HISTORY OF ZEPHYRHILLS HIGH SCHOOL

Highlights of 1972

ZHS Graduates 124, Gives Deserving Seniors Awards, Zephyrhills News, June 15, 1972

The threat of early evening rain failed to materialize and commencement at Zephyrhills High School proceeded on schedule Friday night as 124 seniors—the most ever graduated at ZHS in one class—were awarded their diplomas. Although the evening was humid as a result of the oppressive skies, hearts were light inside the spacious ZHS gymnasium where the class entered to the strains of “March of the Priests” as played on the organ by Ray McLellan. Bruce Vogel and Carl Hall led the processional. School Board Member for District 2, P.H. Murphy presented the diplomas as Principal Raymond B. Stewart called out the names of the seniors.

Last year’s class of 108 members was the previous “largest” for the ever-growing Zephyrhills school. The invocation opening the service was by the Reverend Millard Mount and The Reverend Charles Roesel gave the benediction. “Pomp and Circumstance” was the recessional and Marcia Chancey and Karen Larson Harrelson led the march out of the gym.

County Superintendent of Schools Chester W. Taylor Jr. presented awards for individual achievement within the class, but before handing them out, paused to give high words of praise to all of the graduates.

He noted that Zephyrhills High School seldom has an average year, and that the 1972 class was again outstanding. He observed that the school’s DCT program had been judged best in the state; and it’s FFA Program third in the state. “In addition, the seniors ranked exceptionally well on the statewide 12th grade tests,” he said.

The county schools head presented the special awards as follows: Bruce Vogel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Vogel, Valedictorian; Eric Huber, son of Mrs. Max Huber, Salutatorian; Vogel and Miss Anne Vincent, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Vincent, citizenship; James Giles, son of Benjamin Giles, athletics; Joan McLellan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert McLellan, and Joe Nations, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Nations, activities; Joni Palmer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin R. Palmer, and Don Robinson Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Don Robinson, best all-around.

Also Jean Reffit, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Reffit and Mike Padgett, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Padgett, most school spirit; and Judy Alston, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Petty Alston, early admissions award and special recognition for a straight-A grade average while taking her senior year at Santa Fe Junior College in Gainesville.

Principal Stewart recognized students who had earned scholarships, and their donors including Wanda Kraus, Beta Club; Cathy Ashmore, Karen Boyette, Mary Alice Holt, Wanda Kraus, Diane Tyre and Tammy Doerr, Student Council; Melissa Johnson and Wanda Kraus, Delta Kappa Gamma; Barry Fiske, Florida Southern College; Glenn Smith, St. Leo College; Carolyn McLeod, Patricia Stevens Modeling School and Diane Tyre, Maine Club.

Salutatorian Speaks

Using “School, Responsibility To Us All” as his topic, Salutatorian Eric Huber said in part:

“As salutatorian this year’ I’ve been asked to give a talk on a topic of my own choosing…but tonight I wish to differ a little and get to the subject of responsibility. We have felt that we all have had certain responsibilities in our past. Most of these being to our families and friends. We all learn to accept responsibility as we grow older, some more readily than others. As we reach adult hood and where you have been adults for some time now, we tend to keep our areas of responsibilities the same. You now have y our own homes and families and feel that this is really all that is important.

“The point I am trying to reach is one that has bothered me a lot in the past two years or so and I’m sure has been of concern to many of you here tonight. That is the quality of education at Zephyrhills High School. I have been in these present buildings for six years, attending both junior and senior high, so I feel somewhat qualified to speak on the subject.

“ZHS has been and will continue to grow at a rapid pace. This growth has almost been unilaterally in numbers of students and not in that ability of the school to cope with them. They tried bringing in portable classrooms until the campus looked like a trailer park, and it still came nowhere close to resolving the crowded conditions. The powers that be even decided to take away a couple of those classrooms because some other school was in greater need of them. It seems for some reason ZHS is always the last in line as far as funds for building are concerned. The fact is that Zephyrhills needs a new school. Many of its buildings and facilities are antiquated. We cannot allow the quality of education to be lowered because of the whims of certain people.

“Please don’t get me wrong. I am proud of ZHS but I would like for future graduating classes to be able to say the same thing. That is why I wouldn’t want to see it disaccredited. Many times bond issues have come up in this town and they have been voted down. The majority voting against it said they had no children in school—why should they support it?

