Volume 7 , Issue 11

Washington Elementary in Alva

We connected with a former NW Oklahoman this week that was remembering growing up in the small rural town of Alva (Oklahoma) until about the third grade. He attended 1st-grade at Washington Elementary school in 1952. The mention of Washington Elementary jogged some memories of my own days at Washington Elementary. Was it 1954 when I started 1st grade in Ms. Gill's class? Let me see now... If Mrs. Gill was 1st grade, then 2nd grade was Iris Van Pelt; 3rd grade was Parthena McCrady; 4th grade is still vague (BUT... was there a Mrs. Brown back then); and my 5th & 6th grade teacher was Mrs. Wilma Coffman. Can you remember who your Elementary teachers were? I can, except for one.

You would think I would remember the 4th grade teacher, because that is the beginning of the school year that the point of a rock collided with my left eye -- I missed the first few weeks of school that year. That little incident was brought about by a scrap between my baby sister and myself over who was going to watch the vegetable stand at our ranch north of Waynoka on hwy 14. I picked up a rock and through it at her while I was walking away from the vegetable stand. I was a lowsy thrower. My baby sister was a better thrower than me. Her rock made a point... right into my left eye. Dad "flew" me by car to Dr. Traverse in Alva. Then it seems like we borrowed a plane from someone and Dad flew me to Dr. Shield in Enid. I was lucky! I didn't loose the sight of that eye. You can still see the remnants of scar tissue that remains. I did learn my lesson, though! DO NOT throw rocks at people! DO NOT throw the first stone! AND... Rocks can make a traumatic point! I have always wondered, though, if my baby sister ever learned a valuable lesson that day!   |  View or Add Comments (2 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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