Cooper High School - Talons Yearbook (New Hope, MN)

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i RCHS, Love Affair With E. J. I I HAnd now I am honored to introduce our schoolts namesake . . . Mr. E. J. Cooperltt The roar of the crowd is thunderous. Three thousand pairs of arms fill with goosebumps as E. J. is given a standing ova- ion. It happens at every pepfest that E. J. attends, but why do we give him a standing ovation? Just who is this special viman? Edwin J. Cooper, or E. J. as he is more commonly referred to, was born in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, on February 13, 1896 He was one of six children in the family of Dr. and Mrs. R. Watson Cooper. E. J. graduated with the highest honors in his high school class. He attended Upper Iowa University, the University of Upper Illinois, and the University of Minnesota. He joined the Air Cadets during World War I and was sent to France as a pursuit pilot. In 1918, E. J. married Lavon Hart- man whose death on January 27 of this year was a great loss to E. J. and to the school. Two years later they moved to Fort Sumner New Mexico, where E. J. taught history and coached athletics. In 1922 they moved to Iowa, and in 1930 E. J. ac- cepted the superintendency at Robbinsdale. A Brief Interview With E- J- K v Q. What was your first job? ; A.?I chopped kindling at a lake K residence. In the summertime I I worked eight hours a day at a , railroad, setting railroad ties for 10s . an hour? 1'. , Q. What did you do for excitement I when you were a teenager? 7 A. HA lot of us guys would get together and go girlingt downtown. We often took the horse and buggy and went for picnics. We could go to the movies for 25s. They were , silent, so someone played the piano to provide background music. i K I . SI Q. How did you meet your wife? A. nWe were high school sweethearts, and we both attended Upper Iowa University where my father was presi- dent. I married her in 1918. Q. If you won a million dollars in a sweepstakes, how would you spend it? A. uTraveling. I have never been to Alaska or Hawaii, and I would really like to see them. I would also like to take about six months to a year and travel around the world, including Africa and South America. Q. What was your best vacation ? A. When I retired at the age of 65, my wife and I went on a European tour. We visited England and France. I also enjoyed my many fishing and hunting trips along the Mississippi River? Q. What has given you the most pleasure in the last year? A. nCable t.v.I I got the service as a birthday present last year from the Cooper students. I love it. I am also very thankful for my continuing good health. We give E. J. a standing ovation for his faithful attendance at football and hockey games, the spirit he shows when he wears his Cooper letter jacket, the pride he exhibits' In not only the school but the entire student body. E. J. Cooper' Is RCHS' grandpa and the namesake of our school. We give him a standing ovation not only for his outstanding achievements in District 281, but also for his vivacious, fun-Ioving nature. E. J. as atot. E. J. as Superintendent of Schools. E. J. and his wife, Lavon. Feature - 17

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Cooper Celebrates Snow Days 51 now Week, one of the highlights :J of the winter season, again lived up to its reputation. It started off with Grub Day. Students wore mostly T- shirts and sweats to comply with the dress of the day. Tuesday was designated Beach Day, with shorts and an occasional grass skirt sighted. Dress-Up Day, set for Wednesday, was the day the King and Queen of hearts were crowned. The seniors chose Blair Marsh and Kris Cosgrove to be their King and Queen. Juniors Paul Steenerson and Shannon Rice, along with sophomores Pat McGowan and Marcia Gunia, were crowned princes and princesses. Thursday, in honor of Valentines Day, students donned red and pink. Flowers were sent out on February 14, also. Friends, admirers, and sweethearts received either white, pink, or red flowers. Friday, Orange and Blue were the col- ors of the day. Shortened classes made time for a pepfest. The pepfest activities included an orange passing race be- tween the seniors, juniors, and sophomores. The orange had to be passed from the neck of one participant A Robbinsdale Copper students get in the Beach Day spirit. P Joel Konkol escorts Jill Hansing to the pep-test. 18 - Snow Days to the neck of the next participant without the use of hands. The seniors were victorious. Friday was also Switch Day. The Cooperettes learned a cheer from the Cheerleaders and also performed at the pepfest. Senior Cooperette Nancy Moe: said, til liked cheering. It was fun seem ing how the other halt livesP The week reached its climax with the traditional Jack-of-Hearts Dance Friday night. The dance is Cooperts version of the Sadie Hawkins dances; girls ask out the guys. Music was provided by The Catch.