The Black and Gold
FHS Newsletter
Vol II No. 3
9 October 1936
Graduates Study at Various Institutions
Graduates from Forney may be seen in various Texas colleges and training schools this year. Texas A & M College heads the list this year, with the following boys registered there this year:
1. Milton Rhea, ’35
2. Burl Hulsey, ’35
3. Billy Joe Adams, ’35
4. Burnie Duke, ’34
5. Jimmie Criswell, ’36
6. James Griffin, ’34
Jesse Dietz, although not a graduate of Forney High School is registered there, formerly being employed in Forney.
C.I.A.* ranks next with six of our graduates attending this college:
1. Mary Linn Taylor, ’35
2. Lois Pinson, ’34
3. Adelle Criswell, ’35
4. Mildred Futrell, ’32
5. Emma Gene Vaughn, ’35
6. Carolyn Senter, ’33
Margaret Davis and Frances Jones are attending S.M.U. this year. Frances will receive her A.B. degree in June, 1937. Thomas Spellman, Jr., graduate of ’36, is attending John Tarleton Agricultural College at Stephenville. John Boles, ’36, is enrolled at North Texas A. & M. at Arlington.
Lucille Bratcher and Jessie Butler, graduates of 1936, are taking the nurses training courses at Baylor and Methodist Hospitals in Dallas, respectively. Vera Nalls is nearing the completion of a business course. Homer Jones and J.W. Welch are attending N.T.S.T.C. at Denton. Lena Pearl Feagin, ’35, is at Jacksonville Baptist College. Oleta Compton, graduate of ’36 and one of the assistants in the high school library, is continuing her study at Wesley College at Greenville. This is Edna Hughes’ second year at the same institution.
*Note: C.I.A. was the College of Industrial Arts and Sciences, later the Texas State College for Women and now Texas Women’s University, Denton, Texas.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
The staff hopes that each of the following boys had “many happy returns of the day”:
Jack Yates — October 5
Charles Adams — October 7
Burnie Duke, student at A. & M. visited in Forney this week-end.
John Boles, student at Arlington, visited in Forney on Saturday and Sunday.
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 – Buster Layden
Assistant Editor – Roy Pankey, Jr.
Circulation Manager – Marie Pippins
Business Manager – Florence Newton
Reporters:
Seniors: Jane Thomas
Juniors: Horace Dietz
Sophomores: Mary Jo Adams
Freshmen: Ben Harris
Seventh Grade: Marvin Edwards
Girl Reserves: Winnie Faye Morton
Home Makers Club: Valarie Sanderson
Library Club: Billie Louise Dykes
–o–
EXPERIENCE
“EXPERIENCE is the best teacher.” We have heard this quotation over and over since our first school days. Never has it been proven to us so clearly as it has been this week — to some of us.
We thought we had at least a vague idea about a school newspaper — but if you want to know something about the various tasks of publishing one, serve on the staff or come up to the commercial department some week. After serving on the staff, we are certain of never being guilty of the failure of handing in a report after the “Dead line.” We know the full value and the importance of cooperation. We know now how many unnecessary steps are made and how much unnecessary time is spent to get material for just one issue.
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We are taking off early this week to go to the football game on Friday afternoon. We are supporting the boys for their first local game for the season.
******
Mr. Downer: Ferman, define the word, puncture.
Ferman: A puncture is a little hole in a tire usually found at a great distance from a garage.
Rosemary Thomas: What is a harmonica?
Ben Harris: Corn on the cob set to music.
GIRL RESERVE CLUB CABINET MEMBERS ENTERTAINED
On Thursday evening of this week, the cabinet of the Girl Reserve Club of the High School met at the home of Virginia Yates to plan the outstanding events of the club for the coming year. Miss Jones is the sponsor of the club and reports that more enthusiasm is shown this year in the club than has been evident in the last few years.
During the evening a hot tamale supper was served by Mrs. Yates to the following members of the cabinet: Miss Jones, Virginia Yates, Jane and Rosemary Thomas, Norma Campbell, Dixie Griffin, Katherine Powell, Winnie Faye Morton, and Polly Pinson. Miss Loughridge and Miss Ball were guests of the cabinet.
