The Decade of the 1940’s at ZHSIn the decade of the 1940’s ZHS was
changing and her changes reflected or were affected by what was
occurring in the country and world. Pasco County now had a total of 19
schools throughout the county. After two previous decades of
school plants at ZHS being destroyed by fire, the 1940’s brought
a time of stability and by 1947, a new school annex with six additional
classrooms was added to the school campus to accommodate growth and the
unique addition of a fish pond located on the school grounds was a
signature feature. Technology was on the rise and the school
district boasted 39 total school buses—quite a change from the
days of struggling to get to school by horse and buggy or having to
board with a family near to the school in order to attend. Some school enrollments decreased at times
during the decade. The smallest graduating class of the decade was only
12 in 1949. A prevailing belief was that ZHS was not quite up to par as
Pasco High in the larger populated county seat, and some families chose
to drive their students to Dade City for a few years. Because of
the ravages of two school fires and the displacement of students from
the school, in the absence of a school building during part of the
1930s, a challenge was to restore faith in the schools of Zephyrhills. The central theme of the decade was World War
II. ZHS graduated its first war-time senior in 1942—with a
similar situation as those graduated in 1918 in absentee. In 1942, the
president of the senior class was awarded a diploma in absentia because
of enlisting in the service to serve in World War II. World War II with war production had pulled the country out of the Depression. With this production, women were entering the workplace, primarily to replace men who were in the war. Rationing of food, tires, nylon stockings and many other items was common place. Perhaps the most innovative ZHS affect of the decade in WW II USA, was the purchase of an air plane by the school’s senior class and the introduction of an aeronautics class at the school. “On February 14, 1946, the ZHS Senior class purchased and presented the school a BT-13 Vultee Trainer airplane for the purpose of teaching aeronautics to both girls and boys of the upper classes.” The plane was purchased from the War Surplus Board and was flown to the Zephyrhills airfield by Mr. William Krusen, a local pilot. Two highly influential faculty members who were to have a long tenure and tremendous influence on the unfolding ZHS came on board in the late 1940’s and the impact they leave on ZHS are significant in 2007 in the legacy of sports and music—these individuals were none other than John T.V. Clark and Coach Johnny Clements. ZHS was able to recruit a coach of high stature who was himself a professional athlete prior to coming to ZHS. Johnny came in 1948 and did not retire from ZHS until 1983.
The other influential staff member was John
T.V. Clark who establishes the formal marching band program for the
school. His first act was to lobby for “real band
uniforms” of which money was raised and ZHS was able to purchase
the used Lakeland High School Band uniforms as their first official
marching attire. He also worked successfully on the purchase and
funding of band instruments as well. The 1947-48 term was the first to see
employment of a full-time agriculture instructor at ZHS and the
donation of a 20-acre tract of land by the City of Zephyrhills for the
use of the agricultural students was well received. Principals during the decade served many roles. The first football team came to fruition in 1941 and the principal, Thomas Burch Cornelius, served as their coach. What an exciting time to finally organize a football team after so many years of planning, fundraising and hoping for it. That football team was composed of fifteen players and they concluded a ten-game season with a perfect record—that is no wins! Thomas Burch Cornelius left ZHS to become the principal of Pasco High and then Gainesville High School A somewhat primitive outdoor basketball court still served as the high school sports area. The ZHS Quarterback Club of influential parents and community members was first organized in 1941 with the first president, Charles E. Gibson. One of the members of that first football team, Judge Richard Kelly gained state and national fame as a marine, circuit judge, west central Florida Congressman and ultimately as a victim of the FBI Abscam sting; his affiliation to ZHS was something that Kelly prided himself on until his death in 2005. Leon Luckenbach served for the last few years of the
decade as principal, and had a bit of a controversy over the male
students who wished to leave ZHS to join the armed services.
Luckenbach resigned and refused to attend the graduation ceremony
because of this philosophical dispute. An interesting anecdote
throughout the decade was the discussion in news articles about the ZHS
“fish pond” which was beautifully sculpted in front of the
school building—the responsibility for care of the ornamental
fish pond was that of the school principal. For many years, a
signature feature of the school was the decorative fish pond in front
of the school. The school newspaper of this era is called The
Bulldog Bulletin. The school annex was originally named the “Leon
Luekenbach Educational Annex”--one wonders if the philosophical
dispute he became embroiled in may have also lead to the name change of
the Annex to simply the “annex.” The first official yearbook was printed in
1946 and in 1948, the school hosted a “naming contest” to
come up with a unique name for the annual or yearbook; Betty Jo Turner
(now Betty Jo Hyder) won the contest and conceptualized the name of the
yearbook, “Zephilsco.” With the yearbook, an annual
contest to crown a queen and king were instituted by the end of the
decade, and the unveiling of the yearbook becomes a quite significant
annual milestone each year. The senior notables became quite
involved and creative and were featured in the yearbook and published
in the newspaper as well. With the homecoming of the GIs, the baby boom began and along with this came the first GI bill and a greater availability of college. In fact by 1949, college degrees were increasing three-fold over the beginning of the decade. At ZHS, student council came into existence and is discussed in archives as a significant organization with some real power in the school operation; in 1948, the September 17, 1948 article states,
Homes first began to have televisions by 1947—an invention that had been introduced at the 1939 World’s Fair. Graduation continued to be a significant life event for graduates. Some of the junior-senior banquets were hosted at homes, rather than the Hotel Zephyr, which had been the frequent location for many years. The institution of “Senior Skip Away Day” first emerged in the 1940s and was a popular school-sponsored event in which select teachers chaperoned a special senior day or days away from school. The May 22, 1942 Senior Skip Away Day included a trip to Clearwater Beach and then an excursion as a group to the Tampa Theatre to see Bob Hope in My Favorite Blonde. In 1941, a similar Skip event was hosted on the beach with seniors seeing Bette Davis in The Great Lie.
HIGHLIGHTS OF 1949News Article from Zephyrhills News, June 10, 1949Principal is Leon Luckenbach and members of the class are Mary Louise Allen, Gerard W. Bodenburg, Lovie F. Bolden, John S. Bryant, Billy C. Douglas, Mary Ellen Ellerbe, John W.A. Gallagher, Malvin A. Hinsz, Herbert L. McGinnis, Betty Jean Thomas, Patricia L. Thomson and Alton Tyre.
Awards were presented to John S. Bryant for the Student Council Medal
and to Valedictorian, Alton Tyre. The Salutatorian, Patricia L. Thomson
received the DAR Medal.
 The above inserts are from Skip Riley’s student handbook. Handbooks (planners, etc) are thought to be inventions of the decade of the 2000s but this 25 page booklet contains rules, game dates, information and guidelines for the school year. The original is housed at the Zephyrhills Depot Museum in Zephyrhills.
HIGHLIGHTS OF 1948Events of the Year. 1947-48 was a year of improvements for the Zephyrhills High School. First off the bat was the organization of the Quarterback Club, headed by Mr. G.C. Rosenvold and Mr. W. D. Skinner. Their first project was a lighted football stadium. Mr. I. A. Krusen donated all equipment for building the field. Next in line was the new annex to the ZHS building for the third through sixth grades. The new basketball court was the next of the many improvements made to the campus during the year. Then came the smash hits of the year, the Senior class play, Brother Goose, presented January 29th, and the junior class play, He Couldn't Marry Five, presented March 15th. Both were hilarious comedies. The Seniors presented as their gift to the school an opaque projector to be used for visual education.
 1948 Football team. Coach, Cappola; 1st row: Hinsz, Craig, LeHeup, Douglas, McGinnis, Tyre, Bright; 2nd row: Bodenburg, Rosenvold, Bohannon, Wells, England, Gore, Cherry, Adkinson; 3rd row: Hill, Cherry, Richards, Ryals, Jenkins, Nevins, Hail, and Manager Sommers.
Student Council at ZH High Has Ambitious Plans, The Zephyrhills News, Volume XXXVII, front page, Friday, September 17, 1948 Action not words is the objective of the Student Council at Zephyrhills high school this year. Organized during midterm last year, the Council succeeded in getting a number of small but mostly unimportant things done. This year Principal L.R. Luckenbach has announced a number of undertakings for the Council such as painting the auditorium of dressing room, etc. and their results will be announced at a later date. The Student Council is an organization of the students which oversees the student body and strives for improvement of the school. Also recently becoming active are the Junior and Senior Classes. The Senior Class is already underway in the production of the yearbook, Zephilsco and their class play which will be given before January. Still indefinite are plans to attend the homecoming game of the University of Florida at Jacksonville in November and a trip to Washington, D.C. over the Christmas holidays. The Junior Class has elected officers and is busy scheming ways to make money. The juniors cannot give the class play until after the first of the year. Floridians to Vote on Four For President: Wallace, Thurmond, Dewey and Truman to Be On Ballot 17 Graduates Given Diplomas at Z.H.S., Zephyrhills News, Friday, June 11, 1948 Seventeen graduating Seniors received their diplomas in graduating exercises held in the high school auditorium last Monday night, June 7th. The speaker was Mr. Vincent McGuire, former high school teacher and coach and present Senior Class advisor at the P.K. Young Laboratory school in Gainesville. The Rev. S.S. Mathis delivered the Invocation and Principal. L.R. Luckenbach was master of ceremonies. Miss Betty Jo Turner was given the Valedictorian honor and Fred Gore the Salutatorian honor. Miss Turner delivered a very impressive Valedictory talk, “Our Heritage,” and Fred Gore gave the Salutatory message, “Public Service.” Other Seniors receiving honors were Joan Steve who was given a medal for outstanding citizenship by the D.A.R. Miss Steve also received the girls’ American Legion Award given for high standards. Jack Green was presented the boy’s Legion Award. James Burgess was given a certificate for perfect attendance. Honor students were Jayne Kerr, June Lashley, Joan Steve, Norma Gregory, and Connie Palmer. The long awaited diplomas were presented by Mr. I.A. Krusen, County Trustee Chairman. Fred LeHeup, Senior Class president, presented the Senior give to John Bryant, Student Council President and gifts to Mrs. Mack Matthews, Senior sponsor, Mrs. Atwater, Mr.Luckenback, and to Mr. Brooks, who directs the graduation chorus. Seniors who received diplomas were as follows: Jayne Kerr, Joan Steve, Jane Smith, Norma Gregory, Connie Palmer, Ellen Massey, June Lashley, Betty Jo Turner, Dick King, Bill Eiland, Richard Rosenvold, James Burgess, Fred Gore, Jack Green, Fred LeHeup, George Smith and Pauline Anderson. Graduation Chorus of 1948: The Graduation Chorus, which sang at baccalaureate and graduation was trained and directed by Mr. M.S. Brooks. Mr. Brooks delayed his return to the north just so he could direct this group for the Seniors. The chorus consisted of the following high school students: Joyce Baker, Audry Bodenburg, Patsy Doyle, Agnes Forbis, Joan Johnson, Evelyn Leach, Roberta Leeson, Shirley Leeson, Jaynell LeHeup, Marjorie Lott, Jean McGavern, Julia Pracher, Nancy Skinner, Elizabeth Stevenson, Dorothy Wetherington, Jerry Bodenburg, Howard Cherry, Robert Clardy, Woody Clark, Malvin Hinsz, Jack Lamb, William Tilly, Alton Tyre and Earl Wells. Nostalgia, New Stadium on ZHS Alumni Program Sunday, Zephyrhills News, June 22, 1978 by Beverly McNeese There will be more than a bit of nostalgia and reminiscing Sunday when the Zephyrhills High School Alumni and Friends gather again at the Community Center at Zephyr Park. There will be a business meeting in which Zephyrhills Chief of Police Bill Eiland of the Class of 1948 and a member of the board of directors of the Stadium Committee for the new ZHS will speak on the stadium project. Zephyrhills News, July 30, 1977 Another enjoyable and successful Zephyrhills High School Alumni and Friends Reunion was held at the Zephyr Park Community Center. John T.V. Clark, in answer to a former student, stated that he started the ZHS Band in 1948 with 18 or 20 students and now has 220 band students a day with 70 in Middle School Band.
