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Our parents had strong feelings about Education. They wanted desperately that each of their children should have an education. This was one of the disappointments of both our father and mother. I remember Dad meeting with the school board several times on some issue or other. On one very cold winter evening he drove a team to Montpelier to attend a school board meeting. I do not think he was ever very successful in achieving his purpose.
He felt very strongly that the school board should pay the fees for the doctor and hospital charges for brother Eugene's accident. There was also something about the conduct of the school bus that he did not like. There were a couple of other issues that engaged him in contacting the school board.
Today I could only hazard the nature of the difficulty. I suspect today that our parents educational experience had something to do with their demands and expectations. Dad had tried desperately to complete his own education and was prevented because of the work demands by his father. He went to school until he was about twenty one or twenty two but only for a month or two in the winter. He was never able to start until all the fall work was finished and he would have to withdraw in March when they started cleaning grain and getting machinery and animals in shape for spring work. He was not able to finish high school and I am not certain that he completed the elementary level. His sister Elcy, graduated from High school in about 1917 or 18 and she was twenty two years of age. She had also experienced the periodic withdrawal from school to work at home.
Mother also did not complete high school. She did, however, have a good deal more high school education than did our father. She was proud of the fact that she had studied Latin and was very good in Mathematics. She also played basketball with the Chatfield, Minnesota High School. She sometimes would inspire us children by stories of her basketball and cheering career in high school. I think Gordon has a picture of the Chatfield High School girl's basketball team.
I searched for quite some time to find some announcement of her graduation from high school. I had always thought she was a high school graduate until Gordon informed me otherwise. The dated material and news items support him.
What I did find was that Chatfield News Democrat carried an item "Elizabeth Lawrence was absent Monday and Tuesday of this week." It was dated January 19, 1911. Elizabeth was listed as a sophomore in this item. There were no further items until April. "Miss Elizabeth Lawrence returned to her home in the city yesterday from Eyota where she was operated upon for appendicitis a week ago." (Chatfield News Democrat, Vol. 55, No. 14, April 6, 1911.)
On July 31 of 1911, mother would have been 19 years old. I suspect that spring of 1911 may have" been her last school attendance. I doubt she attended school the fall semester. Her nursing diploma carries the notation of having completed the required course of2 years and 3 months for a registered nurse. She graduated January 8, 1914. She must have begun nurses training in the autumn of 1911.
In spite of rebuffs from the school board, both mother and Dad were active in the PT A. They were eager to attend school events in which their children were part of the activity or entertainment. Some of us entertained without much effort and sometimes without intention. In the third or fourth grade we had some kind of international activity which the children did for the benefit of PT A. Each of the participants dressed as a citizen of another country. I was dressed as I thought a citizen of Turkey might dress. One of the other pupils made some remark about my apparel just as it was my turn to go on stage and I began to giggle. Each time I would start to say my piece, I would begin to giggle. It added to the hilarity for every adult except my embarrassed parents. The piece was finally complete I'm sure much to their relief. It was probably a relief to the teacher directing the activity as well.
In those days they had school programs for many things. There were programs for Halloween, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, May Day, there were athletic events such as Play Day in spring and the celebrations that occurred before graduation day. My assessment is that people were hungry for live entertainment. These activities were family and community events as much as school. The following items demonstrate some of the range of Parent Teacher meetings and other school activity.
My brother Marvin started at school No.2, in the fall of 1932. There were now five of us in school. There was also a change in schools. We had been attending the district school in Montpelier. In the fall of 1931 we began attending school Number 2, which was a two-room country school. Mother and Dad opposed this move. They felt that the school in town was a much better one to attend. The school board for whatever their reason for the change was adamant. As I look back at that year and review the events that occurred the change was very beneficial for me and I think for Lois. I am not so sure that it was for our younger brothers. Mr. Gunther, the teacher of the four upper grades, was a very interesting and stimulating teacher. He was very good in motivating us in regard to current events. He was an excellent teacher who shared many things of his own life with us. He had been born on a farm near Bowman, North Dakota which is the most extreme south western county. It was part of the wild west to his students. He also spoke of his experiences at the University of North Dakota. He was very good at sharing stories and we thrived on it, at least I did. I got good grades and did well on the state board examinations under his instruction. We had some interesting years.
