MHS 1964

 

Time Travel in a Class of 63: Surprising Truths from the Marlinton High Class of ’64

Every high school yearbook is a paper time machine, but the 1964 Marlintonian offers a particularly vivid window into an American landscape on the precipice of an explosion. Within its ink-scented pages, we find the "Class of Sixty-Four," a group of 63 members—some "bright," some "sharp," and all of them standing at the intersection of small-town Appalachian tradition and the seismic cultural shifts of the 1960s.

To look through this volume today is to engage in a form of "time capsule" analysis. It is a document that balances the earnestness of the early sixties with the sharp, sometimes biting humor of teenagers who were far more irreverent than our collective nostalgia might suggest. It records a moment when the Civil Rights Act was being signed and the Beatles were landing at JFK, yet in Marlinton, the primary concerns were still the "Beatle hair-do" and the looming "Math teachers."

The Bizarrely Specific Art of the "Class Will"

One of the most revealing traditions within the 1964 Marlintonian is the "Class Will." In these sections, graduating seniors "bequeathed" their personality traits, quirks, and possessions to the underclassmen they left behind. It was a ritual of identity, a way of defining what made a person unique before they vanished into the adulthood of the "real world."

The items willed were often abstract or humorously self-deprecating. Suzanne Jett willed her "big mouth" to anyone with a "sense of the macabre" who needs to escape embarrassing situations. Wilbur Boggs willed his "sense of humor" to the teachers, while Carolyn Dean left her "ability to put off firecrackers" to any lucky junior. These entries suggest a social hierarchy where being a prankster or a "big mouth" wasn't just a behavior—it was a legacy.

Perhaps the most evocative entry comes from Kenneth J. Job, whose "will" reads like the manifesto of a young philosopher:

"I, KENNETH J. JOB, will a galaxy of thoughts, a pocketful of dreams, a bag full of nothingness, and a hatful of wayward winds to any person in the Junior Class who has everything."

Brutally Honest (and Occasionally Dark) Prophecies

While modern yearbooks are often scrubbed of anything that might be perceived as negative, the "Prophecy" poem of 1964 was startlingly "edgy." It is worth noting that these "brutal" predictions were the work of a specific editorial clique—the "Annual Staff" led by Editor Cheryl McNeill. Their humor reveals a generation of teenagers who used irony and cynicism as a shield.

The predictions for the 63 graduates were not all "happily ever afters." Consider the fate of Tom Michael, who the poem predicts will finally catch "Sandy at last," only to "live off her dough 'til he dies." Even more striking is the entry for Gary McElwee, described as a "fink and smock" destined to end up a "chisler and swindler" spending his days in a jail cell. This brand of humor reflects a social landscape that allowed for a level of "brutal honesty" that would be unthinkable in a contemporary, polished school setting.

Gender Roles and the "Future Homemakers" Dominance

The 1964 social landscape is nowhere more apparent than in the contrast between the career aspirations of the boys and the girls. The "Future Homemakers of America" (FHA) was a titan on campus, its group photo a sea of nearly every girl in the senior class. Yet, when we look at the "Wants to Be" column, the divide is more complex than just "Engineer" versus "Secretary."

The Gendered Aspiration Gap:

• The Conventional Boys: Engineer, Millionaire, Jet Pilot.
• The Unconventional Boys: "Wormy Cadaver," "Beatnik artist," "Lover."
• The Conventional Girls: Beautician, Nurse, "Real nice Mom."
• The Unconventional Girls: "Lady Matador," "Writer with jeep & pink underwear," "Authoress."

Even within these structures, we see flashes of internal rebellion. Nancy Harper, crowned a "sewing queen and cooking whiz" in the prophecy, was also the Treasurer of the National Honor Society and an FHA leader. Her public life was the picture of 1964 success, yet her private prophecy reveals a different story: "I dislike boys," she states, followed by the heavy lament, "Oh what a dreary life." It is a reminder that the "rebels" were often the top students, performing their gender roles with high marks while signaling a quiet dissatisfaction with the status quo.