 Freshmen, 1948. 1st row: Rex Gilbreath, Thelma McKee, Mary Stephenson, Carrie Lou Parttridge, Pat Doyle, Barbara Corby, Marjorie Lott, Beverly Luke, Martha Keller, Edna Rainey, Leroy Hegadore; 2nd row: Nelda Cook, Betty J. Sullivan, Joyce Baker, Hilda Nesbit, Mary Greene, Marilyn McClelland, Nancy Wasner, Helene Rexroad, Cynthia Hinsz, Mary Ann Vestal, Elizabeth Bryant; 3rd row: Harry Wheeler, James Richards, Billy Marshal, J.D. Hayward, Dwight Ryals, John Gardner, Jo Sutorus, Glen Davis, John Ferguson, James Ferguson, James Long. Those not pictured: Barbara Sabin, Coralina Newsome, Jack Lamb, Norma King, Walter Hill, Mildred Hill, Frederick Dexter, Betty Bohannon
ZHS Alumni Boost Stadium Fund, Zephyrhills News, June 9, 1978 A large, enthusiastic crowd of home-towners, out-of-towners, and guests picnicked at the 9th annual reunion of the ZHS Alumni and Friends….gathering before noon at the Zephyr Park Community Center, first-comers set up tables, food and drinks, directed by a planning committee that had established an agenda and had worked long hours on planning the event. They included Mr. and Mrs. Jack Greene and Mrs. Ray (Anna Greene) Farmer, secretary of the ZHS Alumni and Friends and a member of the Class of 1954. Her brother, Jack from the class of 1948, and his wife, the former Lillian Mae Kress, class of 1950, were assisted by other members of their family and friends. Parade Grand Marshall has many honors, Zephyrhills News, March 8, 2007 by Gary S. Hatrick If it hadn’t been for an arm injury, the name Johnny Clements may have been as well-known to baseball fans as Hall of Famer Bob Feller. That’s what the Sporting News said of this years’ Founder’s Day Parade Grand Marshall back in the day when he was up and coming pro ball player. While a jump over a shortstop on the way to second base put an end to hopes for the big time and national fame, Clements has a notoriety for which many so-called legends could only hope. From 1948 until 1983, “Coach Clements” as many know him influenced the lives of Zephyrhills students as Zephyrhills High School coach and athletic director and taught American History until he retired from that position in 1972 and then as the drivers’ education teacher until he retired from that post in 1983. (Although they prevailed upon him to teach drivers’ education each year for four more years after he retired, he laughs). Newcomers to Zephyrhills may know his name from the field that bears his name, “The John F. Clements Field,” on County Road 54 East, home field of the Zephyrhills Bulldogs baseball team. Clements was born to a poor family, January 20, 1920 in Baxley, Ga. At the age of 5, his father passed away and his family moved to Bunnell, Florida. The young Clements always liked sports. He admits he wasn’t much on the books in those days, but he was a good pitcher. So good that the St. Louis Cardinals farm teams took notice of him and would pay him $5 to pitch for the team at batting practice. “They got wind of me, that I could throw the ball hard,” Clements said. Jumping at the chance, Clements would skip school and take a bus to Daytona Beach and pitch. With his five-spot he could see a movie, get a steak dinner and take the bus home with a few cents left in his pocket. At the age of 15, he signed on with the farm team, but later was released because he was not old enough to be under contract. Skipping school took its tool on Clements educational career, however, and he failed the 10th grade. As a result, he could not play basketball. It appears the only thing to do was study. It was then that the student athlete began hitting the books. Clements was not just baseball player, he was also skilled in football and basketball. He earned a football scholarship to the University of Tampa and lettered in all three sports for three years. He was selected as the 17th athlete to be inducted into the UT Hall of Fame. In football, Clements said that he could kick a ball right of left-footed and that he could kick a ball 100-yards with the roll after it landed. When World War II came along, Clements enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he became combat conditioner and later a classification officer in the F-4U Fighter Squadron. All the while baseball was in his life. It is not possible for this piece to chronicle all the games and all the places he played. As a summary, let’s just say that before the war a scout named Johnny Nee was looking at him for the New York Yankees, after the war Nee has switched jobs and looked him up recruiting him for the Philadelphia Phillies. There were trades and changes during which he had the fall that shattered the bone in his elbow. He was still a good pitcher, but the handwriting was on the wall, Clements said. In 1948, he was traded and played with the Tampa Smokers. That was also the year Clements took the job at ZHS and moved to Zephyrhills. Throughout his career Clements achieved many distinctions. He was as senior class sponsor for 20 years and took kids on field trips as part of his position as an American History and Government teacher. In 1952, Clements organized Zephyrhills’ first Little League beginning with six teams. In 1957 he was named Pasco County Teacher of the Year. He was president of the west Coast Athletic Conference for two years and president of the Tampa Bay Athletic Conference for one year and in 1973 was one of three Florida high school coaches to receive a lifetime membership in the Florida High School Coaches Association. One of his greatest honors came when ZHS dedicated the home field in his name. The field was dedicated February 18, 1984, with much fanfare and more than 400 in attendance to the man who had a 418-154 winning record. In 1988 his record was recognized by the FHSCA with a plaque for being only one of five high school coaches in the U.S. with a winning record of more than 400 games. Clements coached the American Legion Post 118 baseball team for 14 years, directed the Zephyrhills Summer Recreation program for 23 years, and operated the old Zephyrhills Municipal Pool along with his wife, Beanie, for 15 years. In 1984, Clements was presented with a trophy from the Pasco County Concourse for having done the most for youth in the county. Is there any doubt why? He has also been an active member of the Rotary Club of Zephyrhills for more than 30 years having served as president and treasurer of the club and has a plaque for 30 years of perfect attendance. Men must be impressed but ladies, listen to this: “I have lived a full life, Clements said. “I have had it all, but one of the greatest things that happened to me was my wife when she agreed to marry me.” Clements and Beanie were married August 14, 1943 and are approaching their 64th wedding anniversary. The Clements have two children, John II and Diane and have two grandchildren, Johnny III who is a Verizon employee living here in Zephyrhills and Kim McGavern who is a West Point graduate and a civilian expert on the Patriot missile and a linguist. Clements is a personable man with a quick smile and genuine humility. He laments that all the time he is talking about himself that he is bragging and that he need to make sure he expresses gratitude for those who helped him when he was a poor child growing up. I’m sure there are many students here and around the world that would say the same of Coach Clements! Dairyman Retires, St. Petersburg Times, July 12, 2004 The past clashes with the future along the eastern vista of Gore's Dairy. Old Florida rubs shoulders with new development. Urban life encircles rural on the north end of a booming Zephyrhills. Change raps on the door of the status quo. The dairy, which still coaxes milk from 1,500 cows each day, will shut down its machines and sell off its herd one day soon. Development is all around, and it's inching toward this rolling farm, which is under contract with home and shopping center builders. But it took new environmental rules to finally do what decades of backbreaking labor, animal disease and even previous offers from developers could not: shutter the dairy. New permits, never required in the past, plus an order to slash the number of cows added up to a fiscal no-brainer. Closing down made more sense than complying. Now the end is near. At the north end of the property, trucks haul in loads of clay-dirt dozens of times a day from construction sites across U.S. 301. The soil is raising the level of the land that fronts the highway, the better for shoppers to access future retail stores. To the south, the dairy still hums along as it has since its 74- year-old president, Fred Gore, first tugged udders every day before dawn. Gore was 14 when his father moved the family from Dover, in Hillsborough County, to the roughly 60-acre dairy surrounded by orange groves. They owned 18 cows. Gore said he would wake up each day about 3 or 4 a.m., milk cows and drive delivery routes until it was time to go to school. Afterward, he would come home and milk some more. In such a small, close-knit community, police would look the other way when the unlicensed teenager drove his delivery truck. At first Gore delivered only in Zephyrhills, which had one stoplight at U.S. 301 and Fifth Avenue. Then his route expanded to Dade City and after that to Lacoochee. "Life was a lot simpler then," said Gore, a friendly faced gentleman with white-blond hair and a throaty, Southern voice. Farm life didn't let go of Gore for long. He graduated from Zephyrhills High School, attended college in North Carolina and joined the Navy during the Korean War. But he was injured during flight training in Pensacola and never went overseas. After a short stint as an insurance adjuster in Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, Gore ended up back on the family farm in 1955. "You grow up in something, I guess," he said. "Your dad's a baker, you learn to bake." By that time, the dairy owned 175 cows, milked by machines. Over the next several years, the business saw a period of rapid growth and change. It acquired the cows from the prep school at Saint Leo, then supplied milk to the school. A modern "milking parlor" was added in 1957. Gore bought up other dairies in the state and owned land in Leesburg where he grew crops for feed. The company incorporated in 1960, and Gore became president in 1965. He was the obvious choice to take it over. His brother, John Floyd Gore, who died last year, followed the musician's path and played for years with country singer Mel Tillis. "He decided he wanted to blow the horn rather than working on the farm," Gore said. The dairyman's life, Gore concedes, is not for everyone. "The dairy business is not easy," he said. "Not many people want to work on a dairy farm." The hardships are unforgiving: disease, fluctuating markets, long hours and hard, dirty work. Problems often come unannounced. Gore said the dairy has only missed one milking, when Hurricane Donna swept through in 1960 and knocked out power. The cows, accustomed to being milked three times a day, went unmilked for a day and a half. Some developed mastitis, an inflammation of the udders, and died. "It was not pretty," Gore said. Soon after, the dairy was equipped with generators. In the early 1970s a mysterious illness infected the herd. It turned out to be an unknown villain, a disease called mycoplasma. "I'd never heard of it, didn't know what it was," Gore said. About 200 cows were infected, spoiling their milk, and many had to be slaughtered. Gore sold them for meat but still took a hefty loss. Gore is a salt-of-the-earth farmer who knows his animals and their habits. "Cows do not like hot weather. They have on leather jackets with fur," he explains, adding that their milk production drops by 25 percent during the summer. But sitting in front of his laptop computer, he proves he is well- versed in the business side of things. He monitors the price of milk on the Chicago exchange and explains how supply and demand, competition and the price of feed drive his livelihood. It was Gore the businessman who decided when enough was enough. He said state Department of Environmental Protection rules implemented in 1997 would have required him to obtain an industrial wastewater permit and cut his herd back to 1,300 cows. He crunched the numbers and came up with a compliance cost of $1-million. "It just doesn't make financial sense," he said. Per an agreement signed in February, the dairy will cease operations no later than Dec. 30, 2006. "That's the drop-dead date," Gore said. "Hopefully this place will be sold by then." The dairy property - 300 acres of prime real estate along a major highway - is under contract with developer Bob Starnes. The price has not been disclosed. It's directly across from the city's