GHS Named One of the Top 20 High Schools in the Nation!

Transcription

GHS Named One of the Top 20 High Schools in the Nation!
Spring 2016
GREENSBORO GRIMSLEY SR HIGH SCHOOL
ALUMNI & FRIENDS ASSOCIATION
GHS Named One of the
Top 20 High Schools in the Nation!
Grimsley High School is a public school in
Greensboro, North Carolina. It has 1,798
students in grades 9-12. Grimsley is the best
school in the area because of the unique combination
of excellence all across the board. The school has a very
diverse culture and there is a place for everyone to fit
in. Grimsley offers many options for students to choose
from regarding classes. There are tons of different types
of courses like health sciences/nursing fundamentals, and
other types of courses that can help students figure out
what type of career they would like.
Grimsley works to improve ways students can learn more
about a field they are interesting in by adding new course
options to the scheduling list. The teachers are some of
the best in the state. They go beyond the typical studentteacher relationship by also caring about you as a person.
Even though Grimsley is a larger public high school, the
teachers make you feel like you aren’t just a number.
INSIDE
Message From Principal.......................................Page 3
In Memoriam..................................................Pages 5-7
Meet the Board.............................................. Pages 8-9
Whirlie Walk Challenge...............................Pages 12-13
Department Feature: Media Center............Pages 14-15
Feature on Clubs.........................................Pages 18-19
Portrait of Miss Ida Belle Moore.........................Page 20
Most of the teachers
teach from the
front of the room
with technology,
and there is very
little textbook
work. Most of the
teachers have great
communication
skills.
................................................................................................................
Grimsley High School, Greensboro, NC
GHS is a great school for opportunities, with a wide verity
of clubs. There are multiple service learning such as: Key
club, Dustyn’s Greenhouse, and Sierra Club to name a
few. Everyone is accepted: gay-straight alliance club, cross
club, and young republicans club. Most students are in at
least one club.
The balance between athletics and academics is crucial
for any students. And this school gets it right, the top 4
GPA-ranked students are all in sports and clubs while still
being in academic intensive programs. Football games are
big, with grand rivalries, even the most shy students pack
the stands on game night.
• Grimsley High School graduation rate is
81.0%. National average is 82.2%.
• 53.0% students of Grimsley High School
scored at or above proficiency levels on
their state math assessment test.
• 69.0% students of Grimsley High School
scored at or above proficiency levels
on their state reading/language arts
assessment test.
Article shared by:
Nora Murray, Media Relations
Guilford County Schools
Department of District Relations
Alumni & Friends Association
Your All Volunteer
Board of Directors
For more information or to contact your
Alumni Association board members,
please use the emails listed below:
Joe Franks ‘78, Co-President
[email protected]
*sang in the 1973 Kiser Eighth Grade Chorus
Mary Jane Healy Beavers ’73, Co-President
[email protected]
Ruth Comer
[email protected]
Marta Force, Newsletter
[email protected]
Susan Gentry, Secretary
[email protected]
Felicia Ford Reader ’81
[email protected]
Bobby Rives ‘65, Treasurer
[email protected]
Bo Rodenbough
[email protected]
[email protected]
Roberta Rohan ’82
[email protected]
Bob Sawyer ‘55
[email protected]
Phil Weaver ’65 Immediate Past President
[email protected]
Tim Weikel ‘66
[email protected]
Erik Summers ‘78
[email protected]
Linda Wilson, Auditorium Renovation Chair
[email protected]
GHS Alumni & Friends website address:
www.whirlies.com
GHS Alumni & Friends email address:
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor, Print and Online/
Photographer
From Your GHS A&F Co-Presidents
Mary Jane Beavers ’73 and Joe Franks ’78
Hello Fellow Whirlies!
As the end of the school year approaches,
your Alumni Association wants to make
sure that you know how well we have
spent your money and how strongly we
have supported Grimsley, its staff and
students.
We started out the year finishing our first
stage of the renovation of Chance Cousins
Auditorium. After we refurbished the
floor, procured the sound tiles from War
Memorial Auditorium, and purchased
the new lighting system, we have had a
new protective case created for the grand
piano that is the centerpiece of the stage.
This will protect and preserve one of
Grimsley’s most valuable musical assets.
This finishes phase one of our renovation.
The staff and students are very pleased
and proud of the upgrades we have
provided. We have a superior auditorium
again which will showcase our students
and their many remarkable talents.
We were lucky to have the funds again
this year to give each of our teaching
staff a gift card from Office Depot to
start the school year. Thank you for
helping us with this. We always hope
this will illustrate to the staff that we
are here to respect and support all they
do to keep Grimsley an exceptional
learning environment. The 2016
Whirlie Walk happened in April with
more participation than last year and
Marta Force, [email protected]
2
www.whirlies.com
.........................................................................................................................................
Greensboro Grimsley
Senior High School
Alumni & Friends
Association
a beautiful day to raise money for the
Alumni Association.
April also brought the scholarship
interviews for many students. As with
every year, the interviewing panel was
amazed by the amount of applicants and
the quality of the Grimsley students.
We only give out four scholarships from
our organization, but interview for and
administer several other scholarships. We
wish that all applicants could be awarded
scholarships since they are all exceptional
students, leaders, volunteers, athletes and
human beings. We are proud to meet
and speak with all the students who are
preparing to represent Grimsley out in
the real world at colleges and universities
all over the country.
As we have done for many years, we have
financially supported Senior Awards,
The Senior Tea and Project Graduation
all parts of the ending of the Senior
Class’s time at GHS. We believe that
these are important parts of our history,
our present and our future. They set us
apart from other high schools in the most
positive of ways.
