Wapato High School - Wasehian Yearbook (Wapato, WA)

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DEDICATION November 15, 1957 MR. SYRDAL DISCUSSES NEW SCHCOL WITH GUESTS Superintendent Phillip Syrdal of the Wapto Public Schools is seen above discussing the completion of the new high school with Mr. A. L. Beck of the State Board of Education and Mr. Jack Fea of the State Department of Education, on the evening of dedication. To Mr. Syrdal the new school was a dream come true and the foremost of his accomplishments since he became superintendent of the Wapato schools four years ago. His efforts in helping the school board select a type of building and in getting its design altered to suit our needs, and later in actually taking off his coat and working shoulder to shoulder with the finishing and maintenance men, were maior factors in getting the school completed in time for its fall opening. Administrative work is nothing new to Mr. Syrdal, who was an officer in the navy prior to becoming super- intendent. Before that he served as principal in Meridian High School, Bellingham, Washington. lt is with equal pride that we look on the new school with Mr. Syrdal, a man who helped create it. MR. DIETRICH MAKES ANNOUNCEMENTS Making the announcements at the dedication was one of the smaller iobs which Principal Eldon Dietrich had to perform in relation to the opening of the new school. Before construction could begin he had to go over the blue prints of the proposed building with his staff to determine whether any last minute changes should be made. After the construction work got started, he had to begin the process of re-scheduling classes and shifting teacher assignments, and as the school neared its com- pletion, his pace quickened, until he was working side by side with students, teachers, and other school per- sonnel to get the furniture moved in and classes under- way. With the opening of school Mr. Dietrich returned to his role of supervising students, which has won him acclaim as one of the best-liked administrators in the Valley. He has not only the ability to judge what is best for each student who needs guidance but is also able to be firm with those who need that kind of at- tention. His otherwise good nature and sense of humor are necessary attributes of a man who works with teen- agers every day. 9

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BOARD OF EDUCATION Left to right, around table: Mr. Charles Guthrie, Mr. Virgil Cameron, Mr. Robert Schroeder, Chairman, Mr. Oswald King, Mr. Don Strother, Jr., Mr. Phillip Syrdal, with back to camera. BOARD OF EDUCATION IS BEHlND-THE- SCENES FORCE IN PROMOTING NEW HIGH SCHOOL Striving to meet the needs of the ever-increasing enrollment of Wapato schools, the local board of education, headed by chairman Robert Schroeder, undertook the establishment of a new high school. Before any steps could be taken with the actual construction, however, architects had to be hired, designs decided upon, and funds raised. To accomplish these preliminary measures, the board held a public meeting, out of which emerged a citizens' committee for the purpose of representing the pubIic's viewpoint on various issues. Working in close association with this committee, the school board members traveled all over the state observing the -different types of build- ings and facilities in order to aid them in their decisions. Cost was one of the principal factors in determining the type of school that could be built. After a building made of reinforced concrete and blocks was decided upon, a special levy and bond issue amounting to a total of 5720,- O00 was put before the community. When this was passed, it provided funds to start the building process and war- rant over S400,000 more in state assistance. Another 579,000 was solicited from the Federal government to help finish the interior and provide needed equipment. For successfully supervising the job of complet- ing Wapato's new high school, we thank the Wapato Board of Education. They worked in this capacity as a service to our community and re- ceived nothing but our appreciation for their efforts. BUSINESS MANAGER Chester Soley and SECRE- TARY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT Mrs. Lorena Beniamin. asrsserz:fwfrLs:i.es1igii.,w,'w,stl

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FACULTY SET EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP Giving freely of Their time in extracurricular activities as well as academic, the high school faculty set examples of leadership. Each teacher has charge of at least one activity which goes beyond his regular classroom duties and is called upon to perform such additional tasks as selling tickets at games, chaperoning dances, and spending noon hours in detention. Continual revision of the curriculum is another item which challenges the teachers. Meeting as a body several times a year to discuss this and other important elements of education, they outline policies, then break up into de- partmental groups for refinement of procedure. Besides school activities most of the teachers are affiliated with various churches and clubs in the community, and some of them continue their edu- cation during the school year by attending night school or taking extension courses. With a minimum allowance of five full years of college, each teacher brings to his iob a maximum of learning and efficiency. VlRGlNlA HELMICH: English 10, Literature ll-12, Junior Class Assistant Advisor, B.A., Carleton College, Minnesota, M.A., Wash- ington State College. JACK DORR: U. S. History, Drivers' Train- ing, Athletic Director, Lettermen's Club Advisor, Track Coach, B.A., Central Wash- ington College. ALMA BEATTY: Senior High Librarian, B.A., University of Wyoming, Fifth Year, Univer- sity of Colorado. HILDA SYRDAL: French l, 2, Wolf Howl Advisor, B.A., University of Oregon, M.A., University of Washington.