major shopping destination - a Wal-Mart Supercenter that opened in 2001. Starnes said 230 acres will be developed into a residential community for active seniors, with clubhouses, pools and other recreation. The 60 acres along U.S. 301 will become a mixture of offices, stores and restaurants. No contracts have been signed, Starnes said, but he has fielded inquiries from fast-food chains, upscale restaurants and some "big- box" retailers. But it will probably be at least a year before the tractors and construction crews move in. Gore needs six months notice to sell his cows, dismantle the buildings and empty the ponds on the dairy. Starnes said he is waiting for the property to be annexed into the city, a process the Zephyrhills City Council already has set into motion. Starnes said he realizes he is dealing with a local institution, albeit one whose relationship with its neighbors is mixed. The sentiment he's heard around town about Gore's Dairy: "It's been good but it smells." Gore came close to selling in the past. The Lowe's home improvement store going up on the west side of U.S. 301 almost found a home at the dairy. "We've had offers, but we were making money most of the time," he said. Nostalgia creeps into the conversation when Gore talks about selling and moving on. He's an Old Florida holdover who recalls drinking milkshakes at drugstore counters and trips to the beach when the coast was undeveloped and the gulf water was clear enough to see the bottom. He played tailback for Zephyrhills High School, when his dad let him escape the dairy, on a feeble team whose coach had lettered not in football but in shuffleboard. "It was a fun time," Gore said. "We didn't win but one or two games." But the sentimental side of Gore seems dominated by the steely, practical side. He views change and growth as inevitable, and he is not keen on watching it happen. He is selling every acre of his land without retaining a stake in what happens to it. "Whatever the buyer wants to do with it, it's his," he said. He'll miss seeing the birds, gators and turtles that hang around the dairy, but he won't miss the crush of urban sprawl. "I don't want to sit here and watch all these little houses pop up all around," he said. And Gore has about had his fill of life on the dairy, especially as the government's grip on him tightens. "I'm getting tired of it. There's so many regulations now." But he hasn't lost his appreciation for a hard day's work, for riding a tractor over the fields, then looking back to see what he accomplished. And, frankly, he'll miss the cows. They were one of his favorite parts of the job. "When I was closer to the cows, it was seeing a nice, healthy cow that was a good producer," he said. "Cows are interesting. They each have their own personality. "Now they're a number and they've got a computer chip on them." That's how things have changed for this lifelong dairyman. That's why he's moving on. He'll go sport fishing in the Bahamas; spend time at his house in North Carolina. He plans to keep up his feed business and possibly buy property outside Pasco to grow berries. "You got to do something," he said. Gore's Dairy is one of the last in Pasco, an increasingly suburban county. After it closes, where's the milk going to come from? "(Dairies) will keep moving a little further north," he said. "It always comes down to money, if you can make a living at it." Gore is anticipating a good year. He said prices are up, unlike last year when they hit 1977 levels and many dairies had to cut back or fold. But it will probably be his last. And he won't stick around to see what becomes of his family's land. He's not wondering what fancy restaurant the developer can lure, or what kind of homes populate the senior community. That means no watching the sun set from the pool deck of his home on the back side of the property. "It used to go down over the grove. You get a shaft of light on the pond. I'll miss that," he said. "Of course, now it's setting over Wal-Mart." Alumni Reunion Draws 70 ZHS Grads for Talk on Old Days, Zephyrhills News, June 28, 1973 by Jaynell LeHeup A very congenial group of 70 persons, alumni of Zephyrhills High School, families and friends met Sunday afternoon in the “Common” Room of the Bank of Zephyrhills for the annual “Summer Homecoming” and ZHS Alumni Association Reunion…….. The retiring vice president, Jack Greene, Class of 1948, Zephyrhills and his wife, the former Lillian Kress, class of 1950, were given a vote of thanks. Alumni and Friends Reunion Set June 24, Zephyrhills News, 1984 The Zephyrhills High School Alumni and Friends Annual Reunion held the last Sunday of June each year will meet this year on Sunday, June 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Zephyrhills Municipal Auditorium in downtown Zephyrhills. The ZHS Class of 1948 is now most prominent in the reunion with three of the four officers hailing from that class, including the President and former Vice President and Treasurer, W.R. Bill Eiland; Secretary, Mrs. Betty Jo Turner Hyder; also a former secretary, Mrs. Helen Payne Tibbs, a longtime ZHS friend, is this year’s treasurer. ZHS Faithful Attend Reunion, Zephyrhills News, July 5, 1990 Over 300 ZHS Alumni and Friends attended the 21st annual reunion which was held June 24 at the Zephyrhills Lions Club on Dead Dairy Road. President Cecil McGavern Jr. gave a welcome and announced the ZHS ROTC Color Guard to present the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of God Bless America. …Special class years were noted….all were given a certificate and carnations which were donated by Betty Jo Turner Hyder of Marion Smith Florist. Plaques were presented to Joan Cook Lane for outstanding alumnus and Helen P. Tibbs for outstanding service to the organization. Newest Guidance Counselor Was 1948 ZHS Valedictorian, Zephyrhills News, September 20, 1973 Joining the faculty of Zephyrhills High School this week as junior high guidance counselor is Mrs. Betty Jo Hyder, who in 1948 was Valedictorian of her graduating class at ZHS. A native of Zephyrhills—daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jake Turner—whose closest relative here now is an aunt, Mrs. T.F. (Gladys) Smith, Mrs. Hyder earned her master’s degree in the area of educational counseling at California State University at Fullerton in 1972. Mrs. Hyder attended University of Florida and earned her bachelor of science degree in physical education at Florida Southern College in 1957. During these years she taught physical education at ZHS in the 1955-56 and the 1956-57 years. The new guidance counselor—who succeeds Elmo Collins (who has moved into a job at the county level as career education coordinator)—taught in Arizona and for seven years in California, mostly in junior high physical education but with an occasional science class. She is residing at 222 Fairview Heights Road, and has two children, a son, Doug Brooks, a resident here the past several years; and a daughter, Jo Ann Hyder, who is in the ninth grade at ZHS. ZHS Alumni and Friends Reunion Honors Classes of 1930 and 1955, Zephyrhills News, July 3, 1980, by Jaynell LeHeup Each year it gets bigger and better—that is the general consensus about the ZHS Alumni and Friends Reunion! The 1980 Reunion was Sunday at the Community Center, Zephyr Park. There wasn’t just a full house—there was such an overflowing crowd that it was voted to try to obtain the larger Municipal Auditorium for the 1981 Reunion. ---A lovely floral centerpiece was awarded to Dick King, Class of 1948 of Lancaster, California for being the alumni which had come the farthest distance. He and three other classmates present, Betty Jo Turner Hyder, Jack Green and Fred LeHeup of Temple Terrace all started school together in Zephyrhills in 1938. ….This year the group’s president, Mrs. Laray Mott Jordan, Class of 1946, was attending a family reunion in North Carolina and was unable to be present. The Reunion was directed by VP John F. Clements of the ZHS faculty for the past 31 years, who was assisted by his wife Beanie, Mrs. Anna Greene Farmer, Class of 1954, Mrs. Jack (Lillian Mae Kress) Greene, Class of 1950, Bill Eiland, Class of 1948, Mrs. John (Mertie Hougaboom) Stephensens, Class of 1924, all former officers and this year’s other officers, Mrs. Betty Jo Turner Hyder, class of 1948, secretary and Mrs. Donnie (Sharon Forbes) Nelson, class of 1960, treasurer. Alumni/Friends Reunion for 1985 Planned June 30, Zephyrhills News, June 13, 1985 High School graduations are in the limelight these past few weeks. It was one of the best and happiest times of our lives so it naturally figures that high school reunions will share some of the limelight…..The ZHS Alumni and Friends group lost one of its most loyal supporters May 31 when last year’s president, Jack Greene, Class of 1948, died unexpectedly. Jack together with his wife, Lillian Mae Kress Greene, Class of 1950, had worked for the success of each Reunion and this year will be the first that he missed. His sister, Mrs. Anna Greene Whitehead, Class of 1954 is this year’s secretary and she may be contacted by any one who wishes further information about this year’s get together. Artist Views Mural He Painted As A ZHS Senior 34 Years Ago, Zephyrhills News, April 28, 1982 by B.Y. Wickstrom, Editor An estimated 3,000 students have passed through the halls of what is today Zephyrhills Junior High school since those days in 1948 when an inspirational wall mural was painted in the front hall by an artistic member of the senior class. And since that long-ago day 34 years ago, most of those students and faculty members, too, have wondered who painted the mural? So it was a pleasure to learn that the artist was visiting Zephyrhills, and was willing to meet the News at ZJHS for a photo with his mural. “I am surprised it is still there; I thought that painting had long ago flaked off the wall and been painted over,” George Smith of New York City, said. The son of Mrs. Rebecca “Becky” Smith, 409 18th Street, he was here for a short vacation, and to paint watercolors along the banks of the Hillsborough River, a la Winslow Homer. Smith, 51, recalls that the mural was created by the 12 members of the 1948 senior class deciding what should be on it. “We had $17 in our treasury, so the others went out and bought one small can of every color of paint they could fine in Zephyrhills and Dade City while I drew the “cartoon” on the wall area. “It was field day the Friday when we started and I worked through the weekend to finish it. I remember that near the end we ran out of red paint, and so one of the girls loaned me her lipstick—and it’s up there somewhere.” Smith said, pointing to an upper corner of the mural. Smith, who was 16 when he painted the “futuristic yet classical” mural, now, owns a computer equipment sales store in New York at 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue, called Downstream Data, but continues to be active in the art world. “I have been painting right along and have been an art teacher in this country, in France, and in India,” he said. For many years I painted in the modernist school, but now am coming back to realism, especially in watercolors. His wife, Ann, is a native of London, England, where Smith also has studied art, and the two of them make trips often back to her homeland. The ZHS graduate of 34 years ago recalls that his right-hand man on the project was Jack Greene who still resides in Zephyrhills at 125 Tucker Road. “Another project Jack and I and some of the other seniors took on was to build an office for our librarian. (The library, two rooms west of the auditorium, is today a regular classroom, but the office still stands, being used as a storeroom.) We laid up the concrete blocks and built the window frames and glazed them. It was pretty good work for a bunch of kids.” Smith also recalls helping Greene cast and installs heavy concrete letters spelling, “Zephyrhills High School,” on the grass of the school’s front lawn. “I imagine those letters have sunken down three feet below the surface by now, they were so heavy,” he noted. ZJHS Principal, Jim Davis sent word to Smith that the school would be pleased to pay him to retouch the mural in those few places where it is starting to deteriorate. But Smith declined. “No, my feeling is that it was one of a kind and for its time, and someday it will be gone. But I am pleased that it has been admired for 34 years. I really never expected the painting to last this long.” Picture and Caption from 4/28/88 Zephyrhills Newspaper below:
 Caption: PROUD ARTIST—Artist George Smith poses before the mural he painted in 1948 when he was 16 and when what is today Zephyrhills Junior High was then the main high school building.
