100 Year Celebration By : Joseph Ptacnik
Litchfield ’ s 100 year celebration of the brick building was a huge success ! The presentation started off with an opening from Litchfield ’ s principal Wade Finley . The keynote speakers were Mr . Dudley Friskopp , Mr . Parrish , Ken Woolery , Eldon Epley , Rogene Arnold , Phyllis Rasmussen , Mr . Ed Kirkpatrick , and Mrs . Sue May . A letter from Rogene Klein was read by Mrs . Katheryn Sauer . She had noted that back in high school , they had to drive themselves to school . Rogene ( Johns ) Klein was the pep club president , the very first harvest of harmony candidate from Litchfield , and their class did fundraisers for a trip to Colorado Springs rather than having a senior skip day . A recorded video from Mr . Ed Kirkpatrick was shown . He included history on the old school building that was used from 1888 to 1916 , and it held from 1st to 10th grade . He noted when students didn ’ t want to come to school , the principal would come get them from their house . There was a band teacher who didn ’ t come in for in-service , so the shop teacher came and got him out of bed . He also remembers a time where a student ran from the school and they had to stop a train but they later found the kid in a field . Something interesting is that the school policy was that the ladies could not be married and teach at the same time , so if they taught and went to get married , they had to quit their job . A recording from Mrs . Sue May was also presented . She noted that she was not a teacher when the school was built , as some students asked . She taught Fifth and Sixth grade here in Litchfield for one year and came back to occasionally substitute teach . Her salary was $ 4,800 a year and brought home $ 298 each month . The women teachers had to wear dresses . As teaching fifth and sixth graders , there were 27 at the beginning of the year and the number increased to 29 by Christmas . Mr . Dudley Friskopp taught science at Litchfield for 40 years . He originally planned on leaving to teach at a bigger school but the administration , support of the community , and the quality of students could not get any better . Dudley ’ s largest class consisted of 19 students , and he believed that there are great advantages to small school education . Mr . Friskopp noted , “ It couldn ’ t get much better than this .” Dwight Parish came to the school district in 1971 as the superintendent . There were about 20-25 students in each grade . Space was a big issue at Litchfield and the community was concerned that they could not afford a bond . After the addition of the blue building , it helped a lot . Many people were amazed when he added that there are swimming pool connections at the school . He later moved to a bigger school but said that it wasn ’ t as supportive , helpful , or cooperative and the students here were the best . Ken Woolery taught in Litchfield for three years . He noted that he is not sure if he is an artifact or a speaker for the celebration . He lived here for a total of 13 years . His first year teaching at Litchfield he taught Industrial Arts , Physical Education , coached track , volleyball , and was an assistant for football and basketball . He later gave Industrial Arts to someone else . On his second year teaching in Litchfield he taught math and was the junior high basketball coach , and he remembers that they never lost a game . In Ken ’ s third year teaching at Litchfield he taught Jr . High Social Studies and Science . He also was the first High School art teacher . His room was in the corner of the shop and when the shop teacher was gone , he just subbed for him . His favorite memory was dumping water on students when they tried to climb the fire escape . After leaving , he came back in October of 1998 to preach and substitute . Mrs . Erma Sadler has taught here for 27 going on 28 years . She came in 1989 . She said , “ This is my favorite school .” She has helped with 25 proms , probably 26 because she loves the junior class . She has worked at every single concession stand for home games . She quoted , “ This 100 year old building is looking good , hopefully it ’ ll be here for another 100 .” The oldest living member in the audience was Irene Kieborz . She is 96 years old and graduated in 1937 .
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