As you can tell we are a busy group who
have a passion for keeping Grimsley
the superior and exceptional center for
learning and growing that it has always
been. Join us, support us financially and
never forget where you came from...right
there on Westover Terrace.
Go Whirlies!!!
Alumni & Friends Association
From Your Principal
Charles Blanchard
The 2015/16 school year has been another great one at Grimsley Senior High School. I continue to meet Grimsley alumni at a variety
In March 2016 Grimsley Senior High School was
recognized as the 12th best public high school in
North Carolina by Niche.
The blurb from the News and Record is below:
“Ten GCS Schools Ranked as Best Public High
Schools in the State
Greensboro, N.C. – The Early College at Guilford was ranked as
the top public high school in North Carolina by Niche, a research
company, and 34th best in the country. Nine other GCS schools
also made the list for best in the state.
The company compiled the list primarily by looking at
academics which account for half of the ranking. It also considers
health and safety, the parent and student experience, student
culture, diversity and more. In almost every category, the group
combined statistics with testimonies from past and current
parents and students to determine the overall rank.
GCS has been recognized nationally for its efforts to make
Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and collegelevel courses available to each student. In 2015, more than a third
(37.1 percent) of GCS graduates left high school having passed at
least one AP, IB or college-level course.
In addition to ranking the top 100 schools in the country, the
company also ranked the top 100 schools in each state. Ten GCS
schools made that list, including The Early College at Guilford
(1), Grimsley High (12), Weaver Academy (15), Middle College
at GTCC-Greensboro (35), Northern High (36), Middle College
at GTCC-High Point (41), Penn-Griffin School of the Arts (47),
Northwest High (60), Southwest High (96) and Academy at
Smith (100).
”
3
.............................................................................................................................
of school and community events. They always express a strong admiration and connection to their alma mater. The “Whirlie Nation”
nation grows each year and the support our students receive from the Alumni Association provides them with a truly special place to
learn. Below are some of the highlights of the accomplishments at our school this year.
Chance-Cousins Auditorium
Benefit GCS School Community
The renovations to the Chance-Cousins Auditorium supported
by the Alumni Association have impacted our ability to better
serve groups in our community. This Spring the Greensboro
Symphony filled the auditorium with music as they performed
for all GCS 3rd and 4th graders in the annual Elementary School
Concerts, sponsored by the Greensboro Symphony Guild,
Arts Greensboro, North Carolina Arts Council, and Lincoln
Financial Foundation.
Students participated in a presentation titled “Pirates and
Princesses”, in which students learned about the different
instrumental sections of the orchestra, and what musical role
each instrument plays in order to bring a symphonic orchestra
to life. Students were able to participate in the interactive concert
that included a Disney “Frozen” sing-a-long, a musical narrative
of Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty”, and an exciting finale
with music by John Williams from the movie “Jurassic Park”,
complete with a real, live raptor that swept through the audience!
The ability to host these types of special events for students
would not be possibly without the support of our dedicated
Alumni!
www.whirlies.com
Alumni & Friends Association
Weaver Court Naming Ceremony Photos
4
www.whirlies.com
Alumni & Friends Association
In Memoriam
Robert Dick Douglas Jr.
Robert Dick Douglas Jr., joined the Boy Scouts
on his 12th birthday in 1924 and by 17 had shot a lion on safari
in Africa, hunted whales and grizzly bears in Alaska and written
two books on his adventures, died December 2015 in Greensboro,
N.C. He was 103 and one of the nation’s oldest Eagle Scouts.
A lawyer in Greensboro for 70 years, Mr. Douglas was the greatgrandson of Stephen A. Douglas, the Democratic senator from
Illinois who defeated the Republican challenger Abraham Lincoln
after a historic series of debates in 1858, two years before Lincoln
won the presidency.
Long before the likes of Indiana Jones, young Dick Douglas was
charged by a rhinoceros in Tanganyika, went whaling off Kodiak
Island, killed bears climbing into an active volcano in Alaska and
flew with Amelia Earhart in an early helicopter. He became an
F.B.I. agent, learned to water-ski at 40 and wrote four books.
Scouting, he said, gave him an appetite for adventure. “The Boy
Scout program is broad enough to meet the notions of any boy,”
he told NewsObserver.com, the website of The News & Observer
of Raleigh, N.C., in 2012, when he turned 100. “And for me, if I
was interested in athletics, I could focus on that. Then if I was
interested in bird studies, I could do that. It filled my life with the
right things.”
Many young Americans today may find it hard to fathom how
important it was to a boy, nearly a century ago, to help an elderly
person cross a street. But in Mr. Douglas’s youth, that reflected
loyalty to a code of honor whose rewards were not just merit
badges but experience and pride of accomplishment.
In an era when scouts were nearly all middle-class or privileged
white boys who went on camping trips and could only dream
of storybook quests in faraway lands, Dick was an intrepid
5
..................................................................................................................................
GHS Grad has an incredible life!
enthusiast. He became an Eagle, scouting’s highest rank, in
December 1925, according to Deron Smith, a spokesman for the
Boy Scouts of America.
In 1928, when he was not yet 16, he and two other Eagles were
chosen from 700 high-achieving scouts (out of a national
enrollment of 600,000) to accompany two big-game hunters on a
five-week safari in Tanganyika, a former African state, and write a
book about it — an idea of James E. West, then the chief executive
of the Boy Scouts, and the publisher George Palmer Putnam. This
led to a surge of interest in scouting and a book that eventually
sold some 400,000 copies.
With the hunter-filmmakers Martin and Osa Johnson, Dick
and his companions, David R. Martin Jr. of Austin, Minn., and
Douglas L. Oliver of Atlanta, saw great herds of migrating zebra
and wildebeest; thousands of impala, giraffe and eland; and
hundreds of lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals and hyenas.
