PIEDMONT SCHOOL
Piedmont OK
With particular attention to RUTH ROBERTS, HAROLD COLLETT & THELMA RATCLIFF

Back to the main page (Piedmont Rount-Up Club), if you wish

The 1920s
The 1930s
The 1940s
The Wedding and the big community reception
The 1948 Wildcat [PHS Yearbook]

Collet.Ruth.in.W48.jpg (28515 bytes)
Dedication in 1948 Wildcat

This is a chronology of peoples and events, with some historical images, created for the occasion of Ruth Roberts' 90th birthday, celebrated 2001 July 14 at the Epworth Villa near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The page opens with a few birthday greetings from some members of this electronic "Round-Up Club" [ID].

From: PEDDICORD@aol.com
Date: Sat, 7 Jul 2001 14:39:10 EDT
Subject: Ruth Roberts Collett's 90th birthday

Dear Mrs. Collett:

Isn't it amazing how we can send greetings these days. Little did we know in the early 40's as we sat in your little 1st and 2nd grade class room that we would be sending you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY greeting over a computer in the early 2000's.

They all say that your first grade teacher is the most important teacher you will ever have. They sure hit the nail on the head there. You have always been my favorite teacher. Thank you for getting me started in school and, yes, you were a good Sunday school teacher also. So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY and thank you for being a very SPECIAL person in my life.

Sincerely,

Hugh Peddicord

* * * * * * * * * * *

From: SUPERGRAM181@aol.com
Date: Sat, 7 Jul 2001 12:24:00 EDT
Subject: Ruth Roberts Collett

Dear Miss Roberts: (you will always be Miss Roberts to me)

While it is nearly impossible to adequately describe your influences and teachings to all of us who gratefully acknowledge your birthday, I will begin by saying that I thank you for your classroom expertise, but even more importantly for your lessons on how to love, encourage and serve others.

These examples you set were vividly displayed, at least in my memory, in your loving care of one of my first grade female classmates who, in today's world would be labeled as one with "special needs". You taught me that to be different is human, that special needs of other's demand patience and understanding, and love and support is our best gift to them and mankind in general.

Your legacy is alive and is being expressed through current generations and many more to follow.

May God continue to bless and keep you.

Fondly,

Dolores Enterline Ratcliff

* * * * * * * * * * *

From: "jggill" jggill@msn.com
Date: Sat, 7 Jul 2001 20:37:21 -0700

Dear Miss Roberts/Mrs Collett/Ms Ruth....

I am in the first grade and they have just bombed Pearl Harbor. The year of course is 1941....you got me thru the first year and I fell in love with all the great stories you used to read to us...."The Little Engine that Could" was one of my favorites. A greater highlight (for me) was the day I was selected to be "Wrap Monitor", which may have been very well one of my first assigned responsibilities. And that year during the Easter Egg hunt I found the prize goose egg that you hid in the pasture south of the schoolhouse. I still have my report card that you signed for my first and second grade.

A few years later you and Harold "babysit" Stanley and me out on the 10 acres while Eson and Virg went on a trip to Chicago. These are just a few of my many fond memories of school and the great headstart you so ably provided me in learning to read. I wish I could be there to tell you in person.

Sincerely,

Gene Gill

* * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Miss Roberts (you will allow me to address you this way, I hope):

Greetings and congratulations on the occasion of your 90th birthday. I’ve told the story a thousand times of our meeting at the Epworth Villa last December during the party for my Aunt Joy Richards (nee Fry). I recognized you immediately and, it seemed, you recognized me even more quickly, though I was in your class only a half year, in the fall and winter of 1945/1946. I was flattered you remembered me since I was only a red bird, not a blue bird, among those whom you taught that fall to read (I think I have this right).

Enjoy your day. While I am glad to be with you electronically this day, I wish I could be there in person. I ask you, is the internet possibly a modern version of that chain I wished I could wrap around PHS to drag you up to Wichita as we moved away from Piedmont in February, 1946? Here we are, linked at last. I hope this webpage can stand for many shouts of "here" when you call the roll.

