When our school years end, we continue to hold the thoughts and mementos of this bygone time in our legacy. This is true for the class of 2021 as well as for the class of 1953. Precious memories how they linger.
The Junior and Senior years are filled with lingering events and emotions. All it takes is meeting up with an old classmate to trigger a long conversation.
During my era, at SHS, it was traditional that the Junior Class hosted a formal prom for the Senior Class. This was a heavy and expensive venture for the Juniors. A band, decorations, refreshments and a location were required. All of this was expected to follow the traditions and protocols of past classes. To do this the Juniors had to start at the beginning of the term to raise sufficient funds. We ran the concession stand at all home football games selling hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and cokes. After the season, we served dinners to all the civic clubs in town. This was profitable because our parents donated the food to prepare and serve in the Home EC Department. I don’t remember how much we charged per meal but, all was profit. We also had a magazine subscription project. We earned the money needed in time to start planning the prom and looked forward to giving the Senior Class a perfect celebration to end their SHS years.
Protocols and traditions did not suit our class. The majority of our Junior class did not want a prom of girls in long, expensive formals, corsages and boys in suits and ties. That was just not who we were. We were a class of change. Overwhelmingly, the class voted to use the theme of Junior-Senior Carnival with games, carnival food and a square dance. Immediate response from Senior Class was “NO”. They had given a formal to the Senior Class before and expected the same.
Principal V.E. Glenn did not believe in breaking traditions and also said “No”. After several discussions with Mr. Glenn and Senior representatives. We prevailed that we were giving the party, and it was our right to give the prom of our choice, and we went into action.
Committees were formed. Food and decorations were easy, and the 4-H clubhouse was the perfect locations. The challenge was finding an affordable band that was not already booked for other proms. Bobby Sasser was class president, and I was class treasurer, so we became a committee of two to provide a band. This became impossible, and we had to consider using records. Listening to WJAT I found a band. I heard an announcement of “The Pope Henry Band” playing at a nearby event. I did not hear them play but at least they were a band. I tracked them down through WJAT. Bobby made a call, and we had a band. By this time all were reconciled, even the Seniors and Mr. Glenn, to expect a fun prom.
Our Junior host class had already gathered when the band arrived. Taking instruments out of a big Cadillac was Pope Henry and three middle aged, portly ladies with large hair of the current style.
Someone in our group said immediately, “That’s not a band. That’s the Gillis-Henry Gospel Quartet.” Bobby and I were frantic and raced over to explain our mistake. “No problem, we are a Gospel Quartet, but we can play any kind of music you want. “Mr. Henry assured us.
Soon everyone was on the floor dosi doing and promenading to the rhythm of Pope Henry’s fiddle and the three ladies on piano and guitars. County agent Earl Varner did the calling. The clubhouse was filled with joy, laughter, pride and the tunes of Down Yonder, Alabama Jubilee and slow dances of popular tunes. It was an unforgettable prom from an unforgettable class. Write to Shirley at sptwiss@gmail.com