In what is now the Serengeti National Park of Tanzania,
they filmed and photographed landscapes and animals and
encountered hunters with poison-tipped arrows, towering termite
mounds, lions feasting on kills, flapping vultures and flat-topped
acacia trees stained orange by dust.
Regarding this adventure he wrote “Three Boy Scouts in Africa:
On Safari With Martin Johnson,” published by G. P. Putnam’s
Sons in 1928.
The book, taken from the boys’ journals and polished by editors,
reflected the racial insensitivity of the day.
After the safari, Mr. Douglas enrolled at Georgetown University.
He was offered another book deal by Putnam after a year at
college and sailed to Kodiak
Continued on next page
Island, off Alaska’s southeast
www.whirlies.com

Alumni & Friends Association
coast, where he hunted grizzlies and whales. In “A Boy Scout in
the Grizzly Country” (1929), he told of an expedition on a whaler
that took a humpback and a 40-ton blue whale, both shot by a
deck harpoon gun with explosive charges.
Through Mr. Putnam, his publisher, Mr. Douglas met Earhart,
the pioneering aviator, whose book “20 Hrs., 40 Min.,” a journal
of her experience as the first female passenger on a trans-Atlantic
flight, was published in 1928, the same year as “Three Boy Scouts
in Africa.” She married Mr. Putnam in 1931, a year before she
became the first woman to fly the Atlantic solo.
Mr. Douglas and Earhart accompanied each other on booksigning tours. In 1931, they flew from Washington to New York in
an autogiro, the vertical-ascent aircraft she was developing.
In 1931, Mr. Douglas, again with a Putnam contract, undertook
another Alaska expedition, this one with the Rev. Bernard R.
Hubbard, the Jesuit geologist and explorer, known as “the Glacier
Priest,” who studied volcanoes and popularized the Alaskan
wilderness in the 1930s.
Weeks after the eruption of the volcano Aniakchak on the Alaska
Peninsula opposite Kodiak Island, Father Hubbard rendezvoused
with Mr. Douglas and two other college students and climbed
to the crater rim, killing bears and caribou on the way. They
explored the still-active volcano’s interior for a month. Mr.
Douglas recounted the events in his third book, “In the Land of
the Thunder Mountains” (1932).
Robert Dick Douglas Jr. was born in Greensboro on July 23, 1912,
the second of four children of Robert Douglas and the former
Virginia Land Brown. His father was active in scouting, and
Robert followed his lead. He graduated from public schools in
Greensboro.
At Georgetown, Mr. Douglas earned a bachelor’s degree in
6
...............................................................................................................................................
In Memoriam (continued)
philosophy in 1932, a a master’s in English and philosophy in
1933 and a law degree in 1936. He paid for his education with his
book royalties.
In the late 1930s he joined the Greensboro law firm of his father,
a former North Carolina attorney general. From 1941 to 1945,
Mr. Douglas was an F.B.I. agent in Washington.
He married Gladys Iva Neal in 1942. They had three children
before her death in 1971. In 1972 he married Ruth Mullen
Sheehy, a widow with five children. Besides his second wife
and his son Robert 3rd, Mr. Douglas is survived by two other
children, Ann Kohn and Elizabeth Hickman; five stepchildren,
Ann Marie Bolen, Susan Cole, and James, Paul and Thomas
Sheehy; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
After World War II, Mr. Douglas returned to his father’s firm,
where he specialized in labor law. He lectured occasionally on his
scouting experiences.
Like all Eagle Scouts, he retained the rank for life, a distinction
held by two million since its inception in 1912. Only a very small
percentage of scouts attain the rank, which requires 21 merit
badges in citizenship, leadership and other tests, including a
community service project.
On Sept. 24, Mr. Douglas received the Distinguished Eagle Scout
Award for lifetime achievement. It was conferred by Justice Paul
Newby of the North Carolina Supreme Court, himself a recipient
of the award.
Besides his three adventure books, Mr. Douglas wrote a memoir,
“The Best 90 Years of My Life” (2007). “I have looked with awe
on Niagara Falls,” he wrote. “I have seen glaciers and mountains
in Alaska. I have seen great slow rivers, endless oceans, and
the African veldt at sundown, covered with half a million wild
animals as far as you can see.”
www.whirlies.com
Continued on next page

Alumni & Friends Association
Treva Carolyn Knight Ayers
died February 17, 2016, From Mayodan NC Treva served in the
attendance office and was a popular and colorful staff member.
7
..................................................................................................................................
In Memoriam (continued)
Rosa T. Yourse
died February 2016. She was a faculty member of Grimsley High
School and Chair of the English Department. Gayle Manahan
remembers : I was privileged to work with Rosa, Peggy Joyner,
and Mary Tom Hoffler in the development of the first Honors
English program at Grimsley. Rosa was so kind to guide and
encourage me as a young teacher. I will always remember this
lovely lady with the beautiful smile who went out of her way to
guide students in the classroom as well as in life.
www.whirlies.com
Alumni & Friends Association
Meet The Board
Joe Franks
How long have you served on the FHS A&F Board and in what capacity?
I have been on the Board for at least 10 years if not longer
Why do you feel the GHS A&F is important to our community?
I feel that the A&F Association is a link to the history and tradition that is GHS. We are having a blast
posting pictures on Facebook from the 60’s thru the early 20-teens and seeing the reaction of folks - it’s
priceless. In addidion, we serve a real purpose of giving back to Grimsley, whether through student
scholarships, capital improvements like the auditorium or the teacher gift cards in the fall. We make a
difference.
What experience or background do you bring to the board?
My years at Grimsley in the classroom and through athletics gives me many connections and perspectives that I feel are valuable to the
Board.
Other organizations you serve?