NOTES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT’S OFFICE
Can you really believe that one month of school is already gone? One-ninth of the school year is already ancient history. I, as a parent, have been checking up on the start made by my own children. I know that I am not going to be able to give them all the advantages that I should like. Knowing this as I do, I want them to take advantage of as much of the schooling that is given to them free as possible. I know that the more they get now while they are in free school the less that I shall have to pay for later on when they enter college. They do not realize what is best for them now. They will not work as I should like for them to do unless I stay right behind them. Now is when they need parents most. I cannot do much for them when they get older. My services must be used right now if I am ever to be of any service to them. I can’t do much. I can see that they get fairly plenty of sleep. I can see that they do not run around too much at night. I can talk with their teachers along and help them iron out difficulties. I can let them understand that they are to respect their school and their teachers. I can supply them with material with which to work, such as pencils, paper, ink, etc. I can see to it that they spend a part of each night reading, practicing music, playing helpful games, etc. I know this is done because I stay there myself the most of the time to oversee the job. Such things as this may not help out much, I do not know. From the grades they often bring in, I wonder what they would look like if I failed to do that much. I can’t help them do their work by doing it for them. It is seldom that I offer even a suggestion. I want them to do that. That is their job. I have my own work to do and they have theirs. I talk with them over their problems that arise in their daily task but leave them to work out of their difficulties. I do this because I know that it is not simply results that the teacher wants. She wants to teach them to rely upon themselves. She wants to teach them modern methods of attacking their problems. My method that I learned might not be the same that she is using. Perhaps she has something more worth while than I could give. I leave the teacher with the job of teaching my child good methods and subject matter. I feel that it is my job to help develop good study habits by planning the night program so that my children will be at home with me and working their jobs just like i do mine.
–o–
The enrollment is about the same this year as it was last year. We have more in high school but a few less in the lower grades. Last year our high school enrollment was less than 100. This year it is 122. Of course we have some 24 seventh graders and some half dozen ex-graduates enrolled. We have 52 enrolled in the eighth grade. This is the largest freshman class that we have had in years.
–o–
I notice that one of the greatest changes to be seen throughout the student body in the modern school is that the students are busier than they used to be. Every where I go, pupils are down hard at work on some task that is before them. It is not always digging up facts. That is about all I did when I attended school. These youngsters are making things, working on activities that test their skill etc. Who knows but what this may be worth as much to them as my facts have been to me?
SNOOPING AROUND
1. What’s this we hear about J.T. Kelly’s having “blue blood” on his shirt? Could it be that his heart is broken?
2. Last Wednesday in Public Speaking class, Mr. McAfee showed a marked interest in the poem, TREES. Johnnie K., was this your fault?
3. Mavonne Trail seems to have moved across the aisle in the first period study hall. Could it be that her girl friends will not allow her to study?
4. A Would-Be Ted Healy, Johnnie K. Nalls, irritated Florence Newton by making funny faces; namely, rolling his eyes and fanning himself with a ruler, to the extent that Florence was aggravated into discontinuing her very, very good speech long enough to request the Mr. McAfee to reprimand Johnnie K. very severely.
5. Who are the blonde sisters to whom Elly and Charles are directing their attractions?
6. Why has Mr. Sickles been calling Hugh Fowler the “Little Man with the Big Stuff?”
7. Miss Ball received a letter addressed to Mr. J. Ball. (Editor’s Note: Snooper, may be that you looked at the wrong letter. That letter may have been her father’s letter; she has his same initial, you know.)
8. Miss Jones thoroughly believes in being prepared. She had her chemistry class keep their lamps full of oil — denatured alcohol.
YB EM
Answers to Last Week:
1. Claudine Neal
2. Louise Hawks
3. Mary Jo Adams
4. Catherine Costello (Sorry about the K)
5. Sally Brooks
6. Toinette Heffington
7. James Downer (Have also learned to spell James.)
FIGURE THESE OUT:
1. etd oneob
2. rm emfcea
3. nowcay nerest
4. varmin wedsard
5. tordhoy dasnesorn
6. subret daylne
7. ranicefm himcarn
HIGH SCHOOL ABSENTEE LIST IS DECREASED
This week (through Thursday) the following students have been absent from school:
1. Leta Ray Nalls
2. Ada Virginia Jones
3. Dick Farmer
4. Vaughn Daugherty
5. Woodrow Moss
6. James Moss
7. Gordon Davis
8. Riter Hulsey
9. Dick Farmer
10. Oneta Bragg
Last week’s report showed eleven absentees.
SEVENTH GRADE HAS FIRST HOME ROOM MEETING
The Seventh Grade had a home room meeting Wednesday afternoon. The Program Committee presented the following program:
Marvin Edwards and Jack Ritchie gave current events; Mary Louise Roland gave a dance; Toinette Heffington gave several interesting scenes from the CAVALCADE and showed us several pictures taken during the performance of it. Stories were read by Jess Pinson and Mary Kathleen Whittemore.
