Back when I was in school, after being promoted from the eighth grade (junior high now) to the ninth grade, we were then considered freshmen in high school. Our class was no longer under the shelter of Mr. Carl Smith or Mrs. Mary Ella Jarman. My class was entering a new world that was unfamiliar to all of us. It was definitely a new beginning for us.

This was be the year that our class bonded like no other, and it was the time that the only people we knew were our classmates, and we needed one another to learn the ropes of high school life. There were students who were older and more familiar with life at the high school level because they had been there for three years. They also had to endure the changes from eighth grade to high school like we were facing. It meant changing classes, locker assignments, new classes and trying to be like the seniors.

I can remember that first day when Kenneth Cratch (Big Lemon), Henton Chesson and I were sitting on the bench in the lobby facing the entrance to the high school and watching everyone as they entered. This gave us an idea as to what to expect, but little did we know what we would see. Senior boys came in with monogram jackets and class rings holding their girlfriends’ books as the girls came in before them. The older girls were as pretty as we expected. Still, we could dream, but no one ever messed with a senior’s girl because they were older and our heroes anyway. We saw them play football on Friday nights, but now we were attending the same school and got to see them in person. They could drive, and we either walked or rode the bus.

The trophy case in the lobby was the gathering place for boys as well as girls. Ms. Bowen could see us out of the office window that belonged to Mr. Kornegay and none of us wanted to see him, and especially not Coach Wagner’s office. The three were in the same office area. Coach had to work behind the counter during our recess in the lobby, so Ms. Bowen and Mr. Kornegay kept a watch on us.

There were traditions that we had to be taught to observe. The senior stairs and the smoking tree in front of the high school were two. Underclassman better not get caught on the senior stairs! This was prohibited and the smoking tree was where those who smoked could have a cigarette during lunch. Do not worry — Coach could look out his window to see if any athletes were smoking because this meant you probably would not play any sport if you smoked. Little did he know …

Freshmen looked after each other unless you had friends in the sophomore class. Joe Stalls, Ross Boyer, Lee Drake, Phil Edwards and later Tommy Langley were some that I could trust because they had been in my shoes a year earlier. Henton, Big Lemon and me just observed all the changes that first day and were not sure what to make of our first day in high school. We survived, as did all of my classmates, and you know it was not too bad. Our older buddies took care of us. I am sure the girls had friends that did the same for them. We bonded as a class just like the ones ahead of us and the ones behind us did also. It has been 52 years since that first day, but I can remember it like yesterday, and I hope Henton and Kenneth can too.

It is my hope that upper classman still help incoming freshmen like Joe, Ross, Lee, Phil and Tommy did for me. This is what it is all about and that is what makes Washington the best! I could never thank them enough for their guidance and influence over the years, and I am sure I can speak for Henton and Kenneth also.

They were the best of times with the best of friends and in the best of places, Washington, N.C.! The Original Washington!

— Harold Jr.

Harold Robinson Jr. is a native of Washington.