HomeMy WebLinkAbout0186 t.kry c'y Qees_e Class of 19 60 Flag Cords wiew.ber
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Nancy Reese,class of 1980,twirled flag her senior year,and has noticed that
not very much is the same as it was back then. Lena Gray,class of 2011,has twirled
flag all four years,and likes the fact that not much is the same.She would not have
enjoyed the heavy,high-heel boots and long-sleeve uniforms that they had to
wear.Ms.Reese said."The band would have to stand at attention for at least
an hour before competition for inspection.This was always a rough time;
many kids would pass out because they would lock their knees while stand
ing in the sun in their hot uniforms."Lena is glad that bands don't do this
today.
She also would not have liked to spin the tall,heavy flag
poles.According to Ms.Reese,they didn't do any tosses in their rou-
tines;they mostly just did angles with their flags because the poles
were so long and heavy.They marched in high step,meaning that their
legs had to make a 90 degree angle at the knee,which was very tiring.
The only thing that is similar is the fact that they did formations on the
field along with the band."One thing I wish would be the same as back
then would have to be the larger squad,"states Lena.While only at 9
this year,in 1980 the squad was at 18. OF
Ms.Reese's most memorable experience was when all of
the flag members were in a circle and fell down and the American flag �'.
popped up out of the middle.She still remembers doing this and how
much fun it was.She said that this was her favorite part out of the whole
show.Lena's most memorable experience was at her first football game.
The band marched around the track for the pregame show and,as they did
this,they played the fight song.The auxiliary captain never taught Lena how to
dance to the fight song so she had to learn it on the spot.She said that this was
not easy and that she made sure she knew it before the next game.
They both agree that it was extremely exciting to step out on the field for
the halftime show,no matter what uniform they wore or what kind of flag poles they were
spinning.Being on the auxiliary was a great experience for both of them,and they will both
always remember the fun times that they had.
By Stacie Reese
tJaa►i Geiger-Class of I `155 FFA wt t1dti Wo it Presiole-it
The Future Farmers of America program has come a long way since Nathan Gei-
ger's years in the 1950s. A 1956 graduate, Geiger remembers a time when the Public
Board of Health condemned the ag room and shop boarding up the doors and windows.
The students ignored the postings and removed the boards. For the next two years,
the students came to school having to replay the same scenario until finally in 1957
a new building was provided.
The program in the 50s was severely underfunded. There was no
money,no property,no tractor,no cattle,and no equipment(unless Nathan"bor-
rowed"some from his dad's feed store). If the students wanted to participate
in the annual fair,they needed to all fit in the back of Mr. Kirton's pickup truck.
The agriculture program has now expanded to three barns for 12 horses, 15
pigs,and 16 steer with a brand new John Deere tractor. In addition, 15 more
acres have been recently purchased by the school board for the school to
maintain and use.
j Mr. Geiger shared some of his memories and experiences with the
current president, senior Edith Wolcott. Nathan flipped through his yearbook
to the group FFA shot. Out of the 200 boys in the school, 60 were in FFA.
There were no girls in the club for a very long time. They had their own club
called Future Homemakers of America. When asked how he feels about the
establishment of a co-ed program several years ago, Mr. Geiger replied, "If it
had not been for girls becoming involved there would be no FFA today. They are
the leaders." Edith agreed stating that out of the 6 officers in the club,4 of them
are girls.
In addition to building and gender changes in the program,the agricultural focus
has changed. During Mr. Geiger's years,the garden and chickens were their main fo-
cus during school time. The students learned about horticulture primarily. The vegetables
grown in the garden and the chickens raised would be served at the end-of-year banquet.
Today,livestock is the main focus. The students raise livestock for showing and sale, learn
veterinarian skills,and sales/marketing.
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