HIGHLIGHTS OF 1947
Researchers Note: In the microfilm of the Zephyrhills Library and Dade City Banner, accounts of the specific graduation of 1947 and verification of the Valedictorian and Salutatorian are not found. An article however in the “Highlights of 1948” which discusses the appointment of a new principal to ZHS, Leon Luckenbach—there is acknowledgement that his secretary is a recent valedictorian, Mrs. Patricia Wells. I did locate one member of the class era, Mr. Emerson Arnot, and he verified by phone that the valedictorian of the class of 1947 was Patricia Parttridg, who married Roy Wesley Wells prior to graduation in January 1947. Recollection of salutatorian’s identity, is yet to be verified by any source. High School Music Recital A Success, Zephyrhills News, May 30, 1947 A fine program of vocal and instrumental music was given at the local high school auditorium last Friday evening by the students of the high school Music Department under the direction of Miss Hoffman, Supervisor. Frank Hanson, President of the Glee Club, acted as Master of Ceremonies and introduced the other members of the organization in duets, solos and ensemble numbers. The setting for the recital was a lovely garden scene complete with lighted fountain, trees, and flowers, garden furniture so graciously tendered by Mrs. Herring and Mr. Cunningham. Three Junior High School students appeared on the program also. Miss Jean McGavern played a piano solo and Barbara Sabin, a violin solo accompanied by Martha Mae Keller. Margaret Hill favored the audience with a piano solo. George Gentzel played a lovely saxophone solo accompanied by Miss Betty Jo Turner. The highlight of the evening was Mrs. E.C. Mann, who appeared in a group of piano solos. Mrs. Mann was presented with an arm bouquet by the Glee Club in appreciation of her help in making the program a success. Members of the Glee Club and friends enjoyed a reception after the musicale at the Wolverine Gardens. Officers of the Glee Club are: Frank Hanson, President; Estella Grams, Vice President; Norma Gregory, Secretary-Treasurer; and Librarian, Jane Kerr. Baccalaureate Service at Methodist Church, Zephyrhills News, May 28, 1947 On Sunday evening, May 25, at 8 o’clock the service will be in honor of the Graduating Class of 1947. Reverend Frank Hartman has been invited to preach the sermon. Reverend Jerrett and Reverend Mathis will assist in the service. The school glee club will furnish special music. Tuesday evening, May 27 at 8:30 is Class Night in the School Auditorium. Graduation exercises will be held Thursday evening, May 29 at 8:30 in the school auditorium. Reverend Sidney White, former Zephyrhills teacher, who is at present pastor of Methodist Church in Davenport, will be the guest speaker. Relatives and friends of the Senior Class are urged to attend these exercises. The Class Roll follows: Bonnie Lou Arnold, Emerson David Arnot Jr., John McElwain Arnot, June Clarice Arnot, Elizabeth Patricia Bolden, James Holmes Boatwright, Joan Carter, Lois Martina Clardy, Ralph Lamar Chancey, John Therman Clardy, Laura L. Gallagher, Estella A. Grams, Frank Roy Heath, Cora Etta Jones, Theodore Franklin Mayor, Paul Eugene Miller, Catherine Marie Nevins, Patricia Pauline Parttridg, Mary Eloise Pollock, Cornelia Jane Thomson, William James Peterson, George Clarence Kemp. Huge Crowd at Open House, Zephyrhills News, May 23, 1947 Parents and friends turned out en masse to view the work of the local school children and be entertained by them for the evening last Thursday, May 15. Each grade was represented with displays of art, penmanship, English, spelling and other interesting subjects while the hobby and floral arrangement displays were representative of all classes. To make the event more interesting, local merchants offered prizes for the evening and following won awards: First Grade Art, Barbara Peeples, Mrs Hamilton, teacher; Second Grade Art: Louis King, Mrs. Austin, teacher; Second Grade Art: Lenore Lincoln, Mrs. Lee, teacher; Third Grade Art: James Jones, Miss Rawlinson, teacher; Third Grade Art: Stanley Grame and Voncel Clardy, Mrs. Hart, teacher; Fourth Grade Art: Robert Frost, Mrs. Melius and Mrs. Satterly, the teachers. Fifth Grade Art: Helen Wells, Mrs. Turner, teacher; Fifth grade art: Pam Levine, Mrs. Feodoe, the teacher; Sixth Grade Art: Patty Smith, Miss Hodges, teacher; Sixth Grade Art: Ronald McCoy, Miss Fedor, teacher; Seventh Grade Art: Billy McIntosh and Jean Hamby, Mrs. Ellmaker and Miss Kruzen, teachers; Eight Grade Art: Mary Ann Vestal, Mr. Joiner and Mr. Stenson, teachers. High School Art: first prize to Virginia Wassner; Second Prize, Hobby Displays: Beverly Ann Bolt: First Prize to Mary Kate Witt with her cleverly arranged stamp collection and Second Prize to Floyd Cherry and Eugene Hampton, whose entry was a clever molded farm scene. Third Prize: Dorothy Austin, with her homemade doll house and furniture. A special prize for Handcraft was won by John Arnot for his excellent display of hand made lamps. Judges were Mrs. Jarrett, Art; Mrs. Mann, Floral Decorations; Mr. Wells, local scoutmaster, Hobby Judge. An excellent program of vocal and instrumental numbers was presented under the direction of Miss Hoffman, Music supervisor. Appearing on the program were the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Grade choruses, groups from Grades One and Two and a lovely vocal solo by little Miss Kitty Doyle of the Third Grade. Nell Locke, George Neukom, Phyllis Geiger and Margaret Hill appeared in instrumental selections. Principal C. Cliff Bailey and the entire staff of teachers are most grateful for the fine cooperation of the merchants for making the event a success and wish to thank the following who donated prizes: Bill Pracher’s Service Station, Neukom’s Drug Store, Rosenvold’s Cottage Lunch, Florida Power Corporation—Mr. Burley, Manager; Friemarks’ 5 & 10 Store, Skinner’s Drugs, Peni-Saver Store—Mr. Blackburn, owner; Beautty Cunningham Furniture; Hart Insurance Company; Slater Insurance Company, The Waymon’s Studio; Moody Hardward, Peeple’s Grocery; Kaylor Hardware; Hotel Zephyr—Andrew J. Flatt, Manager; Elizabeth’s Beauty Shop, Lair Department Store, Mrs. Rose Chenkins, Leroy Lincoln, Mayor Parsons. –C.C. Bailey and Zephyrhills News. To the Editor—A Job Well Done For Zephyrhills, Zephyrhills News, May 19, 1947 The serving of lunch, Wednesday at the school lunch room has marked the closing of the concession for the year. Hundreds of children received, there, hot lunch and necessary food. A great many of the meals served were given gratis because the individuals could not afford to pay for it. …One day a man came to the general assembly program before the whole school and pledged that he would see that as long as he was around he would see that each child had a hot lunch, a bottle of milk and those well deserving ones, a free lunch. It was only the determination of the gentleman that kept the lunchroom open during the critical time. He set about cutting expenses to a minimum so that the few funds could be used for food entirely. He operated in such a way that students help further cut costs. Zephyrhills students can be grateful and proud of Principal C.C. Bailey who kept his pledge to them. The lunchroom problem was not the only one he successfully solved during his stay with the local schools. Mr. Bailey fell heir to a particular discipline problem when he came to take over the principalship of the school. His success in this matter can best be measured by a visit to our school and a general casting about for any display of unruliness. During the year, the local school system has been visited by any number of state and county officials and has consistently received the most favorable comment in every respect. Certainly a good deal of the credit can be claimed by the administration of the office of Principal and rightly so….-Ruth Hoffman Norma Gregory Selected For Girls State, Zephyrhills News, May 16, 1947 Norma Gregory, 11th Grade high school student, was selected as the Zephyrhills representative to attend Girls State, which is being sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary and will be held in Tallahassee, July 14-19. Junior-Senior Banquet and Prom, the Zephyrhills News, May 2, 1947 The Annual Banquet given by the Juniors in honor of the graduating class was held last Thursday evening at the Wolverine Motorette. Freddie Gore said grace and then Fred LeHeup proposed a toast which was responded to by Emerson Arnot, Vice President of the Senior Class. A delicious supper of fried chicken, green peas, French fried potatoes, coconut pie and ice cream was enjoyed by all. There was a short entertainment after supper when Frank Hansen sang, “Red Sails in the Sunset” and “Good Night, Sweetheart.” Jayne Kerr also played piano selections. Guests at the banquet were: Mr. and Mrs. Vincent McGuire, Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Bailey and Miss Matilda Clements. The Juniors and Seniors and their guests then went to the Woman’s Club for the Prom. The hall was attractively decorated and Patricia Thompson and Mary Louise Allen served as hat check girls; Billy Douglas and Johnny Bryant served as doormen. Johnnie Mandese provided excellent music and everyone certainly had a wonderful time, thanks to the Juniors. 433 Students Enrolled This Year At Zephyrhills, Zephyrhills News, September 12, 1947 On registration day, September 5th, the enrollment of the Zephyrhills school was 433 students. The following teachers have been appointed for the 1947-48 school year: Mrs. Helen Hamilton, Mrs. Mary H. Lee, Mrs. Clyde Adams, Mrs. Mabel Campbell, Mrs. Willie Mae Ellmaker, Mrs. Edith Mellius, Mrs. Modesta Hart, Mrs. Hazel B. Setterlee, Miss Ruth Hoffman, Mr. C.V. Matthews, Mrs. Mack H. Matthews, Mrs. Malcom Goforth, Miss Matilda Clements, Mrs. S.W. Cross, Mrs. Alice Atwater, Mrs. Celia Anderson, Mrs. Alpha Gill, Mr. Louis C. Cappola, Mrs. Collins, teacher of vocational agriculture in both Zephyrhills and Dade City and Zephyrhills schools and Leon R. Luckenbach, principal. Mrs. Patricia Partriddg Wells, former valedictorian of the school, is serving as secretary to the principal. Mr. John Daniels has again accepted the janitorial position. The lunchroom is being operated under the able direction of Mrs. Marie Spencer. The children registering in the first grade are admitted if they have reached the age of five years and eight months by September 1. At present the airport classrooms are being occupied by the fourth grade and fifth-sixth grade. It is hoped that the new school building will be completed soon so that all grades may be located in the main school area. School begins at 8:30 and dismisses at 3:30. Primary grades are dismissed at 2:30 The Luckenbachs, Zephyrhills News, October 17, 1947 Mary Alyce Smith, who is now Mrs. Leon Rodney Luckenbach, and who recently returned to Florida with her husband, Principal Luckenbach, of Zephyrhills schools is no stranger in Florida or in Pasco County. Mrs. Luckenbach was born in Dade City and her father, Reverend Smith, died in ministerial service at the Baptist Church there 23 years ago. Her mother still resides in Dade City. The Luckenbachs came here several months ago from College Park, MD, where Mr. Luckenbach was a faculty member at the University of Maryland. He was a member of the faculty at Dade city High 10 years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Luckenbach have two children; 9-year-old Rodney and 3-year-old Laura. Mr. Luckenbach served in World War I for 4 ½ years as a First Lieutenant in the Infantry and Coast Artillery. The Luckenbachs are Baptist and live on West 6th Street. They will soon move to their new home near the high school. Principal Bailey Asks Teachers To Register, Zephyrhills News, March 14, 1947 With the enrollment in the local Public School increasing daily, it has become necessary to divide classes and employ additional teacher. Consequently, the local supply of instructors are at present on the job here or elsewhere. Principal Bailey finds it imperative to appeal for all teachers in the vicinity of Zephyrhills to kindly register at his office before March 18. Daily vacancies are bound to occur in a teaching staff of 25 or more, and often Mr. Bailey is confronted with the lack of adequate substitutes. Mr. Bailey will be happy to meet and discuss with all applicants, the possibilities of helping in this emergency. Seven new teachers have been added to the local staff since the last of 1946 and with the entrance of new pupils daily the outlook demands additional members. Schools Observe Field Day, Zephyrhills News, March 21, 1947 Mr. C.C. Bailey, Principal of the local school, announces plans are under way and preparations being made to observe and participate in the first annual observance of Pasco County Field Day to be held at Dade city, May 2. Zephyrhills will compete with other schools of the county for prizes and ribbons for Penmanship, Spelling, Arithmetic, Essay, Declamation and Oration, Vocal and Instrumental music and Fine and Manual Arts. An athletic or track meet will afford completion in the 100 and 200 yard dash, high jump, broad jump and softball. Every school is being invited to display the work of the school and booths will be furnished for the exhibitions. Supervisor Whitten of Dade City, announces competent judges will be on hand and that medals and trophies are now being prepared to recognize Excellency in each division. What is Meant by “The Curriculum of High School?” Dade City Banner, May 23, 1947 One of a series of articles by Burch Cornelius The school curriculum consists of all the children’s experiences for which the school assumes responsibility. Two major aspects of the organization of an instructional program at the secondary level are discernible: a) a program of general education in which emphasis is primarily concerned with individual and group participation in a democracy; b) a program of special education which flows out of and is definitely related to general education but which takes care of some of the more differentiated needs of the individual as a member of a democratic society. General education refers to a type of curriculum organization and method which sets about to assist the pupils to obtain those experiences which will enable them to solve in a share adequate manner problems of everyday living. The materials used will certainly include accounts of the past as well as the present experiences and problems of the race. However teachers and pupils will be concerned more with intelligent appraisal of the adequacy of past solutions than in insisting upon the blind following of fixed patterns of action. Moreover, heath, physical education, music and art will be regarded as a necessary part of every child’s experience for everyday living in a democratic society. As stated above general education is concerned with that portion of the curriculum in which the needs common to all boys and girls are included. The State Department of Education has selected the following as general education and require them of all the boys and girls: 3 units of English, 3 units of social studies (one of which must be American History and Government), 1 unit of mathematics, 1 unit of health-science, 1 unit of home economics for girls, 1 unit of physical science for boys and 4 years of physical education. The portion of the school day devoted to general education furnishes rich opportunities for the discovery of special talents and interests. When a pupil reaches the point where intensive work in a special subject takes on significance for him, and when he has seen the relationship of this area of work to his own needs and to those of society, and when he has the broad background necessary for successful and profitable work in this line of endeavor, he is ready to begin special education. This means that advanced or specialized courses in mathematics, science, foreign languages, literature, agriculture or other special interest subjects should be made available to those persons who will profit from them individually and socially. Where opportunity is afforded pupils to gain experiences along a particular line in that part of the curriculum designated as general, further work in such an area when it is included among the special subjects should be placed upon the basis of reasonable mastery.
Happy Memories Abound As ZHS Alumni Enjoy Reunion, The Zephyrhills News, July 2, 1981 by Jaynell LeHeup ….Mrs. Lois Clardy Tyson, 1947, who came from her home in Las Cruces, New Mexico, was the winner of the prize for coming the greatest distance. Mrs. Tyson was with her sisters, Sarah and Norma Nell and their brothers, Ashley, Thurman and Bobby. Bobby’s wife and daughter, Buena and Linda and Norma Nell’s husband, Sam, were with the family….. 10th Annual Alumni and Friends Biggest and Best Ever, Zephyrhills News, June 26, 1979 by Jaynell LeHeup Hopes for the biggest and best became a reality Sunday for the 10th annual Zephyrhills High School Alumni and Friends Reunion. At 1 p.m. the group’s President H.D. Pollock, Class of 1935 gave the welcome. Vice President Robert Booth, Class of 1946 and his committee of workers had everything ready for the buffet luncheon which was enjoyed after the invocation by Reverend Arthur Austin, Class of 1929. New officers elected are Mrs. Laray Mott Jordan, class of 1946, President; John F. Clements, Vice President who has been a faculty member at ZHS since the 1948-49 school year; Mrs. Betty Jo Turner Hyder, Class of 1948, secretary; and Mrs. Sharon Forbes Nelson, Class of 1960, treasurer. The largest family group present this year was the family of eight children of J.F. Clardy and the late Mrs. Clardy of Zephyrhills. The four brothers and four sisters were enjoying their first family reunion in 25 years. Most were accompanied by their wives, husbands, children and some by grandchildren. They were: Ashley Clardy, Class of 1939, Marietta, Georgia; Sarah Clardy, Class of 1938 and now Mrs. D.K. Lagasse of Keystone Heights; Thurman Clardy, Class of 1943, Daytona Beach; Normanelli Clardy, Class of 1946; Lois Clardy, Class of 1947 who is now Mrs. Zariel Tyson of Afghanistan; Robert Clardy, Class of 1950, Stone Mountain, Georgia; Jack Clardy, Class of 1952, St. Augustine; and Vonceil Clardy, Class of 1956, Charlotte, North Carolina. Zephyrhills School, Zephyrhills News, September 6, 1947 The popular and efficient principal, Leon R. Luckenbach, comes to us from the University of Maryland, where he was a professor of mathematics. He holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Florida. Mr. Luckenbach served in the Canadian Army Air Force and later in the American Army. The Zephyrhills school is expanding, both in student membership and physical property. The total enrollment this year is 513 students. A new building ready in a few weeks, is increasing the number of classrooms by six. The mainspring of any school is the faculty. From the twenty-two members of the school comes a wealth of experience and knowledge. Three of the members have Master’s Degrees; one has its recognized equivalent; some are specialists in their field or endeavor; and all have a great deal of talent and ability. The staff consists of Principal Luckenbach and eleven specialized instructors in the Junior and Senior High Schools and ten teachers in the elementary grades. The school lunchroom, under the capable direction of Mrs. Marie Spencer, furnishes a tasty and nourishing meal at low cost. The Primary Grades-In the primary grades the reading assumes a place of major importance and improved practices in the teaching of reading are employed. College-trained, experienced teachers use up-to-date methods of instruction and seek to develop the whole child, mentally, physically, morally, socially, and emotionally. The individual child and his needs are considered along with the welfare of the group. Music, art and physical education round out the academic program of studies. Due to the face that the Zephyrhills School is accredited through the Southern Accredited Association of Schools, it does and must, maintain the advanced and progressive program which is outlined by the Educational Authorities of the State of Florida. To cope with the advanced and progressive program, the Intermediate Department of the school is staffed in the main, with teachers who are college graduates and who have had experience. An important phase, probably a most important one, is the unified course of study which links the Primary and Intermediate departments placing emphasis on the teaching of the Language Arts. Each teacher familiarizes herself with the work in the preceding and following grades. Junior and Senior High School-Zephyrhills is very proud that its school is a member of the Southern Association of Accredited Schools and Colleges. This is of great value to our graduates who plan to enter schools or higher learning. In addition to regular academic courses, our school offers training in Vocational Agriculture, Home Economics, music, Library Science, and Physical Education. Athletics-The Zephyrhills High football team is on the march. Due to the small squad it is necessary to use many inexperienced boys in key positions. That is a handicap to the team as well as the boys. However, each one plays the game to the hilt. As you have seen they never ask quarter nor give any. We can justly be proud of them for the manner in which they carry the high school colors. They are well coached and have the spirit it takes to win. The school has secured the services of one of Florida’s best high school coaches. Coach Cappola knows the game. He knows the weak and strong points of his boys and has that knack of getting the best out of each man. He has instilled the proper spirit that carries a team to victory. He never loses an opportunity to build character and sportsmanship. “Coach,” as we affectionately called him, served three years in the armed forces. After this service to the country he went to Auburn, took part in athletics there and was one of the school’s best men. After graduation he secured the position as head coach in the high school at Trenton. This year we are fortunate to have him in that capacity of head coach. Program of Guidance-The schools of today are accepting the responsibility of pupil guidance. In recognition of the growing need of boys and girls for a program of guidance, Mr. Luckenbach has made this program an integral part of the administration and curriculum of the school. In the elementary school the teachers are responsible for the guidance of the pupils of their own grades. In the high school this work is carried on chiefly in the homeroom periods, vocational classes, assembly programs, student government participation and in the various clubs. The guidance program of the Zephyrhills school aims to develop happy, well-adjusted, good citizens who can make useful contributions to our community, state, and nation in keeping with the ideals and principles of our democracy. High School Activities-During recent years great emphasis has been placed on extra curricula activities in the school. The need for some such programs in the school to give the student an opportunity to express himself in some activity in which he has special interest and native ability has become very great. Various clubs that have been approved by the faculty and will be under the direction of a well qualified faculty member include: Glee Club, Library, Dramatics, Citizenship, Athletics, Science, Newspaper, Home Economics, and Hobby. The new annex was opened in 1947. Much was done by volunteer labor. The total reported in the 9/06/1947 news article was $9,433.78 and included $1,529 in blocks, $537. In cement, $682 in steel windows. Photos which follow include ZHS in 1947 and the new School Annex.
