The Black and Gold
FHS Newsletter
Vol. I No. 12
15 May 1936
J.T. KELLY HEADS SENIORS OF 1937
On Wednesday the classes met and elected officers for the coming year.
The following officers for the Senior class of 1936-37 were elected:
President ……………….. J.T. Kelly
V. President ………… Jim Dick Pinson
Secretary-Reporter ………. Jane Thomas
Treasurer ……………. Juanita Taylor
Social Chairman ……… Geraldine Trail
Program Chairman …. Billie Louise Dykes
Class Mother ………. Mrs. Arthur Yates
Personally, the seniors of 1936-37 make the best Senior class ever. (No slam on the present one.) To say the least they’ll try with J.T. heading the class.
BUSTER LAYDEN HEADS JUNIORS
The Juniors of 1936-37 believe that they are just as fortunate as the Seniors of ’37 believe they are since they have a fine young man to head their organization. BUSTER LAYDEN was unanimously elected President. CHARLES MILLS was elected Vice-President. POLLY PINSON was elected as Secretary-Treasurer. HORACE DIETZ will serve as the Reporter.
The Sophomores of 1936-37 fell that they are as lucky as the Sophomores of ’36 were. They believe that FERRELL BRATCHER, newly elected president, will serve them as faithfully and as efficiently as Riter Hulsey served the Sophomores of ’36. They elected DAVID PINSON Vice-President to assist Ferrell. VIRGINIA RUTH SPRATT will serve as Secretary of the home room organization. NELLIE BUTLER was elected the Treasurer.
The Seventh Grade elected the following officers for the coming year:
President …………. Rosemary Thomas
Vice-President ………. L. Crittenden
Secretary ………… Celestine Pinson
The Freshmen of 1936-1937 feel sure that these officers will be the best that could have been chosen.
The BLACK AND GOLD is published by the students of the Forney Public Schools at the Highschool Building, Forney, Tex.
Superintendent – O.B. Powell
Sponsor – Jeffie Ball
Editor-in-Chief – Mary Linn Taylor
Assistant Editor – Margaret Crittenden
Reporters:
Seniors – Oleta Compton
Juniors – Virginia Yates
Sophomores – Winnie Faye Morton
Freshmen – Virginia Ruth Spratt
Seventh Grade – Conway Senter
Graduates – Glyndon Farmer
Athletics – Billy Joe Adams
Dramatic Club – Virginia Yates
Girl Reserves – Dixie Griffin
Home Economics – Elizabeth Hatley
Library Club – John Chapman
SENIORS OF 1937
We feel that the students of the high school as well as the faculty would like to congratulate the Seniors of ’37 upon their newly acquired officers. We know that they have made an excellent choice. We have found in our associations with J.T. that he is always true to his ideals; is fair in his dealings with others that he is open-minded. He uses good judgment and has excellent qualities for leadership. Jim Dick can do a thing, and do it well if he knows that we expect it of him. We know that the girls on the staff will do their share of work; they have proven it in the past.
But the officers must have the loyal cooperation of each member of the organization. Are you willing to give this support?
If so, you may look forward to a most successful year!
ARE YOU PREPARING?
Are you planning to raise or lower your rating by taking final examinations? “A chain is no strong than its weakest link.” A class is no stronger than its weakest student. Are you playing fair to yourself and to your class organization when you make little or no effort to raise your scholastic standing? You are not faithful to your charge. You are not assuming responsibilities.
SEVEN MISTAKES:
1. The delusion that individual advancement is made by crushing others down.
2. The tendence to worry about things that cannot be changed or corrected.
3. Insisting that a thing is impossible because we ourselves cannot be changed or corrected.
4. Attempting to compel other persons to believe and live as we do.
5. Neglecting developing and refinement of the mind by not acquiring the habit of reading.
6. Refusing to set aside trivial preferences, in order that important things may be accomplished.
7. The failure to establish the habit of saving money.
— THE TEXAS OUTLOOK
Someone dropped around the office the other day and said that he or she would like to pass this little poem to Geraldine Trail.
A wise old owl lived in an oak;
The more he saw, the less he spoke.
The less he spoke, the more he heard.
Why can’t you be like the wise old bird?
NOTES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT’S OFFICE
Your Child’s Tools of Learning
To get along successfully in life today one must be able to understand the written and spoken words and figures of others and to express oneself by speaking and writing. They are in indispensable tools which are in constant use by every person.
The major job of the elementary school is to help pupils develop these tools and to provide them opportunities to use them in getting along with each other, learning the heritage of the past, and being introduced to the problems of living which must be solved if they would live successfully.
The woodcarver with a sharp knife can produce a carving of exquisite beauty. A criminal with the same knife can destroy the life of a human being. In the same way the tools of learning can be used for the benefits or destruction of society. Your child’s elementary school is working to have each child sharpen his tools of learning. It is likewise working to have each child develop the habits and attitudes that will cause him to use these sharp tools for the good of himself and his fellow men.
