Return to Nostalgia page CLASS STORIES Editor for Class Stories:   Barbara (Wernecke) Durkin Story # 1 Clare and Joe—Sweet Irony Picture it: eleventh grade—second period English with Art Johnston. We are on our way upstairs, returning from the library where we’ve been doing research for some worthy writing project or other.  Clare Dillon drops her books and several people stop to help her pick up the mess—except for Joe Darchicourt, who is too busy laughing out loud, pointing, and making a general hoo-hah of the situation.  Clare looks disgusted and says, “Grow up,” while Joe guffaws and looks back over his shoulder to show us how loud he can laugh and… Ka-toosh! Joe falls up the steps, tripping himself up and dropping everything he’s holding.  He grabs his shin, hops around like a madman, and everyone falls on the floor laughing, including Clare and Joe. Story # 2 History Class Trip   Miss Ouida Kallmeyer (American History) was not known for her joyous personality.  Her favorite word was “Horsefeathers,” which she said in response to nearly everyhing I ever said to her. One morning we were discussing where we might go on a little trip designed to enhance our experience and perception of American History.  Several places were mentioned—DC, Philadelphia, Annapolis, Williamsburg, New York City… Jerry Falkenhan, who seldom demonstrated even the slightest interest in anything said in that class, finally raised his hand. “Yes?” Miss Kallmeyer intoned, already suspicious. “How about Palm Springs?” Jerry asked ingenuously.  “I’ve always wanted to go to Palm Springs.” “Horsefeathers,” Miss Kallmeyer said.  “If I ever do go to Palm Springs, it won’t be with YOU.” We went to New York. Story # 3 MEMORIES OF MR. BEN SUMMERLIN By Tamara (Ryjkoff) Sturges, ’62 My homeroom (for 2 years) and Latin classes were in Mr. Benjamin Summerlin's room. Several mornings in the wintertime he would come in just as the bell would be ringing, hang up his stuff and start on the roll, etc. He always wore a grayish colored suit and white shirt and bow tie! One morning we all noticed that something was hanging below his trouser pants legs. Seemed to be pajama pants under the trousers! I remember howling and thinking, “Does anyone else see that?”  And yeah, several others in my homeroom did notice. By 1st period Latin class we were in hysterics---and he was oblivious to what we were laughing about! Another remembrance---same class in the winter: After giving us a written assignment or something to occupy our minds, Mr. Summerlin used to go to the closet by the front door and reach up on the shelf and get a bottle of  “cough syrup” and take a swig! We always used to ask if he had a cold or cough, and he'd say, “Cough medicine for my cold.”  Were we really that naive?   Don't think so. Another bout of snickering would usually follow that conversation. I wonder if anyone else remembers the stuff he did in Latin class or in my homeroom?? (Editor’s note:) You bet, Tammy.  In 11th grade I was in Mr. Summerlin’s class for Latin II.  My seatmate was Carole Spring, and behind us sat Roland Gorschboth—the world’s all-time nicest person--- and in front of us was the sweet and very pretty Joane Sweda. We also witnessed the famous “cough medicine” phenomenon, but I’d like to add that when he had swigged a bit of it, he would often say, “Ahhh, that’s good for what ails ya.”  We LOVED Mr. Summerlin.  He was so kind and sweet and adorable.  But we also had to giggle whenever he spoke because he sounded to us exactly like Foghorn Leghorn in slo-mo.  With that southern drawl of his, even Latin took on a sort of cartoonish quality, and we never got very far in the lesson before we’d get him off on some tangent or other.    Barbara Wernecke Durkin)   Story # 4 MILK FOR 3 CENTS Submitted by Jerry Badinger Here's one to Mr. Dudzak.    I was in his class one day and he, always being "very proper", finally had had it with a fellow in the class.  This guys name escapes me but he was on of those guys always down to see the Assistant Principal, never did anything in class but sleep, stare out the window and never did his homework.  So finally Dudzak lost it and said "why do you even bother to come to school?"  Without as much as a breath in time the guy says "where else you going to get milk for 3 cents?"