Alan Kimball (son of Leslie Glen Kimball and Marjorie [Fry] Kimball)

* * * * * * * * * * *

Greetings were posted to this website from Irene Wessel Enterline who is a peer of Ruth Roberts Collett and a classmate of Harold Collett. She is also celebrating her 90th this year and wrote the following, which serves as a transition from the current birthday greetings to some historical moments =

Ruth's father was pastor of the Piedmont Methodist Church and Ruth's mother, who was very special to her, organized the first "Women's Society" which met in the parsonage behind the church. Some of the members were =

Addie Gossett
Ella Whelan
Daisy Ratcliff
Vivian Eades
Laura Kimball
Atha Fry Snyder
Ina Simpson Snyder
Hattie Simpson Every
Daisy Simpson
Cora Crossfield
Mrs. Jennings and
Mrs. Snyder... and, of course,
Irene Wessel Enterline (elected chairperson)

 

With that reference to the past, let's look at some moments in the history of Piedmont High School, with special attention to Ruth Roberts Collett, Harold Collett and Thelma Ratcliff.


<>1921de31:Piedmont High School [>PHS] construction, 9-room brick building, ½ m.north of old school| School built outside of town, so Canadian Co. had to pay. City kids (e.g., Dunbar, Bass, Baker, Whalen) now had to walk further [CH1:139

<>1923sp:PHS graduated Stout,Bill and Cline,Opal at the end of its 1st year of operation

<>1929my:PHS 1st annual commencement, graduating the first crop of 8th graders who had been in school there from the beginning

Back to the top, if you wish


<>1932au24:Piedmont Times| PHS teachers announced [KSB:93]

Simpson,Boyd was superintendent
Eshelman,Charles ("Chil") was principal
   Other teachers =
Fair,Verdi (later Mrs McCallon,Wade)
Every,Sarah (later Mrs Brown,Addison)
Todd,Geneiva
Collett,Harold (5th/6th grades)
Snyder,Louise (later Mrs Guern,Robert)
   Bus drivers =
Stieferman,John
Fry,Otis
Polk,John
Howe,Quimby
Wessell,Fred
McGranahan,Guy
   School board =
Every,Phil
Eades,Steward
Dickerson,A.B.

The paper announced that Ratcliff,Thelma would teach at Pocassett the coming year, and that Ratcliff,Marjorie (later Mrs Howard Washecheck of Yukon) visited her aunt and uncle Mr and Mrs Morris Ratcliff at Chickasha

Mrs Orin Long will teach at Pleasant Hill the coming year.

Thomason,Floyd was Baptist Church Sunday School superintendent and reported 43 present at the au20 service, with $1.73 gathered in the collection plate.

   Market prices =
wheat 68 cents/bushel
oats 30 cents/bushel
cream 15 cents/pound
eggs 10 cents/dozen
light hens 5 cents per hen
heavy hens 7 cents per hen

<>1932se15:PHS building sported many improvements this fall: a new wall fountain and a locker for clothes. Enrollment broke all records [KSB:19v]

Simpson,Boyd (superintendent)
Shelman,Charles E (principal)
   Teachers =
Haight (Miss)
Snyder,Louise (Miss), 7th/8th grades
Collett,Harold, 5th/6th (1st teaching year at PHS)
Todd,Genevieve (Miss) 3rd/4th
Fain,Verdi (Miss) 1st/2nd
Hall,Ben [?? Hall,BW of Frisco?] replaced
Harrison,Barney as Janitor


<>1932se16:OK.P| PHS teachers given a Friday-night reception in the school auditorium, sponsored by PTA [KSB:19v]

Of the 13 seniors who graduated the previous spring, five were going to Central State Teachers College at Edmond:

Sammer,Margaret (Miss) (valdictorian)
Fry,Dais (Miss) [sic! for Dorris?]
Dickerson,Helen (Miss)
Carnett,Josephine (Miss)
Gillmore,Miriam (Miss)

Stout,Alvin (also class of 1932) returned for "post graduate course" at PHS

Paine,Clara (Miss) was also planning to take one subject in the afternoon

Basey,Otha (a star basketball player) quit PHS

Other news: Palmer,Orin was a candidate for County Commissioner, 1st district, and Harrison,John was candidate for County Sheriff. "Both have opponents who will be hard to beat."