“Well, some of the parents here tonight are seeing the last of their children graduating and the seniors won’t have children in school for some years yet, but the responsibility is still ours, all of us. All in this community and nation to maintain a high educational level no matter for whose child it is. Believe me, many people paid for ours and your education besides our parents, and it is up to us to do the same.

“In closing I would like to leave you with a thought from a controversial person in history. This man told us that the ignorant people were the easiest to be dominated and how true it is. The man by the way was Karl Marx. So, I ask you to decide, where our educational standards will go from here.”

Class President’s Remarks

Senior Class President Don Robinson Jr. opened his speech with a joke about a chauffeur who traded places with a college professor, then said in part:

“…we now must find our place in this world…as we all leave our domain, there should be a few things that we must remember to be successful in life.

“One of the basic phrases you must remember whether you are a college graduate with a PhD or a common worker, is that 

“You must make the most of what you’ve got.” If you can do this in your life time, you shall be a successful person.

“Having a college education does not pave the road to success, but working hard to obtain high goals shall. Goals are very important to anyone who wants to be a success…I feel that if you…are willing to work—above and beyond the call of duty—you shall be successful. But if you fail to try and work hard in life and strive for high goals you shall reap the shortcomings in your life.”

Valedictory Address

Principle remarks were by Valedictorian Bruce Vogel, who told the audience, in part:

“Each year graduation time brings the traditional speeches which tell the graduating senior to go out and “conquer the world.” Seniors are always told that it’s their turn to solve the world’s many problems. Few people, however, actually ever do the most they can to solve any of today’s major problems.

“For example, how many of us have done anything really significant about pollution? Have any of us urged our leaders to support our anti-pollution laws? Do we ever consider where a candidate for public office stands on pollution? Have we ever helped clean-up a roadside or restrained someone from throwing a can?

“I seriously doubt any of us have been so thorough and yet these few examples of action show some basic methods that can be used on most all problems. First we can urge our leaders to take action on problems which we see as major. Secondly we can set an example by not contributing to the problems and stopping it wherever we see it.

“Now I’m sure you will all agree that almost anyone can take these measures to solve problems. Why they doesn’t everyone? It seems most people don’t care enough; they suffer from apathy. These people are content to go through life flowing with the current. They have become so wrapped up in their own lives that they are content to let someone else fight the world’s problems. Most people complain about the problems of today without going out and trying to solve them.

“What might be the results of the apathy from which so many of us suffer? History abounds with examples of empires which have collapsed at the pinnacle of their power simply because the people became apathetic towards each other and their government. When the Romans began enjoying the good life and stopped being concerned with their government, what happened? One of the world’s greatest civilizations was attached and conquered by barbarians. I wonder if that is to be America’s fate?

“If it isn’t, we Americans must stop drifting in the mainstream of self-indulgence and each of us must start working towards the betterment of mankind. Montesquieu stated the dangers of apathy quite well in his Spirit of Laws when he said: “The tyranny of a prince is an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy.”

Graduation marks an achievement to be proud of…and marks, too, a time to plan the next step toward your life’s goal! Insert in Zephyrhills News, June 1972

Valedictorian: Walter Bruce Vogel

Salutatorian: Eric Lang Huber

Class Officers:

President: Don Robinson; Vice President: James Giles; Secretary: Marsha Knap;Treasurer: Joan McLellan and Principal: Raymond B. Stewart.

Sponsors: Lillian Johnson, Stanley Kendrick, John Huff, and Scott Johnson

Honor Students: Karen Sue Boyette, Bonita Sue Brocies, Lea Joyce Daffer, Cynthia Ann Dodd,

Laurie Jeanne Dukes, Barry Moore Fiske, Donna Eileen Grace, Karen Jean Harrelson, Janet Lynn Hartwig, Donald Ralph Hormuth, Eric Lang Huber, Marsha Dale Knapp, Wanda Jo Anne Kraus, Cynthia Jane Linville, Catherine L. Marlette, Terri Ann Rickard, Glenda Joyce Sisk, Glenn E. Smith, Mary Alice Strickland, Mary Diane Tyre, Anne Marie Vincent, Walter Bruce Vogel, and Margaret Ellen Woodruff.

