More yearbooks are in—and they are from the golden age of yearbook graphic design! Thanks to our partner, the Page-Walker Arts & History Center, we’ve added the 1968-1972 yearbooks from Cary High School to our site.
Although the artistry of these yearbooks can’t be captured by excerpts alone (you can look at the full yearbooks here), some of the artistry of Cary High’s curriculum could be. The yearbook staff was able to make classes look fun—even if that contradicts some of the student opinions. Here are some examples that will make you want to enroll.
From The Yrac, 1968
#1: ICT
This student looks like they might be at work, but in fact, this is part of an ICT class—which stands for “industrial co-operative training.” Myra, the caption explains, is in Rex Hospital at a nursing station. From the rest of the yearbook spread, it seems like the ICT program helped students get a sense of what certain jobs were really like.
From The Yrac, 1969
#2: Band
Of course band is on the list! Look at those uniforms! The wrap-around marching tuba! Who wouldn’t see the appeal of goofing around with your friends while you play instruments? Then again, you always run the risk of having a trumpet played right next to your ear.
From The Yrac, 1968
#3: Auto mechanics
For those who find sitting in desks and taking notes dreary, there are always hands-on classes. The yearbook notes that these students are at West Cary, then a satellite school for first year students that was separate from the senior high school. The extra space meant more room for vocational classes.
From The Yrac, 1970
#4: Spanish
Apparently, having to sing in front of your foreign language class is a tradition that goes back decades. While some students may find the assignment harrowing, these three performers decided to adapt a favorite song, “Where have all the flowers gone?” (You can listen to a 1967 Spanish adaptation here, though it isn’t by students.)
From The Yrac, 1970
#5: History
Nothing brings history to life like costume role-play—or so might argue these students. The caption describes these students as “mobsters” deciding on “the fate of their fellow classmates,” but there looks to be at least one Charlie Chaplin and perhaps a soldier in there.
From The Yrac, 1972
#6: Yearbook
Especially for the staff members of this era, yearbook was kind of a fine art. The real perk of the job, though, was getting to use that camera.
From The Yrac, 1968
#7: Drama
Who knows what was happening here? I suppose the caption warns you that you’re liable to see “weird” things near the drama department. Bill does not seem eager to have this photo taken.
You can see the full batch of The Yrac yearbooks here or browse our North Carolina Yearbooks collection by school and date. To see more materials from the Page-Walker Arts & History Center, you can visit their partner page and their website.
