By Clyde Parker

May 22, 1969

JOANN T. RICHARDSON has been named valedictorian of Hayden High School’s 1969 graduating class. Miss Richardson maintained an academic average of 94.8 during her years at Hayden. She has also been outstanding in extra-curricular activities. Among the student offices she has held are: president of the Library Club, president of Future Teachers of America, and captain of the cheerleading squad. She was also a member of the “Haydenian” staff, annual staff, and statistician for the girls basketball team.

Joann is the recipient of an award from the State Library Club and has won district awards for outstanding achievement at science and math fairs.

In 1966, she was “Miss Cinderella” at the Cinderella Ball sponsored by the Epsilon Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She was Hayden’s “Miss Homecoming” in 1967.

In September, Joann will enter the University of South Florida in Tampa where she plans to major in special education.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Wilkins.

Named salutatorian with a 92 average is ALVIN HARRIS, son of Mrs. Margaret Harris. Young Harris has an outstanding academic and extra-curricular record at Hayden. During Alvin’s years at Hayden, he served as president of the Student Participation Association, president of the Science and Math Club, president of the Senior Class, president of the Junior Class, treasurer of the Future Teachers of America, and sergeant-at-arms of the Library Club.

He participated in the 1968 summer science program at Bridgewater College, and has won numerous awards at district and state science and math fairs.

Athletically, Alvin lettered as quarterback on the Hayden High School “Wildcats” football team. He was statistician for the basketball team.

Along with a full-time schedule at Hayden as a student, Alvin is also working in the city-sponsored recreational program for Franklin youth.

In September, Alvin will enter Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia, where he is the recipient of a four-year academic scholarship.

He hopes to pursue a science career.

Franklin sergeant dies in Vietnam

Sergeant First Class Mills Beale III, 33, was killed in an ambush on May 11, 1969, while on combat duty with the U. S. Army in Vietnam. Beale, a native of Franklin and a 1956 graduate of Franklin High School, was to have completed his second tour in Vietnam this June. He served his first combat tour from August of 1965 to August of 1966. His present tour began in June of 1968.

Beale was serving with the U. S. Army’s 366th Aviation Support Detachment, First Aviation Brigade.

The sergeant’s widow, Barbara, resides near Black Creek with their son Kenneth Wayne. Beale’s mother Mrs. Margaret Beale Alexander lives in San Diego, California. His father is the late Mills Beale Sr. of Franklin. Irvin Dennis Beale, his brother, now makes his home in Franklin.

Beale was employed at Thornton-Livesay Furniture Company, in Franklin, before making a career in the U. S. Army. He had completed nearly nine and a half years of service.

Wildcats wrap District VI Title

The Hayden High School “Wildcats” of Franklin, wrapped up the District VI Group II baseball championship by beating the Southwestern “Panthers” of Nansemond County by a score of 6 to 3.

The game started with Southwestern jumping to a 2 to 0 lead in the top of the first inning. Then Hayden came back at the bottom of the inning and scored five big runs on hits by Maurice Cutler and Joseph Mason and three walks. Joseph Mason had a double which drove in two runs.

Hayden didn’t score again until the third inning when Floyd Everette lead off with a single, stole to second base, and moved to third base on a passed ball. James Beale knocked a sacrifice fly to bring the score.

Floyd Everette had two hits for Hayden while Maurice Cutler, Michael Williams, Littleton Parker, and Joseph Mason had one hit apiece. It was a good night for Littleton Parker. He had 14 strikeouts while yielding only 5 hits and three runs with 3 errors.

Coach S. B. Carter was very pleased with the team’s performance especially Littleton Parker. Hayden is 7 and 0 overall and 5 and 0 in conference. They play Georgie Tyler next week.