Chouteau High School - Wildcat Yearbook (Chouteau, OK)

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Farewell to Mr. Grider A heap of rubble - twisted steel, crumbling ashes, and blackened stone - was the sight which welcomed Mr. Jess Grider of Strang, Oklahoma, one day in May, 1942. This heap and two outdoor toilets, which had escaped the flames, were the sole remains of Chouteau School. Herculean though the task was, Mr. Grider, the new Superintendent, did not give up. He went right to work making arrangements for erecting a building for the coming school year. That fall 584 students were enrolled under eleven teachers. Things have changed considerably since that time. Today we have large modern buildings in-including a gymnasium, cafeteria, bus garages, etc. We have nineteen qualified teachers and much up-to-date equipment. This change was largely accomplished through the efforts of one man, Supt. Jess Grider. For twenty-two years, Mr. Grider has assisted and directed the growth of this school. The good of the school has always been uppermost in his mind as he has striven to improve this place ot learning. Realizing the great importance of education, he has done his best to see that the students of Chouteau School receive a firm basic course of study. It would take more space than is available to tell all of the things Mr. Grider has done to benefit the school system. To summarize it - Chouteau School stands a product of his labors. Now he is leaving us, and we shall miss him in a very real way. It will be strange not to see him pop’’ into the classroom anymore or hear his speech at the first-of-school assembly. But we wish him a very happy retirement and hope he enjoys his attending college, writing, and managing his business investments. Thanks for all you’ve done, Mr. Grider: come visit us some time. Good-by! Compliments of AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK - Pryor, Oklahoma

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ADMINISTRATION

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Board of Education L, to R.: David Burwell, Alva Grossman, Supt, Jess Grider, V. R. Cherry Lloyd O’Neal, W. E, Battenfield, Albert Penner. Principal To the students of Chouteau School: The best reward I have received from school work is the fact that so many former students have gone out and made an honorable place for themselves in the world. You are the master of yourself. You can be a weak master or you can be a strong master. To be a strong master takes a long period of training in right thinking and application of right thinking. Whatever you achieve in life will be determined by you. A giant oak sleeps in an acorn waiting to be awakened. Every great accomplishment at one time was only a dream. Cherish your dreams; and if you are willing to make the sacrifice, they will one day be a reality. My association with the students has been rewarding. I expect to have a lot of pleasant memories from my association with you and with the community here. May God richly bless you all. Compliments of STEPHENS DAIRY QUEEN 320 South Mill Pryor, Oklahoma Leroy and Oma Lee Stephens MUSE’S APCO STATION AND GROCERY Truck Stop Chouteau, Oklahoma