Kelso High School memories: 1965 to 1969
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 4:45 PM PDT
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E-mail this articleCelebrating Kelso's 100th graduating class
Roxie Quick, Class of 1965
I had the remarkable privilege to not only graduate from Kelso High, but I came back from my university (George Fox University, Newberg, Ore.) to take my first teaching/coaching position at my alma mater!
I began my experience with our favorite physical education teacher, Yvonne Stark. With her support, and the help of Gerald Lemmons and Elenita Bales and her husband, George, I was able to work with the then principal, Mr. Bill Moulton, to sanction the girls sports program from the traditional GAA (Girls Athletic Association) program to the present competitive sports model. This was made possible through the Title Nine state regulations adopted in 1972.
A few people who stand out in my memories:
Ms. Hopkins/Kate Long: Ms. Hopkins taught Latin. Ms. Hopkins was the darling of the faculty; we all loved her. She and Kate Long brought a level of female emancipation to our repertoire of education that later was known as “Women’s Liberation!” Kate was the social studies/U.S. history lead teacher. She helped students experience other countries through the student foreign national exchange program. Both of these women were absolutely committed to the many students in Kelso.
Principal, “Bud” Reschke: There is not another principal in the world like “Bud” Reschke. He helped more students make it through school by “pulling out the stops” to make it happen. I am one of those students! All students were “equal” in his mind. His approach to students was always positive and supportive. He can remember every Kelso High School student’s name! To this day, if you see him, he will call you by your first name and the family name he knew you by in high school. This is a testimony to his love and respect for every student that ever walked through the halls of KHS. There will never be another one like him!
Lee Sonedecker: Baseball coach for years in Kelso including American Legion ball. Mr. Sonedecker, along with his wife’s years of support, helped many young men fulfill their best dreams to be an athlete through baseball. He also carried his dedication through the summer months of American Legion Baseball in order to provide the added training a young man would need in order to be eligible for baseball scholarships to major universities and other post-secondary programs.
Walt Piper: Mr. Piper was one of our math teachers. Oh, Fridays were the days we never wanted to miss. Once you received the day’s lesson and assignment, he waited for the Friday Questions Day to begin! We could ask any questions we wanted ... and he answered them all. If you were out of line, he would tell you! We all learned Life’s Lessons and what I later called “Piperisms” when I passed on his advice to the many students I have taught over my 30-plus years in education. Every student I’ve ever had in my class learned those “Piperisms” and uses them today!
An example of “Piperisms”:
“If you have two incomes, live off of one! Budget the rest wisely!”
“If you tell a lie, it takes a long time to return to anyone’s good graces.”
Elenita Bales: Mr. Bill Mouton referred to Elenita as “The Salt of the Earth.” I believe we all agreed. Elenita was the language arts teacher and later became the high school counselor, a gift to the profession. Her ability to treat all students equally surpassed all expectations. Each student in her care, and Darcy Lees (who mentored and worked with Elenita), was the model of perfection for all counselors!
Mrs. Stark: Mrs. Stark is one of the Icons of the old teaching staff of Kelso High School. Yvonne was a master golf player ... challenging the men on staff! She was a graduate of Linfield College and was a professional dance teacher. She brought her expertise as a talented athlete and dancer to the high school. The girls loved Mrs. Stark! We all got to dance in PE! Later when Mrs. Stark retired and I took her lead position, it was her legacy of dance that led me to begin the dance program modeled after Yvonne’s program, hence the Kilties were born! It truly was a result of Mrs. Stark’s years of commitment to the girls of Kelso!
Lee Ayers: UW coach who came to Kelso to join the Social Studies teachers and to be an assistant football coach for Otto Koefler. He was an amazing history teacher as well as football coach. Lee gave more than any teacher was expected to do. He cared about everyone and was available to “go out on a limb if need be” for you. Just ask anyone of his football “boys!”
Mr. and Mrs. Gennette: As a teaching team, and we had many in the school district, they brought years of love and leadership to the Kelso School District. Mr. Gennette was one of my mentors when I first started teaching in Kelso; I learned so much from him. Mr. Gennette brought balanced leadership to the staff at Kelso. He was supportive to his principal and the staff he served. His wife assisted in the summer recreation programs and many other volunteer organizations that supported children in Kelso.
There are so many more, like Doris Bradley and her husband. If you stop and think about it ... there might be a story just on “couples” alone who have taught in Kelso and Longview!
Marquita Ward, Class of 1966
Here is a memory I have of my graduation year at Kelso High School.
I had just got home from our Thanksgiving Day football game with R.A. Long High and we had lost. I was pretty upset.
Family was over at our house ready for turkey dinner. My brother-in-law was wearing a black and white striped shirt. Someone mentioned he was one of the referees. I was so upset I threw an olive across the room and got him right between the eyes.
To my dismay, it was a joke. Good shot, though.
I looked back in my annual for that year, and it was the only game we lost and the score was 14-7.
My first grandchild will be in the 101th graduating class.
Mike Karnofski, Class of 1967
Seniors in the center, juniors on the right, sophomores on the left
Football, Kofler, Piper, Brusco, Laulainen,
The “Old Schroeder” Field
“The Fox” Cross Country & Wrestling
Turkey Day Game
Basketball Royal & Lemmons
The Boys Gym
Christmas Ball
Santa Schroeder
E. R. “Bud”
GAA
TOLO
Baseball, “Soni”
Track, Monte
Junior/Senior Prom
Mother/Daughter Tea
Awards Assembly
Out Door Graduation
The Elks
Sophomores on the right, Juniors in the Center
Rita (Davis) Beck, Class of 1969
In my junior year the Junior/Senior Prom was canceled. That happened to be the only year I was invited to go. I had to return my dress and everything. I feel like I missed out.
LVALUMNI wrote on Jun 19, 2008 12:38 PM:
It's neat from the prospective of the younger generation to see how you share the same memories as my parents. "
westender wrote on Jun 27, 2008 4:53 PM:
I transfered in during my sophomore year, and was accepted in as though I had always been there. I'm so glad I changed to Kelso High, I never regretted it.
Can you remember those one piece gym outfits? and going to class with wet hair.
How about study hall? That was the best nap of the day.. IF you didn't have any homework. I still think they need to bring back study hall to schools, maybe some of the kids would get their work done and when asked if they have any homework, they wouldn't have to lie.
Graduate 1968 "
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