1932-36
High School days were happy ones for me. I felt secure and a part of the group. Our teachers were fine, honorable men. Silas Fish was principal and more than anything else, he wanted the students to learn.
Teachers
Other “greats” at the Snowflake Union High School were: Joseph L. Peterson, Logan Brinhall, J.R. Crandell, David A. Butler, D.E. Heywood, Louis Monlo, Ceciel Merkley, Viola Farnesworth, Emma Smith and Carrie Lay, Rosewell Willard, William C. Smith (Seminary), H.A. Hendrickson, E. Kay Hatch, Marvin Schousken.
Entries from diary
Sept. 17, 1935: Mayola left for New Orleans to work on her Master’s degree at Tulane University.
May 18 1935: “Oh, gee, does the wind blow!” Days and days of it.
March 23 1935: Went to Joseph City to Founders Day—met the cutest red-headed boy, Lester Porter.
April 1, 1935: Mother and Dad left for Salt Lake City for General Conference. Returned April 8 th, bought me a new dress.
First year of High School
I remember to initiate the “freshies” we all had to wear green hats/beanies, they were called. There were never any serious initiations. Immediately I associated myself with Mr. Crandall and the Glee Club. Emma Smith was my Home Economics teacher. Mrs. Farnesworth taught me typing. I started in earnest to sing—Mr. Crandall always there to encourage and help me.
Music Festival
The biggest event of the school year was the Music Festival at Flagstaff. We worked for months perfecting our numbers. I went with the Glee Club every year but one. Also when I took Orchestra I went with that group. Mr. Crandall had me play the baritone saxophone—I was never very good, however, I couldn’t seem to keep a strict rhythm. Mr. Crandall and his groups were so good that year after year they brought home the trophies. He was called, by the professors at Flagstaff, “the dean of music for Northern Arizona.”
My Solo
My senior year I was selected to sing the high voice solo, “Let Night Speak of Me”. I well remember the anxiety I had as I stood in the wings of that great stage, with Mr. Crandall by my side, waiting my turn to go on. After each girl sang I would turn and ask “Can I beat her, Mr. Crandall?” He would say “Yes, you can do better than she.” When the little girl from Flagstaff sang—and she did beautifully—I anxiously asked “How ‘bout her?” And Mr. Crandall replied “You’ll have to sing your best to beat her.” She won and I placed second.
The night before I sang I was so excited and nervous that I scarcely slept all night. The dormitory where we stayed was hot and crowded too. It seemed like I was praying nearly all night I was so scared.
From an old autograph book, this inscription: January 6, 1933
“Dear Bessie: For your cheerful disposition, I enjoy you, for your being a good student I respect you. May you always be the same kind of girlie.” From William C. Smith
March 21 st 1936:
Lavon Turley is home from his mission. Society Islands.
Mr. Monk
All the girls in school had a crush on Mr. Monk. He was the football coach and also the Spanish teacher. When we went into Spanish, he spent most of the period explaining football plays to us. He was completely wrapped up in the game, and although Snowflake was not noted for its strong athletic teams, Mr. Monk did his share to try to bring up the reputation.
Some way, we found out that he was about 24 or 25 years old. In seminary William C. had told us Brigham Young said a man who was not married by the time he was 24 years old was a menace to society—so of course we girls ran right up to tell Mr. Monk he was a “menace to society”—and William C. had said so.
Mr. Monk played the piano—jazz—and he bounced as he played. We all loved to have him play.
From my diary February 3, 1935: Took ice cream over to Phoebe Bushmans. She did appreciate it. Helped her with her children.
Rosewell Willard
Another teacher who we all remember well was Rosewell Willard. He had the majority of the girls training as “pepperette”—and we did precision marching. Our uniforms were blue skirts, white turtleneck sweaters, white shoes and socks, and white gloves. The school was proud of that group and they marched well. They performed at all ball games.
From my diary February 5, 1935: Went to the pepperette practice. Very tired.
From an old autograph book 1933. A “freshie”. Dear Bessie: May you always find strength and courage to surmount life’s mountains and remember always that a smile helps you climb.” Sincerely, C.A. Merkley
J.R. Crandall
The story of my high school could not be complete without including J.R. Crandall. He was my encouragement and help. For years, after coming back to Snowflake after my marriage, I sang in his choir. He was so dependable. During the years my husband was a bishop we didn’t need to ever worry about the ward music. I was always a member of his Glee Club, and he never neglected having me do my share in singing solos in the ward. After his death in February 1960—I was never asked to sing in church. He was a dear friend, loyal and true.
