More of those old photos from 1954. One thing I noted and hesitate to mention, but as I looked at them, an awful lot of the guys and gals look bowlegged. I suspect a good psychologist could put a spin on it that they were somewhat nervous? Freaked? Or inhibited at being photographed in their costumes. Also by the way, there seem to be a mixture of our class and some from 1955.
So easy to recognize most of the faces in the photos. Here is Henry Christopher (class of ’55), Patricia Padgett, Wayne Lybecker, and Susan Crawford.
Someone once asked me—how do you know so many of our class? The secret is that I had a job our junior year. I took orders for and delivered the senior class rings. For a couple of months in the fall, I sat in the small box office to the left of the auditorium in the main hall and took the orders. That included measuring the ring size, the weight, and taking a deposit. Then in the spring I waited for you all to bring the balance due and pick up the ring. So I became passing familiar with a lot of people in the class. Rings then cost around $16 or $17 to the best of my recall. If anyone has a better recall, let us know.
A little-known fact to reveal is that I earned 50 cents for each ring I sold. With a class of 435, I vaguely recall selling around 350 rings and earning close to $170. That covered a lot of rounds of golf at CoolCrest and milkshakes at Buddy’s for 25 cents each.
The final kink in this tale is that I was permitted/instructed/authorized to leave my third- period class three minutes early to get set up in the box office with my sales paraphernalia. Fall semester I happened to have Plain Geometry with Mr. McDaniel. It absolutely infuriated him that I was able to leave his class, and he let me know it and also Mrs. McIntyre, who was our class sponsor. She was adamant, though, and I continued to leave his class. For the rest of the semester, Mr. Mac nicked me points here and there on assignments, tests, and some inane project to design and make stained-glass windows out of colored cellophane and black construction paper using geometric designs. Does anyone else remember that project? He nicked me enough on the points to lower my final grade. Looking back, I suppose the 50 cents per ring was worth it.
Do remember that you can comment or add to any of this drivel if you feel moved.
jeffclassof54 
Mr. Mac was as rigid as a concrete lamp post, a trait you no doubt irritated regularly, something like a water torture. He had every moment of each class scripted to the minute and every class planned out in detail. No flexibility. Since he taught what passed in those days as advanced math it all probably served him well. Strangely, it also made him my choice for best teacher I ever had at any level; he knew what he was doing and how to do it. That was a far cry from many of the college instructors I had who were grad students trying to get by with as little effort as possible.
Just once I crossed Mr. Mac: I offered a different solution for a problem than the one he had. He started to rip me a new orifice or two but then saw that my solution actually was better than his. It almost broke his face to admit it, but he said so. I gained some respect …. but never tried THAT again.
My ring cost $14.00 and I still have it. I don’t know what the boy’s ring cost, but I do know that the cost of high school rings increased dramatically by the time my children graduated. I remember geometry with Mr. Mac and making snowflakes. Once I didn’t know how to do a problem and he called me to the board. For some unknown reason I got very brave and refused to go. My dad was called that night and needless to say, I had to apologize the next day. We need more teachers like him today.
I love the pictures that you are posting…..we did have lots of fun at Jeff.
I just HAPPEN to recall the photos of the “Kid Party” shown in your most recent addition to your blog. Our parents sprung for a graduation ‘do’ at The Party House. I believe there were close to 100 people there that night! Beverly, Joy, and I were the hostesses on that May evening in 1954 (8:00-12:00 p.m.). You mentioned the “bow-legged look” — I believe that’s how we thought little kids stood. Nice memories of a glorious time! (BTW: My date was Tommy French.)
Thanks again to all those who worked so diligently on our reunion last month,
Carolyn Taylor Cochrum
Houston