A victorious group after winning the game

March 13, 1964 - Sophomores beat the Freshman
Originally uploaded by Brite Lights photos.

SOUTHWESTERN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, MARCH, 13, 1964 - From the smiles on the faces, you would almost know that the eventual Class of '66 beat the eventual Class of '67, though to be honest, this photo might have been taken before the big game.

Sure a lot of funny hats in there.

This photo came from my neighbor, Marianne Jim. Ok, she's not really my neighbor, but lives about 50 miles away. Still compared to those of you living on the East Coast, we can practically pass the Grey Poupon out the window.

I notice I'm missing from this photo. I'm not sure what sophomore year was all about, now that I think about it. My main memory from that year was Mrs. Stupka trying to teach Silas Marner. The rest of the classes were mostly a blur, though the late Dave Stark was teaching me geometry.

Sophomore year I went out for football and discovered that 130 pounds was damned light to pretend I was a halfback. Add in the nearsightedness and the rest of the disaster played out in pre-season practice before the season started.

I enjoyed the games from the bleachers a lot.

Tom Priester emailed me after reading yesterday's dispatch and reminded me that he owned a 1965 GTO convertible. It was "red with white top, 4 on the floor and it would go like H___," he wrote. "Had to trade it in when our first child was born. I've been in mourning ever since."

In Tom's honor, here's one of my favorite songs to help you drive fast. It's from 1964:

G.T.O.
performed by Ronny and The Daytonas

(Written by John Wilkin)

Little GTO, you're really lookin' fine
Three deuces and a four-speed and a 389
Listen to her tachin' up now, listen to her why-ee-eye-ine
C'mon and turn it on, wind it up, blow it out GTO

Wa-wa, (mixed with "Yeah, yeah, little GTO") wa, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa
(mixed with "Yeah, yeah, little GTO")
Wa-wa, (mixed with "Yeah, yeah, little GTO") wa, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa
(mixed with "Yeah, yeah, little GTO")
Wa-wa (mixed with "Ahhh, little GTO") wa, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa

You oughta see her on a road course or a quarter mile
This little modified Pon-Pon has got plenty of style
She beats the gassers and the rail jobs, really drives 'em why-ee-eye-ild
C'mon and turn it on, wind it up, blow it out GTO

Wa-wa, (mixed with "Yeah, yeah, little GTO") wa, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa
(mixed with "Yeah, yeah, little GTO")
Wa-wa, (mixed with "Yeah, yeah, little GTO") wa, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa
(mixed with "Yeah, yeah, little GTO")
Wa-wa (mixed with "Ahhh, little GTO") wa, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa

MIXTURE
Gonna save all my money (turnin' it on, blowin' it out) and buy a GTO (turnin' it on,
blowin' it out)
Get a helmet and a roll bar (turnin' it on, blowin' it out) and I'll be ready to go
(turnin'
it on, blowin' it out)
Take it out to Pomona (turnin' it on, blowin' it out) and let 'em know (turnin' it on,
blowin' it out), yeah, yeah
That I'm the coolest thing around
Little buddy, gonna shut you down
When I turn it on, wind it up, blow it out GTO

Wa-wa, (mixed with "Yeah, yeah, little GTO") wa, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa
(mixed with "Yeah, yeah, little GTO")
Wa-wa, (mixed with "Yeah, yeah, little GTO") wa, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa
(mixed with "Yeah, yeah, little GTO")
Wa-wa (mixed with "Ahhh, little GTO") wa, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa