Bowlegs High School - Yahnseh Yearbook (Bowlegs, OK)

Page 16 text:

ceeding season, was crowned at Bowlegs' first Hallowe'en Carnival. This season marked the advent of a new pep organization, the Pepperettes, sponsored by Miss Lenora Keithley. This group consisted of twenty girls chosen by popular vote from the four classes with Florence Eberhardt as presi- dent. The girls' basketball team, coached by Pete Duncan, placed third in the Big Diamond Con- ference this year. During this period the Home Making de- partment extended the scope of its activities this year. New uniforms were made for the band. The custom of welcoming new students and teachers at an informal tea was inaugurated. A new era began for the band when J. J. McCoy, newly elected director, opened a three- weeks' band school on August 7, 1933. This course, free to all. students interested in band work, ended in a series of open air concerts on the school lawn, This year the band accepted many invitations to play in neighboring towns and to attend clinics and invitation contests. Three special events occurred in the spring of 1934. The first banquet was given by the speech department, The first annual all-school exhibit was shown in the gymnasium, and the rural schools of the county met at Bowlegs for a literary and music meet. CHAPTER IV -RECOVERY- The years 1934-38 which the business world calls the Economic Renaissance were notable in U. G. No. 5. It was a period of continued growth, a growth, a consistent program of building and ground improvements, better athletic records and a series of outstanding achievements by the band. During this period the Bowlegs band bet- came known as the cream of Oklahoma's band crop. Three times rated in first division at the state contest, and three consecutive years en- tered the National Band Meet where this 55 piece musical organization ranked superior in 1937-38. The summer band school, initiated by J. J. McCoy in 1933 was continued by him and his successor, Olen M. Self, who took over the duties of director in the fall of 1937. These classes, held during the torrid days of August, laid the foundation for constant drill and grueling during the school year, and were climaxed by a series of open air concerts. In the spring of 1936 the Bowlegs band made history for rural schools. After victories at the district and state meets, the fifty-five members of the high school band departed with Director McCoy for the national contest at Cleveland, Ohio. This was Oklahoma's only rep- resentative and was rated in third division in the nationwide competition. In 1937 this record was equalled during the year and climaxed by a similar rating in the final contest for the nation. During 1938, Olen M. Self in charge, the band continued to appear at football games, general assemblies, community programs, and public festivals. Again Bowlegs was awarded first place in the Ada and Norman contest where district and state winners, respectively were determined. And in May, the band went jubilantly to Abilene, Texas where it received superior rating in the national meet, making the Page Ten third consecutive year for it to win national honors. Honors have also been won by various in- strumental soloists and groups. In 1935, Schuy- ler Cox placed first in saxaphone, while the clarinet quartet took third place honors. In the district meet of the next year, awards went to Bonnie Elizabeth Emerson and Ina Faye Schmidt, each entering in bassoon solo, and to the clarinet quartet. In 1937 Harold Emerson won first in saxaphone at the national meet. Others who placed in district or state contests were: Howard Thompson, Charles Meyer, Max Waits, Anna Mae Schmidt, and Barbara Jean Cox. The latter student also placed in second Supt. Starts Commercial Room

Page 15 text:

