GRADUATES STARTED TO SCHOOL IN 1948 (Ranger Times) by Frances Veale
Long ago seems the fall day in 1948 when a group of scrubbed
but smiling children trudged into the first grade at Hodges
Oak Park, Young, and St. Rita's. Walter, Sandra, Barbara
Craig, Linda, Norma Gayle, Bobby, Sally, Jimmy Needham, Johnny,
Marinell, and Voncille started school life at Hodges while
Jack, Glenda, Sue, Alfred, Rita Underwood, Jerry Hamilton,
Charles White, and Nellie Sue went to Young. The second grade
in Hodges welcomed Jimmie Stroud from a school in New Mexico
and Mary Kay from St. Rita's. Patsy Vinson entered the second
grade at Young. From St. Rita's, Mike and Karen entered the
third grade at Hodges; and Pat Graham and Nancy joined the
Hodges' fourth grade. Mac from St. Rita's joined the fifth
grade at Young. Thomas joined the sixth grade class at Hodges.
Rozelle and I, from Bullock, came to Hodges' sixth grade.
Barbara was born in Ranger and moved with her family to Roscoe,
TX, at the age 5. When they returned to Ranger, she joined
the fifth grade class at Young School. In the sixth at Young,
cheerleaders were Carol Phillips, Nellie Sue, Rita, Nancy
Warren and Barbara Crabb. Norma Gayle and Kathy were cheer-
leaders in 6th grade at Hodges.
We changed not only grades but also buildings. Awed by our
surroundings at first, we soon became accustomed to life in
junior high. During the seventh grade we added Jerry Anderson
and Homer to our ranks. Jerry Wilson and Don Adams joined
us in the eighth grade.
In the fall of 1956 a band of freshmen entered the halls of
Ranger High School. Our class officers were Karen, Barbara
Crabb, and Norma Gayle. Jimmy Needham was elected class
favorite. Jerry Anderson and Homer were on the football team.
Barbara Crabb and Jerry Anderson were elected Best Sports.
Oh, happy the day when we became sophomores! Important? Yes!
Big? Yes! Ignorant? Oh, no! Class officers for the year were
Jerry Anderson, Barbara Crabb, Mary Kay, Mike, and Norma Gayle.
Nina joined us during our sophomore year. Karen was our class
favorite. Barbara Crabb was Personality Plus. In football
were Jerry Anderson & Charles White. Mary Kay was a majorette.
Jimmy Burnett played basketball.
Our junior year was truly a successful one. It seems as if
we had as many good times as a class could ask. We welcomed
Rita Sipes, Bill, Gail, and Richard. Linda Drennan rejoined
our class after having moved away while in grade school. We
elected Nellie Sue, Linda, Walter, Barbara Crabb, and Marinell
as class officers; Bill and Nellie Sue, class favorites; and
Norma Gayle, FFA Sweetheart. Barbara Crabb and Walter were
elected Best All Around and Personality Plus, respectively.
Jerry Anderson and Homer were on the football team. Linda
Drennan was a majorette. Our junior class play, "Act Your Age,"
was full of fun, frolic, and sailors. We felt repaid for all
the work we had done when our junior/senior banquet, "Candy-
land," was a success. Before the year was over, we had ordered
our rings and were already beginning to feel a little like
seniors.
The dawning of our senior year brought our class together for
the last year in high school. We added Don Chatham, Sharron
Jones, Buddy Prather, and Nedra Hodges to our class. Walter,
Nellie Sue, Linda, Gail, and Barbara Crabb were class officers,
Our senior favorites were Jerry Wilson and Rita Underwood. Our
football boys were Charles White, Jerry Anderson, Bill, Homer,
Richard, and Bobby. The boys chose Norma Gayle as Football
Sweetheart. Our cheerleaders were Gail and Mary Kay. Norma
Gayle and Barbara served as cheerleaders for four years. Linda
Drennan was drum major, and Rita Sipes was a majorette. Don
Chatham and Jerry Wilson lettered in basketball. Basketball
Sweetheart was Linda Drennan. Norma Gayle and Barbara Crabb
were cheerleaders 6th grade thru 12th.
Two of our class members served on the student council: Jerry
Anderson as president and Norma Gayle as secretary. Campus
King and Queen were Walter and Barbara Crabb; Most Likely to
Succeed, Mary Kay; Personality Plus, Bobby and Gail. Rita
Sipes was Band Sweetheart. Linda Drennan received the DAR
Citizenship Award. Our senior play, "The Perfect Idiot,"
was full of hilarity, hoax, and hypnotism. On April Fool's
Day we all enjoyed one last fling at childhood. We seniors
enjoyed being guests at "Gay Paree," the junior/senior banquet.
The class would like to thank our sponsors, Mrs. Deffebach
and Mrs. Hagaman, for all they have done for us.
These are only the highlights of the past twelve years. There
are memories in each of our minds that could never be written
as part of a class history, but that are vital to our individual
histories. Now we are looking forward to the senior trip,
baccalaureate, and commencement together.
(Newsletter courtesy of Mike Herrington)