Mrs. Gunther taught the first four grades. We have always felt that her instruction somehow failed the younger children. In general, my feeling was that she might not have been interested in teaching country children in a country school. It was felt that the younger children did not get the best start in school.
It was early in 1932 that Rose Heer burst into the classroom screaming that Meili's house was on fire. Mrs. Meili was Rose Heer's aunt. Mr. Gunther immediately told us to continue studying (Who can study when there is a fire in progress?) and rushed from the room. He went to the Meili house which was perhaps three hundred yards from the school and helped extinguish the fire. Mrs. Meili was rather badly burned as a result of a spark igniting some cleaning fluid she was using. It was one of those near things. Mr. Gunther's arrival at the scene probably saved her and the house. This event was reported in the Stutsman County Record: (Vol. 28, No. 35, Thurs., April 14, 1932.)
School No.2 had something I had not encountered in the town school. It had a complete set of Compton's Encyclopedia. Mr. Gunther discovered my avid interest in them gave me permission to use the encyclopedia whenever I had my classwork finished. I really appreciated that but I did not realize that he was holding a carrot in front of me. I would have done almost anything to peruse those encyclopedias. School was a special thing in my life at that time and while I can remember some boys complaining about school it was a place I enjoyed and wanted to be.
I graduated from the eighth grade in the spring of 1934. A notice reads, "Eighth grade children who have been promoted to high school this year are: Mildred Gullickson, Joan Cumber, Kenneth Gehlhar, William Cofell, Agnes Helle and Gladys Konoske. The high school has 24 enrolled." (SCR. Vol. 31, No.6, Thursday, September 20, 1934.) There were graduation exercises held someplace but I did not attend.
In the spring of the year, I was in the seventh grade we took state board examinations in geography, agriculture, and physiology and hygiene. I passed them with very good grades. In the spring of 1934, we took the eighth grade examinations in history, English, mathematics and science. I did very well on these examinations, missing a 100% by 1 point on the mathematics test because I failed to reduce a fraction. The results were so good that among about 260 eighth grade graduates of elementary schools in Stutsman county, I scored in sixth place. Mildred Gullickson was also on the special honor roll. This figure, of course, does not include those students who failed to pass the examinations. I do not know if the examinations were designed to eliminate students from school but they were very effective for that process.
We participated in the following events:
"The P. T .A. met at the school on Tuesday. A large crowd attended. The subject was "Child Health." Before the program several Irish songs were sung. A short history of the life of Thomas Moore, the Irish poet, was read by Miss Winifred Johnston, followed by two songs. Mrs. Debra spoke on "Contagious Diseases of Children," Mrs. Cofell, "Pre- school Clinic," Prof Rairdon gave a report of the White House conference, a ladies quartet sang two songs. Miss Maher's room having the largest number of parents present received the banner. The next meeting will be in charge of the men. The hospitality committees are: Frank Ward, George Gullickson and F. Gray; entertainment, E. Gullickson, P. Askerman, E. Winkler, Vic Naze and Prof. Gunther." (SCR., Vol. 27, No. 32, March 26, 1931.) The interesting thing about this item is that Frank Ward, Frank Gray and Victor Naze did not have children in school. PTA was a community organization serving more than the school.
"The PTA met Tuesday evening. The program was as follows: Mixed quartet, Joseph Sensecall, A. E. Athey;, Mrs. Hattie Romer and Mrs. F.A. Ward; tap dance, 3 girls; Imitations, Leola Trowbridge; songs, Gloria Athey; piano medley;, Leonard Millspaugh; stunt, upper grade and high school boys; songs, upper grade girls." (SCR, Vol. 33, No. 33, Thurs. March 25, 1937.)