SOPHOMORES HAVE PROGRAM ON SPORTSMANSHIP
The Sophomore home room meeting was held in the Science Lecture Room, October 7, 1936. After President Bratcher called the meeting to order, the minutes were read by Virginia Ruth Spratt. The Program Chairman was Hugh Fowler. The program was on “Sportsmanship.” Mr. Burch was a visitor and gave a talk on Sportsmanship and Athletics. Other talks were given by:
Mavis N. Smith — What is Sportsmanship?
Leta Nalls — What It Means to Be a Good Sport
David Pinson — How Good Sportsmanship Should be Kept
Billy Shook — Commandments of Good Sportsmanship
The program was concluded by giving fifteen rahs for the coach and fifteen rahs for the team. This question was asked of the class, “If everyone were like me, what kind of a sport would he be?”
JUNIORS HAVE PROGRAM ON HOW TO STUDY
The regular home room meeting of the Junior Class was held on Wednesday. Charles Mills, vice-president, in the absence of Buster Layden, the president, called the meeting to order. The minutes of the previous meeting were read by Polly Pinson, secretary. After a short business session, the meeting was then turned over to Valarie Sanderson, who was acting as program chairman. She introduced the subject of “How to Study.” In her introduction, she discussed with the students the points on how to study that were listed on their programs for the day. Following this, Horace Deitz gave the aims of study. Polly Pinson gave some hints on habit formation, followed by a discussion on plans for study by Buster Layden.
During the business meeting, the Juniors planned to write letters that were sent to Dick Farmer on Thursday. Selections were made for hymns to be sung in chapel.
Plans were discussed for giving the Junior Class play this fall. A committee is to work with the sponsor in selecting the class play.
SENIOR CLASS STUDIES PARLIAMENTARY LAW
On Wednesday, October 7, the Seniors held their regular class meeting. The president presided over the meeting. After the secretary read the minutes, the various officers and committees’ reports were called for. The vice-president gave a list of the number of absentees and tardies since the opening of school. The Seniors have had a good many, but hope to better their record. The treasurer reported that two students had brought 10¢ for incidental expenses. She also stated that they might bring their money for their rings. The social committee had planned a hay ride; but since some members of the class could not go, it has been postponed until Hallowe’en party and hay ride. The program committee had selected program leaders for the first semester. J.T. Kelly and Jim Dick Pinson will have charge of the program next home room meeting. The committee appointed to work on the constitution had not finished it. The incomplete draft was read by Virginia Yates. No report was made by the committee on flower and colors nor from the committee on motto.
The business session was opened. A motion was made; and accepted that a parliamentarian be elected. Elizabeth Tune was elected for this position. A question came up as to how much the students were to give to the treasurer for incidental expenses and the class voted and decided upon 10¢.
The program was given by Elizabeth Tune and Virginia Yates; Elizabeth Tune gave a talk on “Parliamentary Rules.” Virginia informed us on the rules of “How to Study.”
–o–
GIRL RESERVE MEETING
The Girl Reserves met in the auditorium last Thursday afternoon for the first program of the month. The president, Virginia Yates, presided at the business session. At this time a new plan was presented for the order of the meetings. The first meeting of the month will be set aside for programs, the second for indoor hobbies, the third for a program, the fourth for outdoor hobbies and the fifth for a formal social. After business the program was turned over to Jane Thomas, the program chairman.
The program consisted of reports of the Summer conference. Katherine Powell gave the daily schedule and told about some of the general activities. Jane Thomas told about the discussions which were held. The program was concluded by learning some of the conference songs, after which a friendship circle was formed and everybody joined in singing “Taps.” There were fifty girls present at this meeting.
–o–
Miss Loughridge: (to arithmetic class) If I subtract 18 from 32, what is the difference?
Toinette: That’s what I say. Who cares?
Mr. Layden: Buster, don’t gobble your food so. If you do people will think you are a pig. By the way, do you know what a pig is?
Buster (very meekly): Yes sir, it’s a hog’s little boy.
Geraldine entered the crowded picture one night with her skates over her arm. As all the seats were taken a gentleman kindly offered her his. She said, “Thank you ever so much sir but I have been skating all afternoon and am tired of sitting down.”
Senior: Did you make the debate team?
Freshman: N-n-o, they said I wasn’t tall enough.
Note: The following few paragraphs seem to be a repeat of Page 7 of the October 2 edition. It begins again after the “Desks Rearranged” section.
FIRST GRADE MAKES INSTRUMENTS
First Grade boys and girls are making instruments for a rhythm band. Drums are made out of boxes, cymbals out of fruit jar lids, triangles out of horse shoes and big nails. Tambourines are made by stringing bottle tops on coat hangers.
