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A trip down memory lane
I find it hard to believe that come May 20, 2023, myself and 55 other teenagers graduated from Derry Township High School in Yeagertown 75 years ago. We were all born around 1930 and it wasn't the best of times.
Most of us had the prevailing ailments: chicken pox, mumps, measles, whooping cough, scarlet fever, etc. We lived through the depression when many families did without things they needed.
Then there was World War II with nationing and many of our older relatives away sewing in the armed forces.
Then the war ended and things got better. Products were available and people had jobs. Things looked good for us at graduation. Then came the Korean War in which several of our boys participated.
A lot of us started our education in one room schools with no indoor plumbing. I started at Maitland Elementary which was torn down. Then it was to Hoopes School (It is still standing and open to visit once a year.) I guess we didn't know any better but it was an honor to be chosen to clean the outside toilet! We loved playing in the woods beside the school. I still have scars on my knees from falling down the hill when the teacher rang the bell.
From there it was on to Yeagertown Elementary, where we had indoor plumbing and a cafeteria. We met lots of new kids there. After that it was up the hill to D.T.H.S. There was indoor plumbing but no cafeteria. So it was down the hill to the two restaurants -- Mrs. Tates and Hershey. I don't think that the "Hershey Kids" ate. They danced all lunch period. Not me! I ate at Mrs. Tate’s and I can still remember her delicious foods.
After lunch it was back up the hill. In those days girls didn't wear jeans or slacks to school so our legs were frostbitten all winter.
I feel that we had good teachers. I think they had our futures in mind with their teachings. Our football coach/business teacher got several of our boys football scholarships. He was a good friend and attended our reunions until he passed away.
We went in many directions in our adult lives. Among our occupations are: engineer, office working, six nurses, truck drivers, factory workers, a minister, business owners, banking, painting, two school principals, repairmen, teachers, accountants, missionary, real estate, a female pilot, a major in the National Guards, a cook, construction, management, cable TV, telephone works and our three class couples got married!
I must comment on our two principals. I think everyone was pleasantly shocked at this. One was a very intelligent farm boy who was so shy that he seldom spoke, the other was our lovable class clown who never did his homework. I wonder if their students ever knew their backgrounds?!
Hail to the class of 48. They may not have set the world on fire but they surely lit a lot of flames!
Nancy Smith Bogar
Class of 48
Alfarata