Benton Class of ‘69 to mark golden anniversary

On May 27, 1969, at 8 o’clock in the evening, 213 members of the class of

1969 walked across the stage at the field house, as it was referred to then, to receive their diploma from the president of the Benton School Board, Mr. Robert D. Garrett.

The graduation program that night had a special music arrangement of a saxophone trio — “Sinfonia No. 3,” composed by J.C. Bach and transcribed by H. Voxmow and was played by J.P. Blankenship, David Crawford and Andy Westbrook.

The principal at Benton High School during that time was John H. Butler and assistant principal was Tommy Holt. Superintendent was Howard Perrin. Assisitant was A.D. Parsons and supervisor of Elementary School was Faye Gibson.

School Board members were Robert Garrett, president, Raymond Thomas,

A.V. Hutcheson, Arthur B. Holiman and Wyatt Crawford.

The band director was

Bob Adams and the band had a population of 53 members and was under the direction of drum major Andy Westrbrook. The choir was under the direction of Theresa Brown.

Cheerleader sponsor was Betty Berry. Head football coach was Winkie May and his assistants were Donnie Denton, Darrell Smith, Tommy Holt and Bob Hudgens. The squad had 49 members on the team.

Foreign language was not lost on this class. French was taught by Peggy Butler and this was the third year for the Mardi Gras pageant and dance was held each February.

Spanish was taught by Bernice Martin. There were 27 activity clubs on campus and the class officers were Gordon Griffin, president; Robert White, vice president; secretary, Marsha Ramsey; and treasurer, Ricky Purtle.

Senior favorites were Bobbie Sanderlin and

Gordon Griffin.

Homecoming queen for 1969 was Susie Gresham and senior maid was Peggy Hellen.

Mr. and Miss BHS was Peggy Hellen and Jackie Wright. Most Beautiful was Judy Chrestman.

When the annual of 1969 was presented to the student body it was dedicated to Mrs. J.T. Wilson who was a member of the teaching staff at Benton Senior High School who was known as “Aunt Rosie.” Everyone respects this teacher and look to her for advice and help as she never was too busy to stop and talk to a student.

The editor for the 19681969 annual was Rusty Sheridan and the sponsor was Charles Williams and the price $5.

The senior play production was on March 27 and 28 and the title was “Ask Any Girl” and the director was Dorcas Holicer.

Some of the town sponsors for the annual of the great class of 1969 that are no longer here: Harrison Furniture, Prickett Dairy, Peoples’ Lumber, Fred Walton Buick, Pontiac, Enterprise Shoe Shop, The Toggery, Jay’s Department Store, The Union Bank of Benton, Grand Anf Burton Ford, Benton Savings & Loan, Benton State Bank, Newbills Oldsmobile, Thomas Auto Dodge & Chrysler, Plymoth, Smithers Furniture, Bush Drugs, Sparks Dept. Store, Minute Man, Spicy Chevrolet, ruff’s Tastee Freeze, Stuckeys, Whitfield’s Tires.

As one member of the class of 1969 was quoted as saying, “Yes, those were the days.”

One of many great accomplishment of the class of 1969 was it had restored the Panther Tales school newspaper. The sponsor was Mrs. Harold Beaty and the editors were Andy Westbrook and Krissy Plummer. The Panther Tales was printed by the Benton Courier under the guidance of the Courier editor Ron Meyer.

Best of luck to the class of 1969 on its 50th class year reunion.