"Horse Feathers" and "Moose-Eggs": The Lost Language of 1964

Slang acts as a tribal identifier, and the Class of '64 had a lexicon all its own. These phrases anchor the document firmly in the early 60s, a time when linguistic playfulness acted as a gatekeeper for teenage social circles.

The Language of the Tribe	The Local Vernacular
Nicknames:	"Dill Pickle," "Rigour Mortis," "Satch," "Weenie," "Toots."
Favorite Expressions:	"Horse feathers," "Cool as a moose-egg," "Whee Doggies."
Cynical Rebuttals:	"Cant' hack that," "You just ain't a birdin' baby," "Kinda makes you wonder, doesn't it?"

Universal Gripes: What Teenagers Disliked Before the Internet

If you remove the era-specific references, the "Dislikes" column could have been written by a student today. Math teachers, homework, and "being told what to do" remain the eternal enemies of the teenager. However, the Class of '64 also listed "The beatle hair-do" and "Conformists" as primary grievances.

As a cultural historian, one sees the roots of the late-sixties upheaval here. Their disdain for "Conformists" and "Stuck up people" suggests that even in a small Appalachian town, the burgeoning counterculture movement was beginning to take root. They were grumbling about the Beatles and the "Army" while standing on the edge of a decade that would redefine both.

Conclusion: The Question of Who We Become

Reading the 1964 Marlintonian is a bittersweet exercise in synthesis. We see the "Facts"—the nicknames like "Shortstop" or "Dixie"—and we see the "Prophecies" of who they expected to be. Some expected to be millionaires; some were willed a "bag full of nothingness."

Ultimately, this yearbook is a record of 63 individuals trying to define themselves before the world did it for them. It leaves us with a lingering question about our own high school legacies: If you had to "will" one of your personality traits to the next generation today, what would it be—and would it stand the test of sixty years?

 

The 1964 Marlintonian: A Synthesis of the Marlinton High School Graduating Class

Executive Summary

The 1964 edition of The Marlintonian documents the culture, achievements, and social dynamics of the graduating class of Marlinton High School (MHS). Comprising 63 members, the Class of 1964 is characterized by a high degree of involvement in diverse extracurricular activities, ranging from the National Honor Society and the Future Homemakers of America (FHA) to a robust music program and competitive athletics.

The sources reveal a student body that balanced rigorous academic standards with a pervasive sense of humor, as evidenced by the tradition of "Class Wills" and "Prophecies." The faculty, many of whom hold degrees from prominent West Virginia institutions, provided a structured environment that emphasized both vocational training (e.g., agriculture, home economics) and classical education. Ultimately, the Class of 1964 is presented as a group poised for transition, looking toward varied futures in higher education, professional careers, and domestic life.

Class Leadership and Yearbook Administration

The administration of class affairs and the production of the annual were managed by a dedicated group of students.

Class Officers

• President: John Ray Williams
• Vice-President: Dwight Hamilton Diller
• Secretary: Martha Kay Dilley
• Treasurer: Nancy Evans

Annual Staff (The Marlintonian)

The yearbook was produced under the leadership of Editor Cheryl McNeill and Assistant Editor Janice Bailey. The staff was organized into specialized roles to manage layout, business, and content:

• Business Manager: Janice Bailey
• Layout Manager: Sandy Moyers
• Senior Layout Managers: Suzanne Jett, Sharla Gladwell, Mary VanReenan, Tom Michael
• Photography/Snapshots: Nancy Harper, Chipper Williams
• Departmental Editors: Carla Gladwell (Activities), Carolyn Rimel (Athletics), Nancy Evans (Underclassmen)

Academic and Artistic Activities

The sources highlight several key organizations and events that defined the class's academic and creative life.

The National Honor Society (NHS)

The NHS represented the academic elite of the school. The 1964 officers included:

• President: Kenneth Job
• Vice-President: Martha Dilley
• Secretary: Cheryl McNeill
• Treasurer: Nancy Harper

Music and Performance

The music program at Marlinton High School was extensive, featuring a large Band, a Dance Band, and a Majorette squad.

