"Old times there are not forgotten"
The Census Bureau set the population of the United States at 179,245,000. A controversial mutual security treaty signed by Japan and the United States led to rioting in Japan, which in turn caused cancellation of a planned trip by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Soviet Union shot down an American U-2 spy plane and captured the pilot - Francis Gary Powers. The United States orbited the first weather satellite - Tiros 1. The 50-star United States flag reflecting admission of Hawaii to statehood became official. Hurricane Donna ravaged east coast states. The first series of televised debates between American presidential candidates took place. California death row author Caryl Chessman was put to death in the gas chamber at San Quinten Prison and Chrysler Corporation announced discontinuance of the DeSoto automobile, manufactured by Chrysler since 1928. The worst air disaster to date occurred when a United Airlines DC-8 jetliner and a Trans-World Airlines Lockheed Super-Constellation collided in fog over New York Harbor resulting in 132 fatalities. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was elected 35th President of the United States - first American president born in the 20th Century. Few WWHS - 1958 alumni were elgible to cast a ballot.
New book titles: To Kill a Mocking Bird, The Child Buyer, No High Ground, Ourselves to Know and Apologies to the Iroquois.
At the movies: The Apartment, Butterfield 8, Sons and Lovers, Elmer Gantry, Spartacus and The Sundowners.
On stage: Becklet, Bye-Bye Birdie and A Taste of Honey.
Television premier: The Flintstones first cartoon created for an adult audience in the United States.
At college, in military service or at work we listened to: Theme From a Summer Place, Georgia On My Mind, Mack The Knife and We Got Us..
January 5
Classmate Jacquline Harwood Short married classmate Patsy Mike Porterfield.
March 16
Mrs. Hazel Davenport, a first grade teacher at Central Elementary School was welcomed to the White House in Washington, D.C. by Vice President Richard Nixon as 1960 National Teacher of the Year. The WWHS Class of 1958 was the first class Mrs. Davenport taught at Central Elementary.
May 18
For the first time since 1850, Beckley and Raleigh County lost population according to a national census. The city's population fell from 19,397 in 1950 to 18,489. The county population fell from 96,273 in 1950 to 76,525.
May 26
Several classmates received degrees and certificates from Beckley College. George T. Arnold, Jr., Joyce Ann Cooney, Harold Andrew Earehart and Melvin Storm Jamison received Associates in Arts Degrees. Larry Wayne Kessler received an Associate in Science Degree and Mary Lou Forren received an Advanced Secretarial Certificate.
May 27
Classmate Carol Gaye Fitzgerald married James E. Hodges, originally from North Carolina. The wedding ceremony was performed at the Memorial Baptist Church in Beckley. Carol was working as a bookkeeper for Asssociated Cemetery Estates and Jim was employed by Biggs, Johnson and Withrow Printing at the time of the wedding.
June 5
Classmate Betty Lenore Suddreth married classmate Melvin Storm Jamison. The wedding ceremony was performed at the Hollywood Missionary Baptist Church in MacArthur. Betty was entering her junior year at Concord College (now University) and Mel had finished an associates degree at Beckley College and was employed at H&M Shoe Store at the time of the marriage.
August 5
Classmate Phyllis Ann Fitzwater married Eddie Marshall, WWHS 1955. The wedding ceremony was performed in Prosperity. Phyllis was a student at Beckley College and Eddie was a heavy equipment operator at the time of the marriage.
August 9
Classmate Joyce Kay Shumate married Dallas Phipps of Beckley. The wedding ceremony was performed at Rich Creek, Virginia. Joyce had completed two years of college and Dallas was serving in the U.S. Army at the time of the marriage.
September 1
Classmate Bill Rose arrived at the United States Marine Corps Recruit Training Center at Parris Island, South Carolina to begin basic training.