, Language Arts and Frank Valentine, United States History.
These ten new teachers made an instant impact on our school's academic standards. Simply put, our teaching staff was woefully too low in numbers before their arrival.
Remember, this is the year that the 12th grade was added. Prior, students graduated after the eleventh grade. Nansemond County was one of the last jurisdictions in Virginia, and perhaps the United States, to add the 12th grade. Booker T. Washington High and Suffolk High (both Suffolk city schools) already had the 12th grade.
Students and Activities
Two of the most gifted academic boys on campus were Roosevelt Jordan, a junior (Saratogo) and James Joe Riddick, a senior (South Suffolk). Joe was the salutorium of his class and received a full scholarship to Virginia State College. Sadly, he died in a boating accident, on or near campus, in his 2nd year at VSC.
Roosevelt also ranked high in his class.
In the fall of 1957, I was blessed with an opportunity to appear, with 3 of our school's most gifted and talented students, on the radio program "Quiz'em on the Air". The program aired from a large radio station in Norfolk, VA. My three fellow students on the program are included in the following four names: David Bullock (Hollywood); Carol Boone; Lillian Brinkley and Mary Byrd. We didn't win but the exposure was good for ESH.
Ten Most Attractive Girls on Campus
I gave you too many clues for you not to know who was selected as our seventh most attractive girl on campus. But, just in case you still have some doubts, her name is Laulene Wooten from the Bellville community. Laulene is now known as Dr. Laulene Wooten-Brown.
Laulene selection brings our total to seven. Remember, the final ranking order will not be disclosed until the names of all ten girls have been released.
The seven names revealed so far are: Susan Townsell (Chuckatuck); Delores Fields (Norfolk Road); Rosebud Rogers, (Hollywood); Almeta Barnes (Saratogo); Mary Byrd, (Norfolk Road); Carol Boone (Norfolk Road) and Laulene Wooten (Bellville).
The final three selections (two juniors and one senior) will be announced in future publications.
The Virtual Retro Committee included three sophomores on the "Ten Most Attractive Girls on Campus" list for school year 1957-58. This selection is the final of the sophomores selected. Those of us who knew her, called her by her nickname,"Lene". She was a gifted and very caring person. She was a member of the SPA, National Honor Society, Drama Club, and at least four other activities. Lene excelled in Math and Science and stated that she wanted a career in Commercial Science.
Lene wanted to participate in more activities, but was hindered, in part, because she rode the school bus. Her daily round trip was about 38 miles from and to Bellsville. Also, she had family responsibilities after school.
On the bus, Lene used the 70 minutes one way travel time wisely. On the bus ride, Lene and Cecelia Hill, a classmate usually sat together, near the front,and spent most of the time studying. Perceptibly, they spent about 80 percent of the time exchanging notes and doing homework. It's no wonder they ranked in the top three of their graduating class. In a virtual conversation, Lene explained why she spent so much time studying. "I don't have any time to lose, when I get home I help my siblings and grandmother and then study some more. I need a full scholarship."
Lene stayed focused on her school work, because she knew that after all is said and done, the measuring tool for her success would be based on how well she had performed in class.
She performed very well and earned the right to be the class Valedictorian, and received a full scholarship to Virginia State College (now Virginia State University) in Petersburg. She eventually continued her studies, and received a doctorate degree (Ph.D).
Physically, Lene took very good care of herself. She had regular features, and noticeable attractive thick, natural black eyebrows, covering her brown eyes.
Today, Lene resides in Hawaii.
The student name is (to be continued below under Ten Most Attractive Girls on Campus)
Temporary Building
When we returned to school, after summer break, on Tuesday, September 3, 1957, we saw that big grey trailer looking, building on the school ground. Our first impression was that it was a storage building. Nope!,that was not the case. It was a temporary building for six new classrooms. Some of us, I believe, were praying that our homeroom would not be in that building out there near the woods. On September 4th, they started deciding which students would go to Mr. Charles Jones sophomore class in that ugly building. My homeroom class stayed put, but 8 students transferred from my homeroom to Mr. Jones classroom.
New Teachers
The new building enabled the school system to use the funds from a special government grant to hire ten new teachers. The new teachers, I believe, included:
James Harris, Math; Clara Harris (wife of James), Language Arts; Charlie Jones, Math; James Barge, Music Education ( In 1955, he recorded the nationwide popular and hit song, "Country" that featured him playing the saxophone); Irma Burke, Math; Leo Purnell, Math (he was killed in a car accident after one (or less) years at ESH; Floyd Miller, Science; Ruth Whitfield, Language Arts and Frank Valentine, United States History.
These ten new teachers made an instant impact on our school's academic standards. Simply put, our teaching staff was woefully too low in numbers before their arrival.
Remember, this is the year that the 12th grade was added. Prior, students graduated after the eleventh grade. Nansemond County was one of the last jurisdictions in Virginia, and perhaps the United States, to add the 12th grade. Booker T. Washington High and Suffolk High (both Suffolk city schools) already had the 12th grade.
Students and Activities
Two of the most gifted academic boys on campus were Roosevelt Jordan, a junior (Saratogo) and James Joe Riddick, a senior (South Suffolk). Joe was the salutorium of his class and received a full scholarship to Virginia State College. Sadly, he died in a boating accident, on or near campus, in his 2nd year at VSC.
Roosevelt also ranked high in his class.
In the fall of 1957, I was blessed with an opportunity to appear, with 3 of our school's most gifted and talented students, on the radio program "Quiz'em on the Air". The program aired from a large radio station in Norfolk, VA. My three fellow students on the program are included in the following four names: David Bullock (Hollywood); Carol Boone; Lillian Brinkley and Mary Byrd. We didn't win but the exposure was good for ESH.
Ten Most Attractive Girls on Campus
I gave you too many clues for you not to know who was selected as our seventh most attractive girl on campus. But, just in case you still have some doubts, her name is Laulene Wooten from the Bellville community. Laulene is now known as Dr. Laulene Wooten-Brown.
Laulene selection brings our total to seven. Remember, the final ranking order will not be disclosed until the names of all ten girls have been released.
The seven names revealed so far are: Susan Townsell (Chuckatuck); Delores Fields (Norfolk Road); Rosebud Rogers, (Hollywood); Almeta Barnes (Saratogo); Mary Byrd, (Norfolk Road); Carol Boone (Norfolk Road) and Laulene Wooten (Bellville).
The final three selections (two juniors and one senior) will be announced in future publications.
No comments:
Post a Comment