<>1933:1934; PHS Men's basketball team =


<>1934au:PHS year opened with new teacher, Miss Ruth Roberts


<>1939au04:CANADA Quebec | Boyd H. Simpson, 34-year-old PHS superintendent, was killed in an automobile crash.


<>1939au19:PHS changes as result of Simpson,Boyd death [KSB:80]

Collett,Harold elected superintendent
McCallon,Verdi Fain principal (replaced Collett)
   Other faculty (making total N=8)=
Morris,CA
Fraim,Alma
Kennedy,Ada
Dickerson,Elizabeth
Brown,Mildred
Roberts,Ruth

Back to the top, if you wish


<>1942au:PHS opened school year [KSB:35] with
15 seniors
18 juniors
14 sophomores
13 freshmen
35 7th/8th
19 5th/6th
19 3rd/4th
28 1st/2nd
161 TOTAL

   Staff:
Fleming,Fred (superintendent) history and science
McCallon,Verdi (principal) math & home economics
Hooper,Grace (Miss) commercial arts
Beck,Roland (Mrs) English and speech
Towler,Ruth 7th/8th
Ivy,Lorraine (Miss) 5th/6th
Kennedy,Eunice Ruth 3rd/4th
Roberts,Ruth (Miss) 1st/2nd


<>1943:PHS remodeled to include indoor restrooms and locker rooms w/showers


<>1947my18:PHS 25th annual commencement [KSB:139a]
Commencement flyer, pages one, two, three, and four

Somewhere in these years, a reception for PHS teachers was reported in the El Reno Tribune [KSB:76v]

"More than 200 persons attended the reception at the schoolhouse Monday night given by the P.T.A. to honor the teachers.

"For entertainment the P.T.A. members presented a two-act play, with Mrs. Alvin Stout in the leading role. The scene was an old-time schoolroom with students dressed as they were in 1890." Members in the cast:

   Teacher:
Stout,Alvin Mrs
   Primary class:
Preston,L.A. Mrs
Peddicord,Clyde
Wildemann,Malvin Mrs.
Taylor,Ranold Mrs
Barton,Roberta Mrs
Dunbar,Moyer Mrs
   Grade students:
Piatt,Paul
Piatt,Paul Mrs
Ratcliff,Harold
Ratcliff,Harold Mrs
Dunbar,Moyer
Taylor,Ranold
Ratcliff,Howard Mrs
Stout,Alvin
Felix,Bob Reverend
Field,Francis Mrs
Washecheck,John Mrs
Garten,Roy Mrs
Lunnon,Carl Mrs
Jech,Ernest
Jech,Ernest Mrs
Wolfkill,Leonard Mrs
   School Board
Wolfkill,Leonard
Washecheck,John
Fields,Francis

"Mrs. Peddicord played the organ as the cast sang ‘The Old Oaken Bucket,’ ‘The Church in the Wildwood’ and ‘America.’

"The serving table was covered with a lace cloth. A centerpiece of mixed garden flowers and a crystal punch service completed the decorations."

Back to the top, if you wish


<>1948my:PHS 26th annual commencement. The yearbook was dedicated "To Ruth Roberts whose unfaltering efforts have been a basis for Piedmont High School for the past fourteen years we wish to express our thanks. [|] In gratitude we dedicate the annual to a patient, understanding teacher, Miss Ruth Roberts."