• Band Leadership: Directed by Mr. Brill.
• Majorettes: Led by Head Majorette Carolyn Ann Rimel. The squad included seniors Helen Pennington and Sharon Hedrick.
• The Senior Play: The class presented You Can't Take It With You. Key cast members included Nancy Evans, Dwight Diller, Billy Clark, Wilbur Boggs, Butch Perry, and Chipper Williams.
• Other Performances: The class was also involved in productions titled Our Town, McGuffey, The Happy Journey to Camden and Trenton, and The Neighbors.

Future Homemakers of America (FHA)

A large segment of the female student body participated in the FHA, led by advisor Mrs. Killingsworth. Senior members included Martha Dilley, Sharla Gladwell, Nancy Evans, and Karen Colburn, among many others.

Athletics and School Spirit

Sports played a central role in school life, fostering community engagement and physical development.

• Football: The school maintained both Offensive and Defensive units. The team was coached by Coach Friel and Assistant Coach Wooddell.
• Cheerleading: The squad was headed by Vicki Moore and included Carolyn Sharp, Peggy Beverage, Charlotte Sharp, and Patty Rimel.
• Junior High Varsity: Basketball was a key sport at the junior high level, coached by Bob Welder.

Social Culture: Wills, Prophecies, and Personal Data

The yearbook captures the unique personalities and social traditions of the Class of 1964 through humor and superlative lists.

The Class Will

Students "bequeathed" their traits or possessions to underclassmen, often with humorous intent:

• Phillip Anderson: Left his "love for Hamilton Hill" to the boys of Hillsboro High.
• Suzanne Jett: Left her "big mouth" to anyone with a "sense of the macabre."
• Garry McElwee: Left his "intelligence to anyone who wants to spend 6 years in high school."
• Becky McCune: Left her ability to be a "senior at 16" to those willing to fight for their rights.

The Class Prophecy

A poetic forecast predicted varied futures for the graduates:

• Jerry Buzzard: Predicted to be a movie star.
• Linda Wooddell: Forecast as a "first place farmer."
• Wally Mullens: Envisioned as a singing "hillbilly" starring in the Grand Ole Opera.
• Janice Bailey: Predicted to be a "stylish queen" focused on paints and brushes.

Facts and Funnies (Superlatives and Preferences)

The document lists personal details that provide a snapshot of 1964 student life:

Student	Nickname	Favorite Pastime	Wants to Be
Phillip Anderson	"Andy"	Hunting and sports	Engineer
Janice Bailey	"Dixie"	Acting dumb	Beatnik artist
Wilbur Boggs	"George"	Playing ball	Farmer
Dwight Diller	(Censored)	Bundling	Head shrinker
Martha Dilley	"Dill Pickle"	Acting intelligent	Commerce teacher
Nancy Evans	"Nance"	Kiddin' the world	Beautician
Carolyn Rimel	"Blondie"	Sports	Jet Pilot
Chipper Williams	"Chipper"	Being quiet	Biologist

Common Dislikes: Math teachers, conformists, work, rumors, spinach, and being told what to do.

Faculty and Instruction

The faculty was comprised of experienced educators with diverse academic backgrounds.

Instructor	Degree/Institution	Subject/Role
Glenna Moses	B.S., WVU; Duke University	Social Studies
Mary Skaggs	A.B., Glenville State, Fairmont College, Davis and Elkins	English
Alice McClintic Moore	A.B., W. Va. Univ., Middleburg College	English
Alice R. Waugh	A.B., M.A., Marshall University	Reading & Spelling
Anna Lee Dean	A.B., Marshall University	Mathematics
Charles E. McElwee	Potomac State College	Biology & Science
Madeline McNeill	A.B., Collegiate Concord College	Science
Florence M. Bailey	A.B., M.A., Bethany College, Concord College, NYU	Library Science & French
Leeta B. Killingsworth	B.S.H.E., Marshall, WVU, Purdue	Vocational Home Economics
Orr Lee McMann	B.S., M.A., Potomac State, WVU	Vocational Agriculture
Guy Bambrick	A.B., Concord, Davis & Elkins, WVU	Social Studies