Dr. Emerson David Arnot, Jr. passed away December 27, 2007 at the Hernando Pasco Hospice in Dade City, Florida, Tampa Tribune, December 20, 2007. He was born August 14, 1925, in Crystal Springs, Florida to Dr. Emerson Arnot Sr. and Louise Marie Dechambeau-Arnot. The family moved to Zephyrhills, Florida, the following year. He attended school in Zephyrhills through the 11th grade, and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during World War II on the USS Aucilla AO-56. The Aucilla was involved in operations in both the Atlantic and Pacific. After the war, he was honorably discharged. He then returned to Zephyrhills to finish his senior year of high school and graduated with his brother and sister in the class of 1947. He attended the National College of Chiropractic in Chicago, Illinois, and graduated in 1950. He then went into practice with his father in Zephyrhills. He married Joan N. Johnson June 10, 1952. Emerson and Joan had two daughters, Suzanne Marie and Sheree? Louise. He practiced in Zephyrhills for 38 years. When he retired, the practice was carried on by his nephew, John M. Arnot. He was active in city affairs for many years. He was a volunteer fireman and a city councilman who spearheaded the reclamation of the much-neglected Zephyr Park in 1962. He then served as Mayor from 1964-1976. He was then reelected to the City Council in 1976, following a recall election. He is survived by his wife, Joan; two daughters, Suzanne Marie Morgan and her husband, Ray, of Crystal Springs and Sheree? Louise Newell and her husband, Michael, of Zephyrhills; his three grandchildren, Johanna Bonnie Theel, and her husband, Bobby, Jacob Edwin Newell and Tess Marie Newell, all of Zephyrhills, a great-grandson, R. Conway Theel; and his sister, June Eiland of Zephyrhills. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Louise VanAs and Annette Green and his brother, John E. Arnot.
HIGHLIGHTS OF 1946Seniors are: Rubye Lott, Valedictorian; Lois Ann Martinson, Salutatorian; Joseph Elmer Nickerson, Blanche Madeline Lowe, Hazel Boatwright, Robert Andrew Booth, Christiee Maxine Bryant, Amos A. Chancey, Doris Gertrude Cherry, Charles Sidney Coon, Helen Claire England, Ruth Kersey, Nita Lindsey, Mary Lois McDowell, Carolyn Laray Maple, Ralph B. Mott, Albert Wilson Royal, Sherman Aguatus Royal, and Franklin Thomas.Bulldog Bulletin, Zephyrhills News, May 24, 1946 Zephyrhills High School News-The Juniors are very excited and for once are not in any too much mischief. They are looking forward to a big time Friday night so they can give the Faculty and Seniors a real feed. One like they have never had before. The Invitations to the Junior-Senior Banquet and Prom have been given to the Seniors and faculty. Booth’s Give Party for Faculty and Seniors— Inadvertently the Senior Dinner Party at Booths was omitted from last week’s issue. Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Booth gave a party for the High School Faculty and the Senior Class at their home on Friday evening, May 19th. The Seniors gathered around the piano and sang while Laray played until all the guests arrived. The Faculty was seated in the beautifully decorated living room and Seniors were seated on the porch. The house was decorated in the Seniors’ class colors of red and white. Red candles and red and white glads were placed on the tables. The dinner was started with a fruit cocktail and followed by the main course which consisted of roast turkey and all the trimmings. After the dinner a very pleasant social time was enjoyed by all present. This party marked the tenth occasion on which Mr. and Mrs. Booth have entertained the High School Seniors. Senior News-The seniors are on the last roundup on the annual. A few extra copies were ordered so that anyone not putting in their order ahead of time may order one now. The Business Managers are collecting the last dollars to be paid. The Commencement programs Mathis has been asked to give E.C. Nance, President of the University of Tampa, is to be the guest speaker at the Commencement Exercise.
 On behalf of the faculty and students of Zephyrhills High School, we dedicate this page to Captain A. William Krusen, now on leave from Pan American Grace Airways, who so willingly volunteered his services as aeronautics instructor for our school. On February 14, 1946, the ZHS Senior class purchased and presented to the school a BT-13 Vultee trainer for the purpose of teaching aeronautics to both girls and boys of the upper classes. The plane was purchased from the War Surplus Board and was flown to the Zephyrhills airfield by Mr. William Krusen, a local pilot. Upon arrival of the plane a dedication program was held with Congressman J. Hardin Peterson giving the dedicatory address and Mrs. Mozena, on behalf of the Senior class, made the presentation. Following the buying of the airplane from the government, an aeronautics class was organized with Mr. William Krusen of Pan American Grace Airways, willingly giving his time as instructor and Dr. O. H. Ellmaker serving as assistant. Interest spread fast and twenty-three pupils enrolled, getting off to a good start on Civil Aeronautics Authority Rules and Regulations. Meteorology, navigation, and other fundamentals of flying followed.
Junior-Senior Banquet and Prom, Zephyrhills News, May 31, 1946 One of the highlights of the closing of school was the Junior-Senior banquet held at the Women’s Club on Friday, May 24 at 7:30. The Juniors worked around the theme of aeronautics. The club was decorated with red and white wings over each window and across the front of the speaker’s table. Streamers of white and blue ran from window to window. The tables were decorated with flower assortments. The place cards were small wings of red and white like those across the windows. The Juniors, Seniors, teachers and guests enjoyed their meal of roast chicken, mashed potatoes, dressing, cranberry sauce, squash, gravy, vegetable salad, ice cream and cake. The girls who served word dark skirts and white draw-string blouses with frilly aprons and caps. The boys wore khaki suits. Those serving were: Jane Smith, Jane Kerr, Judy Hammond, Lea Bassee, Limbo Burley, Richard Rosenvold and Freddie Gore. First on the program was the welcome preceded by the blessing by Mr. Mitchell. After the fruit cocktail, Bobby Clardy and Nancy Skinner sang a duet accompanied by Marilyn Skinner on the piano. Mrs. Getting and Miss Mayor played a duet on the piano and Nancy Skinner sang a solo. Each member of the School Board was asked to say a few words. The co-pilot, John Arnot, gave the toast to the Seniors. The response was given by Bobby Booth. The toast to the faculty was given by the pilot, Patricia Parttridg, and the response was given by the air hostess, Mrs. Mozena. George Gentzel played the saxophone accompanied by Miss Mayor at the piano. Mr. Craig, acting principal, spoke on the “Future of Aeronautics in Pasco County Schools.” After a hearty meal everyone went to the alternate airport (the American Legion Hall) for the prom. There they spend an enjoyable evening dancing to the music of Gerald Parson’s band. During the intermission, a floor show was presented from the grammar and high school. The Juniors wish to thank the mothers and the Sophomores for helping with the banquet. Without their help, it would not have been possible. In observance of Armistice Day the Armistice Day the American Legion sponsored an essay contest on “Who is a Good American?’ for Junior and Senior High Schools. First award was given to Nancy Skinner, second award to Jaynelle LeHeup and to June Smith was given Honorable Mention. Each of the winners was presented with a book of interest to every good American. At the beginning of the second semester the Business English Class under the direction of Mrs. Mildred S. Mozena contributed a column of school items to the Zephyrhills News. This column has been continued by Hazel Boatwright. The name for the column, “Bulldog Bulletin,” was suggested by Jaynelle Le Heup. On January 18th, 1946 the W.C.T.J. Essay Contest was held. In the Senior High School the award, a medal, was given to Ted Mayor. In the Junior High, the medal was won by Jaynelle LeHeup. The contest for the grades was held on February 22, 1946 when each grade presented a demonstration. For the first three grades the award was given to the Third Grade. The Fourth Grade won the award for the Intermediate Grades. To the Fourth Grade, Mrs. Mabel Price presented a picture for the school room. From March 6th to 13th, the Seniors conducted a contest to find a name for the new annual. An award of five dollars was won by Betty Jo Turner who submitted the name of “Zephilsco.” American Legion Awards will be given to the Eighth grade Girl and Boy who have shown the best citizenship qualities together with high scholarship attainment. Girl for 1945-46 is Nancy Skinner and Boy is Billy England. Valedictorian is Rubye Lott and Salutatorian is Lois Ann Martinson. Most Worthwhile Senior is awarded a medal and a cup. The cup is the George A. Stevens Cup presented by the Tourist Club of Zephyrhills beginning in 1934. The student’s name will be engraved on the cup and the student will keep it for a year. At the end of which time it is passed on to the next Worthwhile Seniors. The winner for 45-56 is Bobby Booth. Activities awards were given to the Senior girl and boy who have been most cooperative and helpful in school activities and it is presented to Rubye Lott and Bobby Booth. Athletic Awards went to Hazel Boatwright and Albert Royal. New Curriculum-On February 14, 1946, the ZHS Senior Class purchased and presented to the school a BT-13Vultee Trainer for the purpose of teaching aeronautics to both girls and boys of the upper classes. The plane was purchased from the War Surplus Board and was flown to the Zephyrhills airfield by Mr. William Krusen, a local pilot. Upon arrival of the plane a dedication program was held with Congressman J. Hardin Peterson giving the dedicatory address and Mrs. Mildred S. Mozena, on behalf of the Senior Class, made the presentation. Following the buying of the airplane from the government, an aeronautics class was organized with Mr. William Krusen, of Fan American Grace Airways, willingly giving his time as instructor and Dr. O.H. Ellmaker serving as assistant. Interest spread fast and twenty-three pupils enrolled getting off to a good start on Civil Aeronautics Authority Rules and Regulations, Meteorology, Navigation and other fundamentals of flying followed. The football squad is composed of Jimbo Burley, George Gentzel, Bernard Kerce, Buddy Nickerson, Bobby Booth, Fred LeHeup, Freddie Gore, Billy England, James Ryals, Charles McClung, George Bryant, Rogan Ellerbe, Herbert McGinnis, Richard Rosencold, Eugene Miller, Albert Royal, Ralph Mott and Howard Cherry. Cheerleaders are Alton Tyre, Lois Clardy, June Lashley, and William Tilley. Class Motto: “We build the Ladder on Which We Climb.” Class Colors: Red and White; Class Flower: Gladioli
 ZHS Football Team 1946. 1st row: Jimbo Burley, George Gentzel, Bernard Kerce, Buddy Nickerson, Bobby Booth, Fred LeHeup, Freddie Gore, Billy England, James Ryals, Charles McClung; 2nd row: George Bryant, Bogan Ellerbe, Herbert McGinnis, Richard Rosenvold, Eugene Miller, Billy Eiland, Albert Royal, Ralph Mott, and Howard Cherry. Coaches were Mrs. Mary Mangin and Mr. Gerald Hatch.