W48 list of students at Piedmont High School
N=132 

Name

1st/2nd grade

Source

Allison,Irma Jean 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Almon,Bill 1940/41 W48 list of Freshmen
Almon,Dolphus 1943/44 W48 list of 5th/6th graders
Almon,Vernon 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Avery,Rex 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Ballard,Howard 1940/41 W48 list of Freshmen
Ballard,Orianna 1939/40 W48 list of Sophomores
Barton,Ruth Lea 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Beckner,Florene 1938/39 W48 list of Juniors
Bennett,Darrell 1938/39 W48 list of Juniors
Biggs,George 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Biggs,Jean 1943/44 W48 list of 5th/6th graders
Biggs,Myrtle Ann 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Brew,Rose Ellen 1937/38 W48 list of Seniors
Childers,Gene 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Childers,Lois Ann 1943/44 W48 list of 5th/6th graders
Clayton,Calvin 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Clayton,Jacky 1943/44 W48 list of 5th/6th graders
Clayton,Rosalea 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Cole,Della 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Cole,Madean 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Cole,Richard 1943/44 W48 list of 5th/6th graders
Cole,Willene 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Collins,Albert 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Collins,Alberta 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Collins,Barbara Sue 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Collins,Betty 1938/39 W48 list of Juniors
Collins,Marie 1939/40 W48 list of Sophomores
Collins,Wanda 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Cotton,June 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Crawford,Claretta 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Dannehl,George 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Dickerson,Jerry 1943/44 W48 list of 5th/6th graders
Dickerson,Kenneth 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Dickerson,Thelma 1940/41 W48 list of Freshmen
Dillon,Robert 1940/41 W48 list of Freshmen
Dunbar,Freddy 1943/44 W48 list of 5th/6th graders
Dunbar,Roxy 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Eades,Doris Marie 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Elder,June 1938/39 W48 list of Juniors
Elder,LeRoy 1939/40 W48 list of Sophomores
Elder,Ray 1938/39 W48 list of Juniors
Enterline,Barbara 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Enterline,Dolores 1939/40 W48 list of Sophomores
Enterline,Nelda 1939/40 W48 list of Sophomores
Every,Roberta 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Fields,Jacquelyn 1943/44 W48 list of 5th/6th graders
Fields,Judy 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Fields,Kenneth 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Fowler,Reta 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Fowler,Ronnie 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Fry ,Joy 1937/38 W48 list of Seniors
Fry,Willa 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Garton ,Barbara 1937/38 W48 list of Seniors
Garton,Mary Lea 1943/44 W48 list of 5th/6th graders
Gaubert,Elaine 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Gill,Gene 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Gill,Stanley 1938/39 W48 list of Juniors
Gleichmann,Tommy 1943/44 W48 list of 5th/6th graders
Godman,Barbara 1937/38 W48 list of Seniors
Godman,Ronald 1939/40 W48 list of Sophomores
Godman,Roy 1939/40 W48 list of Sophomores
Huebner,Robert 1939/40 W48 list of Sophomores
Jacobs,Dolores 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Jacobs,Dorothy 1943/44 W48 list of 5th/6th graders
Jech,JoAnn 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Jones,Joan 1940/41 W48 list of Freshmen
Knight,Bill Sam 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Knight,Carol Ann 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Know,Beverly 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Krober,LaVon 1940/41 W48 list of Freshmen
Lunon,Carl 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Luschen,Laveta 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Luschen,Lonnie 1939/40 W48 list of Sophomores
Luschen,Loren 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Luschen,Loreta 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Martin,Albert 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
McGuire,Mac 1940/41 W48 list of Freshmen
McLane,Anna Mae 1943/44 W48 list of 5th/6th graders
McLane,Glen 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
McLane,Leon 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Moffat,Allen 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Moffat,Dorothy 1937/38 W48 list of Seniors
Mosier,Richard 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Musgrove,Carl 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Nice,Billie Mae 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Nice,Margaret 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Peddicord,Hugh 1943/44 W48 list of 5th/6th graders
Phillips,Carol 1943/44 W48 list of 5th/6th graders
Phillips,Jimmy 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Phillips,Juanita 1940/41 W48 list of Freshmen
Piatt,Hugh 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Preston,Larry 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Pride,Charles 1938/39 W48 list of Juniors
Pride,Marie 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Pruett,Rita 1940/41 W48 list of Freshmen
Ratcliff,Douglas 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Ratcliff,Glen 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Ratcliff,Roy 1938/39 W48 list of Juniors
Reed,Martha 1938/39 W48 list of Juniors
Robinson,Jean 1940/41 W48 list of Freshmen
Robinson,Martha 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Robinson,Marvin 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Robinson,Pearl 1938/39 W48 list of Juniors
Shepherd,Eldon 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Shepherd,Frank 1943/44 W48 list of 5th/6th graders
Shepherd,Lloyd 1937/38 W48 list of Seniors
Shepherd,Walter Ray 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Simpson,Gooder 1938/39 W48 list of Juniors
Smith,Bill 1939/40 W48 list of Sophomores
Smith,Mary 1943/44 W48 list of 5th/6th graders
Stout,Patsy 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Stout,Sandra Sue 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Stover,Anita 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Taylor,Joan 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Taylor,Ralph 1943/44 W48 list of 5th/6th graders
Treece,Ada 1937/38 W48 list of Seniors
Treece,Lynn 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Ussary,Norma Dell 1939/40 W48 list of Sophomores
Washcheck,Royce 1938/39 W48 list of Juniors
Washecheck,Joy 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Wayne Phillips 1943/44 W48 list of 5th/6th graders
Whelan,Joi Del 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Wiedemann,Alberta 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Wiedemann,Beverly 1941/42 W48 list of 7th/8th graders
Wiedemann,Boyd 1945/46 W48 list of 3rd/4th graders
Wiedemann,Karen 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Wiedemann,Leslie 1939/40 W48 list of Sophomores
Wiedemann,Mary Francis 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Wiedemann,Patsy 1947/48 W48 list of 1st/2nd graders
Wilson,Rita Ann 1943/44 W48 list of 5th/6th graders
Yowell,Verlyn 1940/41 W48 list of Freshmen