–o–
Beautifying the School Grounds
During the last few years, great improvements have been made in modernizing schools, and architectural beauty has been added to all new buildings. The old boxlike school building is fast disappearing, due to the rapid growth of communities and the new demands for improved conditions, with the result that hundreds of modern and beautiful schools are now under construction over the country.
–o–
There are folks who think such improvements use money in an unnecessary manner. This is to be expected. If any one who has any civic pride will get in his car and visit schools over the country he will be able to weigh and compare situations that might change his attitude. During the past three years, something like $3,500 has been spent to improve the school grounds and approaches here in Forney. This has been done without it taking any of the local taxpayers money worth mentioning. All of this work has come through CWA or PWA projects that brought money into the community rather than taking it out. If you will recall the conditions that existed at each building before this work was done you will better appreciate its value. Grassy lawns, nicely pruned trees, beautiful flowers, singing birds, well kept playgrounds, adequate side-walks, and roads that are serviceable for any kind of weather do not detract from a school nor a community.
–o–
The school is the home for our children. They should be brought to care for and appreciate it as one of the valuable heritages in life. When a child dislikes school and desires to destroy things pertaining to it, there is something wrong with his training. If he does not volunteer to do his part to keep improvements going on there is something wrong somewhere down the line with their or his training. The Creator made man a lover of beauty and placed him in a beautiful garden as his first habitation. There was nothing wrong with the garden. It has been man who has failed in his appreciation and vision. Stroll through our school yards at any time you wish and judge for yourself as to whether they are impressive upon your children.
–o–
The faculty and school invite you to attend our Commencement programs. Forget your worries for once in your life and join us in making it a fine happy occasion for the fine boys and girls who are to graduate this year.
HOME ROOM MEETINGS HELD
Freshman Class
The Freshman class met on Wednesday afternoon, May 13. The class cast a vote for the class officers for the coming year. The officers that were voted on were President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
There were certain requirements for the officers, they were: wether or not he plays fair, is cheerful, honest, industrious, a hard worker, accepts responsibilities, is dependable, an honor student, loyal to the school, has self-control, cooperates with others, and has initiative.
Senior Class
The Seniors had their last meeting Wednesday, May 12. The president called the meeting to order and asked for pending business.
He then appointed members of the class to go to each class and invite them to the picnic to be held Monday. After this was done, the meeting continued with a discussion about what to do on Senior Day.
We will have our program here at the highschool auditorium at 8:35, and leave immediately after this. We shall visit the Times Herald, Boedecker Ice Cream Co., The Coca Cola Co., and Brown’s Cracker and Candy Co. Then we shall go to White Rock to The meet the people from Forney.
The Baccalaureate service will be held at the Christian Church Sunday evening, 8:00 o’clock.
Sophomore Class
On Wednesday afternoon the Sophomores met in regular home meeting. Plans for the picnic honoring the Seniors were completed, and election of officers was held.
We were given instructions concerning the planning of schedules for next year, and urged to prepare for the coming examinations.
Junior Class
The Junior Class met on Wednesday afternoon to elect officers for the coming year.
Seventh Grade
The Seventh grade made additional plans for their program for Friday evening of next week.
Class Will ———– Dan Fleming
Valedictory —— Rosemary Thomas
Salutatory —— Celestine Pinson
Class History —— Conway Senter
Prophecy ———– To Be Decided
Answers to Last Week’s Personalities:
Tommy Criswell
Moody Shanks
Dorothy Sanderson
Linn Crawford
Roland
Winnie Faye Morton
FOOTBALL TRAINING CAMP
Last August on one bright sunny morning fourteen boys and the coach, Mr. Burch, left for a training camp at Turner Falls, Oklahoma. They left here at 7:00 o’clock Monday morning. When they reached Denton it began raining and rained all the way to Ardmore Oklahoma. After they reached the Falls that afternoon they chose a spot between two mountains to erect their camp. After camp had been pitched they all went down to the Falls and had a nice swim.
The following is a schedule of one day’s routine:
5:00 — Rise (Glen Robertson Bouncer)
5:00 to 5:15 — Dress
5:15 to 8:00 — Football work-out
8:00 to 8:30 — Climb and run up and down mountain
8:30 — Breakfast
After breakfast everyone went for a swim and then loafed until 1:00.
1:00 — Lunch
1 to 2:45 — Rest
2:45 to 5:00 — Work-out
5 to 6:30 — Swim
6:30 — Supper
9:00 — Retire
The boys all enjoyed the food that was prepared for them by the cooks: Glen Robertson, Emmentt West, Armon Croxton. The usual menu for breakfast was: scrambled eggs, bacon, coffee, stewed and fresh fruits, and bread.