outside speakers rarely featured. Different classes and departments vied with each other in conducting their annual assembly programs. At that time assemblies were held each Thurs- day, but at a different period each week in order not to unduly interfere with class work in one subject. The Home Room Plan had already been instituted for class organization. Faculty members of 1930 who are still in the system include: C. N. Merrell, Pete Duncan, B F. Snyder, James Rogers, Marie James Tucker, Mrs. Pearl Snyder, Mrs. Beutice Treadaway, Lucy Beach, and Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Emerson. And so in 1930, Bowlegs was known as the world's largest Union Graded School, as a mod- ern, growing institution that the community, the county, and the state was proud to point out as embodying the best in educational practices of the day. C H A P T E R III - DEPRESSION - In 1930-31, the Great Depression swept down upon the country like a mighty avalanche and enveloped business and industry and the whole of human society in its gloomy shroud. Bowlegs suffered, inevitably. The oil companies began a policy of retrenchment. New operations ceased and hundreds of men were dismissed. Families moved away, taking their children from school. Gross production tax decreased alarmingly. Educational institutions born of the oil fields seemed doomed. Referring to U. G. No. 5, the Shawnee Even- ing Star reported: When the depression came, some who knew not the true pioneer spirit of the people of the district prophesied the begin- ning of the end for that remarkable school system. But they figured without recalling the spirit of the school, the loyalty of the school board, and the efficiency of the superintendent and the faculty. An unusually competent and sympathetic Board of Education was at the helm during these trying years. J. D. Magruder, president, one of the pioneer farmers of Seminole County, was thoroughly familiar with rural problems that were introduced or augmented by the de- pression. The business and financial part of the school board was handled by one of Bowlegs' first merchants, J. L. McClung. The member was B. O. Hindman, superintendent of the I. T. I. O. operations in the Seminole field. Every possible phase of the district and its problems was intimately known by one or the other of these men, and, by their aid and loyal support. they made it possible for the district to thrive during the lean years. Superintendent H. S. Emerson, assisted by the Board of Education, worked out a plan whereby a full nine-months term of school was assured. The faculty was reduced to twenty- nine. Everyone, including the janitor and bus drivers, took a substantial cut in salary. The building program was temporarily halted. The parents, the school, and the community worked together so that it was 'fthe everlastin' team- work of every bloomin' soul that Won the battle. It was frankly predicted that when school opened in September 1931, there would be an alarming decrease in enrollment throughout the system. But more students appeared than were expected by even the most optimistic, a com- parison between the first monthly report of 1927-the boom daysvand the first of 1931- the dark days-is of interest: 1927 1981 Total enrollment .,.....,. 1121 1127 Number on roll .......... 1008 1023 Average daily attendance- 865 1019 Per cent of attendance .... 90? 96'?? There were five Wing schools with enroll- ment and principals as follows: Wilson, 100, James Rogers, Walker, 67, Pete Duncan, Tread- away, 91, Loyd Rolandg Allen, 65, Sibyl Caudlc: Taylor, 253, C. N. Merrell. In Central Grades there were 215 with 340 enrolled in Junior and Senior High School. School went on as before. Excellent class- work was excelled only by achievements in extra-curricular activities. The glee club and quartets appeared in new sweaters and present- ed operettas and negro minstrels. Outstanding performances were turned in by various athletic teams. Students received high school diplomas dur- ing these trying years. Among the intelligentsia were the valedictorians: Olen Self, '32, Helen Welsh, '33, Florence Eberhardt, '34, and the corresponding salutatorians: Byron Patillo, Madeline Moore, and Ruth Gragson. Dramatic productions of these classes were respectively: The Goose Hangs High, Who Wouldn't Be Crazy? and Here Comes Charley. In 1933 football received a new impetus with election of Clarence Moon Mullen as coach. Claude O'Neal, Emmitt Alexander, and Leon Wright were selected as all-conference players. Ursula Virden, freshman candidate, was elected athletic queen after a spirited contest. Other class nominees were: Willa Dean New- kirk, Francis Byrd, Freida Morton, Laverne Cox, and Polly Remy. The victorious candidate, who succeeded Violet Sims, queen of the pre- Page Nine 7 Ai . .1 T ..4

Page 17 text:

