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         1950 Homecoming Celebration at Glenville High School                                            

by Patty Floyd Johnson

…In the glory days of Glenville High School many traditions were well grounded in each students education.  There was the celebration of homecoming that was graced with as much poise and elegance as Mrs. Estelle (Dolly) Murphy could pummel into the hearts and minds of those few selected to represent their respective classes as the school royalty.  Mrs. Murphy cultured us with all the manners and courtliness she could muster, for most of has had never rubbed shoulders with the high and mighty.  

Some of us had had the good fortune of being taught table manners by Mrs. Madge Butcher in her Home Economics classes.  Oh!  Not that our parents had taught us nothing.  We were not totally without couth.  But, most of us hadn’t known what to do with more than one fork at the dinner table, or the boys had never pulled a chair out for a girl and scooted her up snugly to the table before being seated himself.  

Then there was dancing.  That was Mrs. Murphy’s job, which she taught to a degree in her Physical Education classes.  But, when you got to be a princess or a queen at homecoming, Mrs. Murphy went to more trouble to teach the boys how to lead, the girls how to follow, the boys how to ask a girl to dance or to cut in for a dance and the girls how to graciously accept his invitation.  She taught the waltz, the two-step, the fox trot and more.  There was another problem. 

Most of the lower classmen hadn’t had a girl friend or a boy friend beyond “puppy love.”  So many a young man was commandeered to be the escort of a young girl he scarcely knew and was, if not timid, down right afraid of failing in all this falderal being foisted upon him. 

I had the good fortune to be the seventh grade princess.  Poor Leroy Stinnett, the principal’s son, had been shanghaied to be my escort.  He had no choice in the matter and had he been adverse to the situation I’m sure he did not voice it; especially to his father. 

Anne Lynne Hickman, daughter of English teacher, Pauline Hickman was the eighth Grade princess.  Her escort was Donald Hogue.  Donald was a nice boy and a neighbor to Anne Lynne’s family, but I’m fairly certain they were not a twosome at this stage and as far as I know never were.  Donald; like Leroy, cooperated with the demands made upon his person and his time.  Donald’s sister, Dorothy was in the seventh grade with me. 

Dora Dulaney was the 9^th grade princess. Dora was squired to the party by Virgil Smith, son of Hannigan Smith, who bought my Dad’s ancestral home at Trubada that has now been torn down by Ike Morris and others in a motel venture on the site.  Virgil’s sister, Loretta was in my class in school and we were very good friends.  

Lenore Moore was the 10^th grade princess and her beau was Haymon Boggs, Jr., son of Haymon Boggs, Sr., a prominent attorney in Glenville.  At some point in my career at Glenville High I had one date with Haymon.  I barely remember it, except that Haymon Boggs was a complete gentleman.  His brother, Johnny was a member of my class.  

Lenore’s husband died and Jesse Huff’s wife died so they decided to marry after a while.  They seem to be very happy and compatible.  We are very happy for both of them. 

Patricia Greenlief was the 11^th grade princess.  Her escort, Bill Stout wore one of the four bow ties in the court, the others being Leroy, Haymon, Bill Dodd and Bill Boggs.  We got to see Patricia at this past year’s GHS Reunion and she was, as always, a delight. 

The 12^th grade princess was Wanema Davidson.  She was escorted to the ball by Bill Boggs.  I do not believe that Bill and Haymon were related though they shared the same sur name.  Wanema played the guitar, her degree was in Education with 2 majors, 1 in English and 1 in Music and a minor in Social Studies. She lacked her student teaching to get her degree in Music.  She also did card tricks and still is a wonderfully worthwhile person to know, though I am only able to communicate with her through e-mails.  I believe Bill Boggs died early, though I cannot remember why or just when, but I do remember he was very well thought of. 

The queen was the beautiful Alice Ann Griffith.  As you can see from the signage behind her throne in the picture she was known as Queen Terrawanna.  The athletic teams were known as the Red Terrors, so I’m sure this name, Queen Terrawanna, was derived from that name.  The mascot for the Red Terrors was an Indian.  (It is said in recent years that Native Americans dislike this use of their name but I can assure you no disrespect was meant.  As a matter of fact, it was quite a point of pride that we took our name from the Indians.)  Alice Ann’s escort was the very handsome, Bill Dodd.  I have absolutely no idea whatever happened to Bill.  He is an enigma to me.  If any of you readers can furnish information concerning him, I can assure you it will be most welcome. 

The pretty little flower girl was Anne Lorentz Murphy, the daughter of Mrs. Murphy.  The crown bearer was Jackie Rhoades.  To which of the many Rhoades families he belonged I do not know.  I’m sure that some of you Rhoades’ can supply this information. 

This affair took place in 1950.  We went to a practice every day to prepare ourselves for this auspicious occasion.  I believe the crowning of the queen took place in the Town Hall and the dance took place in the GSC gymnasium, which the college shared with the high school.  It was this symbiotic relationship between the high school and the college, which made for a better education for all of us.  The first three grades of Glenville Elementary were held in the old Administration building of the college.  The fourth through sixth were in the high school as well as the seventh and eighth. 

I believe we had a dance band, which was probably led by Frank Beall, a well known musician in Glenville at the time, although 1950 may have been past Frank’s tenure in Glenville.  Those of you who know please give us the benefit of your knowledge.  I remember Skeebo Lorentz dancing with Alice Ann and a graceful dance it was for such a big man, as I remember him.  Don’t ask me what his real name was.  Everyone called him Skeebo and that is all I know.  I’m sure the Lorentz's or the Murphy's; or countless others, can render this information, also. 

We all had corsages.  It was the first one I had ever had.  Alice Ann had an armful of red roses.  It was a pretty party.  We owed much to our teachers, Mr. Stinnett, the principal, (the tall, thin man to the left of Alice Ann.), our parents and other adults in the community.  None of us knew it then but we were creating beautiful memories that would last a lifetime. 

I will always remember Mrs. Murphy gracefully sweeping and swaying in a feminine display of how the dance should look.  She was a wonderful History teacher, not the least of which was her record of Golden Horseshoe Winners.  She was also the girls Physical Education teacher.  She and many of the other teachers did yeoman’s duty day in and day out for little compensation but many delightful rewards in the high regard and respect shown them by their charges. 

My good time at this high school grand ball and my memories of my beloved Glenville High School have long and will ever be with me, as I’m sure with everyone else. 

Come to the reunion next year.  You will find yourself swept away in the glee of once again meeting with those who populate your memories.