Bowlegs High School - Yahnseh Yearbook (Bowlegs, OK)

Page 18 text:

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,

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

Page 19 text:

A-'Q Auditorium Under Construction H. S. Emerson was unanimously elected presi- dent of that association for the ensuing year. Under his guidance the East Central Alumni were unusually active and progressive. An early assembly feature of last year was the Pollard Players, who presented a delight- fully wholesome comedy entitled Broken Dish- es. A few days later Congressman Lyle H. Boren Was a special speaker on the subject, Peeps into the Scrapbook of History. Dr. H. M. Armstrong from the University of Oklahoma was also a guest lecturer in general assembly. The Home Economics Club which had been affiliated with the American Home Economics Association since 1929 was given the name Future Homemakers of Oklahoma in 1937. After a spirited contest, the seniors were victorious in the annual queen race, with Mar- ion Barnhart crowned at the Homecoming game of the season. Miss Barnhart also competed in the all-country queen contest held in Wewoka before the Christmas holidays. Several social events were provided for the football squad before the close of the season. Administrative officials were hosts at a steak fry. Later the senior players attended the an- nual football banquet at East Central Teachers College. Some sixty persons, including the en- tire gridiron squad and their guests were pres- ent at Bowlegs Seventh Annual Football Ban- quet held in the reading room on December 3. Two new activities were inaugurated by the East Central Conference last year, debating and a one-act play contest. Bowlegs immediately or- ganized a forensic squad, with Viola Ramsey, as coach, to discuss the merits of an unicameral vs Bicameral legislature. In addition to debating all the member teams of the conference, the Bison debaters attended two tournaments and presented a general assembly program. In the one-act play contest held in the We- tumka auditorium on February 3, Bowlegs was awarded third place. The competing play was New Commercial Room and Auditorium Page Thiiteen 1