For lunch they had potatoes, beans of various kinds, vegetables of all sorts and bread.
For supper they had steaks, three kinds of gravy (thin, medium and thick), potatoes, hominy, beans and the remaining parts of the 14 loaves of bread used each day.
All of the boys enjoyed the swims at the Falls. This is clear fresh springwater and just a trifle cold.
By nine o’clock the boys were always ready for bed and sleep.
This camp lasted for one week and would have lasted longer if it had not started raining. (The boys were short of tents.)
The boys are planning to go back this summer and urge every boy that is planning to play football next year to go if it is possible.
Here is what the boys that went last year have said:
“I think the training camp did a wonderful thing in conditioning the boys for football. I had a wonderful time and hope to go again this summer.”
J.T. KELLY, President, Srs. ’37.
“I didn’t enjoy the rain but otherwise I had a keen time. I am going again this summer.”
ELLY YORK
“Boys, it is worth the money. Go this summer. You can have a keen time if it doesn’t rain all the way there and back. A little rain won’t hurt you though.”
JIM DICK PINSON, V-Pres., Srs. ’37
“I had a good time and took my share of eating. I am going again this summer and hope more boys go. Next time, I hope we do not have to run up the mountains.”
BILLY HARVEY
“It was keen! I enjoyed the swimming, the sight-seeing and the eating. I am going back this summer.”
JACK (IKEY) ROBERTSON
“I think the trip was a wonderful recreation for the boys and put them in fine shape for the coming football season. I hope to go again. I also enjoyed the visit to Platt National Park.”
GLEN ROBERTSON
“It was fine! Fine! Fine! I hope to go again this year.”
HORACE DEITZ
“I liked it fine. I had a good time and want to go again.”
ROY NEAL
“It was really keen. I had a swell time chasing mountain goats. I certainly want to go again.”
BUSTER LAYDEN, Pres., Jrs. ’37
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN GOING?
JUNIOR NOTES
The Junior Class was given a party by the class mother, Mrs. Dykes, at her home on Saturday evening. Due to the bad weather only ten members of the class were present. There were several guests other than Juniors. After playing some games we were camped (?) a supper consisting of sandwiches, potato salad, potato chips, smacks, olives, pickles, cookies, and iced tea.
GIRL RESERVE MEETING
A meeting of the Girl Reserves was held Thursday, May 7. We decided to sell tickets for the Centennial. Each book contains five general admission tickets and five concession tickets, and costs $2.50. If any one wishes to buy one of these books, see a Girl Reserve. We then elected officers for the next year. The following officers were elected:
President —— VIRGINIA YATES
V. President —– POLLY PINSON
Secretary —- KATHERINE POWELL
Treasurer —– NORMAL CAMPBELL
SENIOR-SOPHOMORE PICNIC
On Wednesday afternoon at 5:30 the Seniors were the honor guests of the Sophomores at a picnic at the Elementary School Campus. It was fun to hear the Seniors recalling “Childhood” acts and misdemeanors — before the faculty.
The first part of the evening consisted of a soft ball game. The following is a line-up:
G. Robertson ……. Pitcher……. Hulsey
J. Criswell …….. H.C. ……… Whittemore
J. Jones ……….. F.B. ……… Mills
J. Boles ……….. S.B. ……… Dietz
Mr. Burch ………. T.B. ……… Layden
R. Neal ………… L.F. ……… Hillis
M. Ligon ……….. C.F. ……… Moss
H. Sims ………… R.F. ……… Vaughn
T. Spellman …….. S.S. ……… Harvey
Umpire: L.G. Cook
After the ballgame, tug-o-war and racing were enjoyed. The host class were victorious in all the contests.
Following the games a picnic lunch was served (the girls were happy that they were able to participate in this and not the usual spectators.) Centering the table was a cake surrounded by white and purple larkspur and iced in purple and white. Larkspur and the inscription the cake were of purple icing. The cake inscription was “Seniors ’36 Forney Texas.” The picnic lunch consisted of sandwiches, cheese tidbits, olives, potato salad, punch and cake.
The guests for the picnic were: The members of the Senior class, the high school faculty and Mr. L.G. Cook.
FOOTBALL MEETING HELD
On Thursday afternoon the boys of the high school met and organized a football squad. The following men reported:
NAME ………….. WEIGHT …… POSITION
Solomon ………… 134 …….. Center
Kelly ………….. 140 …….. R.T.
Layden …………. 138 …….. R.E.
York …………… 140 …….. Q.B.
Farmer …………. 106 …….. Q.B.
Chowning ……….. 171.5 …… R.H.
Whittemore, C. ….. 153 …….. A.T.*
Moss, W. ……….. 140 …….. A.T.*
Pankey …………. 136 …….. Guard
Nalls ………….. 125 …….. Q.B.