division of the national meet in saxaphone solo. Charles Lee won three consecutive firsts in 1938 as oboe soloist, finishing in first division at Abilene, Texas. A unique custom was instituted in 1933- the custom of inviting all parents of band stu- dents to meet at the school for a covered dish supper and general get-together, followed by a band concert. The vocal music department, under the di- rection of Miss Edna Bizzle since 1934, has also won recognition. The Boy's and Girl's glee clubs and quartets have made many public appear- ances and won honors in various contests. High flchool operettas presented consecutively under Miss BizZle's direction have been: Miss Cherry Blossom, Windmills of Holland, In Old Vien- na, Once In a Blue Moon, and Hollywood Extra. An annual Christmas cantata, evening concerts, and several broadcasts over Radio Station KADA are other projects of this depart- ment. Football history was made during the four- year recovery period. In 1934, Clarence Moon Mullen coached the team which won the Little River Conference and placed two men on the mythical all-conference eleven, James Huddle- ston and Claude O'Neal. Maxine Smith reigned as queen of this victorious group. Next year Bowlegs joined the Big Diamond Conference. Ernest Mullen was elected as coach and sent his boys into the field against Asher, Stratford, Tecumseh, Maud, Konawa, St. Louis, Meeker, and New Lima and Roff. Cecil Baker captained the '35 team and Gwendolyn Gallag- her, seventh grade, was athletic and band queen. In 1937, the East Central Athletic Confer- ence welcomed Bowlegs into its membership with Maud, Konawa, Weleetka, Wetumka, and Okemah. For two consecutive seasons the Bi- son have finished second in this conference. Dee Harrison Captain, and Leon Kellogg were East Central All-Conference in both '37 and '38. Again Bowlegs made history for rural schools when Harrison was chosen a member of the all-state football team in 1938, the first player from a dependent district to receive such recognition. He will play full-back position on the South Eleven in the All-Star North-South game to be held at Oklahoma City in August of this year. The philosophy of U. G. No. 5. during these years, especially for the high school, might be srrnrearized: An activity for every student, every student in some activity. To make this possible, the school sponsored, in addition to mu-- sic and athletics, a varied program of dramatics, school clubs, intramural activities, a school newspaper, two annuals, and a practical course in library science. Succeding Senior classes since '34-'35 pre- sented the plays: Safety First, directed by Herman Moore, Call Me Mike, directed by Viola Ramsey, Go Slow, Mary, directed by Mr. White and Mrs. Emerson, The Eyes of Tlaloc, and Are You Mr. Butterworth? under the di- rection of the class sponsors, Edna Bizzle and Loyd Nash. Juniors have presented such dramatic pro- ductions as Little Miss Jack, Drums of Fury, and Hillybilly Courtship. February 2, 1935, students enrolled in the commercial department staged t'Sweet Mama. Histronic ability among the student body has also found expression in the many one-act plays presented each year by the speech department. In the fall of 1935 the Delta Rho Mathe- matics Club was formed. Membership in this organization, based upon superior ability in mathematics, was from the first semi-honorary and considered on evidence of scholarship and ability. Charter members of the club were: Morell Tharel, President, Irene Bentley, Vice- President, Frances Mace, Sec., Kenneth Payne, Donna Baker, Orvillee Spiller, and the sponsors, Loyd Roland and Viola Ramsey. The first mem- bers to be initiated were Erma Eberhart, James Thompson, Anthony Amend, John Hendershot, and Frank Haney. The custom of senior memorials left by each graduating class was established by the Class of '30 who presented the picture Madonna and Child. Other paintings in the auditorium, San- ta Fe Trail, and The Oregon Trail were pre- centations of seniors. Graduating classes have left the flag pole, the electric clock in the study hall, the office furniture and the motion picture machine. But the most impressive of all these gifts were volumes I and II of the Yahnseh, presented by the Seniors of '36 and '37 respectively. Spon- sor Pete Duncan and his staff labored long and well in making possible Volume I, the precedent edition, of the yearbook. The second volume, published under the direction of Raymond R. White and Mrs. Elizabeth Emerson, assisted by other members of the faculty and the student body, marked the tenth anniversary of U. G. No. 5. Students receiving special mention in the first Yahnseh were: Betty Jean MsAfee, most popular girl, Felix Parrott, most popular boy, Irene Bentley and Morell Tharel, voted most useful students by the faculty, June Carse and Francile Harris, valedictorian and salutatorian respectively of the graduating class. The Seniors of '37 numbered in their per-- sonnel the football queen, Sarah Nell Rogers, and the most popular students, Tommye Jewel Scott and John Bogart. Harold Hugh Emerson received the award of Honor Student. Roma Silvers, a junior received the girls honor student award. Valedictorian and Salutatorian were Edna Rainbolt and Donna Jean Mace. Page Eleven -- A-k