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hield Bearers were considered a part of the Pepster group, as were the Song and Flag Girls, and also the Majorettes. Lancerettes were a separate group because there were so many of them. A Shield’s uniform was white, with a red cape. A red shield was carried that had a silver letter on it, and each girl had a different letter so that when standing side by side the shields would spell out L-A-K-E-W-O-O-D. Being a Shield Bearer was a very important part of my senior year. I remember competing to be a Shield Bearer at the end of my junior year. Lakewood’s gymnasium was filled with girls all vying for one of the special positions. We were instructed to march to music in a huge circle around the room. I don’t remember how many of us competed but there were many. We were scored on marching ability, height, posture and smile. Having marched with the Long Beach Junior Concert Band’s drill team for three years gave me some experience and a knowledge of what was expected, but with so many girls competing, I was still very nervous.
The suspense was torture as we all waited for a final decision, and I remember being so surprised that I’d actually been chosen. Me, the girl who never won anything! Not only did I win a position, but I had also been selected to carry the ‘L’. My senior year passed quickly and became my favorite school year. Where ever the LHS band went, the Shield Bearers got to go too. That year we took part in the All Western Band Review, the National City Review, and had the privilege of representing our beloved school in the Tournament of Roses parade. When I think about those days, nothing compared to the thrill I received when the band’s drum cadence began and the eight of us girls stepped out to lead the others onto the football field during half time. The bleachers would thunder and vibrate with the pounding feet of the mighty Lancers, and of course our biggest fans…our parents. A loud roar would fill the stadium, and a great pride would well up in me for my alma mater and for the terrific community I’d been blessed enough to grow up in.
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Lakewood’s football team had its problems during the 1960/61 season, and my Citadel states it as, “The 1960 Lancer football team battled through the Moore League to a disappointing 2-3 record after the loss of four key players.” I remember that time, but our guys played tough trying to overcome the disappointments. I have to say though, what we lacked in wins that year, we made up for in a driving school spirit! How could we not be champions…Heck, we whipped the Poly Hares that year 26-7!
-Sharon Mead Howard ‘61 |