Deitz ………….. 150 …….. L.E.
Shook ………….. 145 …….. R.E.
J. Mills ……….. 115 …….. L.T.
J. Robertson ……. 128 …….. L.G.
C. Lewis ……….. 110 …….. A.T.*
Wm. Boles ………. 170 …….. R.G.
Venner …………. 110 …….. R.G.
B. Taylor ………. 153 …….. R.T.
J.D. Pinson …….. 140 …….. F.B.
Harris …………. 113 …….. A.T.*
Vaughn …………. 115 …….. Center
Kelly and Pinson will serve the squad as Co-Captains for the coming season.
Other men are asked to report if they are interested.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
The Elementary School had the closing program for the school year at the high school auditorium on Tuesday night. We appreciated the help of Mr. Elly York and his string band in furnishing the instrumental music for the occasion. Marvin Edwards was the master of ceremonies and introduced the numbers.
The program follows:
Music by Elly York’s String Band.
“The Eyes of Texas” — Audience
Numbers from the Primary Chorus:
Bluebonnet Chorus
Bluebonnet Chorus and Farmer Band
The Surrender of Santa Anna to General Sam Houston after the Battle of San Jacinto
The Return of the People from the Run-away Scrape
The Cowboy Chorus singing “Whoopee Ti Yi Yo.”
The Girls Chorus Club
Selections given by the entire Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Grades
One Verse of “Texas, Our Texas” and “America.”
FIRST GRADE
Two boys have withdrawn this week. J.T. Garner has been ill most of the time this year. He has attended school only 33 days during the year. Because of illness Bill Singleton has been sent to the country to stay with his grandparents.
There were only two absentees Wednesday Morning. That is the record attendance this semester. We have not had perfect attendance at any time this year.
We are planning to have a picnic soon.
SECOND GRADE
We were happy indeed that so many of our mothers visited with us Friday afternoon, May 8. Since January we had saved pennies to pay for refreshments on this occasion and our bank contained forty cents. We used a recipe that was given in one of our new readers and fixed stuffed dates to serve. If it had not rained so hard, we feel sure that other visitors would have been with us. A pansy booklet was made for each mother. Our visitors were Mrs. Newt Pinson, Mrs. Elly York, Mrs. T.C. Boone, Mrs. G.E. Taylor, Mrs. L.A. Chowning, Mrs. W.P. Yates, Bobby John Boon, Donald York, Betty Jean Taylor, and Nancy Powell.
Today we are planting flowers to take home with us when school is out. Each one will have a beautiful plant.
Horace Willman is back after an attack of flu.
Mattie Evelyn Clayton was ill Monday and Tuesday.
Norman Soloman was absent on Wednesday.
The Sixth Grade is getting ready for examinations and they hope to be able to go over to the highschool building next year.
THIRD GRADE
A number of children from the Third grade went to Dallas last Saturday to sing with the chorus for school children from this part of the state.
The following were able to go: Ella Pinson, Evelyn Fowler, Martha Bratcher, Doris Newton, Nellie Wilmon, Dorothy Ray Hamm, and John David Vaughn.
We want to thank Mrs. Jim Pinson, Mrs. J.C. Newton, and Mrs. Hugh Fowler for taking us in their cars. We enjoyed the afternoon very much, in spite of the rain.
Margy Wallace is absent from school this week due to illness. We hope she will soon be well.
FOURTH GRADE
The Fourth grade has finished their unit in geography and reading. We started our review on Wednesday; so that we shall be ready for our exams next week.
Monday, the Fourth Grade had a perfect attendance for the second time this year.
FIFTH GRADE
The Choral Club of Forney Elementary School will go to Kaufman today. We shall leave at 4 p.m. Mr. Murdock, State Director of Music, will be there to direct the Chorus. Mr. Murdock was present at S.M.U. Saturday when we practiced our songs.
We hope to be present at the Centennial Exposition.
— Doris York
— Emily McKellar
SIXTH GRADE
On Monday of this week, the Sixth grade played a soft ball game with the Fourth and Fifth grades. The game was rather close but the Sixth grade managed to come out on top. We have had several games during the last few weeks Aden the wins have been rather well divided.
The Sixth grade gave two scenes from Texas history on the program at the high school building Tuesday night. The boys, assisted by some of the Fifth grade boys, gave the scene of the surrender of Santa Anna to General Sam Houston after the battle of San Jacinto. The girls gave the scene of the return of some of the people from the run-away scrape. The Sixth graders also helped in the choral numbers.
SENIOR DAY PICNIC
All high school pupils, Seniors’ parents, the members of the School Board, are invited to the picnic at White Rock, Monday, May 18, at 6:30. Each person is to bring a picnic lunch. This is to be a get-Acquainted Party for the Seniors and the People About Town.