Class Flower: Stock

Class Colors: Purple and White

Class Motto: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then there shall be true peace.”

Couple Coming From Hawaii To Teach at ZHS and at East Elementary School, Zephyrhills News, 1972

Remember the TV Show, “Hawaiian Eye?”

Well the “Hawaiian Nyes” will teach at the Zephyrhills schools this fall.

William Frank Nye, a 1965 graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan and Andrea Nye, will teach math at Zephyrhills High School and physical education at East Elementary, respectively. He earned his BS in math and business and then received his masters’ in education in 1967 from Westminster.

He is currently living in Honolulu, Hawaii and has taught math both in Hawaii and his native Ohio. She is a native of Minneapolis, Minn, and received her bachelor of science degree from St. Cloud College in physical education and health in 1970. The Nye’s are members of the Hawaiian Education Association, and he is head for the faculty, while she is a faculty officer. Nye coached basketball, track and golf while in Ohio and his wife’s athletic interests include coaching swimming.

New Basketball Coach for Zephyrhills Has 13 Years of Experience As Teacher

David H. Camper will serve as an English teacher and basketball coach at Zephyrhills High School This year. A 1959 graduate of University of Tampa, where he majored in English, physical education and general science, he has taught 13 years in Tampa, Ruskin, Miami and Homestead schools, 11 of which have included coaching basketball.

He has taken additional courses in general science at DePauw and in English at Barry College, Miami.

College Captain of Women Sports Joins ZHS Staff

Cheryl Ann Renneckar of Norwalk, Ohio, will teach girls’ physical education at Zephyrhills High School this fall. She received her bachelor of science degree in Physical Education from Bowling Green State in 1968 and her masters from the same school in 1970. While in college she was awarded the physical education distinguished service award, was a member of the Women’s Intramural Association and was captain of the interscholastic sports team.

Cuba Native PhD. To Teach Spanish This Year

A native of Cuba and now a resident in the Virgin Islands, Mrs. Aleyda M. Cuevas will come to Zephyrhills High School this fall to teach Spanish. She attended Pinar Del Rio College in Cuba majoring in elementary education in 1940. in 1944 she received her PhD in pedagogy from the University of Havana and in 1952 received her PhD in philosophy and letters form the same school

Tom Hayford 1968 Graduate Returning to ZHS As Agriculture Instructor

Tom Hayford, a 1968 graduate of Zephyrhills high School will teach agriculture at his alma mater this fall. He received his associate science degree from Polk Junior College in 1970 and his bachelor of science degree in animal science from Texas Technological University in 1972. He was named the outstanding graduate while at Polk and in the FFA of America.

Awards Day Honorees, Zephyrhills News, June 1, 1972

Presented the highest honors at the Awards Day ceremony at Zephyrhills high School Friday morning were five ZHS students—Joni Palmer and Bruce Vogel, winners of the “I Dare You” award from Danforth. Vogel, Valedictorian, also won the Reader’s Digest Award. Also Jean Reffit and Frankie Hall received the School Service Award and Debbie Clark was the winner of the Star Student Award.

Kay Gehrke and John Johnson Reign Over ZHS Junior-Senior Prom, Zephyrhills News, May 25, 1972

Miss Kay Gehrke and Johnny Johnson were elected to reign as queen and king of the annual Zephyrhills High School Junior-Senior Prom, held Saturday night in the McDonald Student Center at St. Leo College.

Thanks to the cooperation of the Plant Shack, Marion Smith Florists and Flowers and Gifts by Terry, the main dining room was converted into two banquet rooms and a large dance floor by the use of large Grecian-style columns, bubbling fountains and several dozens of potted plants and blooming flowers.

Theme for the prom, the first for several years to include a pre-dance banquet was “April Showers Bring May Flowers,” and the spring flower touch was carried out in colors and decorations.

The evening opened with a reception, at which punch and hors d’oeuvres were served while cars were parked by hired security guards. Doormen were John Hall and Armondo Maniscalco.

Prom guests were shown to their tables, for which place cards had been set according to advance reservations, by these escorts: Gerald Eysaman, Larry Green, John Vincent, Carl Hill, Johnny Meengs, and Walt Poplick, Jr— all wearing brightly flowered cummerbunds and matching bow ties.