ZHS Alumni Boost Stadium Fund, Zephyrhills News, June 9, 1978 A large, enthusiastic crowd of home-towners, out-of-towners, and guests picnicked at the 9th annual reunion of the ZHS Alumni and Friends…… H.D. Pollock of Zephyrhills, Class of 1935, was elected President of the 1979 ZHS Alumni and Friends. Serving with him will be R.A. “Bob” Booth of Dade City, class of 1946. ZHS Alumni Boost Stadium Fund, Zephyrhills News, June 9, 1978 A large, enthusiastic crowd of home-towners, out-of-towners, and guests picnicked at the 9th annual reunion of the ZHS Alumni and Friends….gathering before noon at the Zephyr Park…. Picture Caption: “Boys” reunited with their old buddies and Gus Royal, Class of 1946, Thurmond Clardy, Class of 1943, Al Royal, Class of 1946, Bill Tilley, Class of 1949 and Ernie Peeples, Class of 1955 enjoyed cutting the fool just like in their school days. The 1946 ZHS principal is: Mr. Paul B. L. Mitchell, M.A. and a photo of the outdoor basketball court in 1946 at ZHS.
Zephyrhills News, July 30, 1977 Another enjoyable and successful Zephyrhills High School Alumni and Friends Reunion was held at the Zephyr Park Community Center. ….New officers elected for the ZHS Alumni Association are: Mrs. Sam (Dena Royal) Craparo, class of 1943, Tampa, President; Mrs. Wayne (Irene Leffer) Fausset, Class of 1943, Brandon, Vice President; Mrs. Bryon (Anna Greene) Farmer, Class of 1954, Zephyrhills, Secretary; and Albert Royal, Class of 1946, Tampa, Treasurer. They will be in charge of the 1978 Reunion and will be assisted by interested alumni and friends in Zephyrhills. ZHS Alumni and Friends Prepare for Gala Reunion Here in June, Zephyrhills News, May 24, 1979 As the end of the school year activities are becoming the order of the day, thoughts are also being focused on the upcoming Zephyrhills High School Alumni and Friends Reunion…… ZHS Alumni and Friends officers for this year (1979) are H.D. Pollock, Class of 1935, president; Robert Booth, Class of 1946, Vice President …. ZHS Alumni and Friends Reunion Honors Classes of 1930 and 1955, Zephyrhills News, July 3, 1980, by Jaynell LeHeup Each year it gets bigger and better—that is the general consensus about the ZHS Alumni and Friends Reunion! The 1980 Reunion was Sunday at the Community Center, Zephyr Park. There wasn’t just a full house—there was such an overflowing crowd that it was voted to try to obtain the larger Municipal Auditorium for the 1981 Reunion. ----New officers elected to organize and take charge of the 1981 Reunion are Donnie Nelson, President, Class of 1958, Merle Green, who moved away in 1942 but would have been a member of the Class of 1946, Vice President; Mrs. Helen England Tiley, Class of 1946, Secretary; and Mrs. Floyd (Margaret Nelson) Cherry, Class of 1958, Treasurer. All are residents of Zephyrhills except Merle of Mobile, Alabama. They were suggested by a nominating committee composed of Jaynell LeHeup, Bob Booth and Bill Eiland, all former alumni officers. This year the group’s president, Mrs. Laray Mott Jordan, Class of 1946, was attending a family reunion in North Carolina and was unable to be present. Dr. Nance to Be Commencement Speaker Here, Zephyrhills News, June 7,1946 The Baccalaureate Services will be held in the Methodist Church at 8 p.m. June 9. The Reverend S.S. Mathis of the First Baptist Church will deliver the sermon. The Class Night program will be given Monday, June 10, at 4:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The American Legion awards and the Athletic awards will be presented. The night of the final activities the Senior Class will entertain Dr. and Mrs. E.C. Nance, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Craig at a dinner given in their honor in the Zephyr Hotel on Tuesday evening preceding the commencement. Commencement Exercises-At 8:30 p.m. on June 11, the Senior Class will march to the processional, “Pomp and Circumstance” by Elgar, into the auditorium to receive their diplomas. The Commencement address is to be delivered by Dr. E.C. Nance, President of the University of Tampa, who was guest speaker at the April P.T.A. meeting. All of you who were present will remember him with pleasure. Walter C. Craig, Superintendent, will award the diplomas The awards of achievement will be presented by Mr. Paul B.L. Mitchell. The Stevens Cup will be presented to the most “worthwhile” Senior and medals will be given to the Valedictorian and Salutatorian and the Senior Boy and Girl who have participated most in school activities. Graduating Class-The graduating class of 1946 consists of 19 members: Hazel Boatwright (treasurer); Bobby Booth, Christine Bryant; Abby Chancey; Doris Cherry; Charles Coon; Mary L. McDowell Drake; Helen England; Ruth Kersey, Nita Lindsey, Rubye Lott (President); Madeline Lowe (Secretary); Laray Mott Maple; Lois Ann Martinson; Ralph Mott; Buddy Nickerson (Vice President): Albert Royal; Gus Royal; Frank Thomas and faculty advisor, Mildred Mozena. Class motto: “We build the ladder which we climb,” and the class colors are red and white with the class flower, a gladioli.
HIGHLIGHTS OF 1945Commencement Exercises End School Year, Zephyrhills News, May 25, 1945The Zephyrhills High School concluded its Commencement activities during the present week. The high school auditorium was the setting for the greater number of functions which marked the closing week of the school term. On Sunday, May 20, the annual Baccalaureate services were held in the assembly hall of the high school. Dr. S.S. Mathis of the First Baptist Church of Zephyrhills delivered an impressive sermon to a large and appreciative audience. Other features of the program were the songs rendered by the high school chorus accompanied by Mr. Veva Geeting. On Monday night, The Senior Class gave the Class Night program. The outstanding features of this program were the presentation of the Class History by David Tyre, Jr; the Class Poem by Edna Thornberry; The Prophecy by Isabelle Baggett; Solo by Miss Nancy Skinner; the Class Will by William E. Wentworth Jr. and the delivery of the class gift to the school by Lois Tompkins. The class gift is to the school this year was the re-decoration of the school auditorium. The check was delivered to Merle M. Bright, Chairman of the local board of trustees, who made a brief but effective acceptance speech. Following this presentation was the introduction of Paul S. Tyson, local member of the Pasco County Board of Instruction and Commander of the Zephyr Post of the American Legion who made the presentation of the American Legion awards to the most outstanding boy and girl of the Eighth grade of the high school. These awards were given to Miss Betty Jane Thomas and to Alton Tyre. The music was furnished by the Zephyrhills Citizens’ Band and the choruses were under the direction of Mrs.Veva Getting. After the exercises were concluded the members of the Senior Class and their sponsor, Mrs. Eleanor R. Marchman, were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Metzinger at an informal reception. Chicken Dinner, Tuesday-Tuesday night brought entertainment in the form of a chicken dinner at the city park followed by a trip to the local theater where the class saw, “Brother Rat.” The chicken supper was a social courtesy extended by Mrs. David Tyre, Sr. and Mrs. G.W. McGinnis, and the picture show was enjoyed through the invitation of the class sponsor. On Wednesday night the senior girls who are members of the Home Economics Classes took part in the Annual Style Show. This style show, which has become a feature of the closing exercises of the high school, was held in the high school auditorium and is under the capable direction of Mrs. Getting. Following the style show the members of the Senior Class and the girls taking part in the style show will be entertained at the home economics building. Thursday night marked the culmination of the week’s activities when the annual commencement exercises were held in the high school assembly hall. The annual address was given by Judge O. L. Dayton Jr. and the presentation of diplomas was made by Superintendent Walter C. Craig. The class roll of graduating class follows: James Taylor, Chaplin; Roy Lockwood Harrison, David Tyre Jr, William Edgar Wentworth Jr. Marguerite Isabelle Baggett, Martha Johns Duddie, Patricia Bryan Eikeland, Leola Ellerbe Gessner, Edna Elizabeth Thornberry and Lois Marie Tompkins. First honors went to Miss Edna E. Thornberry, who was also named the most outstanding Senior and was awarded the loving cup in recognition of academic standing and fine personal qualifications. Second place academic honors went to David Tyre Jr. who was also given the award of best senior school citizen. As final courtesy of the graduating class of 1945, the Lion’s Club of Zephyrhills will host a dinner given in honor of the Seniors on Friday night of this week. Graduation Exercises to Be Held Next Week—Festivities Mark Closing Days of School, Zephyrhills News, May 18, 1945 The Graduation exercises for the Senior Class of Zephyrhills High School will be held next week. The Class Roll is as follows: Isabelle Baggett, James Chapin, Martha Duddie, Patricia Eikeland, Leona Gessner, Roy Harrison, Edna Thornberry, Lois Tompkins, David Tyre Jr., William Wentworth Jr. The class officers are: President—David Tyre Jr; Vice President—William Wentworth Jr; Secretary-Treasurer—Edna Thornberry. The class colors are blue and white with the red rose as class flower. Their motto, “Sicut patribus sit Deus nobis.” The class sponsor is Mrs. Eleanor Marchman The Baccalaureate Sermon will be delivered by Reverend S.S. Mathis of the First Baptist Church of Zephyrhills with music by the High School Choir under the direction of Mr. Veva Geeting. The Class Night Program will be on Monday, May 21, at the High School Auditorium at 8:30 o’clock with music by the Zephyrhills Citizen’s Band and songs by the High School Chorus. The Class History will be given by David Tyre Jr; Class Poem by Edna Thornberry; Class Prophecy by Isabelle Baggett; Last Will and Testament by William Wentworth Jr; and Giftorian by Lois W. Tompkins. The climax will be graduation on Thursday evening, May 25th at 8:30 o’clock at the High School Auditorium and a solo by Miss Nina Craig with Mrs. Veva Geeting, directing
