In the fall of the year~of our Lord 1918 two band's of valiant souls assembled, one at Portsmouth High School, the other at Port Norfolk. So noble was their purpose that they declared war on Knowledge and set out to conquer that division of Learning called the High School Course.The two bands were lowly and despised, lorded over by older soldiers, billeted in portables and dubbed "Rats." Still they were undaunted. The first year of their campaign brought them against legions of English, Latin, History, Science and Algebra. But they refused to be conquered, although a few dropped from the ranks.Then, in the second year of the struggle, the bands united. Thev were quartered at Wilson High and the entire band had been promoted to "Sophdom." They met new devisions of their old enemies augmented by French and Biology. However, they were still insuperable and fought courageously under such worthy generals as Devilbiss, Woodard, Griffith, Bratten, James, Pettis and Bain. So ended the second year.The third year opened auspiciously, though hard fights with Geometry, Chemistry, Cicero and American Literature loomed before them. United were the two bands and martialed by Generals Barksdale, Spooner, Philips, Sykes, James and other brave and experienced leaders they attacked the enemy and overcame them. But they stood in danger of contracting a disease prevalent among Junior soldiers, that horrible pestilence "swellheadedness."Then came the final year of the fray. Six score war-worn battle stained veterans organized strongly. Brave they were, indeed, but three of this number, foreseeing the horrors of the campaign to come, turned aside and ventured even into Matrimony.The legion rallied under Generals Johnston, Smith, Sweeney, Brittmgham, Woodard and James, who commandeered them valiantly Some of them ventured forth, under such leaders as Pultz, Frye, and Delappe, against Business Courses and Mechanical Drawing Some, cheered on by General Woodard, endured the Spanish Inquisition.Some of their mightiest captains had left' them. Generals Phillips, Barksdale and Sykes had retired. General Pettis had joined another army; so had General Bratten. Another beloved leader, who had lead charges against Sophomore English, had died.Still this brave Senior band struggled on, harangued by Commander-in-Chief Codd. Many were the acts of marked bravery. Two were especially valiant, Elizabeth Jack and Josephine Winslow.But the war drew to a close. The forces of the High School division were conquered. An odd peace was made. Treaties cotaining sixteen points (some the soldiers were bold enough to demand as many as twenty) were rawn up by each of the one hundred and twenty-three fighters. In the documents the enemy acknowledged their defeat.The sturdy victors gathered a last time on the stage in the Auditorium to proclaim their triumph. With waving tassels and flowing robes of gray they sat looking for new worlds to conquer, each in his heart thinking "Veni, vidi, vici ," and exulting in having retained this trophy of their battle with Caesar. | ||||||
