Parkway High School - Almega Yearbook (Rockford, OH)

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MORRELL G. HOOVER . . From A One-Room School Veteran Instruct Parkway Scie By KRS. ERNEST THOMPSON | Lima News Correspondent ROCKFOSp — Thirty - three | years of teaching have bridged the gap between a one-room Ken- tucliy school and a modern Park- way High School science lab for Rockford ' s Morrell G, Hoover, named last week as the outstand- ing science teacher in Ohio ' s West District, The recognition sponsored by the Ohio Academy of Science, came as a surprise to Hoover, who %vas attending the District Science Day at. Central State Col- lege, Wilberforce. Last year he came close to receiving the honor when he was one of the top five nominees in the district com- prising more than a dozen west Ohio counties. The Owensboro, Ky., youth was one of nine children. Three years he rode horseback to a one-room country school in an effort to educate 65 pupils and attend to the pot-bellied stove. It ' s not sur- prising that the schoolmaster laughingly admits that he wasn ' t too unhappy when some of his teeming brood were able to be present. The crowded schoolroom, added to by the inexperience of the teacher, who had completed only his sophomore year of high school. Two years later Hoover graduated from Bowling Green High School in his native state. At one time. Mr. Hoover had hoped to become a doctor. The high cost and the long duration of preparation, he says, deferred this, but he feels the field of sci- ence has been a rewarding sub- stitute. Two years at Western Ken- tucky Teachers College followed his graduation from high school. Additional work has been done at Findlay College, some during his nine years as seventh and eighth de teacher at Rawson. He re- ceived his Bachelor of Arts de- gree at Findlay. Additional credits were obtain- ed from Bowling tureen State Uni- versity, Ohio State University, Ohio Wesleyan, Indiana Univer- Bluffton College, and the University of Alaska, near Fair- banks. It was a National Science Foundation Institute scholarship that made possible the eight- weeks study in 1959 at the Alas- kan university. When » ' M.G. came to the Rockford School 2-t years ago. he taught general science and his- tory. Though he has an interest and a minor in French, he has never taught the subject. One oi the highlights of his teaching ca- reer was the high rank of one ol his students on the state scholar- ship test in 1959, when John Run- yah, who will soon be a science teacher, tied for first place. Last Nsvember Hooyec, was Mr, Hoover and representatives of NASA

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HEGH SCHOOL DISfflVASHERS l-fe-s. Helen Henkle Mrs. Pat Shrider

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or ISamed ' Best In The West ' nee Teaeher Feted MR. HOOVER chosen as chairman of the Mer- cer County Teachers ' science workshop. Each year ' s activities incUide the sponsorship of Sci- ence Day competition, and cla.ss trips to the Armco Steel Corpora- tion. Middletown; Battelle Insti- ture, Columbus: and the Sohio Refinery laboratory in Lima. Membership in several profes sionai organizations keep the vet eran teacher informed on the lat est developments in the education ' al and scientific fields. He is af- filiated with the national, state county, and local education as sociations as well as the Ohio Academy of Science and the Na- ticmal Science Teachers Associa-, tion. , ! This summer Hoover and his | wife, the former Hattie Thomp- son of Waverly and fourth grade teacher here, are off to the re- mote wilderness of the Alaska Penninsula and the volcanic area of Katmai. then on to the Arctic Circle. The Hoovers have visited all of the states except Hawaii, most of the Canadian provinces, and IVlexico. No doubt. Hoover will find time to visit with bis two sons, Larry, a science teacher in the Parma High School, and Ronald, a ma- jor in the Strategic Air Com- mand, based at Lincoln, Neb., and his six grandchildren. The Alaskan tour will provide M.G. an outlet for his photograph- ic bent and add to his supply of .class at the EUB Church, whert slides which he has alre ady he is a substitute teacher. shown in four slates to churches. ' - schools, garden clubs, farmers ' meetings, fraternal organizations, and 4-H clubs. • The active scientist has no im- mediate plans for retirement from the profession he loves. When he does decide to leave the three chemistry and two physics labs he will concentrate on tbe sci- ence of landscaping, he says, a work he has been doing on the side for several years. There will also be the adult Sunday School Junior Arabeniu (il]in rabcmg of § rtr April 9, 1963 Mr. Dale R. Schlatter Executive Head Parkway Local Schools Rockford, Ohio Dear Mr. Schlatter: I am happy to inform you that Mr. M. G. Hoover of your science staff has been selected as the 1963 Outstanding Teacher from the West District. His selection was made by the West District Science Day Committee. This Committee is composed of eleven high school teachers. Each teacher represents one of the eleven counties which comprise the West District. The award will be given to Mr. Hoover at the time of the Annual Banquet of the Ohio Academy of Science. This affair will be held during the annual meeting of the Ohio Academy of Science, Friday, April 26, I963 at 7:00 p.m. We hope that Mr. Hoover will be able to attend the Friday Program of the Ohio cadeiny and receive this award in person. The Ohio Academy is meeting at Central State College on April 25-2?. State Science Day is on the 26th. The West District Science Day Committee appreciates very much your cooperation in submitting the fine nomination of Mr. Hoover. Very truly yours, -rV9 ' L. ' TrT.- - - ' A E. 0. Woolfolk District Councilman Mr. Hoover Mr. Gerald Acker E0W:bm STATE SCIENCE DAY, CENTRAL STATE COLL EGE, APRIL 26, 1963