I continue to work with the North Carolina Coaches Association which puts on a huge Coaching Clinic and All-Star Games in the
summer. I serve on the Board of the Boys and Girls Club of the Danville, VA Region and I am secretary of the National Association of
Coaches Association Directors. I also serve on various committees at Averett University and in my church.
Are you a GHS Grad? Do you have family members who are GHS graduates?
I graduated in 1978 as a student and 2013 as a faculty member. My brother Chuck graduated in 1980.
What prompted you to accept nomination to this Board?
I felt that this organization was crucial in supporting Grimsley.
What do you feel are the greatest strengths of the GHS A&F Association?
The fact that people volunteer year after year to serve on this Board is remarkable. Grimsley has a special place in so many people’s
hearts and people cherish the memories of their high school careers and want to continue to be a part of it.
What has been your greatest joy in serving this organization?
My greatest joy is staying connected to my alma mater.
8
www.whirlies.com
Continued on next page

Alumni & Friends Association
Meet The Board (continued)
Marta Force
I’ve served on the Grimsley Alumni and Friends
Association Board for the past 5 years. I am proud of
my contribution to Grimsley as a teacher (IB Music/
Choral Music/Madrigal Singers) and happy to be
able to continue that work in this way. The Alumni
Association Board serves Grimsley and it’s community
in so many ways. This a very pleasant group of dedicated,
conscientious, amiable and occasionally comical people
from all walks of life. Our meetings are short but our
service is far reaching.
A “Type A organizer” by nature I did warn the board
(before accepting the nomination from Phil Weaver)
“ I have opinions, you know”, and, in spite of that,
they asked me to join. I have enjoyed working on the
Auditorium Renovation Committee, the Scholarship
Interview Committee and as Newsletter editor.
Kiser Junior High School eighth grade boys’ chorus, circa 1973.
The first year teacher in miniskirt: 43 years and 43 pounds ago.
The student, in Prince Valiant haircut and Suzuki belt, is also interviewed in
this issue...can you find him?
(Hint: Look on the inside first page of this newsletter.)
In my spare time I work for my professional organization, the American Choral Directors Association assisting in planning divisional
and national conferences. This involves a lot of travel within the US and some really good food! The last year I taught at GHS the
singers embarked on our last european trip which ended in Provence (France).... liked it so much I returned six times. This summer I
plan to travel to Austria and Hungary for a change of pace.
When I retired in 2004 I began a hobby business as a dog show vendor and have enjoyed traveling from Florida to New Jersey to Texas
and Arizona in that capacity as well as showing my dog in performance trials. In 2006 I became an AKC judge for that event. I’ve
completed Master Gardner training, and in Winston-Salem, Docent Discovery training for Reynolda House. For 43 years I attended
the North Carolina Summer Institute in Choral Art, a nonprofit summer music camp, running it for 34 of those years (and well into
retirement) until I retired from the camp in 2015.
My favorite local activity is to run into former students and be able to a) recognize them, and b) learn about all their successes as adults.
I admire the history of Grimsley High School, the beauty and diversity of it’s campus, the openness of the faculty and staff to give of
their time and the willingness of the community to support the GHS students as future leaders. I look back on my 32 years on campus
with both poignancy and pride. So many wonderful events took place! Such wonderfully talented and intellectually gifted students
have passed through this school! How lucky we are to have had our lives intertwine. All of these experiences have and continue to
prepare me to serve on the GHS Alumni Association Board.
9
www.whirlies.com
Alumni & Friends Association
Retired Faculty and Staff
26th Annual Luncheon –
Save the Date!
The GHS Retired Faculty and Staff Dutch-Treat
Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at Congregational United Church of Christ
Fellowship Hall 400 Radiance Dr. Greensboro!
Luncheon 11:30 AM
25th Anniversary 2015 Group Photo
Left to right:
Row 1: McCullough, Sutton, Morrison, Jones, Chavis, Gwynn, Turner, Branch, Swing,
Row 2: Fuller, Hands, Hands, Lackey, Manahan, Harrison, Alexander, Munden, Sawyer, Johnson, Acheson, Weaver,
Feeney, Perkins, Franks.
Row 3: Lafevers, Eason, VanBuren, Theavos, Thorne-Peoples, Sawyer, Barnhardt, White, Cooper.
Row 4 standing: Patterson, Inscoe, Morris, Cummings, Keele, Garner, Kessler, Moss, Hunsucker, Laumann, Simons,
Jessup, Coleman, Brown, Cea, Weddington, Force, Free.
Photo credit: Jeanne Perkins (who is in the photo, Magic!)
10
www.whirlies.com
Alumni & Friends Association
?
Still Whirling’...
Where Are They Now?
Retired Faculty are still on the move!
Virginia Vanstory, English
“I am still on my feet. Recently returned from hiking in New Zealand, up to fifteen miles a day.At home I
work with my Rotary Club-- former-students, don’t think of us as retired old men eating lunch. Babysit for
seven grandchildren and hold manners camp at their tables. Kids are a wonderful pleasure.
Many happy memories at GHS. Regrets that in trying to whip students’ writing into shape, I didn’t
communicate how much I loved them. Hope they are happy in their adult lives.
”
.............................................................................................................................
“I’m enjoying a busy retirement. From May in 2003 to October
2008 I was living in Denver, CO with my sister, doing substitute
teaching, and working as a volunteer to two geologists at the
Denver Museum of Nature and Science. In between time my
sister and I camped in about 30 National Parks out west. I also
reconnected with two school classmates from Des Moines in
the Denver area. While in Denver sang in the Cherry Creek
Presbyterian Church choir and other church activities. On return
to Greensboro I reconnected with Trinity Church and the choir.