MONTPELIER FOLKS ENTERTAINED BY P. T. A. PROGRAM
Montpelier, N.D. -- The PT A met at the school Tuesday evening, a large crowd attending. The program opened with community singing led by Mrs. F. Ward, with Mrs. E. Winkler, pianist. Angela Stott played instrumental numbers; the lower and upper grades sang; Dorrine Cumber and Clayton Lee gave a skit, "The Dude," and pupils of Miss Nelson's room also gave a skit.
Three high school students gave readings which will be entered in the declamatory contests at Jamestown, May 1. Valora Ennis entertained with a reading, "X Marks the Spot," which brought down the house. An oration, "Youth and World Peace," by William Cofell was very well delivered, and Leola Trowbridge brot (sic) tears to the eyes with her dramatic selection, "Air Fodder." Arnold Kaim gave a piano number.
The attendance banner was won by Mrs. Romer's room, which has won it each meeting for the school year, an unusual record. Mrs. A. Dale, president, presided at the business meeting. Mrs. Roscoe, Mrs. Romer and Leona Nelson were in charge of the program." (SCR, Vol. 33, No. 38, Thurs., April 29, 1937. p. 4)
"The P. T .A. held its annual picnic May 18, with a large crowd in attendance. Officers elected were Mrs. Floyd Cofell, president; Mrs. Carl Lee, vice-president; Mrs. Frank Ward, secretary; Mrs. Earl Winkler, Treasurer. The last three were re-elected. In the evening the Mann's Homemakers met with the local club to discuss plans for Achievement day, Miss M. Heiberg, Jamestown, displayed various posters." (SCR. Vol. 33, No. 412, May 27, 1937.p.6)
There were two schools in Montpelier township. We attended both of them. At the time we attended school No.2 I do not recall any activity called PTA. However, beginning in 1937 parents from both schools attended the meetings.
"PTA MEETS"
"The PTA joined with School No.2 in the first program of the year Tuesday evening, celebrating the founding of the organization. Prof. Athey led in community singing, Joan Cumber played a piano solo; School No.2 gave health exercises; Delain Beckerleg, reading, and Mrs. Hattie Romer, vocal solo... Miss Freda Thuner, Jamestown, county nurse, spoke of the duties of her office, which was followed by a question box. Lunch was served.
The October meeting will be held at School No.2 followed by lunch. Mrs. Cofell, president, appointed the following committees: Membership, Mmes C. Ennis, L. Naze: program, Mmes. E.E. Athey, J. Roscoe, C. Lee; hospitality, Mrs. W. Trowbridge; publicity, Mmes. F. Ward, A. Dale, R. Getty; lunch, Mmes. F. Boelter, H. Hanson and J. Naze." (SCR., Vol. 314, No.8, Thus. Sept. 30, 1937, p. 7. )
"The Montpelier PTA held its second meeting at School No.2, both schools giving the program. The banner was won by School No.2. The program follows: Community singing led by Mrs. F. Ward; reading, Erwin Ennis, Marilyn Holmes and Betty Jean Johnson; debate, "Resolved, It is better to marry for money than love," the affirmative upheld by Mmes. Athey and Myers, negative, Mmes. Ennis and Trowbridge; Mrs. Milo Johnson and Esther Johnson tied for first place in the spelling contest; folk dance, "The Irish Washer Woman," Marion Lee and Fern Schwartz." (SCR. Vol. 34, No. 12, Thurs., October 28, 1937.)
