The "Last Will and Testament"

 

Marlinton High School yearbooks, offering a unique and often humorous glimpse into the personalities and experiences of graduating seniors. Here's a detailed look at this tradition, based on the sources:

Purpose and Nature:

• The "Last Will and Testament" is a section where graduating seniors symbolically bequeath their traits, skills, and possessions to underclassmen.
• These "wills" are often humorous and lighthearted, designed to entertain and provide a personal touch to the yearbook.
• They reflect the seniors' self-awareness, as they often poke fun at their own quirks, habits, and experiences.
• The wills also serve as a form of personal reflection, allowing seniors to look back on their time in high school.
• They provide insights into the social dynamics and shared experiences of the senior class.
• The wills are often filled with inside jokes, references to school events, and familiar names.
• They are a way for seniors to leave their mark on the school, passing on their unique qualities to those who will follow.
• The wills capture both the serious and the silly aspects of senior life.
• The wills are presented as a formal declaration by the seniors.
• The wills may also sometimes reflect a student's personal goals or frustrations.

Content and Themes:

• Seniors bequeath a wide range of things, including:
  • Personal traits: Shyness, talkativeness, athletic ability, musical talent, humor, and academic skills.
  • Experiences: Specific incidents, jokes, relationships, and roles within the school and community.
  • Possessions: Items like lockers, books, clothing, and other objects associated with school life.
  • Symbolic gifts: Things like "good luck," "love of mischief," "ability to get by" and "memories".
• Humorous bequests are common, often playing on stereotypes or highlighting funny situations. For example, one student willed his ability to make A's in English class, while another willed their ability to talk fast.
• Many wills reference specific underclassmen by name, often with a playful or teasing tone.
• Some wills reference specific teachers and classes.
• Some wills might be ironic, such as one student willing their "love of work" to someone else.
• Many wills reflect specific activities and roles of seniors, such as class officers, athletes, or band members.
• Some wills are a reflection of future plans, with students sometimes willing their love of a particular subject to another person who will be taking it. For example, one student willed her love of typing to a junior, while another willed her shorthand skills to a sophomore.
• Some wills include advice or words of wisdom for the underclassmen.
• Some wills included "inside jokes" that would be recognizable to the people in the class.
• Some wills use exaggeration to add to the humor. For example, one student wills a "rusty, moldy, wet football locker" to another student.
• Some wills included an element of self-deprecation, with the student poking fun at themselves or their shortcomings.
• Some wills reference relationships, with students sometimes willing their "luck" with a certain boy or girl to another student.

Examples from the Sources:

• Hale Alderman willed his "Casanova ways" to another student in hopes he would get by with having as many girls "on a string" as he did.
• Herbert Ardell willed his "shy ways" and his seat in the Thomas Grocery truck so the recipient would have an excuse for being late delivering papers.
• Mayonna Astin willed her real engagement ring to another student, hoping to prevent her from wearing cheap ones.
• Eddie Lightner willed all of his cigarette butts to the boys in Smokology class, saying "They're good to the last drag.".
• Virginia Liptrap willed her "love of mischief" to another student, hoping she would cheer things up.
• Neal Long willed his position as treasurer to another student, warning that "it's no snap".
• Herbert Mace willed his motorcycle to another student so that he could scare the girls to death.
• Marie Adkinson willed her "high flown" language to another student, so she could talk her way out of messes.
• Mattie Beverage willed her male admirers to Uncle Sam, as a relief for the manpower shortage.
• Ralph Boggs willed his bicycle to the scrap drive because "that's all it's good for".
• Bill Fowler willed his ability to "get by in a close shave" to someone who was "attended by Lady Luck".
• Azalea Galford willed a book entitled "How to Keep the Girl Friend When College Boys Are Home".
• Mabel Galford willed her red hair to any "good looking blonde," saying she didn't want to "set the world on fire".
• Benny Maline willed his "powerful physique" to another student.
• Bill Moore willed his last quarter on earth to buy typing paper for a student to borrow.
• Howard Moore willed his ability to hold "that line" to any "romantically inclined moonlight cruisers".
• Genevieve McKenney willed her engagement ring to the Salvage Drive, hoping it would be replaced by a wedding ring.
• Gladys Rogers willed her high temper to a knife company to be used for knife blades.
• Margaret Smith willed her ability to get things done by "hook or crook" to the next year's A.D.D.'s.
• Maude Smith willed her love for Julian Sharp to Uncle Sam "for the duration".
• Barthel Townsend willed the key to his heart to another student.
• Sondra Nelson willed her ability to behave in band class to another student in hopes no one would get hit with spit-wads.
• Karen Galford willed her ability to work math problems to a teacher, because he'd need it if he had another student as "brainy" as her.
• Don Jackson willed his height to another student, hoping he would become captain of the team.
• Linda McCarty willed her position on the balcony to anyone who wanted to be in the middle of everything.
• Minnie Faye McLaughlin willed her ability to sneak a dog into the school to anyone willing to have a nervous breakdown.
• Norman Alderman willed his "undying love for school and education" to his brother, because "he needs it".
• Nancy Anderson willed her books to another student in hopes he would have better luck with them.
• Diane Arbogast willed her seat in Senior English to anyone who could "stand it".
• Richard Dean willed his "rusty, moldy, wet football locker" to another student.
• Mary Dever willed all of the trouble she had with the clarinet section to another student.
• Steve Dilley willed everything he owned to Hillsboro High School and Tommy Dilley willed everything to Greenbank High School.
• Hope McComb willed her seat in Senior English to another student, saying "if she is smart she won't take it!".
• Anna Thomas willed her "luck with a certain boy" to a sophomore girl, in hopes she'd have as much trouble with him as she did.
• Ruth Auldridge willed her job as a waitress to anyone who could get up early and go to bed late.
• Betty Jean Calhoun willed her "happy-go-lucky ways" to another student.
• Margaret Mace willed her grades in shorthand to any "poor defenseless" girl who took it next year.
• Hallie Moore willed her evening car rides to someone who would protect it for her.
• Edwin Davison willed his music ability to the other band members.
• Mildred Nelson willed her ability to "go forward" to future A.D.D.'s.
• Donald Akers willed his witch doctor profession to those who "infest" the First National Bank.
• Barbara Harper willed her "fly around ways" to another student so she'd have transportation to Virginia when the roads were icy.
• Jimmie Lovelace willed his "tribal band" to his sister so she could "follow in his footpath".
• Danny Scott willed his "picture writing" to the Commercial Club, so they would have space fillers for the newspaper.
• Ira Adkison willed that he "sings and whistles day and nite".
• James Clark willed that he is the center of the team, "tall and blonde and very lean".
• Phyllis Dunbrack willed that "Campbell town one favorite chick, is Phyllis cute as a trick".
• Ira Friel willed that he is the "tallest senior" and "catches gals like fish on a reel".
• Opal Gay willed that she is "always smiling mysteriously".

Significance

• The "Last Will and Testament" is a cherished tradition that adds a personal touch to the yearbooks.
• It provides a unique form of self-expression for the graduating seniors.
• It highlights the community and camaraderie among students at Marlinton High School.
• It offers a glimpse into the humorous and heartfelt moments that made up their high school experience.
• It captures a sense of transition and looking forward to the future, with the seniors passing on the torch to the underclassmen.

The "Last Will and Testament" is more than just a list of humorous bequests, it's a meaningful reflection of the students' high school journey, their personalities, and their relationships, and an important and unique feature of the yearbooks.