In December of 2011 I moved to Friends Homes Guilford where
I’ve been secretary on 2 different committees, take photos of
new residents and compile the floor picture sheets, photograph
programs, receptions, wild flowers and gardens around the
complex. With more and more residents using computers I stay
busy trouble shooting and helping them with various program.
Shephard center computer classes are also in my schedule. I’m
currently in remission for non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and pray it
stays that way.
11
..........................................................................
Mary Ann Johnson, Science
I was fortunate to be at Grimsley during
the time my daughter Cyndi and son
John were also there. So watching
them go through school and graduate
from Grimsley was very special. Also
working with the faculty in the science
department was a privilege. Teaching
chemistry, Marine Science and
Astronomy at Grimsley and traveling back and forth to Weaver
made for hectic days but still I enjoyed a few Page-Grimsley
games and programs. Having Brian Gay, Stuart Albright and
Chris Ingram in Chemistry kept me on my toes. I was most
pleased that Chris won a Morehead Scholarship as well as a West
Point appointment. The eighties were good years at Grimsley.
www.whirlies.com
”
Alumni & Friends Association
Whirlie Walk Challenge
... Now and Then!
by Roberta Rohan, Advisor
The Whirlie Walk is an Annual Event where the students and faculty of Grimsley meet and walk with some
Alumni to raise money for the Alumni Association. After a hiatus, the walk was brought back in 2010 and has
been an annual event ever since. The amount raised each year has
ranged from $3400 to $6800 and comes mostly from the current
students and staff.
The short 1.5 mile walk along the Greenway across from Grimsley
gives participants a chance to talk and get to know other members
of the Whirlie Family. Below you can see some shots from the Walk
thru the years. Be on the look-out for the Walk date next spring and
come join us.
Now
Board member MJ Beavers ‘73 brought the
youngest walker, her grandson, Charles Travis Mcgregor (Class of 2029), son of Katie
Beavers Mcgregor and Ryan Mcgregor, both
GHS Class of 2001.
Whirlie Walk 2016 – two and four-legged participants enjoyed a beautiful spring day
12
www.whirlies.com
Continued on next page

Alumni & Friends Association
Whirlie Walk Challenge
... and Then!
13
www.whirlies.com
Alumni & Friends Association
Department Feature
Grimsley Senior High School Library Media Center
Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold…
when reflecting on the last 10 years in
school libraries. Providing access to
information and sharing the joys of
reading remain the gold standard, while
teaching critical thinking skills in the
digital Information Age are the order
of the day. A visit to Grimsley Library
Media Center is a new experience, even
to more recent graduates. The awardwinning Media Specialists are growing a
dynamic and evolving community center
that reflects the changing demands of the
curriculum and the needs of the student
body. The balance that takes place in the
midst of the fast pace of the digital age is
reflected in two different programs that
have been conceived and developed over
the past few years. The first is a School
Wide Reading Program, lovingly referred
to as SWRP (pronounced /swerp/), a
reading initiative that incorporates 20
minutes of self-selected, independent
reading into the day of every student
and teacher on campus. Another is the
MakerSpace, a digital laboratory that
encourages creative thinking and design
and allows for the production of ideas.
When stepping onto campus during
SWRP time, you’ll find an uncommon
quiet throughout all the buildings while
teachers and students engage in reading
materials of their own selection. There
is no restriction placed on the type of
reading material; it can be anything from
comic books to magazines or popular
fiction. Students can read from their text
14
books, but they
are discouraged
from using
this time for
homework or
any other activity
aside from
reading. Based
on the research
that underscores
the importance
of personal engagement in the success of
literacy, this program seeks to support
student learning on a separate level
from the standard curriculum. Teachers
model their own personal reading
interests and are provided support in
reader’s advisory. This program has been
well-received throughout departments,
and continues change and improve
based on data collected. It’s value to the
school community has been confirmed
by its inclusion not only in the School
Improvement Plan, but also the school’s
bell schedule. The Library Media
Specialists have played a leadership role
in the introduction, development, and
deployment of this reading program
in cooperation with teachers and
administrators. Now, as the 2nd year of
this program comes to an end, it seems
certain to become a part of the Whirlie
tradition.
While the value of reading is spread
throughout campus, the Library Media
Center has expanded it role to include
www.whirlies.com
...............................................................................................................................
One is reminded of this Scout song
...............................................................................................................................
Article submitted by Jess Sherard and Jen Worrells: Central Region North Carolina Media Specialists of the Year, 2015
a community hub for faculty and club
meetings, independent research, and
studying as well as digital creation. After
visiting the Hunt Library at North Carolina
State University in 2014, the library media
specialists began to shape their library
program to reflect the Digital Learning
Commons seen at this state-of-the-art
facility; one of their biggest goals is to
prepare students for access to information
in library settings of the future, whether
it be public, college, or university. A
key component of the Digital Learning
Commons are digital tools to create and
develop ideas and designs into tangible
models. To this end, a digital laboratory
being called the MakerSpace is “in the
works.” Currently, the MakerSpace offers
access to a digital video studio, a 3-D
printer, a large format color poster printer
and a lamination machine. Teacher and
students alike have access to these tools to
enhance instruction and to inspire design
and creation of classroom projects and
personal interests.
The challenge of preparing students
for careers that may not even exist yet is a
guiding principle in the vision and mission
of the Grimsley Senior High Library Media
Center. Critical thinking, reading for
enjoyment, and embracing digital tools of
the 21st century are at the forefront of our
activities and reflected in the physical space
of the library. Our growth is steadfast in the
direction of the future and grounded in the
tradition of excellence.