The high school experience was much different than that of students in the year 2001. Our high school was conducted by two teachers. All subjects taught were taught by them. Our teachers did not have the power to pass or detain us in a course. Passing a course was determined by a statewide test sent out from Bismarck. Our high school was small in 1930 to 1939 every student in high school knew every other student. Two rooms and the principal's office were used for instructional purposes. Today, the judgement would be that we received excellent instruction in English courses and Social Studies. I must have received excellent instruction in mathematics. We lacked laboratory courses in the sciences and had no opportunity to study foreign languages. We did receive the instruction that has enabled most of us to use our talent and abilities. We had sporadic participation in sports. Mostly it was hard to field a team: some basketball, some softball and track. The extracurricular activity that remains in my memory is the following:
THE LITERARY SOCIETY
The Literary Society in the high school was the idea of Mr. E.E. Athey, Superintendent, principal, teacher. He was the one who broached the idea to the students in fall of 1936. The purpose of the organization was to give all the students an opportunity to learn Robert's Rules of Order and to have experience in conducting meetings. It also provided the students an opportunity to plan their programs and activity. The experience of expressing oneself before an audience and making various kinds of presentations was very helpful to all the students. The officers of the organization changed every six weeks and every student had an opportunity to conduct meetings. Every student had an opportunity to plan and participate in some way. Mr. Athey and Miss Johnson would critique the meeting and the program after the adjournment. It was a wonderful experience for all of us to try different kinds of things. The meetings were held every two weeks during the last two class periods on Friday. I know that most of us looked forward to those meetings not because we escaped from class but because we enjoyed those programs and experiences. It must also be emphasized that Mr. Athey and Miss Johnson really critiqued the program they did not criticize. They would point out what was done well and how parts of the program-might have been improved above all they gave us free range in the planning process.
"Friday afternoon the high school literary (society) gave the following program at the school: paper, Radio Advertising, (original), Leola Trowbridge; song, Gladys Lee and Margaret Manns; paper, "A boy who did not mind but did a brave deed," Lois Cofell; reading, Agnes Finnegan; song, school. The society meets every two weeks. All are welcome." (SCR, Vol. 33, No. 13, Thurs. November 5, 1936.)
"The Literary club met at the school Friday afternoon. The following program was given: Song, School; music, harmonicas, Glen Naze and Irving Derby; reading, Dale Gullickson; dance, Helen Hanson, Marion Lee; song, school; critics report, Prof. Athey." (SCR., Vol. 33, No. 132, March 18, 1937.)
"The D.L.S. gave a program at school Thursday in keeping with Armistice Day. The program: Assembly singing; oration, "The Unknown Soldier," William Cofell; reading, "Peace," Lois Cofell; song "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the Boys are Marching," school; critics report, Supt. Athey." (SCR. Vol. 34, No. 15, November 18, 1937.)
"The literary society met Friday afternoon at school. Several visitors were present. Officers for the next six weeks are Lois Cofell, president; William Cofell, vice-president; Frank Stott, secretary-treasurer. The program consisted of assembly singing, impromptu talks, Joan Cumber, Valora Ennis; radio skit, Frank Stott, Kenneth Gehlhar, Arnold Kaim, Teddy Trowbridge; paper, Fern Schwartz; reading, Lois Cofell; song, Arnold Kaim, Glen Naze, Frank Stott. In the impersonation of radio entertainer contest, Joan Cumber and Angela Stott won first place with a song; Leola Trowbridge, second, and Glen Naze and Teddy Trowbridge tied for third." (SCR., Vol. 33, No. 28, Thurs. Feb. 18, 1937.)
The literary society was a good program contributing much to our education. The variation and size of the high school student body made the Literary Society an excellent activity and an educational experience of high value. The kinds of things we did expanded our literary and speaking horizons and it was fun. I think the fact that we were largely responsible for organizing the program gave us confidence in ourselves.
OTHER MEMORIES
"The school will give a program in Stott's hall tomorrow night. A one act play, "Wheat Fire" will be given by Leola Trowbridge, Valora Ennis, Dale Gullickson and Billy Cofell. A pantomime, "The Lamp Went Out," by Frank Stott, Kenneth Gehlhar, Glen Naze and Irving Derby; reading, Raymond Skattum; fashion revue by high school girls. Everyone welcome. Dance after program." (SCR., Vol. 33, No. 14, November 12, 1936.)
