history of Rose social life

Lets Go To The Sock Hop

BY EMMIE BARNHILL & SARA YOUNG NOVEMBER 24 2014

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From school dances to Key Club and SGA, the Rose social scene has developed over the years with the attending population of students. Activities that were considered important and memorable to past students could seem unimportant to students currently at Rose.


Registrar Pam Taft graduated from Rose in 1970. She has many fond memories of her experiences as a student at Rose.


Diener’s Bakery, which is now now closed, was popular when Taft was in high school. It was one of her favorite places to buy a sweet treat.


“The Diener’s Bakery truck would come to the school and open up for lunch,” Taft said. “The students would buy individually wrapped cakes that were delicious.”


Gathering around the Diener’s truck to get the yummy cakes allowed for students to interact and get to know each other while indulging in home baked deliciousness.


Students in high school today do not have the same opportunity to partake in special lunch time activities. The closest comparison would probably be grabbing some twinkies from the vending machine.


After the final bell rings and classes are out, the Rose social scene did not simmer down.


On Friday nights, Taft and her friends would attend the football games. To celebrate a win for the football team, students would pack into the gym and participate in the sock hop, a casual dance.


“After the football games we would go to the gym for the sock hop,” Taft said. “We would all take off our shoes and dance until 11:30 or so when we needed to be home.”


Some social traditions at Rose have changed over the years, but other traditions have remained the same. Activities such as prom, Homecoming and Sadie Hawkins have been a part of the Rose social life for years.


One of Taft’s greatest memories took place at Homecoming.


“My Junior year, Marvin Jarman would have been a senior, [the principal] announced who had won Mr. School Spirit,” Taft said. “It is one of my favorite memories, when the school voted Marvin Jarman Mr. School Spirit.”


Social studies teacher John Kirkland graduated from Rose in 1983. Kirkland attended many different social activities at Rose throughout his high school career.


“We had Sadie Hawkins dance, we had homecoming dance, we had prom, we had Junior and Senior Beach Weekend,” Kirkland said.


Rose has also offered various clubs throughout its years. Kirkland was involved in Monogram club, which is no longer offered at Rose. Monogram club was a popular club for Rose athletes who received a varsity letter. Kirkland was also involved in Key Club and SGA, where he served as a homeroom representative.


Whether in the stands or in the classroom, according to the past students of Rose, social activities have played a significant role in shaping their high school experience.