Leo High School - Oracle Yearbook (Leo, IN)

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A VERY SPECIAL MAN MOVES ON In the February 72 NASSP Bulletin on Humanizing the Schools Jones wrote, We would all like to have attended schools where we felt important, where we were respected as indi- viduals, and where we could see a relationship between our lessons and our (life ' s) goals ... Is there a better way? Desiring something better for Leo, Jones attended several workshops concerned with inno- vative education. He found the concepts stimulating. Thus began the difficult years of the Model School Project. Burning even more midnight oil became a way of life for the en- tire staff. Although they became very enthusiastic with its exciting possibilities, they all understood the difficulties in departing from the traditional model. Changes bring problems, and many of the MSP concepts be- came infeasible at Leo. Leading his staff, Jones adapted many of the ideals of the system to be used in a more traditional classroom setting. Ahead of his time, or out of step with the situation — time alone will determine. But, Mr. Jones has never felt compelled tq wait for something to become in to try it. His interest in Leo students doesn ' t end with their academic needs, either. No face is seen more often at Leo ' s activities than Mr. Jones ' . Whether it ' s a snowy football game or a play in a hot gymnasium, Leo ' s most ac- tive fan is there. In fact, one of his sons had once commented that they felt they had donated a father to the school. Yet, he is a home body and his home, family and church are very important to him. In his free time he can often be seen playing or working in the yard with the neighborhood children. He has been a 5 a.m. jogger since long before it became fashionable, and his wife Ginny says he ' s a great cook, especially outdoors. Though his accomplishments have been many, he says he ' d like best to be remembered as a good father. He just loves kids. This is obvious, not only from his involvement with them at school, but also at home. Having already helped raise his 6 children then 2 more of his second wife ' s, he and his wife were feeling their house too big. So the Jones ' have just recently brought 2 lovely Philli- pino children into their home to adopt as their 3rd family. Gener- osa, 10, and Ferdinand, 8, are happily settling in, and have ' started school at Leo Elemen- tary. A devoted husband and father, an inspiring educational leader, and a very good man — what more can one ask? Dedication 11

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DEDICATION Loren S. Jones as he was: Playing foot- ball without a helmet . . . Roughing it on a fishing trip . . . Roughing it in the army . . . Dressed for his wedding . . . Trying to look busy at his desk . . . At home with his wife Ginny, Loren poses with his two newly adopted chil- dren. Nineteen years, a long time? It ' s more than a lifetime to most of us at Leo High School, and it ' s a good sized chunk of one man ' s life — the man who has been the only principal here since before most of us were born. Loren S. Jones. Jones brought with him a back- ground rich in a variety of exper- iences. He had served for 6 years in the military dur ing WW II, rising to the rank of captain. He had taught industrial arts and math, coached, and then served at Monmouth H.S. as principal for 6 years. He had a B.S. from Ball State, an M.S. from Purdue, and 5 years at I.U. ' s grad school. Always a worker, he accepted the challenge of building a first class center for education. It ' s hard to imagine what the school must have been like (in- deed ancient history) in 1959 when Mr. Jones first took the helm. It truly was a country school, half the size it is now, and not yet accredited by the state. The community was growing, the number of students mushroom- ing, and the building expanding. As the school and classes became larger and demands on teachers increased, dehumanization seemed inevitable. 10 Dedication

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. ' M« M«!!J v lf ff Kp)r ' Mr. Butt, Couns. Mrs. Gross, Couns. Mrs. Cowan, Sec. Mrs. Jones, Sec. Mrs. Carman, Sec. Mr. Artherhults Miss Baumgartner Mr. Butler Miss Carr Mr. Crosby Mr. Divelbiss Mr. Flick Silent concentration was shat- tered as students thundered into the building, but he didn ' t mind because he was well prepared for his lectures. His students had shown an unusual interest in the week ' s topic and had surprised him with their enthusiasm during class discussions. The bell brought his T.A. in, one by one. He politely requested ev- eryone ' s presence on time just one morning of the year, only half expecting all feet to be inside the room before the bell stopped ringing. But at least they had lis- tened. Dr. Stuelpe, Ass ' t. Prinipal By lunch time his notes were tat- tered and he was ready for a break. He fought his way through the crowded halls to get some- thing to eat. Lunch in hand, he retreated to the calmness of the teacher ' s lounge for a short peri- od of relaxation and conversation with the other teachers. Over a ham and cheese sandwich he re- flected on the morning ' s activi- ties, finding nothing to complain about. The assignment given had received only a few moans and the lectures concluded as planned. 12 The Group