Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 28, 1990 TAG: 9006280383
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRISTINA A. SAMUELS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"The most important thing in those days was getting a passing grade and the football team," said class member Walter Lobel at the 65th class reunion of Jefferson High Wednesday.
The class of 1925 was the first to graduate from the then-new high school, the home of the Magicians. It closed its doors in 1974.
The class has had a reunion every five years, beginning with the 40th in 1965. Class members also meet for a luncheon every other month. Twenty-four attended this gathering.
Elizabeth Templeton Brown remembers a boyfriend who used to pick her up with her friends and drive them to school. The year was 1924.
The boyfriend wanted to run away with Brown and get married, but she wanted to finish her education. "I started crying, so he brought me home," she said.
Brown went on to become an elementary school teacher. "When I was in Pulaski, I wanted to get married, but I had to give up teaching because they wouldn't let married teachers teach," Brown said.
After Brown was widowed in 1952, she taught at Oakland Elementary School until 1971.
"We were so happy to get into the new school," said Myrtle B. Robertson, one of the organizers of the reunion. "We had wonderful teachers," she added.
Robertson said the football games were very popular.
"Everybody would go on a Saturday afternoon" to Victory Stadium and cheer the Magicians on, she said.
Bev Fitzpatrick, a member of the class of 1939, also attended the reunion to give an update on fund-raising efforts to convert the school into Jefferson Center, an arts, education and office complex.
About $600,000 needs to be raised before work on the center can start. The class of 1925 has raised $7,100.
The class of 1925 also plans to create a memorial fund to honor members who have died. "We were so lucky to live and be here this long," said Robertson, addressing the group. "I think you'll be glad to know we have honored those who have gone ahead of us."
John Oakey, another member of the class, talked about the changes in some of his schoolmates over the years.
"Amazingly enough, some of the girls who you didn't think were so cute turned out beautiful, and some of the ones you thought were cute didn't turn out so good," Oakey said.
"Of course, they all think they turned out beautiful," he added.
Memo: correction