JOE HUTSON SLATE SHARES HIS HIGH SCHOOL MEMORIES OF THE 1940’S

I am very proud this week to share Joe Hutson Slate’s memories of his high school days of the 1940’s with our Hartselle Enquirer Readers.

“HIGH SCHOOL DAYS: THOSE INCOMPARABLE TREASURES OF THE 1940’S” What an honor to be among the 1948 graduates of Morgan County High School (MCHS)! There was something about those bygone days that remains both unforgettable and unequaled.

MCHS personnel of the 40’s including teachers, counselors, academic specialists and administrators consistently exemplified professional advancement that valued diversity in student potential and interest. By working together, they generated a dynamic motivational effect that markedly promoted student development. Aside from classroom instructional activities, a wide range of enrichment options, sports, field trips, drama, music, debating, public speaking, art exhibits and social events to list but a few, added enrichment that could become interwoven by the student into a lifestyle destined for success.

Throughout the 40’s, the quality of education at MCHS progressively advanced, albeit within certain prevailing constrictions. Upon recognizing deficiencies, the school diligently pursued ways of correcting them. The school’s emphasis on the dignity and incomparable worth of each student underscored its focus on the necessity of equal opportunity for all. Student counseling and skilled academic advising became readily available to students as needed. Not surprisingly, MCHS became increasingly recognized for its emphasis on professional advancement in secondary education, a trend that continues today.

Among the school’s many accomplishments in the 40’s were those related to sports, including but not limited to football. Noted not only for its winning teams, the school was also recognized for its excellent marching band that was formed by Rachel Holladay who was a member of the 1948 graduating class. With the assistance of her accordion instructor who was a band director from Birmingham, Rachel organized the MCHS band in the early spring of 1947. To the amazement of everyone, the band grew so rapidly that it performed with acclaim at the upcoming fall football game. At the band’s first performance, it received applause appropriate for a champion band. Today, it is recognized as among the state’s best. At a Hartselle Chamber of Commerce ceremony in 1974, the band’s founder and 1948 graduate of MCHS, now Rachel Holladay Slate, received recognition for her contributions to the City of Hartselle, including her naming it The City of Southern Hospitality. As a personal note, Rachel is now and forever the love of my life. We were married at noon(middle of the day), July 1st(middle of the year), 1950 (middle of the century). Should you now be single and planning to marry, you may wish to help ensure its success by scheduling it for July 1st, 2050 at noon!

As the consequences of World War 11 lingered into the late 40’s, the holiday season in Hartselle became progressively a time of growth and recovery. Christmas and the New Year were especially embraced, not simply as holidays but as a time of hope, goodwill and a new beginning. Concerts, plays, recitals and other special events were welcomed, along with, of course, giving to others as an expression of goodwill. In those days, holiday giving among students was often mixed with celebratory humor as illustrated by the captain of the MCHS football team whose gift to graduating classmates consisted of a beautifully wrapped box of candy kisses for each lady and a corncob pipe wrapped in brown paper for each gentleman. Upon his graduation, he along with several other classmates joined the military where he served with honor for many years.

Often among the most vivid memories of the bygone high school days are those related to unexpected mishaps. Although typically of little consequence, they can assume a lasting place among our memories as illustrated by a 1948 graduating MCHS senior who, in his on-stage announcement of a piano symphony he was about to perform, forgot the title. Nevertheless, he proceeded to play the symphony though not with exact perfection. The applause that followed, however, was far beyond that he expected. In another instance of unexpected mishap, a leading actor in a senior class stage production before a large audience forgot his part. Fortunately, an accompanying on stage actor (Lib Peck) intervened and filled in for him. The production then continued according to script. Incidentally, that incompetent pianist and amateur actor were actually the same person and the writer of this article.

Yet another unforgettable 1948 mishap was a senior English classroom incident in which a set of four glass display shelves spanning the full width of a double window suddenly fell to the floor with a thunderous crash under the weight of several potted plants. The teacher, Miss Lizzie Reed Penn who was known for her brilliant teaching skills calmly assumed command of the situation. She paused briefly during her lecture, shifted her attention to the window, and then without comment, calmly resumed her lecture. Her topic incidentally was Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven. Immediately before the crash, she had read to the class the following lines from the poem: “While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As if some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.” Immediately after the loud crash and her brief pause, Miss Penn smiled and resumed her reading of the poem: “Tis some visitor”, I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door–Only this, and nothing more.” Given the situational relevance of the quote, the class then broke into stress relieving laughter.

Yes, those were the incomparable days of the 1940’s–a time of hope, goodwill, exploration, discovery and progress, along with, of course, occasional mishaps. But most importantly, it was a time of inspiration and self-fulfillment that would continue for a lifetime and possibly into the great beyond.

Special belated happy birthday wishes go out this week for Paula Blackwood, Charles Riggs, Larry Hill, Gary Hill and Brandon Turrentine on May 1; Scott LaRoche, Luke Campbell and Wes Campbell on May 3; Penny Vest on May 4; Kay Hanline on May 6; Barrett McAbee on May 7; Wylie Reaves and Ada Burch on May 8 and Anna Bibb on May 9. Happy birthday wishes also go out this week for Nicholas Pendleton on May 10; Dylan Newell on May 13 and also Shawn Smith on May 14.

Special belated happy wedding anniversary wishes go out this week for Charles and Frances Riggs and they will celebrate their 38th anniversary on May 4. Wonderful belated happy wedding anniversary wishes go out this week for David and Ruth Sparkman and they celebrated their 56th anniversary on May 6. Special belated happy wedding anniversary wishes also go out this week for James and Sandra Roden and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 6.

Special happy wedding anniversary wishes go out this week for Bobby and Nell Dobbins and they will celebrate their 36th wedding anniversary on May 11. Wonderful happy wedding anniversary wishes also go out this week for Jonathan and Shabree (Vest) King and they will celebrate their 2nd wedding anniversary on May 12.