Bowlegs High School - Yahnseh Yearbook (Bowlegs, OK)

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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

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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

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Since its organization it has been a policy of U. G. No. 5 to carry out each summer some construction or remodeling project. Although temporarily restricted during the depression, this program of improvement was soon renewed. In 1936 a new wing was added to the high school building. In this addition are the reception room, administrative offices and the sewing-living room. This much-needed home economics sewing room made this department one of the best housed and equipped in Seminole County. A Girls' club, the preparation and serving of ban- quets, and a variety of home projects became part of the activities of the home making de- partment. Mrs. Emerson, instructor, has be- come a recognized leader in this field and for several years has appeared regularly on county, district, and state programs. ' Teachers socials took on a new significance after the addition of the living room, since it provided a home-like atmosphere for social fes- tivities. A valentine banquet, a turkey dinner, several Christmas and Easter parties, oyster suppers and a Mexican chili supper have been given for the entertainment of the faculty. An accepted institution since the early days of U. G. No. 5, these teacher socal gatherings are evidence of the philosophy that All work and no play maketh one dull. About six parties are given each year, beginning with the initial meeting before enrollment, when the teaching staff are guests of the superintendent and his wife. At least two of these annual affairs are outdoor steak or fish fries. Guests have been the members of the Board of Education and their wives, the County Superintendent, and Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Morrison, East Central Teachers College, Ada. The Bison News, school newspaper, reflects the growth of Bowlegs High School. From a single sheet appearing spasmodically, the publi- cation has developed into an eight-page mimeo- graphed periodical, published semi-monthly by a student staff, with two members of the faculty as advisers. Since the Bison News first appear- ed in 1929 the following students have served as editors: Floyd Lansfored, Olen Self, Gladys Stanfill, June Carse, Morell Tharel, Doris Swan, and various other persons as editor of special editions. During this period in the history of U. G. No. 5, the plan of assemblies was changed. In- stead of a general program at a different hour each week, general assembly became a fixed in- stitution at 9:00 o'clock on alternate Thurs- days, taking turns with home room pro- grams, On both general and class assemblies, student participation became the keynote, with a minimum of outside speakers. During 1937 a unique plan of a follow-up assembly after home room programs was de- vised. Each class chose two numbers from its home room entertainment to be presented to a special assembly. A direct outgrowth of this custom was that of special Community programs presented from time to time with each wing school inthe dis- trict and the various departments in high school contributing one or more numbers. From its in- ception, this plan of evening programs aroused the interest of both students and patrons. C H A P T E R V - THE PRESENT REGIME - When the faculty convened for the first teachers meeting on September 3, 1937, the high school department met under the auspices of a new principal. C. N. Merrell was thorough- ly familiar with Bowlegs and its problems, since he attended his first two months of school at Allen, the mother of U. G. No. 5. He had al- ready served ten years as grade principal at Treadaway and at Taylor wing schools. Other changes in the faculty roster were the addition of Paul Greene as football coach, Mary Alice Nall, English, and the promotion of Olen Self to the position of band director. When registration was complete and school actually got under way on Tuesday, September 7, it was obvious that Bowlegs had an increased enrollment. An additional bus was soon added to the transportation facilities of the school. The eighteen new high school students, together with the new teachers, were formally welcomed at Page Twelve afternoon tea given the following Friday by the home making classes. Football practice, initiated even before school opened, received a new impetus when the players found that Coach Greene was all-state quarter-back in both high school and college. Complete new uniforms for eighteen men were provided early in the season. The gridiron schedule for the year included tilts with Oke- mah, Vveleetka, Maud, Konawa, Stratford, We- tumka, St. Louis, Meeker, Roff, and New Lima. Bowlegs and Wetumka settled the East Central conference championship when they played off a tied standing at a night game in the Seminole stadium October 29. By losing that game the Bison finished second in the conference. While this decision gridiron fight was in progress another honor came to the Bowlegs school. At a banquet held that evening by the alumni of East Central Teachers' College, Ada,