The play was also acted at the Stutsman County one act play contest. First place was won by the Courtney High School entry. We practice very hard for that play but there was on fatal flaw at one point I was supposed to kiss the lead actress who was Leola Trowbridge. This I refused to do much to the distress of our director. I must admit today that decision is remembered with regret. At that time, I believed it would have subjected me to considerable teasing.
"Esther Johnson gave a waffle supper at the school house Thursday evening in honor of the "Wheat Fire" play cast. Those present were Valora Ennis, Dale Gullickson, Leola Trowbridge, Arnold Kaim, William and Lois Cofell. The teachers, Mrs. Hattie Romer, Leona Nelson, assisted Miss Johnson with baking and serving the waffles. The evening was spent playing monopoly." (SCR., Vol. 33, No. 24, Thurs. January 21, 1937.) This was a memorable event in my life it was the first time I tasted waffles and these were made with walnuts. It was the first time playing monopoly, a game very popular at that time. One can now begin to understand how our horizons were expanded.
"Henry Roscoe, former principal here, was elected county superintendent of the LaMoure schools in the recent election." (SCR., Vol. 33, No. 16, Thurs. November 26, 1936.) It was Henry Roscoe who taught beginning algebra and biology. He was from a pioneer family in LaMoure county. The family was also friends of our grandparents. Henry was a brother of John Roscoe who ran the hardware store in Montpelier.
Pearl B. Drenth, AB, Biology, Jud, graduate Jamestown College 1931. Pearl Drenth was one of the teachers in Montpelier shortly after this time. I believe she came in the fall of 1938. She also was known to our parents. My memory of her was at a fall 1938 PTA meeting. I had made some kind of presentation in the program and she was kind enough to make some comment on the quality of my voice.
"A letter received from Winnifred Johnston, Crosby, former teacher here, is to the effect that her parents are spending the winter in Los Angeles." (SCR., Vol. 33, No. 16, Thurs. November 26, 1936.) The last letter from Miss Johnston, (Mrs. Winifred Kennedy) was received in the 1980's. Miss Johnston was my English and History teacher in 9th and 10th grade. My memory is the quality of teaching and instruction. I am grateful that she was strict and exacting but always very fair.
One more teacher was known to our parents before teaching in Montpelier. Miss Leona Nelson taught in the elementary school. She was from the Edgeley community. She had an interesting range of activity, she had been to Europe with her family and could shared many interesting experiences.
In the fall of 1938 there was a new experience in the high school:
"FRESHMEN INITIATED"
"Freshmen initiation week closed with a party given by the other high school pupils Friday evening. Dale Gullickson, chairman, was assisted by Valora Ennis and Edwin Johnson. Other committees were: Lunch, Fern Schwartz and Phyllis Iverson; entertainment: Lois Cofell and Ted Trowbridges; decorations: Irving Derby and Agnes Finnegan. Decorations were in rose and blue, class colors. The class consists of Wm. Farley;, Verna Sevik, Madeline Domek, Ruth Derby, Josie Cumber, Irene Manns, Eugene Cofell, Dorothea Manns and Carl Lee, all of whom are country pupils and unusual happening here." (SCR., Vol. 35, No.8, September 29, 1938.)
By today's standard our educational experience might be considered meagre. It was a good education not so much for the array of course offerings but because most of us felt accepted and valued. Our teacher's valued us and cared about us. The small number of students in high school gave many opportunities and experiences that bordered closely upon tutorial. I liked my teachers and my fellow students as well. Those of us who came from farm homes in which we engaged in hard physical labor appreciated a respite and some of us enjoyed the opportunity to test our mental power. If we felt handicapped it was because some of us had little or no opportunity to pursue a preferred career at that time.
