I just returned from the 50-year reunion for the classes of January and June 1941, along with the January class of 1942. (During the period from 1928 to 1956, the years G.L. “Pop” Ashburn served as principal, there were two official graduating classes each year.)
These senior citizens look great and staged a three-day, multi-event reunion. They had no trouble playing golf, putting on a talent show or climbing three floors to the lunchroom.
But getting everyone quiet for the class picture was a challenge. Perhaps the late Belle Collins, who ruled the roost as second in command to Pop Ashburn, could have gotten them in order.
I discovered that these pre-war seniors were quite rowdy in their day. I heard stories about girls hiding in bathroom stalls to smoke and boys setting “torpedoes” (a kind of firecracker) on the floor in study hall.
The best story was about a certain member of the class named “Landrum”, who would fly his private plane around the school prior to classes each day. One day, he landed on the football field.
The talent show included a rap song with this line: “We used to be hell on wheels; now, we’re ready for Meals on Wheels.”
Don’t bet on it.
Top Cats
Alumni association president Barbara Byrd Adamson ’56 has been selected by the Dallas School Board to serve on the Commission for Educational Excellence. Jack Evans ’40 and Elizabeth Zaby ’68 are serving on the Task Force on Facilities. The Commission will make recommendations to improve the district’s programs, and the Task Force will identify renovation and building needs for the next bond election.
Jack also received the 1991 Distinguished Business Leadership Award recently. The award is presented by the University of Texas at Arlington.
Another member of the class of 1940, Carroll Shelby, is scheduled to drive a Dodge Viper pace car for the 75th annual Indianapolis 500 race. A former winner of the LeMans race and developer of Ford’s Shelby Cobra and Mustang, Carroll followed his friend, Lee Iacocca, to Chrysler, where he has been involved with several projects. He drove a Chrysler LeBaron pace car for the Indianapolis race in 1987.
Senior Colin Corgan was selected to Fina’s All-State Scholar Athlete team for 1991. He has signed to play football at Dartmouth this fall. His brother, Kevin Corgan ’79, also received the Fina honor his senior year. He is attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Did You Know?
Texas Governor Ann Richards’ chief of staff is Mary Beth Rogers ’58.
Toby Shook ’76, John Sholden ’79, and Vic Cunningham ’80 are assistant district attorneys for Dallas County.
Other Wildcats running Texas include re-elected Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Phillips ’68, State Board of Education member Geraldine “Tincy” Miller ’52 and State Representative Sam Johnson ’47.
