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Columbia City High School
Alumni Association

600 N.  Whitley St.
Columbia City, Indiana 46725

(260) 244-6136, Ext.  3459

     

Keith Prichard's CCHS Memories

Photo in 1956 Columbian

Dr.  Prichard's August 30, 2006 letter to the Editor of The Post & Mail:

Educator has fond memories of CCHS classes of ’56, ’57
 

Editor:

It is almost 50 years since I taught history and something that was supposed to resemble economics at Columbia City High School.   I left that teaching position to do graduate work at Harvard University and earn a Ph.D. 

I suppose I have taught thousands of students at major institutions of higher learning; and yet, it is the graduating classes of Columbia City High School of 1956 and 1957 that I best remember.   I well know they are now senior citizens and only five or six years younger than myself, in my mind they are and will  always be 16, 17 and 18 years of age.  They have eternal youth. 

While I have been a professor at Wake Forest University, the University of Virginia, and the University of Nebraska and have spent many pleasant years in front of innumerable classes, the happiest and most pleasant of them were spent at the old, somewhat dilapidated building that housed the Columbia City High School students the two years before the school moved to the newer building.

I have served under many educational administrators but none were more able or more considerate than Max Gandy, the principal of the high school.

I also well remember Marguritte Stultz who was very near retirement and often rode down  to see her relatives in Indianapolis when on weekends I traveled to my parent’s home in central Indiana. 

Bernie Adkins, the women’s athletic coach and typing teacher at the time will always be 21 years of age.  She had the vitality and good humor that makes teaching an enjoyable occupation. 

And then there was Ralph Johnson, the basketball coach, with whom I played poker on most Friday evenings, and their worst behavior would be considered of trifling importance today ... not worthy of attention. 

I still remember where most of the students sat in the classrooms while I have completely forgotten most all of the college and university students I lectured to over the 36 years of my career.   I actually cannot imagine Jo Ellen Adams, Myra Lorber, Rodger Bridge, Ronnie Yant, Joe Yoder, Vickie Leach and Larry Conrad being senior citizens and past 65 years of age.

I wish to thank the members of the classes of 1956 and 1957 on their 50th class reunion and the fine citizens of Columbia City for the two of the happiest years of my rather long teaching career.

I welcome correspondence from any who might wish to contact me.

Dr.  Keith W.  Prichard
3424 Woodspring Dr.
Lexington, KY 40515

 

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© 2005 Columbia City High School Alumni Association.            This page last updated 08/06/2012