OCR Text |
Show i "' - f - ' ' - i . , -r t - - r J ; : ?' r ';. - Three of the first six graduates of Escalante High School get together again. Shown are Dee Haws, his wife Elda Barker Haws and Jennings "Hode" Alvey. By Marilyn Jackson ESCALANTE A special celebration commemorating 63 years of high school in Escalante is scheduled for July 25, in conjunction with the town's annual Pioneer Day celebration. In 1920, under the direction of school board represenative, A. Varney Griffin, ninth grade classes began in Escalante; until that time, only an eighth grade education was possible. Among those first students were Lilly Alvey Spencer, Jennings Alvey, Elda Barker Haws, Arvilla George Anderson, Laura George Baker, Charley Griffin, Dee Haws, Lester Heaps, Clyde King, Blaine Liston, Ora Mclnelly Soper, Nina Moosman, Bona Roe, Zola Roundy, Lavon Shurtz, Lavar Shurtz, Thora Spencer Munson, Verda Spencer Liston, Virginia Spencer Ott, Lera Schow, Blaine Twitchell, Grant Twitchell, Ruth Wilson and Wilma Wright. Six of this group graduated in 1924 and two girls, Ellen Spencer Nixon and Aleva Barker Service, having obtained some education elsewhere, were guaduated in 1923, becoming An all-school reunion is planned in conjunction with Pioneer Day activities in that community to recognize opening of first formed school. Escalante School Reunion Is Scheduled for July 25 the first to graduate from Escalante High School. From those humble beginnings, seated on benches with notebook or slates on their laps, grew an establishment worthy of respect and honor. Many are the outstanding names that attended Escalante High School who are now doctors, lawyers, and professional people in every walk of life. In 1928 the boys were first admitted ad-mitted to leave basketball and a newspaper entitled "The Escalantan" and "Moqui" yearbooks year-books were published. By the mid 1930s a building was erected which is still being used today. In 1944 the gymnasium was added and in 1964 a vocational building replaced a humble garage shack. Records available indicate that at least 1063 students have graduated from its halls under the direction of 19 principals and 14 superintendents. superin-tendents. Festivities planned for the celebration include a potluck dinner with ham and turkey provided, program, rodeo, and dance with live music by Brownie Moentte's band on Friday. Saturday's events will include cannons and a sunrise serenade, pancake breakfast, parade, program, barbecue, soap box derby, foot races, carnival, rodeo, fireworks and dance. Each graduating class will be represented in the programs both Friday and Saturday and members have been asked to enter a float in Saturday's parade. Escalante High School, now in its 63rd year, will be replaced with a new structure if a pending bond election is successful. |