The two Dunbar children in the table above were the last of four Dunbar children to get their education at PHS (examples of later academic appointments in parenthesis):
Maurice (DeAnza College CA)
Barbara (1987:China, Beijin University)
Freddie (ElReno Junior College)
Roxie (Hayward State University)

"They all owe their inspiration for education to teachers such as Harold Collett and Thelma Ratcliff formerly of Piedmont High School" [?CH1?]

W48 included a page of special thanks to Thelma Ratcliff: "For the past four years, Thelma Ratcliff has aided in the strengthening of Piedmont High School. Her teaching ability and interest in the students have helped each of us immensely. She has devoted a great deal of her time to the publishing of this annual. For these reasons we wish to express our thanks. The Student Body"

 

<>1948sp:OK.P| PHS speech and drama accomplishments featured in newspaper article [KSB:116v-117] Photo of "speech class":
Ratcliff,Roy
Pride,Charles
Gill,Stanley
Simpson,Gooder
Washecheck,Royce
Darrell Bennett
Fry,Joy
Ratcliff,Thelma (teacher)
Robinson,Pearl
Elder,Ray
Some examples extended attention in article =
Fry,Joy: "Five plays, won first in girl’s extemporaneous speaking at Edmond, won first in discussion contest at Edmond, won second in the state in girls’ extemporaneous speaking, won first place with a superior rating in speech at state."

Thelma Ratcliff, teacher: "Orchids to this excellent teacher who helped many students in the past 5 years to find their talent. Always calm and with her patient manner aided many backward students find their ability to speak. Thelma deserves much praise for her splendid work here."

<>1948my27:El Reno American| PIEDMONT NEWS by Mrs. Moyer Dunbar: "Argus Dickerson Honored" at a Central State College award assembly in Edmond OK. A trophy with her name engraved for "The Most Outstanding Shakespeare Girl of the Year", "The Music Award for the Year", and a certificate signifying Miss Dickerson as the "Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities" [KSB:76v]


<>1948oc11:PHS news [KSB:118]

Back to the top, if you wish


<>1948de25:PHS teachers Harold Collett and Ruth Roberts married at 10:00 am Christmas morning in the First Methodist Church of Piedmont, Reverent Robert Felix officiating. "The bride wore a navy blue suit with matching accessories and a corsage of white orchids. Only immediate members of the families attended the ceremony." ["PIEDMONT ITEMS" by Mrs. Moyer Dunbar; KSB:60v, 61, and 61v]

<>1949mr05:Piedmont Times [??] "City Fetes Piedmont Newlyweds" by Mark Sarchet [KSB:60v-61] "The wedding reception was a shade late — what with snow, ice, mud and the German measles — but Mrs. and Mrs. Harold Collett knew Saturday they are the No. 1 couple in this Canadian county community.