More Pics on next page

15
Grimsley Senior High School Library Media Center
Grimsley Senior High School Library Media Center
Alumni & Friends Association
www.whirlies.com
Alumni & Friends Association
The Eleventh Annual Page/Grimsley
Rivalry Reunion Golf Tournament
9th Annual
2014
Friday, October 14, 2016
9th Annual
2014
SAVE THE DATE
Well, Page is holding the trophy for this event (again). Perhaps it is time to stop this
(Page winning) trend! The Rivalry Reunion Golf Tournament IS a fundraiser for both
school athletic departments and it is all about who has most golfers. We need to have
more alumni support for Grimsley and that is all that is needed to beat Page!
Please Save this Date on your fall 2016 calendar!
You can visit the Rivalry
Reunion facebook page
for more information:
https://www.facebook.com/
groups/256310267737411/
Charles Wright
[email protected]
is contact)
16
www.whirlies.com
Alumni & Friends Association
GHS Students Recognized for Integrity
These Grimsley students were recognized by their teachers for demonstrating principles of integrity:
Canyon Duncan, Annah Bruno-Bailey, Harrison Stone, Kevin Jeter, Matthew WIlkins, Joseph Harris, Tim Stolwyk, Morgan Mills,
Destiny Woodburn, Cayley Pinson, MacKenzie Phillips, Demoris Lee and Grayson Yount.
!
a
r
! Ext icles
a
s art
r
w
e
n
t
r
o
f
Ex sley looking tter!
ewsle
N
l
l
cles
a
i
F
t
r
r
a
fo
g
n
bmitti
u
s
r
o
f
e
.
Deadlin ctober 1, 2016
is O
orce
F
a
t
r
a
Email M ad.rr.com
tri
mforce@
Grim
17
www.whirlies.com
Alumni & Friends Association
GHS Club Feature
Grimsley Student Ambassadors
started in 2004 by Mrs. Shannon Wyrick
(who has since transferred to Southeast
Guilford High School) to answer a
growing need for our incoming freshmen.
The Ambassadors initially served as
mentors to students new to Grimsley
through a freshman orientation program
on the first day of school. They helped to
introduce new ninth grade students to the
rigors and expectations of high school,
as well as the daunting task of how to
navigate around the GHS campus which
is currently home to eleven buildings
on around 35 acres of land. While our
Student Ambassadors continue to lead
our Freshman Orientation on the first
day of school, their role has become even
more important on our campus. They
mentor our ninth grade class throughout
the school year. They are also the face
of Grimsley to our visiting schools,
dignitaries, and other school officials.
Every spring, our area middle schools
come to tour our campus and learn more
about GHS, and the Ambassadors help to
organize and lead those tours.
18
They conduct more than 20 tours for
schools and families every school year.
To become an Ambassador, students
have to complete a written application
and essay, as well as participate in an
interview with faculty members and to
secure three faculty recommendations.
We limit the number of Ambassadors
to roughly 60 every year, but we
have close to 150 applications for
those positions every spring for the
following school year. We are not an
academic honor group, and we try
to be inclusive and representative
of all groups on campus. Student
Ambassadors are often involved in
many parts of campus life – student
council members, athletics, IB
diploma candidates, JROTC cadets,
and students involved in many other
programs and courses at GHS such as
the fine arts, vocational, and career
courses. The Student Ambassadors
truly represent the best of the Whirlies
and what GHS has to offer.
www.whirlies.com
.................................................................................................
The Student Ambassadors were
.................................................................................................
Daniel Glaze, Advisor
Our Ambassadors are the embodiment
of Whirlie Pride. They are some of the
first students to volunteer for service
projects and other needs for our school.
Many of our alumni will meet them
at class reunions. Every year, we have
several reunions on campus, and the
Ambassadors conduct tours of our
campus for them and update them on
what is happening at Grimsley since they
graduated. They also enjoy learning about
what GHS was like in years past (and
learn some interesting stories from our
alumni about the things they used to do
on campus, which our current students
probably shouldn’t know – like where you
used to sneak off campus to go, and all the
innocent mischief that used to take place).
You’ll also see them in the community at
fundraisers and other school activities.
The Student Ambassadors have become
part of a group of students that are the
keepers of GHS pride and traditions, and
keep our school spirit and history alive
and well.
More Clubs to follow

Alumni & Friends Association
GHS Club Feature
Grimsley High School
Student Council
Clara Wetmore, Advisor
Student council is responsible for gathering student feedback and creating spirit nights at the football games, and for Page/Grimsley
week. Each class is responsible for a fundraiser to help raise money for their senior gift once for their graduating class. Student council
is the elected group of students who plan functions for the school to enjoy such as the homecoming dance, TWIRP, and Prom. Student
council also helps plan, and implement the EC (exceptional children) Prom that is held here at Grimsley High School near the end
of the school year. This year’s theme is Cinco de Mayo. This year student council members participated in the Whirlie Walk and will
begin participating annually.
............................................................................................................................
Grimsley High School
National Honor Society
The Torchlight chapter of the National Honor Society currently has 131 members who exhibit the traits of scholarship, leadership,
character, and service. NHS members are required to complete at least four hours of tutoring each semester through Grimsley’s
tutoring program, PERK. NHS students tutor Grimsley students in all core areas three days each week. Most recently, NHS walked and
raised over $1000 for the Alumni Association’s Whirlie Walk. We have an outstanding group of students heading to college in the fall,
and we are currently in the selection process for our current Juniors. We hate to say good-bye to our seniors, but we know they will be
Whirlies that change the world!
19
www.whirlies.com
Alumni & Friends Association
Portrait of Miss Ida Belle Moore Donated To Grimsley High
Article Submitted by Peter Byrd
A portrait of former GHS math teacher Ida Belle Moore was hung at Grimsley
on April 5, 2016, having been donated by one of Miss Moore’s former students, James Spence, of the GHS Class of 1957. It
was painted by Greensboro-based portrait artist Tom Edgerton, who has painted a number of the portraits in Grimsley’s collection.