During dancing which followed the banquet, punch and snacks were served the guests by Brenda Kendrick, Susan Sunka, Rene Menhennett, Nancy Lail, Elizabeth Daughtery, and Betty Coyne.

Music for dancing was until 12:30 a.m. by “Infinity’s End” from Tampa.

Miss Gehrke was crowned by Senior Class President, Don Robinson, Jr. while the king was crowned by Miss Zephyrhills, Syble Ferguson. Prom Chairman was Junior Class President, Karl Wickstrom.

Rotary Honors Top Grads At Noon Lunch Today, Zephyrhills News, May 25, 1972

Dr. Joe A. Howell, Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs at the University of South Florida will be featured speaker today at Rotary Club of Zephyrhills.

Guests of honor will be the 23 honor graduates of Zephyrhills High School.

ZHS Trio Earns High Offices at Boys State, Zephyrhills News, June 29, 1972

Three Zephyrhills delegates to the American Legion-sponsored Boys State have returned home, having won the highest honors ever earned by a Zephyrhills delegation to the week-long citizenship training camp.

Mike Walker was elected president of Boys State Senate, while Michael Cox was elected a member of the House of Representatives. Van McKenzie who was elected a city clerk and a county commissioner was then nominated by his party for the office of State Treasurer.

ZHS Student Wins Bond For His “Save Your Vision” Poster, Zephyrhills News, May 23, 1972

Kenneth McCullough, a 10th grade student at Zephyrhills High School and son of Mrs. Elsie Mae McCullough, rural Zephyrhills, has designed a winning “vision” decal for the Auxiliary in the Hillsborough Society of Optometrists.

McCullough won a Savings bond which was presented to him By Senator Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson during the society’s annual “Save your Vision” Week dinner.

ZHS Has 655 Students, 60% of Total In Vocational Educational Programs, Zephyrhills News, February 17, 1972

Money! Everyone needs it. Experience in a chosen profession. Everyone wants it. And as high school students almost ready to dive into a new world, young people need something to prepare them for life. The answer? Simple. One of the Zephyrhills High School Vocational programs.

The week of February 13-19 is a good week to look into the many programs the school has to offer. Governor Reubin Askew has set aside this week as Florida Vocational Educational Week. Purpose of this special week is to increase public awareness. For example, did you know that ZHS has seven different programs designed to meet student interests.

Let’s look at them and see how much they have to offer. The first five explained below are co-op programs while the remaining two are non-co-op programs. Diversified Cooperative Training is a co-op program designed for training in all vocations. Mr. Stan Kendrick takes extensive pains to place each of his 26 students where they want to be.

Mr. John Huff has Distributive Education. His 16 students such as Debbie Barrentine working in McCrory’s, find training in marketing and distribution. “It gets you started in a life time career which can be continued at one of the many D.E. programs in college, “explains Mr. Huff.

Work Experience orients students to the world of work. Mr. Victor Smith keeps a watchful eye on his young crew of workers.

AG Placement, a co-op program is directed by Mr. Marcus Shackelford. He simply explains Ag Placement as “Students interested in working and getting joy training.” It’s a pretty good deal for its six members who work and attend high school.

Part of Florida’s vocational home economics programs are now being equated to educating individuals for earning money in jobs based upon home economics knowledge’s and skills.

Home Economics Cooperative Education—a program for persons who are enrolled in school and who through a cooperative arrangement between the school and employers receive instruction in the school and on-the-job training in Home Economics related areas through part-time employment.” Mrs. Emma Lou Harvey helps her 16 members to achieve just what they want.

Clothing Management, Production, and Services is a course and combines home economics instruction with participation in clothing management, production and services. Home Economics students are involved in a cooperative arrangement between the school and customers to provide a job experience; Mrs. Lillian Johnson supervises the program.

Vocational Agriculture, consisting of 61 members with Mr. Schackelford as head master, goes into all phases of agriculture and agriculture products. The students are getting training for everything from farming to veterinarian work. Students who are interested in cosmetology, auto mechanics or machine shop may take these courses at Pasco comprehensive.