“The Shepherd’s Dream”
For years we held Sunday School in the High School auditorium. Mr. Crandall selected the most outstanding students to play in a string orchestra for the preliminary music period. Always he had a special number at sacrament. One time he asked me to play “The Shepherd’s Dream” on my big baritone saxophone for the special number. I had practiced long and hard and I knew it well. Mayola was to accompany me. We played it over just before Sunday School started and I set the saxophone down until my part. The number was to be played during Sacrament. When it was time for me I took my saxophone, moistened the reed, and got into position. Mayola played the introduction then I began—but oh, what a terrible screech. I checked the keys, Mayola played the introduction again, and I began—another horrible screech emitted forth. Mr. Crandall was getting madder and madder—making faces at me, and generally flustering me. We tried the third time—only with the same results. I just couldn’t imagine what was wrong. By this time we had the audience in a mood not at all conducive to the sacrament. Suppressed smiles from the adults and “tittering and laughing” from the children. Mayola ended playing the “Shepherds Dream”—which was a nightmare for me alone. My face was red and I was near tears when Sunday School was over. To make matters worse, we had about 20-30 boys from Turley’s Dude Ranch (at Airpine) visiting Sunday School that day. And oh, I did so want to make a good impression. I made an impression that day, I’ll bet, that they never forgot.
After Mr. Crandall had time to check over the saxophone, he found that there was a key bent when I laid it down.
From diary February 7 th, 1935: Gold and Green ball. An elegant dance and a huge crowd present.
From diary February 10, 1934: All the wards in the Stake met for a huge music festival. I sang with the Hallelujah Chorus.
February 11, 1935—Valentines Party for my little Primary Class.
Editor of Senior Project: “History of Navajo County”
During my senior year I was editor of our senior booklet entitled “The History of Navajo County.”—see Navajo county first. The dedication page read “dedication—we the senior class of 1936—dedicate this book to the pioneers of Navajo County who saw in its valleys and mountains possibilities for development.” Varena Fish was assistant editor and stencil typist, and she and I did the most of the work. We worked many hours—long into the night. Others who assisted in the 50-page booklet were: Laura Hunt, typist; Maria Smith, mimeograph operator; Thelma Rogers, art editor; and Norma Crandall, Loraine Jennings, Luella Ballard, Eva Flake, Margaret Cooper, and Louise Willis.
Joseph Peterson our English teacher supervised the production and helped to correct all the manuscripts. The booklet concerned itself with the history of each of the communities in the county, the manufacturing and industry, natural resources, agriculture, schools, peoples, scenic phenomena.
From my diary 1935, January 9 th: Tried out for debating team. I will defend the affirmative.
January 30, 1934: Sang in school “Singing in the Rain”—Mr. Crandall is so encouraging.
January 31—Sang in school assembly “Whisper and I Shall Hear” and “Shadow March”.
February 1936: Made Valentines for my little primary class.
Pageant at the Sinks
For several years before my graduation Joseph Peterson, our English teacher, wrote and produced pageants for the senior class. The pageants were staged at the “Sinks”—about 10 to 15 miles west of town. The huge craters were cleaned up, trails made down the hillside—and seats made on one side for the spectators. When our class came along the pageants were becoming almost a legend and they were a popular event at the close of the school year.
I remember—after about 30 years—very little about our pageant. It was the story of “Beowulf” and was staged on the rocky hills of the Sinks. On the floor of the natural amphitheatre was the orchestra pit—and that is where I spent most of my time. Days that Bro. Crandall couldn’t come out for rehearsals—I led the orchestra. When Bro. Crandall came back to take over the baton, I remember how he used to say “don’t run away, don’t run away.” So, I suppose my hand-leading left much to be desired.
From Mother’s Journal
Thursday May 21, 1936
The senior class of the high school presented a pageant at the Pioneer Sinks—Thursday evening May 21 entitled “Beowulf”. Louise and Bessie both played in the orchestra (violin and saxophone). Bessie also had a singing part.
From My Diary
February 16, 1935
Helped mother clean house and cook. We entertained Apostle Stephen L. Richards at dinner.
February 20, 1936
Received word that Charles L. Fillerup died suddenly at Flagstaff.