Miss Moore holds the longevity record for service on the faculty at Greensboro Senior / Grimsley Senior High School, teaching at GHS
for 46 years, from 1923 to 1969. The Whirligig in 1969--the year she retired--described her this way: “Dynamic teacher of mathematics,
keeper of student records, legendary
perfectionist--retiring Miss Ida Belle Moore
is revered by over four decades of GHS
teachers and students.” Born in Burgaw,
North Carolina, Miss Moore received her
B.A. from the North Carolina College for
Women (now UNC-G) and her M.A. from
Columbia University, and she spent her
entire teaching career at GHS. The top math
award at Grimsley--first awarded in 1957--is
named in her honor.
Photo by Jim Spence ’57
Shown with the new portrait of Miss Ida Belle Moore are Grimsley Principal Charles Blanchard, James Spence ‘57, and artist Tom Edgerton.
Photo by Jim Spence ’57
20
www.whirlies.com
Alumni & Friends Association
GHS
A Search for missing TWIRP Kings
We have determined the T.W.I.R.P. Kings started in 1980, when Mr. Glenn was Principal, and that Ken Anderson was the first elected.
We also do not know the reason as to why or who started this tradition that will be 37 years old this year. Can you help us?
The current list of names is included below for reference. We are missing a total of 18 out of 37.
If you have information regarding our quest please contact Harry Bradley at: hbradley25 Bradley
and/or Peter Byrd at: [email protected].
Thank you.
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
Ken Anderson
Marty Blackman
Tommy Neese
Chris Poole
Eric Porterfield
Rommel Atienza
Ethan Albright
Damien Graham
James Brown
1992 Chris Leone
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001 Jesse Adams-Doolittle
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Tra Deese
Micah O’Hare
Josh Stewart
Chris Wong
Keith Manley
Ali Ali
Daniel Goodwin
Continued on next page
21
www.whirlies.com

Alumni & Friends Association
A Search for missing TWIRP Kings
Ken Anderson becomes the first “King”
Continued on next page
22
www.whirlies.com

Alumni & Friends Association
A Search for missing TWIRP Kings
23
www.whirlies.com
Alumni & Friends Association
ARCHIVES REQUESTS
Please send your memories of Grimsley’s
John Gordon Dewey ‘71 Memorial Pool
I have received very positive comments about my article in last fall’s alumni newsletter on the history of Grimsley’s Dewey Pool,
which was demolished last August. At the end of that article, I meant to include my contact info, in case you have any stories you
would like to share of your memories of the pool--which was a part of our campus for almost 40 years--or perhaps of John Dewey
himself, for those who knew him. I would like to compile those stories for our files in the GHS Archives, and possibly for future use in
the newsletter as well. Please send your thoughts to: [email protected]. Thank you, Peter Byrd ‘74, GHS Historian
............................................................................................................................
We are always eager to receive donations of historic items
associated with Greensboro Senior - Grimsley Senior High School
for the GHS Archives, and we hope you will consider donating
items you or your family no longer wish to keep. Please do not
throw out items of historic interest connected to GHS! We would
like to add them to the school’s collection. (Please note: the
following is not an exhaustive list of items we would like to have.) If
you have items you would like to donate, please contact me so we can
make arrangements. Thanks, Peter Byrd ‘74, [email protected]
Home Movies: One thing in particular we have long hoped to
obtain are copies of home movies of GHS events, in particular
of May Day ceremonies (held each year at GHS from 1939 until
1972). We feel sure that other GHS events over the years were
filmed by parents or students, for posterity; we’d like to add
copies to the school collection as well (and possibly put them online for all to enjoy)!
Early-years’ diplomas, class rings
Programs: printed programs from graduations, baccalaureate
services, concerts, plays, May Day, Homecoming, Torchlight
inductions and other groups’ ceremonies, athletic events
(including football and basketball programs), awards ceremonies,
building dedications, etc. Also, invitations to graduations and
other school events.
Photographs: photos of people and events connected to
GHS, either on-campus or away. (A key should be provided,
mentioning date, names and class years, and other pertinent
24
.................................................................................................
Looking for GHS Historic Items for the School Archives
details of the photograph; care should be taken if writing on the
back of a photograph.)
“Spirit items”: buttons, ribbons, pins, pennants, a letter jacket
or sweater, mugs, license plates, and who-knows-what?
Recordings: pre-1960 records and tapes of the band, orchestra,
and choir (please note: phonograph records require special
handling for shipping)
Scrapbooks: not only personal scrapbooks, but also scrapbooks
for clubs and other school organizations you were a part of
Reflectors: the school yearbook from 1909 to 1930, we are
always looking for copies of Reflectors to add to our collection
Home Spuns: the school literary magazine from the 1920’s to
the 1960’s, we are missing issues from many years of this former
publication
High Lifes: we especially need copies of many issues of the
school newspaper from the late 1930’s through the early 1950’s.
Several of the school years in this period--the late 30’s and
several years in the 40’s--we have no copies of High Life at all.
(Some later years are also needed; please feel free to ask if you
have some to donate.)
Whirligigs: while we have copies of every issue of our yearbook
first published in 1950, we do need some better-condition copies
of some of the books in the 50’s, especially 1957, and we’re always
on the lookout for copies of the 1952 and 1958 Whirligigs as well.