Teacher, Farmer Had Many Interests, Tampa Tribune by Steve Kornacki

“My Dad had so many interests. He could do anything,” said Vicki Bucy of her father, Victor Smith

Victor Smith wore many hats. He was a teacher at Zephyrhills High School, builder, citrus farmer, beekeeper, and World War II Veteran.

Smith, who had a zest for living and learning, died March 8. He was 79.

“My dad loved to teach somebody something,” said his daughter, Vicki Bucy of Auburndale. “That was what he loved.”

Smith spent 21 years in the Air Force before becoming a social studies and American history teacher at Zephyrhills High School from 1964 to 1980. Bucy said her father who was born in Clearwater, joined what was then called the Army Air Force as a teenager. “Dad was afraid the war would end before he could get in,” she said. “He was a tail gunner in a plane and a participant in the D-Day invasion (of Normandy). But he would never talk much about war stories, never give us details.”

Smith retired from the Air Force as a chief master sergeant, and his daughter said he earned a degree from the University of Tampa while stationed at MacDill Air Force Base.

“Besides teaching his classes, he also worked in a pilot program at the school with students at risk to quit school,” Bucy said. “He taught them skills they could use to get jobs, manners, how to dress and job interview tips.”

He tended his citrus groves, which grew to about 100 acres, tied into the school calendar and schedule. “Dad had summers off to work in his groves,” she said, “and he loved it out there with the oranges and tangerines. He’d be out there after getting out of school at 3, also feeding his cattle and building fences. He once had as many as 10 beehives and could sift through hives to pick out the queen bee with his hands.”

“My dad was a workaholic. My husband (Rick)’s eulogy of my dad said he was a builder. He built a grove, built a long marriage of 55 years to my mother, Mary, and even built our ranch-style house with his own hands. He always had a plan in mind.”

Sometimes those plans came together rather quickly. “My parents had 20 dates in 24 days and then got married,” Bucy said.

“I was the only child, and so I spent a lot of time with my dad. We’d move the cows, build fence and build our house when I was growing up.”

Bucy remembered watching her father lay the brick and concrete blocks, and handing him nails as he pounded into wood.

“My dad had so many interests, she said. “He could do anything.”

Pasco 4-H Judging Teams Win First on West Coast, Compete in Ocala, Zephyrhills News, February 17, 1972

The Pasco County 4-H Dairy Judging team, competing in the annual West Coast Show held in conjunction with the Florida State fair placed first.

Members are Denise Williams of Zephyrhills who placed as second high individual and high individual among the 60 4-H youths competing; Pam Griffin of Zephyrhills who ranked as fourth high individual; Octavio Blanco of Odessa who ranked as fifth high individual and Martha Mester of Zephyrhills.

Three Home Games—Gobblers, Cats, and Bucs—Face Bulldogs, Zephyrhills News, February 3, 1972

Thanks to Pasco Comprehensive High School, the Bulldogs basketball team of Zephyrhills High School now has a season record of 6-10—the Dogs have dropped Pasco three times.

The last time was in the final meeting between the two schools this season, played in the ZHS gym Tuesday night and won by Zephyrhills 59-48.

In other action since last week the Bulldogs were dropped by Clearwater Catholic there Friday night 48-59, and then lost to Wildwood in overtime there Saturday night 52-61.

What made both losses doubly hard to take was that the Bulldogs outhit their opponents from the field in both contests, but lost to the referee’s whistle as their opponents potted more free throws.

Coach Carroll Phillips’ Orange and Black now are on a 5-game home gym stand, playing host to Turkey Creek here Friday night and then getting a second chance at Wildwood here Saturday night.  

Big game of the series will be the rematch with Gulf here Tuesday night. The Dogs edged Gulf in the season opener there and the Bucs will be seeking revenge.

Free Throw Differences

At Clearwater Catholic Friday night the Dogs out scored the hosts by three field goals, but Clearwater shot 40 free throws and made 33 of them, while the Dogs, whistled for 26 fouls, shot 25 and made 17.

Joe Wells was leading scorer with 14 points. Kenny Young hit 11 and James Giles and Chuck Lail each scored 10. Jay Linville with six and Jenkins Holt and Joe Taylor with two each rounded out the scoring while Bob Smith and Rick Black both saw action but did not score.

