Mother was a drop-out, part 2

Freshmen took whatever subjects they were assigned. I took Algebra I, English I, Biology, Home Ec, and Physical Education. After that year, students chose their “course” and took whatever subjects that were in. I chose academic, which was college preparatory. Subjects required included English four years, Latin two years, Algebra two years, Geometry one year, Physics, and Civics.

One year, I took Music Appreciation. During the senior year each student should take one elective. I wanted Solid Geometry, but only a couple of us wanted it. They couldn’t afford to have a class for two, so I signed up for typing. That class was too full – not enough typewriters for everyone. My friend Coyita and I said we’d take Home Nursing and Related Arts instead.

Every year there was some kind of contest. Coyita and I won Freshman Algebra. As Moore’s Melba Wilhite and I won in Algebra. I also won in Latin I. The DAR gave a metal to the Junior who wrote the best essay. (That was part of a history class, probably a required course.)

My essay was a winner.

My freshman year was the George Washington Bicentennial. Our school put on a play as part of the celebration. There were five characters, one from each of the four high school grades and one little girl from the near-by elementary school. I had the leading part and enjoyed my colonial costume.

It was customary for the senior class to put on a play. I had the role of a middle-aged mother and had more speaking parts than anyone. It was not a “leading lady” type role. My English teacher loaned me a brown silk dress to wear and offered me her diamond. I wouldn’t wear the diamond, but felt quite grown-up and sophisticated in Ms. Branham’s dress.

I belonged to a girls’ organization called Girl Reserves and was an officer in it. There also were parties, wiener roast, dinners, ballgames, proms and such. A few of my close friends and I sometimes stayed overnight with each other. After my junior year and again after my senior year, I worked for Dr. Owens while Ruth had her vacations. I was so dumb and ignorant; I don’t know how he put up with me. I learned one thing: I was not cut out to be a nurse.

A few times I baby-sat for Dr. Owen’s two boys. Brothers paid for odd jobs. Leslie said he would finance two-year teacher training. Some years passed and no one mentioned college. Leslie was married, had a wife and small child to support plus house payments. I wasn’t about to ask him for a loan. Two weeks before the fall semester began Leslie asked, “Are you ready to go to college?” He was serious about it.

The next two weeks were a flurry of sewing and packing. Everett bought me an overnight bag. The final decision as to which college was made. My parents thought I should go to State Teachers’ College, but I wanted to go to Indiana Central College in Indianapolis.

Be sure to read The Reporter next Thursday for Part 3 of this series.