As the MRHS Class of 1957 prepares for its 50th reunion, I think it's appropriate that we take a look at the year l957 to see  what was going on in the country as well as in and  around McCune.  Those 57 graduates were a happy bunch knowing that  high school was a thing of the past, but if the truth were known,  were somewhat apprehensive about  what the future would hold.  Please join us at the Alumni meeting Sept 22 and we'll give you a rundown on how things turned out for the class of 57.

One of the best things about 1957, as compared to 2007, was that our country was not at war.  WW II and the Korean Conflict were being chronicled in the history books and  the  men and women from McCune who served so selflessly were settling into their careers and contributing to the baby boom generation.( which will soon be drawing social security)   In doing some research, I've found that there were some true heroes from McCune, but that's a story for another time. Yes, there was the draft that the boys had to face and for some that turned out to be  a good thing. We had a Kansan in the White House who seemed to be well liked and someone you could trust. I don't recall any scandals with Ike as President although maybe some things were never reported.  Also on the national scene, a Kansan was appointed to the Supreme Court.  For you trivia buffs, his name was Charles Whittaker and he served from l957 to l962 when ill health forced him to retire.

To me, McCune living was exciting. There were three grocery stores and three gas stations to choose from. A lot of socializing was done at the Harold Jones' station while paying for your dollars's worth of gas or just hanging out. The elevator, as it is today, was a busy place, especially at harvest time. The line(tractors and trailers as well as trucks) to get your wheat weighed and dumped was often long, sometimes all the way down main and also down the street by where the park is. It was neat to socialize with your fellow haulers, although sometimes there would be a conflict between those entering from  the park side and those coming down main. That might be a problem today with the Kansas Concealed Gun Law. 

One thing that has not changed is the weather. The Spring  and early Summer of 57 was extremely rainy just like this year has been.  I don't think it had the late freeze like this year and I think the wheat crop was good. The new school gym was being constructed and I know the rainy weather was a problem. You could get a good haircut in town and  do some nice socializing at the same time. You could also get your car worked on, as you can today, and get a great meal at Art's Café while you waited or visit the variety store. It was always with great anticipation that we watched for the new Chevolets to be introduced at Loyd Tridle's  Dealership. That 57 Chevy is certainly a collector's item today. Lyle's pool hall or the corner drug store were neat places to meet while you decided whether your big night out would be going to Pittsburg or Parsons with a bunch of guys, or if you were lucky, taking your date to the picture show.  After the evening was over, we often met on main street to discuss the escapades of the night. The first liar never had a chance. Life was good.

When we walk through life, some people touch your life in a special way to help you achieve a goal that you thought was impossible. I was fortunate to be blessed with a special teacher that cared enough to help me go to nursing school. That teacher was Mr. James Comer.

When I was a sophomore in high school at McCune, Mr. Comer asked me to take an aptitude test, and I agreed to it. The test results came back, and Mr. Comer said, " you are not going to be a secretary or bookkeeper." I was totally relieved because that was not appealing to me. ( Secretarial work or bookkeeping sounded boring to me.)

My test results were high in science, so, with Mr. Comer's help, I began planning for a future in nursing. Mr. Comer obtained a list of nursing schools and how they ranked in the National League of Nursing in the State of Kansas. The higher the rating for a school meant the higher percentage of that school's students passed State Boards.

Kay Han and I applied to four nursing schools that were in the top ten on the list. Mr. Comer began to coach us on what science courses we needed to take to better ourselves for training. On our extra study hour, Mr. Comer would arrange it so we could study and review anatomy and microbiology. Kay and I took chemistry and general science.

On Tuesday, after our graduation, I received two letters of acceptance from two different schools, with grants, to pay for my schooling. I know Mr. comer provided the reference letters, sent our transcripts, and any other paper work needed for completion of this process. I chose to go to the school that was rated fifth in the state of Kansas.

Mr. Comer went above and beyond the call of duty to help us. He could have enjoyed his free time doing something other than helping Kay and me. For that I will always be grateful for his help, and I know Kay felt the same way.

Mr. Comer was the type of teacher that would not accept mediocre work. If you got a good grade in his class, you knew you earned it. He never expected more than he felt you could give. He was fair with students if he thought they were doing their best.

I am sure Mr. Comer could have taught in a large school, and made more money with his credentials, but McCune was home for him and his family. He was always at the home ball games and at other activities. He enjoyed music and played a trumpet in a band during the week and on week ends. Mr. Comer had a good sense of humor, and we had good laughs outside of his classroom in Drivers Ed., especially when someone was trying to parallel park.

Many people did not like his bluntness and tough exterior. But, underneath all that he was a "teddy bear" with caring and compassion for others. It was through his guidance and support that I was able to accomplish my dream. I retired from nursing after 45 years and enjoyed being a nurse. I am so thankful I had the privilege of having a teacher like Mr. Comer.