Chaffee High School - Mogul Yearbook (Chaffee, MO)

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Mrs. Nelda Crader “I never wanted to be anything but a teacher,” said the mother of three and grandmother of six.” That was the one thing that could carry over into being a mother.” Mrs. Nelda Crader, thirty-two years as an elementary teacher, was a “basics” teacher. “Kids today have vacations, go places and are just full of extra cur- ricular and when they come to school they want to make it a game.” Crader views education of children as a game of sorts — a great big exciting game where every child can win. Mr. E.E. McConnell E. E. McConnell began his career in 1951 as a coach and physical educa- tion teacher in Risco. He taught at Mal- den Junior High from 1952 to 1954, and Senath from 1954 to 1959. McConnell was social studies and physical education teacher at Camp- bell from 1959 to 1962, then he left the bootheel for the hills in 1962 when he accepted a position as principal at Ell- ington High School. When he came to Chaffee in 1963, he taught social studies. He also coached baseball, a job he held for 10 years, and basketball. Crader began her teaching career at Alienville in 1953. No degree required, she learned by experience. Crader came to Chaffee after a fire destroyed the Alienville school. McConnell noted that Chaffee stu- dents are still outstanding students in general ranking in the top 10 percent of high school students. “I'd match them anywhere,” he claimed. Crader obtained her teaching certifi- cate first by attending the University of Missouri-Columbia, then finishing at Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau. McConnell served the community as well. A former city council member, a past member of the Chaffee police commission, an active Rotarian, a past Rotary president, and an active mem- ber of the First Baptist Church, E. E. McConnell was just what Chaffee was looking for. Mrs. Jewell Stephens “Every day is a new day” as secretary to the superintendent, according to Mrs. Jewell Stephens who retired after 29 years of service to the Chaffee Schools. Fred Lewallen was the first superinten- dent Mrs. Stephens worked with. In ad- dition to Mr. Lewallen, Mrs. Stephens has worked with superintendents Fred James, Reece Brown, Howard Reed and Dr. John Payne. Back in 1955 when Mrs. Stephens first assumed her duties, she had closer contact with students and a lost less government red tape. Although retiring she admits that when the leaves begin to fall she may feel a tug back to the school after 29 years of work. However, Mrs. Stephens plans to fill her days with church work and hob- bies. Mrs. Stephens is currently on the ad- ministrative board of the First United Methodist Church and is chairman of the Memorial Fund Committee at the church. She is also a member of the worship committee at the church and a member of PEO. 5

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A Retirement Tea was given on behalf of retirees Mrs. Nelda Crader. Mr. E. E. McConnell and Mrs. Jewell Stephens Sunday afternoon. May 19. Above retirees celebrate their retirement with family and friends. 4

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Something Old As one overlooks Chaffee High School’s campus, he finds a conglom- eration of old and new. On one side stands three high school buildings dat- ing back to the 1920’s which are still used today as a source of educating and preparing CHS students. On the other are two new buildings representing modern architecture and the constant year-to-year influx of youth and vitality into the educational system. Even in the grade school, old and new stand side-by-side while the educa- tional process continues. Something New The old wing of the elementary school. Earlier in the year, however, the west wing of the elementary school was declared unsafe after 70- plus years of service. In September, a structural engineer from Memphis, Tenn. raised questions about the stability of the building. A pilot study determined that the building could no longer be used, hence fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students were moved to make-shift class- rooms at Camp Shilow on the grounds of the Church of God located south of Chaffee. In early February, voters of the district approved a $503,000 bond proposed by an overwhelming margin so a new wing could be constructed. However, this is not the only example contrast- ing differences at CHS. For nearly 10 years, controversy has continued over the use of “The Mogul as a title for Chaffee High School’s yearbook. The Mogul is a train engine used on the Frisco line and was selected as the yearbook title in the early 1900’s when the 6