The history of the class of 1970 began in the late summer of 1967. For all of us, it
was a slow beginning, and now it seems slowly coming to an end, but the many days
in between passed much too rapidly and are well worth reliving.
The unenviable task of leading us through our most trying and frustrating year fell
into the hands of our courageous class president, Ricky Swaringen, and our other
class officers: Cathy Barger, Jane Youngblood, and Jane Garrison.
An extraordinary number in our class showed a wide variety of talents. In
athletics, while the varsity football team was suffering through a disappointing 2-8
season, the junior varsity squad did manage to put off a winning season. And in art,
who could forget Ernie Whitley’s twelve-foot French calendar and/or tablecloth.
Madame Deese still has nightmares over it.
Put to the test during the sale of the World’s Finest Chocolate, we succeeded by
leading the other two classes in sales, a goal we were to achieve but once.
Our junior year was an exciting if not confusing one. Class rings, first SATs, and
the task of constructing a prom were the most important events. The football team
finished 3-7 on the year, a record easily understood by observing the opposition we
were pitted against. The highlight of the season was the North Stanly game, even
though our defense committed an unpardonable sin by allowing the Comets to score.
The funds for the construction of the prom were raised by the production of
“Spec-Talo-Scope.” The success of this project was largely due to the diligent work
of our four class officers: Paul Wolf, Martha Hall, Cathy Barger, and Pam Hathcock.
Weeks of planning and hard work were needed for the creation of the big event.
We really outdid ourselves with “Once There Was,” one of the most beautiful and
elaborate settings imaginable. This proved to be a fitting climax to our junior year.
During the summer, Ernie Whitley attended the North Carolina Governor’s
School. Tom Wilson, Paul Wolf, and Danny Durham were delegates to Boys’ State at
Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, and Martha Hall was a delegate to the
Civitan Youth Conference.
We awaited our final year with much anticipation and apprehension. The four
chosen to lead us on the last leg of our journey were Tom Wilson, Ronnie Whitley
Beth Chivington, and Pam Hathcock.
This year. The Full Moon was in the capable hands of Donna Brummitt while
Beth Chivington was heading the Crossroads staff. The Full Moon received the
medalist award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association as one of the top
high school newspapers in the country.
The football team, led by captains Donny Davis, Greg Little, and Mike Williams,
once again produced some exciting moments. The North Stanly game and
homecoming were highlights of the year. Ann Burleson was crowned homecoming *
queen and Jane Youngblood was the Senior member of the Court.
In the fall, Beth White was chosen Carrousel Princess. Beth participated in the
festivities in Charlotte where the Carrousel Queen was crowned.
In the winter, the basketball team showed us some exciting action although
suffering through a losing season. Julius Smith and Tom Wilson were the stars of the
team. Julius was chosen as “Mr. Kneecaps,” and Martha Hall was crowned queen of
the homecoming festivities.
Wrestling gave us our biggest athletic triumphs. Paul Wolf and Ricky Swaringen
served as co-captains of the grapplers, and both of them became association
champions.
Many of our fellow classmates continued to rise to great heights during their
careers here. Rocky Funderburk served as Vice-President of the State DEC A
Organization. Susan Squires reached the finals of the 1969 Jessie Rehder Poetry
Contest with “A Poem of Moods.” Ernie Whitley, our student body president, Wayne
Lowder, Beth White, and Lu Turbyfill received coveted scholarships based on their
academic excellence. Ronny Garber reached a pinnacle of academic achievement by
surviving to the finals of the National Merit Tests.
In the spring, we all tried to fight off the epidemic of senioritis as we anxiously
awaited the prom. It was a fine attempt by the juniors to match our brilliance and
imagination.
As seniors, we were pioneers in an entirely new educational experience.
Mini-courses. This was a great success and will surely be attempted by many senior
classes to come.
Our Senior year was also highlighted by the formation of the Student Relations
Council with Bruce Tyson, Gwen Davis, Cathy Barger, and Mitchel Smith being the
senior members.
Tonight is the climax of three long years of hard work, happiness, sorrow fear,
and anxiety. A lot of our goals have been achieved but there are far more that have
yet to be sighted. We will soon be the leaders of a vastly changing country. Our
youthful exuberance must rapidly mature into knowledge and understanding.
It has been a long journey for the class of 1970, but tonight is the stepping stone
for an even longer one. One in which we shall surely produce some of the great men
and women of our time.
—Danny Durham