We had new teachers in the fall of 1936. Mr. Henry Roscoe had decided to run for superintendent of schools in LaMoure county. He was quite confident of winning the election if he did run and he did. Mr. Roscoe was very good in mathematics and science. He was sometimes impatient with slower students. He also saw to it that I was involved and entered into declamation and oratory contests. He spend time taking me and other students to such activities of this nature. John Roscoe, Henry's brother, ran a hardware store in Montpelier a declining business in view of the depression and the drought. After retiring from business I believe he went into farming for a few years. Mrs. Dorothy Roscoe went back to teaching school and taught in school No.2 in the Montpelier district.
Miss Winifred Johnston resigned and as I recalled had gone to California to be with her parents one of whom was not very well. She later married a man by the name of Kennedy and the last letter I received from her before her death was from Oregon.
Our new instructors were E.E. Athey and Miss Esther Johnson. It was under these two very creative and enterprising teachers that my academic career really developed and flourished. Miss Johnson was interested in drama and public expression. She taught English and history and newswriting and Grammar. There was a tradition that there be a junior-senior three act play each year. Miss Johnson was our coach. She was a very good coach. She also entered us in a one act play contest. The play was "Wheat Fire." This was a tragic play in which a farmer gave his whole attention to raising wheat and focused very little attention upon his lovely, distraught and refined wife. The object of his misplaced devotion and affection, a beautiful crop of wheat disappears under a blazing fire. The consequences of that event being that both the wheat and the wife were lost.
We put on Wheat Fire and the contest took place in Courtney or Spiritwood high school. The contest was won by Courtney with a very fine play and perhaps better coached or more relaxed actors. The superintendent at Courtney was a superb drama coach as I remember. I think we all felt after watching their performance that they deserved to win.
The above are example of Miss Johnson's work on behalf of her students. She also organized other social activities and was the person who taught me how to dance. Miss Johnson also had a class of tap dancing for younger children in the community. She was also my date for the prom that was held in 1937.
Mr. Athey also did many things that helped our social and academic development. Today, I am of the opinion that his idea of a literary society was outstanding. More than once I used some of the techniques on my own students. The other outstanding trait was that these two teachers also participated in some of the programs. I remember one year about the time of thanksgiving, Mr. Athey read an O'Henry story entitled "Two Thanksgiving Gentlemen" and for a program near Christmas he read the O'Henry story "Gift of the Magi."
"The Delphian Literary society met at the school Friday. Raymond Scattum was song leader and Valora Ennis pianist. Several songs were sung by the school. Donald Askerman gave a reading and Marion Lee a solo. New officers are Irving Derby, president Fern Schwartz, vice-president Dale Gullickson, secretary-treasurer." (SCR., Vol. 34, No. 28, Feb. 17, 1938.)
The following week a headline in the Stutsman County Record read "Hitler Talks; Eden Resigns." (SCR., Vol. 34, No. 29, Feb. 24, 1938.)
Mr. Athey also did one other thing that stands in my memory. Some of the students were leaving the school ground at noon hour and had apparently engaged in some pilfering and shoplifting at the stores down town and someone had complained. As superintendent he made a rule that no one was to leave the school grounds during the noon hour except those who went home for lunch. This was probably a good solution but was contrary to a long standing tradition that during the noon hour high school students at least were free to leave the school grounds.
The high school students were quite disturbed by this rule and felt their freedom had been unnecessarily restricted. As far as I was concerned individually, I did not feel it was a particularly bad rule and did not feel restricted. I didn't have too much to go uptown for anyway. The students had a meeting and decided to protest this rule--and I was elected spokesperson. I thought through what had been said during the meeting and arranged my case for argument. It was that the rule violated our sense of responsibility and also justice. All the students from the country had to eat at school, the town students could go home and the country students were the ones restricted. One day all of the country students went to Mr. Athey's office after dinner and presented the case. If any student went down town and stole something in the store they should be punished. It was unfair to punish all students for what one or two did. Whoever should have been punished might have been a member of the group. If they were they also received an earful of student public opinion. We also thought that apprehension and punishment should be administered by the storekeepers and not the school. It was also stated that if students were behaving as accused that we would all like to know who they were, we wanted to talk to them.