Also, at this point, we do have limited numbers of extra copies
of most years of the Whirligig, so if you are wanting to replace
a lost or damaged (or never-bought) copy, please contact me to
inquire about availability.
www.whirlies.com
Alumni & Friends Association
Prom Through The Years ...
the way we were
1966
1986
25
www.whirlies.com
Continued on next page

Alumni & Friends Association
Prom Through The Years ...
the way we were
1996
26
www.whirlies.com
Continued on next page

Alumni & Friends Association
Prom Through The Years ...
the way we were
2006
27
www.whirlies.com
Alumni & Friends Association
Time for all former Madrigal Singers to get together !
2016 marks the
50th Anniversary GHS Madrigal Singers
so we’re planning a
Thanksgiving Weekend 2016
Reunion
We’re in the early planning stages but hope events will include:.
Friday evening November 25 at 7 PM
for Caroling at Friendly Center
Madrigal Singers of all years are welcome!
Campus Tour & Family Picnic
Bring your family, your camera, that stellar voice, all your memories and vintage photos!
Social Event on Saturday evening November 26 Place: TBA
Will have photos from most years — videos of some performances.
Grimsley Madrigal Singers 2016 will perform.
Memory Lane
Jeanne Meredith Busse (1966-69), Ron Hill (1969-78), Marta Force (1978-2004) and
Marshall Johnson (2004-16) will be on hand to celebrate with you and enthusiastically
deny rumors that you were ever a problem while singing with the Madrigals!
Reservations open July 7 2016
We will provide further details in the Spring 2016 Alumni Newsletter
(www.whirlies.com). Please send email address/contact info to us
at the Reunion: email address listed below.
Please mention the years you sang with the Madrigals.
In July, we will send you an email with details and reservation form.
Please make your plans NOW to join us!
November 25-26, 2016
Questions? Comments? Threats? Want to volunteer to help?
Serve on a committee? Have something to contribute?
Contact:
[email protected]
You can also respond via Facebook page
GHS Madrigal Reunion.
28
www.whirlies.com
Madrigal Pics next page

Alumni & Friends Association
The FIRST Madrigal Singers 1966-67
29
www.whirlies.com
Alumni & Friends Association
CLASS OF
1966
Reunions: 1966 and 1956
GHS
Reunion
Grimsley High School
August 19 & 20, 2016
Friday August 19th
12noon - Golf at Starmount Country Club $65
1:00pm Tennis at Starmount Country Club $10
7:00pm Cocktail Hour at Printworks Bistro FREE
(Thanks Steve Tanger)
RSVP
By June 1, 2016
50
Year
Saturday August 20th
TBD - Tour at Grimsley High School
12noon - Lunch at Friendly Shopping Center (Dutch)
7:00pm - Cocktail Hour at Starmount Country Club
8:00pm - Dinner and Party Time Band at Starmount
Country Club $50 per person
www.facebook.com/ghsclassof1966
............................................................................................................................
Greensboro Senior High
Class of 1956
60th Reunion
June 3-4, 2016
For more information go to:
www.greensborosenior56.com
30
www.whirlies.com
Alumni & Friends Association
Cindy Underwood, GHS Registrar, expresses her thanks for the improvements to the
Counseling Center.
Here is what YOUR GHS Alumni & Friends Association have provided for GHS in recent years:
Annual contributions to GHS Students and Faculty
Office Depot gift cards to each staff member to begin each school year
Scholarships (see scholarship page this issue)
Annual contribution to Senior Tea
Annual contribution to Project Graduation
Printing of Senior Awards Day Program
Providing Faculty Grants for extended study
Provide $1000 gratuity to the GHS Teacher of the Year
Projects
Planting hardwood trees on front lawn (twice)
Funded the start the GHS Lacrosse Team
Major renovation to athletic weight room
Security Cameras for campus
Campus phone system
Auditorium Renovation
restore and refinish/stain original stage floor
new to GHS black curtains for stage
new to GHS acoustical ceiling cloud
new windows and doors (courtesy GCS)
roof leak repairs (courtesy GCS)
update electrical service (courtesy GCS)
new lighting and sound system
grand piano storage box
replace auditorium seat covers - coming soon
Coordinating Counseling Center Refurbishment: Moving secretarial/registrar station providing improvements to traffic flow.
If you have historical items you wish to donate to the GHS Archives, please contact Harry Bradley: [email protected]
If you would like to donate goods or services towards any improvement at GHS please let us know.
Our Alumni Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
We want to make sure we are meeting all needs ... if you have a suggestion or idea
regarding what you would like to see the Alumni & Friends Association do next please contact:
Susan Gentry
Alumni & Friends Association Secretary
[email protected]
31
www.whirlies.com
Alumni & Friends Association
32
www.whirlies.com
Whirlie Spirit Forever!
NOSTALGIA
!
Greensboro Grimsley Senior High School Alumni & Friends ASSOCIATION
Name: __________________________________________________ Grimsley Graduate? Year____ or Grimsley Friend ____
Mailing Address:________________________________________________________________________________________
E-Mail Address: __________________________________________________ Phone: _______________________________
Annual Membership
Initiate or renew my annual Association membership: ___$25
Chance-Cousins Auditorium Renovation Project
I enclose $________ towards the Chance Cousins Auditorium Renovation Project.
This donation is made “In Memory” __ or “In Honor”__ of:
Name(s):
Circle One: favorite teacher, beloved classmate, esteemed coach, memorable club or organization,
event, team, birthday, graduation, child, grandchild, Holiday Gift, Other:
An Acknowledgment Card will be sent to the person being honored or family member
of an “in Memory” donation. List name and address for mailing acknowledgment:
Name:
Address:
Mail form with check to: GGSHS Alumni and Friends Association, P.O. Box 4248, Greensboro, NC 27404-4248.
This form is also available on the website: www.whirlies.com (Payment via credit card is also available via PayPal on our website.)
The Association is a 501(c)(3), tax exempt organization and the appropriate tax letter will be mailed for the year in which you donate.
www.whirlies.com