February 26, 1936—Uncle J. Fish, Agnus, Uncle Ern came from S.L.C. Agnus plans to be married.
February 27, 1936
Charles Shumway and Johnny McCleve were killed between Snowflake and Holbrook.
Senior Project—See Navajo County First
1936
Every senior class had a project. Mostly the projects were literary projects directed by Brother Peterson—our English teacher. Our project was “See Navajo County First,” and I was the editor. Many of the class members helped with the articles, however, the bulk of the work was on my shoulders—Varena Fish and I did most of the typing.
Verena was assistant editor
Stencil typist was Verena Fish
Art Editor—Thelma Rogers
Mimeograph Operator—Maria Smith
Others who were reporters were: Rosalyn Miller, Casbourne Peterson, Herman Smith, Glenn Brown, Lue Dean Flake, Louise Rogers, Fern O. Shelley, Otho Fillerup, Rex Gilison, Joel Smith, Cecelia O. Perkins, Marion Smith, Myrna Pearce, Clare Shumway, Roscoe Denham, Kathyrn Sorsenson, June Pearce, Vera Hancock, Sue Carmen Jennings, Viola Ramsey, and Kenneth Peterson.
M.M. Gleaner Festival—1935 (From mother’s journal)
Great M.M. Gleaner Festival—600 young people attended. They staying in the homes of residents in town. Mayola gathered and was responsible for the silverware for the banquet. She borrowed and marked between 200-300 sets in Holbrook and the balance in Snowflake. House was covered with beds, one night there were 10 guests in the home besides the family.
I well remember the jumble of silverware after the banquet. Mayola had it all spread out on the front lawn to sort it. There was a crowd of young people to help.
From My Diary—February 28, 1936
Primary Convention
“Oh I am so full—we had our Primary Convention today. May Anderson, President of all the Primaries was here.”
1936—Mother’s Health Failing
During the early part of the year Mother had considerable amount of trouble, and had very poor health. The doctor diagnosed her trouble as “Fishers”—but it was vague. She carried on heroically with her duties as Stake Relief Society President and she never did neglect her family. The girls were required to do a little more in the home during this period—to help her out.
Graduation—1936 Friday May 22 nd
Our graduation was held in the Old Stake Church house. (from Mother’s journal) The girls received their diplomas Friday May 22. Bessie sang her contest song “Oh Let Night Speak of Me” at the Commencement exercises. Ned Armstrong (young missionary representing the Arizona Republic) took the girls to the Alumni Dance in the evening.
1936—May 17 th: Baccalaureate Sermon (From Mother’s Journal)
Baccalaureate Sermon was delivered to Louise and Bessie’s graduating class this evening at the Stake house. Fred A. Turley gave the address. Marion (Dad) offered the invocational prayer. So many commented on the prayer that I persuaded him to write it off as he remembered it.
Dad’s Prayer: A special Prayer (recorded in his biography p. 158)
Our Father in Heaven, we ask Thy blessings upon us this night. Bless those who take part in this program. Especially wilt Thou bless him who is to deliver the address to these boys and girls who have now reached a cross-roads in life. May the memory of this occasion be an inspiration to them in whatever field of endeavor they may choose to follow hereafter.
We pray that Thou wilt make them sufficient to their own occasions; to manage their own physical and spiritual affairs discretely.
Teach them to know that responsibilities gravitate to those who are able to shoulder them, and that power flows from those who know how to do things; that character consists mainly of two things; their mental attitude and the way they spend their time; that they can gain Thy Kingdom by keeping Thy Kingdom in their hearts and that they can reach Thee, our Heavenly Father, through love of and service to their fellowman.
Teach them to know that rest means rust, and that real life consists of love, laughter, and work; that the best way to prepare for good work tomorrow is to do good work today; and that the best preparation for life hereafter is to life today nobly and abundantly. Teach them to know and observe the rules of the game of life, that they may never proffer or accept cheap praise. Nevertheless wilt Thou make them good comrades with charity widening and brightening all the days of their lives. Help them to win, if win they may, and this we pray, O Father in Heaven, that if they may not win, wilt Thou make them at least good losers. And may they carry their cups of joy brimming full, yet unspilled to the very last. We humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
June 5, 1936
Safford to M. Men Gleaner Festival—Ned Armstrong with Girls
From My Diary: March 2, 1936—Mother and Dad went to Mesa for a temple excursion. Roscoe took the milk route. He does pretty well.