Score by quarters:

Zephyrhills—6—17—15—17—55

Clearwater—10—22—11—22—65

In the Junior Varsity game the Bull pups coached by Lamar Stephens played point-for-point with the Clearwater Jayvees, but lost out in the closing seconds of the well-played contest.

Edged in Overtime

Wildwood squeezed out an overtime victory over the Bulldogs Saturday night, netting nine points in the extra period while the Dogs were unable to find the range. The Phillipsmen led at half time 27-23, but a couple of bad calls late in the game hurt the cause, as did the technical’s called on the ZHS bench and fans.

The Bulldogs scored the most field goals, but at the free throw line Wildwood made 17 of 25 shots awarded while Zephyrhills made four of 12 attempted.

Taylor was high in this one with 17 points while Giles hit 16, Young eight, Linville five, Wells four and Lail two. Holt played but did not score.

Scores by quarter:

Zephyrhills—12—15—12—13—0—52

Wildwood—15—8—15—14—9—41

In the Junior Varsity clash, Larry Green led the Bullpups with 31 points, but Wildwood’s Jayvees took the contest 52-76.

Defeat Pasco—Again

Although the Bulldogs posted their third win of the season over Pasco Tuesday night, the game was not all that easy to take, as several times the Pirates pulled within striking distance before the hosts pulled out ahead again.

Newcomer to the Pasco team since the second semester, Joe Saladin, led all scoring with 23 points. He is a transfer from Plant High in Tampa, stands tall and is a strong center man.

Linville was leading scorer for the winners with 17. Taylor and Holt had 10 each, Wells nine, Giles six, Lail, Black and Young two each and Smith one.

Score by quarters:

Pasco—9—10—11—18—48

Zephyrhills—13—12—17—17—59

Larry Green hit 16 points and Walter Poplick Jr. 11 points as the Zephyrhills Bull pups posted another victory 37-24.

Pasco Is Urged to Adopt Year Round School Plan, Zephyrhills News, February 3, 1972

The Extended School Year Committee Tuesday recommended that Pasco County adopt the “45-15” plan for year-round schools.

The recommendation presented to the School Board by committee chairperson, Jim Troke, set a target date of fall 1973 for implementation of the extended school year program.

The committee report also suggests that the program include all levels of school from elementary grades through high school and be mandatory countywide. The School Board will meet with the extended school year committee at 7:30 p.m. February 10 at Sanders Memorial School in Land O’ Lakes to further discuss the plan.

The 45-15 plan means 45 school days in classes then 15 school days of, or nine weeks of school followed by a 3-week vacation.

Students attending each school in the county would be divided into four groups. Group B would begin classes three weeks after group A and so forth.

When the fourth group is ready to begin, the first group would be starting its 3-week break. Consequently only three-fourths of the students in any school would be attending classes at the same time. Troke emphasized that the extended school year plan would not eliminate double sessions in the overcrowded West Pasco schools, but hopefully would delay the necessity of triple sessions. Troke said there was no extended school year program which would end the necessity of double sessions on the west side of the county.

Voice of Democracy Winner, Zephyrhills News, January 13, 1972

Winner of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary 25th Annual Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program is Mrs. Eric Huber of Zephyrhills, a junior student at Zephyrhills High School. She will represent George R. Bauxman Post 8154, VFW and Auxiliary, local sponsors of the program, in competition to determine the winner of the VFW District 12 contest. Two other Zephyrhills High School students placed second and third among more than 50 students who entered here. They are Phyllis Jarrett and Ritz Mezell, also both juniors. Prizes in the national contest range from $1500 to $10,000.

School Children Like 45-15 Extended School year Plan, Zephyrhills News, January 13, 1972

Elementary and junior high school students thoroughly like the 45-15 extended school year plan.

It means taking several three week vacations instead of one long summer break of three months. It also means changing teachers during the year at times. Students don’t get tired of school near the end of the year. That is because there is no end of the year as we normally think of it.

These were reactions of students visited in Romeoville (Lockport, Illinois) by the Pasco County business leaders, school personnel, parents and students last month. Jim Troke is chairman of the Pasco County study group and Dade City principal, Rodney Cox, is subcommittee chairman of the team visiting Romeoville.

“This is the most enthusiastic school group I have seen in a long time,” was the way Dade City banker, Aubrey McClellan, summarized the reaction of the committee.