"When Miss Ruth Roberts came to Piedmont 15 years ago to teach the primary grade, the superintendent of schools, Harold Collett, took it on himself to squire her around to box suppers, socials and other events.

"As time passed, Collett continued his pleasant duty of squiring. Then came World war II and Collett left to spend four years in the army. He returned two years ago and resumed his teaching and squiring duties.

"Christmas morning, Miss Roberts and Collett were married. All of Piedmont approved as two of the community’s favorite people ‘stood up’ in church and were wed. A party was planned.

"Then the winter storms set in. Ice, snow, rain and mud forced postponement of the reception. When the weather broke, the German measles broke out among the younger set.

"But Friday night, the community finally held the reception in the highschool auditorium. More than 400 persons of all ages packed the hall. It took a table four feet wide and 20 feet long to hold the presents, and even then a lot spilled out on the floor.

"Miss Thelma Ratcliff, high school principal; Mrs. Alvin Stout, Mrs. Clyde Peddicord and Mrs. Gordon Bennett, the committee in charge, made punch in 20-gallon cream cans. They cut cake for hours.

"They called the roll of primary classes taught by the bride and children from 6 years of age to college sophomores jumped up and yelled ‘here.’

Donna Kay Biggs, 6, primary pupil
answers "here" to the roll call
of Mrs. Collett’s class

 

Bob Every, a sophomore at Oklahoma A&M
answers the roll call
from Mrs. Collett’s first class in 1934

"There was singing, talking, joking and just plain visiting.

"Collett is a Piedmont product. He attended grade and highschool here. After attending Central state college at Edmond, Oklahoma A&M college and the University of Oklahoma, he returned to Piedmont 17 years ago and has been in the school system since.

"‘This is home,’ Collett said Friday night. ‘I like Piedmont and I like the people who live here.’

"After that reception, there is no doubt in Collett’s mind how Piedmont feels about him and his bride."

Back to the top, if you wish

<>1949:1950; PHS Women's basketball team =


<>1949my:OK.P| PHS 27th annual commencement and Senior trip [KSB:111v]

Six members of the graduating class planned to continue their studies next autumn [KSB:76v]:
Ratcliff,Roy (El Reno Junior College)
Simpson,Gooder (El Reno Junior College)
Bennett,Darrell (Oklahoma A&M College in Stillwater)
Gill,Stanley (Oklahoma A&M College in Stillwater)
Washecheck,Royce (Hill’s Business University in Ok.City)
Pride,Charles (Draughon’s Business College in Ok.City)

Back to the top, if you wish


<>1949au18:PHS teachers announced [KSB:113] =
Collett,Harold superintendent & social sciences teacher
Ratcliff,Thelma principal & English and speech teacher
Goggin,John mathematics & athletic coach
Yoesting,Marie (Miss) commerce & 3rd/4th grades
Knight,Clara (Mrs) music & 5th/6th grades
Hunt,Paul (Mrs) history & 7th/8th grades
Collett,Harold (Mrs) 1st/2nd grades
Pearson,Jess will be the building custodian


<>1951my22:PHS 29th annual commencement [KSB:91v] Mrs. Moyer Dunbar described the event in The El Reno (Oklahoma) American [1951my31]: "The stage was beautifully decorated with baskets of red roses and ferns."

PHS seniors left for a three-day trip to various parts of Texas. Those who went were Rita Pruett, Ruth Beaty and Verlyn Yowell. They were accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Collett.

 

 

<>2002mr25:Daily Oklahoman = Thelma Ratcliff's obituary|

Thelma Rose Ratcliff, age 98, died Saturday, March 23, 2002, in Yukon, OK. She was born December 20, 1903, in Piedmont, OK to Miles and Daisy (Kimball) Ratcliff.

