One of the best ways to save memories from high school is through the annual yearbooks. While most are distributed to students, misprints and extra copies end up with the administrative staff. Because of this, Rocky Mount Academy has a selection of books from nearly every year since its beginning. Flipping through their pages was so entertaining that I had to share some of my more interesting findings. Though classes and people have changed, the humor has not.

* Because of the sheer number of yearbooks, only a select few with the most interesting finds were chosen

1972

The first entry is from a 1972 yearbook. Of course, without computers, there were classes that offered that no longer exist, such as typing. The front of the school has changed, and apparently many students rode their bikes to school. Senior pictures were also interesting, as they could use a photograph with any prop, in whatever setting or outfit they chose.

1974

One of the most dramatic examples comes from 1974’s yearbook, where on page 16 you’ll find the biggest bonfire you’ll ever see. While it looks like fun, the fire seems to be getting a bit out of control and burning everything. Senior pictures are great again, with people coming out decked in overalls complete with a pitchfork, and a hunting picture recreation. The only difference is that instead of a deer, someone’s classmate is hanging over a tree limb.

1976

School spirit definitely wasn’t lacking in ‘76. A homecoming parade contained a “Hardees” queen brandishing a plunger riding atop a beat-up jeep. This was followed by two men dressed as a horse pulling a wagon where a football player defeated the devil. Why can’t homecoming still be like this? Even though homecoming celebrations were better, the football team definitely wasn’t. Over the years it is obvious that they have improved dramatically from where they started. The school’s copy of the 1976 yearbook was originally a teacher’s, so the comments in the back are more than interesting. At the final page there is even a comment from Lisa Andracchio, before she became Mrs. Stone, of course.

1978

1978 marked the tenth anniversary of Rocky Mount Academy. Eyrie 1978 was also the first yearbook to incorporate color pictures (a luxury at the time). The school band was small, but contained a larger variety of instruments than it does today. Students can be seen playing flutes, trumpets, guitars, and even clarinets. Popular hairstyles of the time are obvious, as it seems students have a choice of only three haircuts.

1979

It’s business as usual in ‘79. The seniors are still falling asleep on the couch. This time, however, it made it into the yearbook. There is an article about Beak, Rocky Mount Academy’s first newspaper. At this time it was all typed and copied on paper. The newspaper had a much larger staff, but only put out 5 issues of the paper every year. On the page next to this article, Mrs. Lisa Sto…. er…. Andracchio is noted as the editor of the yearbook.

1980

In this yearbook we start seeing more familiar faces. Mrs. Weaver is a member of the faculty and future members of the RMA faculty are attending school or about to graduate. In eighth grade, my college counselor, Mrs. Andracchio, is pictured just one row down and four rows over from her future husband. In academics, RMA now has nominees for scholarships such as the Morehead for UNC. Also, Open Curriculum days are given a page and description. Apparently students and teachers broke from the normal class schedule for 4 days to explore other interesting activities. On a less serious note, homecoming court was very….. Let’s say unusual. You’ll see in the pictures.

1983

Hello Technology! RMA finally purchased a few computers this year. The typing class is still around, but will be phased out soon. This is also the first year the RMA soccer team has gotten two entire pages to themselves. The school newspaper is still around, and remains a large organization in RMA. A new fundraiser idea by the SGA was a student auction. Members were “auctioned off” to the highest bidder, and had to work three hours for them the next day.