NORWAY -- The 1959 graduating class of the old Norway High School recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a barbecue and a very special guest -- "Elvis."

The class has always been close, and Elvis was one of their rock 'n' roll heroes. In fact, Ann Brown Griffith is said to have been a pretty convincing Elvis impersonator, back in the day. Her performances were so well remembered that classmates Bobbie Davis and Tony Adams, along with the help of a few others, hired Elvis impersonator Norman Bolen of Barnwell to perform at the gathering.

No amount of cajoling, however, could get Griffith up on the floor with "The King."

Out of the 31 graduating seniors, 17 were able to attend, along with two of their former teachers, Mary Lou Johnston (typing, shorthand and business) and Don Still (agriculture).

According to Johnston, the class of '59 was one of the best and most memorable she ever taught.

"I eventually left Norway and served as a principal and guidance counselor before retiring in 1990," she said, "but this class is one I will always remember."

Members of the class also shared memories of their school days.

"I started dating my husband, Wayne, in the 10th grade," Griffith said. "We would use our daily 10-minute break to sit in Mrs. Johnston's class, and Wayne would bring me a 10-cent ice cream sandwich. This December, Wayne and I will have been married 48 years."

Wayne Griffith said schools now are not like they were 50 years ago.

"We did our work or paid the price. We knew how to dress and conduct ourselves, although we did cut class sometimes," he said. "Our favorite destination was Clarke's Restaurant in Santee. We'd make it back in time for the bus, though."

Elizabeth Hebrard Murphy added, "We were a little devilish. Sometimes, we would sneak out to smoke and from our hiding place, we could see the legs of the superintendent, Mr. G.S. Hunter, as he walked by. I only got caught cutting one time, but it was enough."

On the subject of favorite teachers, members of the class of '59 agreed that all their teachers were well prepared and tried to do a good job teaching them.

In addition to Johnston and Still, other teachers remembered were Virginia Williamson (history) and Sara Williamson (English), and Principal Byron King, who was also a coach.

"Our class was full of fun," Bobbie Davis said. "One of my favorite memories is of Annette (Bonnette Sharpe) dancing on top of the table during our senior class trip to Washington, D.C., and Williamsburg, Va."

Chimed in Roxanne Grimsley Fruscella, "My favorite memory is of you (Bobbie) and Annette and all the fun we had. Even though I live in Ohio, I still think of you two often."

Sharpe added, "We were a good class who cared and still care about each other. ... I am glad so many of our classmates could come to the reunion."

T&D Correspondent Sherryl M. Peters can be reached by e-mail at boykinbaby@surrealestate.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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