All boys and girls are participating in rhythmic activities and all will be members of the class band.
Later a Primary Rhythm band will be organized. It will be made up of those children (from the first, second, and third grades) who qualify. We hope to contribute to the music appreciation of the children; it is necessary that instruments of good quality be used.
–o–
SECOND GRADE BOYS ARE PROMPT
Not one second grade boy has been tardy throughout September, and only one has been absent. The girls have not been quite so fortunate. Seven have been absent one day and two have been tardy. We hope that October ends with us doing a little better.
Our room is planning a Rhythm band. Each child will belong and all instruments are to be homemade.
This has been a week of birthdays with us. Gene Campbell celebrated Tuesday, and Marjorie Newton and Nannette Smith have birthdays Friday.
Mrs. Lewis Chapman visited us Tuesday afternoon. We hope that we have visitors each week of school.
THIRD GRADE HAS PROGRAM
Wednesday morning during our activity-period, we had a homeroom program. Edna Boone, who is program chairman, had charge. Mittie York and Gwendolyn Taylor helped plan the numbers. We enjoyed the program very much.
In a short business meeting Tuesday, the following new officers were elected:
| Fire Marshal Assistant Marshal Assistant Marshal Chief Doctor Assistant Doctor Nurse Housekeeper Paper man |
Roy Smith Billy Nalls Earl Yates Charles Yates Billy Howe Wanda Haire Dorothy Garner F.B. Jones |
The Fire Marshals help with the fire drills. The Doctors and Nurse have charge of morning health inspection. The Housekeeper and Paper Man keep our room looking neat.
We have a new reading table that we are very proud of. Mr. Voss made it for us.
–o–
FIFTH GRADE STUDIES CITIZENSHIP
On Tuesday we had a program in activity period. Our program was about being good citizens. Carrie Mae Hatley gave a poem “A Good Citizen,” Billy Mack Rhodes gave a poem “Little American Citizens,” and Norman McCoulskey gave six rules you should obey to be a good citizen.
DESKS REARRANGED
The Sixth Grade is rearranging the desks in the class room. They have been on runners, fastened two together and can be moved about in the next room as they are needed.
you don’t know whether he is going around right end or left end….. It is rumored that Elly York has a “Charley Horse” between the ears…. The coaches, realizing that some of the boys were not in the best of shape at the game Friday, are putting them through strenuous workouts… James Mills, Billy Shook, and Clean Lewis have quit the squad…. A coach was once asked to name his best player. He replied, “The most consistent blocker.”
–o–
INDIANS TOMAHAWK JACKRABBITS
Somewhere in East Texas there stands a goal post. From it dangles a fresh scalp, the blood still dripping from its long ears. On the post under the scalp appears the dimly carved words: Grand Saline Indians dance, somewhat wearily, as if after a long hard struggle.
Forney was in scoring position twice but failed to deliver. The third time Anderson circled Forney’s right end for a touchdown. Chowning’s kick bisected the crossbar for the extra point. Jim Dick Pinson made several hard tackles to remind Grand Saline that they were playing Forney.
Grand Saline took particular delight in intercepting York’s passes and running for touchdowns.
Horace Dietz, the new discovery for punting kicked several nice ones.
WHO’S WHO IN THE SENIOR CLASS
If you walk into the Senior room on some morning, you would notice that about 8:30 a small, very dignified girl with blonde, silky hair will come into the room. You might think it a matter of life and death the way she rushes from room to room — scattering sunshine on the dreariest day, her chin slightly tilted upward and her blue eyes sparkling, twinkling laugh only adds to her dignity (and by the way she thinks all Seniors should be dignified). Her one weakness tho’ is Johnnie Nalls’ making funny faces at her when she’s making a very serious speech in Public Speaking. She has a few freckles which she is afraid will ruin her movie star career. She has two very cute nick-names which she hates. The Senior Class is proud of this girl because she is very talented in music; she is also an active member of the Girl Reserve Club. Who is she?
ANSWER TO LAST WEEK: Claudine Neal
Note: There’s no answer to this in the next newsletter, but based on information in this issue in the Snooping Around section, I believe this was Florence Newton.
******
COMMERCIAL LAW
The Commercial Law class has been very diligently discussing contracts for the past week. With the able assistance of Mr. Burch, the class has solved many difficult cases which have probably baffled judges for some time.
There has been several interruptions in the class, J.T. Kelly ruined a perfectly good shirt. Absent-mindedly placing an open fountain pen in his shirt pocket he soiled his shirt.
Now he is trying to bring suit against Mr. Burch — declaring that his constant concentration on Law has caused his well-developed absent-mindedness.
