FIRST OF THE FORTY-NINERS-
Delmar Propes (left) and Ola Mae Martin, of O'Keefe here represent the January crop of Atlanta high school graduates. In this special preview picture, Delmar and Ola Mae model the outfits O'Keefians will wear on the great day. Following the week of graduation ceremonies which begin Jan. 19, Atlanta's first graduates of 1949 will march forth to college or jobs. - Journal Photo by Tom Aldred



RAPIDLY VANISHING TRIBE
297 MIDYEAR STUDENTS AWAIT DIPLOMAS' CALL

by Dorothy Cremin
While most of Atlanta's school population is buckling down to another five months of study, 297 high school students are checking up on white dresses and tuxedos.
They are the January graduates and they belong to a rapidly vanishing tribe.
In two years, predicts Miss Ira Jarrell, Atlanta school superindentdent, the mid-year graduation will be a memory. "We have done away with winter promotions, also," she said. Miss Jarrell pointed out that the January graduations were unpopular with many students.
"I have received numerous requests from students who want to remain in school until June," she said. But, graduation is a big event whether it comes in June or January. In so far as employment is concerned, the outlook for '49's first grads is pretty good.
January is a slow month for many industries, but the winter graduates have one major advantage over the June crop-there aren't as many of them.
"Except in depression times, graduates don't have trouble finding jobs if they are willing to accept nominal, but fair, salaries for beginners, observed Frank A. Dolan, of Atlanta, manager of the Georgia State employment service.
Dr. Dolan reported the usual post-Christmas layoffs in retail merchandizing fields. He added that the demand for stenographers is holding its own in the local business picture. Graduation schedules for the seven Atlanta white high schools and the number of students to receive diplomas are: Jan. 19, Joe Brown high, 57 students; Jan. 20, Henry Grady, 54; Jan 21, Murphy, 28; Jan. 24, O'Keefe, 30; Jan 25, Roosevelt, 27; Jan 26, Smith 39; Jan 27, Bass, 62. Total, 297.
In addition, Washington high and Howard high, both Negro schools, will graduate a total of 106 students. Washington's ceremonies will be held on Jan. 28 and Howard's on Jan. 29.
Fulton county high schools do not have mid-year graduations.