1918c:IL Hillsboro newspaper photo of four generations =
Daisy Ratcliff [not "Radcliff"] stands,
Her mother, Emma Jeanette Kimball, sits beside her mother, Tirza Blackwood,
and Daisy's daughter Thelma [not "Velma"] Ratcliff sits in front
Tirza Emma Daisy Thelma

A lifelong resident and educator of Yukon, her maternal grandparents moved to Oklahoma in 1890. Her grandfather made the run in 1889. [CF=RtcTR.fmy.hst] She attended Mathewson Rural School of Canadian County, was eighth grade Valedictorian of Canadian County in 1919, and graduated from Piedmont High School in 1923 as Valedictorian, She then received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Central State College in 1933 with majors in government and history. Graduate work was also done in Speech and English, Other colleges she attended were University of Oklahoma, University of California and University of Colorado. The highlight of her graduate work was when she played "Aunt Eller" in "Green Grow the Lilacs" in the All University Play at the University of Colorado and was elected a member of the University Players.

Thelma served as secretary, treasurer, vice-president and president of Canadian County Teachers Association and was chairman of the English-Speech Section of South Central District Meeting of the O.E.A. She had the honor of being a speaker of the Delta Kappa Gamma State Convention for three years, was selected as Yukon's Teacher of the Year by the Masonlc Lodge and was Canadian County "Teacher of the Year" in 1964.

Considered one of the best educators in Yukon School History, she had numerous winning students in state speech and debate contests and had winning student writers each year with published writings in the Oklahoma High School Anthology. Her teaching experience was in intermediate grades and girls' basketball coach at Union City In 1925; Grades 7 and 8, basketball coach and 4-H sponsor at Meridian, His-Government and Speech at Crescent; History, English, Speech and music at Pocasset; High School Principal, History, English, Speech, music and 4-H sponsor at Ninnekah; taught In Kiowa, KS in 1944; was the Piedmont High School Principal, where she also taught English and Speech for 6 years and then at Yukon High School, where she taught English, Speech and was Student Council Sponsor from 1955 until retirement.

Thelma was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Yukon. She started teaching Sunday School at the age of 15; was a member of the official board of Methodist Church and Commission of Education; served on financial committee during building of new church; member of church choir, worked with M.Y.F. and served as Junior Pastor for one year at Crescent. She was a member of the National Education Association, Oklahoma Education Association, Canadian County Teachers Association, where she served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President and President and Delta Kappa Gamma where she served as President of Theta Chapter in 1953.

She is survived by one sister, Marjorie A. Washecheck and nieces and nephews: Douglas & Shirley Ratcliff, Linda Kay Kalka, Glen & Gloria Ratcliff, Delores Ratcliff, Paul & Linda Washecheck, Sue Stewart, Scott Washecheck, Don & Judy Washecheck and 21 grand nieces & nephews. Two brothers, Harold & Howard and nephew, Roy, preceded her in death.

Memorial donations may be made to the Yukon Public School Foundation For Excellence, P.O. Box 850295, Yukon, OK 73085. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 26,2002, at the First United Methodist Church, Yukon, OK, with Interment following at the Mathewson Cemetery, Piedmont, OK.

YANDA & SON FUNERAL HOME
Yukon, OK 350-7101

<>2004jy20:Jackie Gene Gill emailed names on Thelma Ratcliff memorial plaque at OK.P Historical Museum =

Carol Ann Knight Brown
Delbert Catron
Kenneth Dickerson
Maurice Dunbar,
Rex Every
Gene Gill
Johnnie Kimball
Rita Pruett Martin
Patsy Stout Moffat
Joyce C. Peddicord
Douglas Ratcliff
Roy Allen Ratcliff
Dr. David W. Simpson
Raymond Stover
Shirley Fry Wells
Darrell Bennett
Roberta Every Carter
Barbara Dunbar-McNary
Roy E. Enterline
Rita Wilson Every
J. Stanley Gill
Russell Kimball
Beverly Widdemann Miller
Carl Musgrove
Ruth G. Peddicord
Glen Ratcliff
Harold (Tub) Ratcliff
Shirley Ratcliff,
Darlene Stover
Betty Jean Burkhead Tharp
Howard Burkhead
Jerry Dickerson
Dr. Fred Dunbar
Dorotha Knox Every
Willa Fry
Linda Ratcliff Kalka
Floyd C. Knight
Allen Moffat
Hugh K. Peddicord
Raymond Pruett
Gloria Ratcliff
Irene Ratcliff
Joy Fry Richards
Jean Little Stover
Norma Snyder Vandergriff

Back to the top, if you wish
Back to the main page, if you wish