Some of the other students said some things to support my statements. Mr. Athey listened politely to our argument and seemed sympathetic but did not commit himself to any position during the meeting. He thanked us for coming in and discussing the matter with him and said he would not commit himself at that moment.
As I remember he walked into the high school assembly a couple of days later and announced a repeal of the previous ruling. I have always thought of that episode in dealing with students that I taught. I do not know that he made the right decision. I think he had the power to deny our request. However, I have always felt that in light of the circumstances his decision was right and just. He perhaps taught us more than he knew in considering our request. He respected us enough to listen carefully to our request and argument.
Mr. Athey was a great teacher and I feel fortunate to have had him for my final years in high school. He did so much for the student and he had a genuine affection for us. His critical evaluations after the literary society meeting were constructive and positive and never hurtful. He worked for ways to help us improve and left us free to develop and determine our program and learning.
He was a great teacher and I feel badly that I did not see him after my return from service. I was otherwise engaged when a high school reunion was held at which he was present for the last time. I was a better teacher because of his presence in my life.
Mr. Athey was also our athletic director. We had no football or basketball the basis of many high school athletic programs today. We did have softball and track. Softball was a rather erratic affair---where or when games were available and it was not too rainy or windy. Track was a county wide affair and meets were held at Jamestown College. I do not believe there were meets between schools otherwise. I did not do so well the first year but did get into condition for the senior year. I learned a few things because of participation in track. It takes experience and thoughtfulness to participate in track. With more experience I would have run some races better that final year. I came in fourth place at a meet in Valley City and I took second place in the county. In the Valley City meet I still had a lot of reserve energy left at the end of the race and realized it only after the race was over. I could have run a good deal faster at the end of the race but didn't. I've always been sorry that I did not know how to gauge what might be used for an all out effort in the race. It was a good experience just to have that realization. I remember at the county meet that preceded the one in Valley City one of the coaches of another school saying he was glad that I was a senior and would not be competing the following year. I have always thought that had Mr. Athey had four years to coach us all rather than only two that the track experience could have been very much different. I presume that many others who participated in sports have had some such similar regret.
During my first year in High School I did go out for basketball. We had a shortage of players in our school. I was not very good at basketball. I remember one game that I was all alone at one end of the court and there was no one around me and I could not get the ball into the basket. The coach took me out the game. Then one day at practice we were throwing the ball back and forth, catch the ball and get rid of it as quickly as possible. I could never catch the ball. Most of the time I found the ball hitting me in the face and it was hard on my nose. After making quite a number of misses the coach who took his job seriously came up and kicked me in the rear for not catching the ball. I went home after practice and I had a long walk ahead of me to get even more angry. The next morning when I went to school I carried my basketball equipment into the coach's office and turned it in and told him I was no longer on the team. I did not know why I was not catching the ball and he did not know that I was just not seeing it until it was very close to me. The summer of 1936, I got my first glasses.
The only other amenities we had in high school were the one act plays, three act plays, PTA meetings and the Delphian Literary Society. The fact that we were a very small school I think the largest number of students we had the years I attended might have been 28. We were a closely knit group. If we were to have an activity it necessarily included students from all four grades. Most of us also knew each other as neighbors and friends out of school. I suspect that each one of us capable of passing State Board examinations felt very accepted and valued as a member of the student body. I suspect now the teachers were also careful---they didn't want to lose any of us. I think that most of us might feel today that our high school experience was a good thing. I certainly felt that way particularly during and after my army experience. I did very well on the army mathematics test and was sent to weather and teletype school at Chanute Field, Illinois. There were people in the weather classes and weather squadrons who had some college and many more were college graduates. There were a couple of us that I know of from the Midwest who had only a high school diploma. I think our school did us well.