Editor’s Note: Wondered why we saw J.T. looking for lawbooks.
FIRST GRADE NEWS
Jay Layden was elected leader or president of the class. He and his helper, Hob Tune, Jr. and Billie Calverly will plan our home room programs. We will have our first program on Tuesday.
We are planning to build a playhouse. We have decided to make a small one – out of orange crates – because it will be easy to make and furnish.
SECOND GRADE
Class officers have been elected for this grade. The following were chosen:
| President Vice president Sec’y-Treas. Fire Marshal |
Dick McKellar Nancy Powell Fred Yates Gene Campbell |
We are glad to welcome a new boy who entered Monday — John Stone.
Mary Margaret Marmon has moved to Dallas.
Bad colds have caused several to be absent this week.
Mrs. Roy Pankey and Mrs. K.E. Yates have visited us. We are always glad to have visitors.
THIRD GRADE NEWS
We are having a health contest in our room. We are keeping health charts.
We are finding out all we can about Texas and the big Centennial Celebration. We hope to go to the Centennial at Dallas in a group.
We have a rhythm band. We made all but two of our instruments.
Mr. Voss has re-arranged our desks for us. We can see the blackboards so much better now.
Edna Boone had a birthday this week. She was nine years old October 6.
FOURTH GRADE NEWS
The Fourth Grade have been studying maps and we are coloring them this week, also in Geography we are studying Arabian and Persian people. We have a new workbook for English and a workbook for Geography and we have started them already. We have two new pupils that started to school this week and we are glad to have them with us. Their names are Myrtle Willis and Margy Wallace.
FIFTH GRADE NEWS
The Fifth Grade had a program Tuesday. The name of our program was “Safety.” We have enjoyed having these programs. A.V. Carpenter had charge. Luversha Spratt and Dan Taylor gave talks. Then we sang a song, “The Eyes of Texas,” and discussed safety rules.
We elected John Bell Adams fire marshal, and he named Louise Hatley, Thomas Early Adams, Tommy Tune, Nettie Jo Allen and Thomas Tillmon assistants.
SIXTH GRADE NEWS
The Sixth Grade had an especially interesting Home Room program on Tuesday this week. The class was called to order by Junior Farmer, class president; after a brief business session, the following program was given:
Vocal Solo, “Cowboy’s Heaven” – Judge Henley
Reading, “Deduct, Defense – Defeat, Detail” – Betty Jane Fulmer
Story, “Thumbline” – Patsy Ruth King
Vocal Solo – Judge Henley
“Whoopee Ti Yi Yo” – Class
The Sixth Grade had just checked up on the duties of the Fire Marshal and his assistants when the first fire alarm of the year sounded. The first drill was an announced drill, the others for the remainder of the year will not be announced, instead the alarm will sound just as though a fire had started in the building.
There are three absentees this week. Emily McKellar has been absent all week on account of sickness; Thelma Jo Clarkson was absent part of the week; Lou Alice Lackey has been working this week.
EIGHTH GRADE NEWS
The Freshman Class held their class meeting as usual, Wednesday. The program committee had a program planned about football and the boys who are on the squad. They had some rules of sportsmanship and Bud Taylor was asked to read a poem about Playing the Game which he gladly did.
After the program, Julius Kaiser played several popular selections on the piano. The class has improved considerably over our last home room meeting in attitude. Thanks to our sergeant at arms, Ferman Chowning.
-o-
NOW TELL ME
A very nice old lady had a few words with a high school student.
“My dear,” said the old lady, “I wish you would do something for me. I wish you would promise me never to use two words. One is swell and the other is lousy.”
“Why, sure, Granny,” said the girl. “What are the words?”
— Boston Globe
******
Visitor at Zoo: “Is that gnu very vicious?”
Guide: “Well, lady, no gnus is good gnus.”
******
Mr. Downer: (during written English test) “Write a sentence with the word ‘analysis” in it.”
Marie’s examp paper: “The Teacher told us to look up the word ‘analysis’ in the dictionary.”
******
Prof. (to unruly fresman): “Tell me, sir, what has become of your ethics.”
Freshman: “Oh, sir, I traded it in long ago for a Hudson.”
— Annapolis Log
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Dedicated to Johnnie K.:
TREES
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
Which may be true to you or me
But not to the boys of the CCC.
— Judge
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“Now, Billy Venner,” said Miss Jones, “where is the elephant found?”
“The elephant is such a big animal, Miss Jones, that it is hardly ever lost.”
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Miss Ball: “When was the revival of learning?”
Jim Dick: “Just before exams.”
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