The visit to Illinois to observe the 45-15 plan is actually one part of an intensive study of known extended school-year systems. Two other systems also have been observed. The Atlanta Four-Quarter Plan and the Miami Quinmester Plan were observed earlier.

“Using the calendar as an educational strategy,” is the way committee chairman Jim Troke sums up all systems observed by the group.

“Probably no one scheme has all the answers, but the interest and enthusiasm of those kids and those teachers in Romeoville’s 45-15 plan has made a believer of me,” was the reaction of Rodney Cox.

Gary Green, presently a student at Elfers Elementary School, formerly attended school in Romeoville and appeared before the committee meeting in Elfers December 16. Gary told the group that he liked the 45-15 plan just fine. Mr. And Mrs. Green were also present and supported young Gary’s view. Their experience was that interest in maintained at a high level, “Kind of like it always is at the start of the school.”

The 10 Pasco leaders visiting Illinois were McLellan, Mark Falls, Walter Poplick, Lillie Dennard, Leon Milton, Wayne Malone, Bernard Wickstrom, Cox, Troke, and Earl Meyer.

A Winning Season, Zephyrhills News, Zephyrhills News, November 16, 1972

Posting a good season for Coaches Alan Knight and Earnest Abner was this year’s Zephyrhills Junior Varsity Team with a 4-3-1 season record. They included Manager Richard Porter, Dean Peggs, Rew Williams, Bob Devonshire, James Bradford, Lloyd Henry, Robert Douglas, Willie Bradford, Bob Peters, Richard Kraus, Kevin Ryman, Daniel Herndon, Jon Park, Dale Hamann, Bill Johnston, Randy Douglas, James Hinsz, Richard Kretschmar, Harry Ross, Don Harrison, John Fries, Larry Roberts, Randy Osteen, Wayne Lewis, Mike Butler, James Pettis, Dirk Padgett, Mike Veddar, and Kerry Young.

Enrollment to Increase, Zephyrhills News, August 24, 1967

Almost 9000 students are expected to enroll in Pasco County schools, and a share of this increase is expected in Zephyrhills.

At Zephyrhills High School, Principal Ray Stewart noted that last year’s enrollment of about 650 is expected to swell to between 675 and 700.

At West Elementary enrollment topped 425 last year (it had been only 330 in 1965-66) and is conservatively estimated at 470 this year and at East Elementary, where the average daily attendance was 341 last year, about 360 are expected to enroll.

At all three centers some additional transferring in of Negro students is expected, although crowded conditions will somewhat limits a total “freedom of choice” operation in the county. Although to any school of their choice, the school board has reserved the right to limit such changes in accordance with available space.

East Zephyrhills continued to be a part of the ZHS campus in 1972, and James B. Walker was the elementary principal. Above is an October 12, 1972 Zephyrhills News article with Walker and two of his star students posing on the ZHS campus.

Walker came to Zephyrhills in 1967—

New East Elementary Principal (at ZHS) Comes Here After Services in Sumter County, Zephyrhills News, August 24, 1967

Pupils and faculty members alike are welcoming this week a new principal at East Elementary School at ZHS.

He is James B. Walker, 39, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, who comes to Zephyrhills after five years of service to the public schools in Sumter County. He was appointed to the post in early July.

Walker and his family are making their home at 1404 12th Avenue. Mrs. Walker is the former Sarah “Betty” Montgomery of Birmingham and their children are Mike, 12; Suzanne, 8; and Beth, 2.

He was graduated from Phillips High School in Birmingham and earned his bachelor of science in education degree at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, in 1950.

The new principal was a member of the faculty of Western High School at Noonan, Georgia, and then worked for five years in the sales engineering department of American Cast Iron Pipe Company in Birmingham before returning to school work. He taught in the Darlington Private School at Rome, Georgia, and three years at Cartersville High School in Cartersville, Georgia, before coming to Florida.

In Sumter County Walker was teaching principal of Coleman Elementary and Sumter Exceptional School for two years and for the past three years has been principal of Bushnell Elementary School. A Baptist, he saw military service as a member of the Army Reserve. This past summer he completed work on his master’s degree, ending classes at Auburn University Friday. Walker was unable to attend summer commencement exercises there yesterday at which the degree was formally conferred.