HIGHLIGHTS OF 1944Commencement Exercises To Be Held Tonight—Miss Mary Hart Receives the Highest Honors, Zephyrhills News, May 19, 1944Tonight at 8:00 o’clock the High School auditorium of the Zephyrhills High School will be the scene of the graduation of the Class of 1944. After a week of commencement exercises this night will climax the year with the graduation of 18 Seniors. The highest honor of all goes to Miss Mary Hart as Valedictorian; the second highest to Miss Dorothy Gonzales as Salutatorian. Other honors awarded were to Mr. Frank Sellars as Best Citizen (boy); Miss Bettie Lashley, Best Citizen (girl); and Nattie Storms, Most Worthwhile Senior. These honors were awarded last night at the Class Night Program, which was also held in the High School auditorium. The delightful and unusual entertainment provided by the Senior Class was presented as a play entitled, “Class Night Memories.” Each player taking his part with perfection. Much credit is due to the teachers of these students in aiding them to attain this objective and as they go out into the world, either to further study or to make their own way, they will remember and appreciate the guidance of these teachers. The entire community extends to the graduates congratulations and good wishes for success in whatever way of life they may choose for themselves. Robert Kersey Passes Army College Tests, Zephyrhills News, May 19, 1944 Robert Kersey, a senior at Zephyrhills High School, a well-known young man in the community was notified that he was the only one who passed the army college tests given at the high school in March. This is a great honor and we know he will work hard and come out on top. The following week he reported to Tampa for his physical examination. He was then sent to Drew field. He did not have much confidence in being able to pass, for he had tried many times to enlist in nearly all branches of our armed forces but was continually rejected because of deficient eyesight. But when he took the test—miracle of miracles happened!! Bobby had passed his physical and was now Pvt. Robert Earl Kersey, ASTRP. He is not enlisted in the army specialized training reserve program through which he will receive six months of college training before entering his basic training. If after thirteen weeks of basic his grades prove high enough he will go to Officers’ Training School. This may result in the commission of lieutenant. Bobby is well-known throughout the Zephyrhills community for he has displayed his talent in the local band for several years. He has also sung on several occasions at public affairs. He is also a clerk at Hart’s Store, and we are sure we will all miss his smiling face around our town. Bobby will graduate tonight, and is subject to call by the army any time after June 1. We all want to wish him our heartiest congratulations and the greatest happiness on his new undertaking. Juniors Enjoy Dinner and Theatre Party, Zephyrhills News, May 19, 1944 Last Friday Evening, May 19, the members of the Junior Class together with Mr. And Mrs. McKillips, Mrs. Farris Bailey, Mrs. Clardy and Mrs. Skinner, met at the local drinking fountain. After all had assembled the group piled into the cars, which took us to Tampa. After a brief ride, which seemed like an eternity to most of them, we found ourselves at the Columbia Restaurant. There we enjoyed a meal which varied from chicken and yellow rice, trout and French fried potatoes to spaghetti and meat balls. We all gave way to the Spanish atmosphere which closed in around us. Some found themselves in weird predicaments, due to the Spanish speaking waiters. Nearly everyone received a menu as a souvenir. After we had finished we adjourned to the cars, which took us to the Tampa Theatre. There we saw, “Tender Comrade,” starring Ginger Rogers. It is the story of the wife of one or our war heroes, which could easily be your sister, cousin or who knows, maybe even you. We found ourselves drawn in and facing the same situations as she did. This was an immensely interesting picture. As had now become quite a habit, we again retired to the waiting cars, which took us to the Goody-Goody Drive-In for sandwiches and soft drinks. Following this we all settled back for the long ride home. This was a wonderfully eventful evening, which will long be remembered by all of us. We feel that it was one of the highlights of our High School careers. PTA Installs Officers for Coming Year, Zephyrhills News, May 19, 1944 The P.T. A. meeting Thursday, May 18 was opened with a program by Mrs. Veva Geeting, Home Economics Teacher and her girls with a style show and songs from their show presented earlier in the day. After the business of the day, Mrs. J. F. Clardy gave her nominating committee report, nominating: Mrs. S. Landers, President; Mrs. E.D. Arnot, Vice-President’ Mrs. Hazen Price, Secretary; and Mrs. R. Chapin as Treasurer for the coming year. There being no other nominations, the above were approved from the floor. The new officers were presented with corsages and then installed by Mrs. J.W. Kerr, installation officer, in a very pretty ceremony. Mrs. Burley Honored-Mrs. J.A. Burley was presented a gift by Mrs. Margaret Witham from the executive board with their appreciation for having been able to serve with her during her past term. The eleventh grade won the room count of a dollar prize. Their being no other business the meeting was adjourned for an hour of social activities. Baccalaureate Services Will Be Held Sunday Night—Commencement Program is Announced, Zephyrhills News, May 19, 1944 The Commencement activities for the graduating class are to be held as follows: Baccalaureate, Sunday, May 21, at 8:00 o’clock at the High School auditorium. Class Night, Thursday, May 25 at 8:00 o’clock at the High School auditorium. Commencement, Friday, May 26 at 8:00 o’clock at the High School auditorium. The speaker for the Baccalaureate services will be the Rev. C.G. McGavern. The speaker for the Commencement will be Chaplain F.H. Thomas, Chaplain Corps, Army Air Forces Tactical Center, Orlando, Florida. In civilian life, Reverend Thomas was a Baptist minister in Atlanta, Georgia—formerly he was chaplain at the Zephyrhills Air Base. Special Award To Be Given In School Bond Drive, Zephyrhills News, February 4, 1944 Representatives of the Lions Club of Zephyrhills addressed the students at Zephyrhills High School at assembly Monday morning relative to the urgency of the fourth war bond drive. The students were urged to top all previous records in bond selling. The Treasurer of the Lions Club presented Mr. Joel Nally, ZHS Principal, with a check for $50 to be awarded to those groups of each section of the school which turn in the highest dollar value of war bonds at the end of the drive. Every student presenting three new certificates for bonds sold to other than a member of the Lions Club will be presented with a fourth certificate for a bond bought by a Lion. List of Lions Awards: Grand prize: $25, Senior High School Group; $5, Grammar School group. Grand prize is understood to be an award payable to the class which sells the greatest total dollar value of war bonds. Second prize is understood to be awarded payable to the class which is the runner-up in total dollar value of war bonds. Special Prizes: $5 to the individual who sells the most $50 war bonds; $5 to the individual who sells the most $100 war bonds; $5 to the individual who sells the most bonds of higher denominations than $100 war bonds. Per Jeff Miller of fivay project, retrieved on November 24, 2007… “According to the St. Petersburg Times (recent article), Gulf beat Zephyrhills 61-0 on Oct. 13, 1944, and this is supposed to be Gulf's greatest ever margin of victory.” Oldest Alumnus Honored, Zephyrhills News, 1968 At the 1968 Homecoming, Frank Sellars, male graduate of 1944, was the oldest graduate to register. Alumni Reunion Draws 70 ZHS Grads for Talk on Old Days, Zephyrhills News, June 28, 1973 by Jaynell LeHeup A very congenial group of 70 persons, alumni of Zephyrhills High School, families and friends met Sunday afternoon in the “Common” Room of the Bank of Zephyrhills for the annual “Summer Homecoming” and ZHS Alumni Association Reunion. Nat Storms’1944 of Brandon, President of the Alum Association, assisted by his wife the former, Alice Jenkins, welcomed those present, who registered at the door and received a name tag. The Reverend Arthur Austin gave the invocation. After a bountiful potluck dinner served buffet style, Zephyrhills Mayor Emerson Arnot gave a few words of greeting and welcome to fellow ZHS alumni and guests. Both Austin’29 and Nat Storms’1944, a member of the class of 1944, remembered fondly the years of use of the downtown benches in Zephyrhills and were pleased to note that all such benches have not completely been abandoned in the ever changing years of growth and progress. They also expressed appreciation for the Alumni Association and the opportunity to get together with old friends and fellow alumni of all generations, at this time once a year, happy gathering. Class of 1944 Plans its 40th Reunion, Zephyrhills News, June 7, 1984 Members of the Zephyrhills High School graduating class of 1944 will hold their 40th anniversary class reunion Saturday, June 23. A 4-classmate committee has met to make preliminary arrangements and will attempt to contact each member of the class. Committee members are Dorothy Gonzales Frazer and Bill Womack, both of Zephyrhills, Roberta Branch Richberg of Branchton, and Nat Storms of Valrico. Other members of the class from this area are former County Commissioner Bill Hamilton of San Antonio, former U.S. Congressman Richard Kelly of Tampa and Mrs. H.C. (Christine Krusen) Douglas of Zephyrhills. Class of 1944 Reunion Group, The Zephyrhills News There were 18 graduates in the Zephyrhills High School Class of 1944, when Commencement services were conducted during the height of World War II and of those 18, 13 made it back for the group’s 40th reunion Saturday night. Of the 18, three are deceased, including Bill Dewey, who was killed in World War II. The others are Mary Elizabeth Neal and Jimmy Hammett. The “old grads” first gathered at the old high school which is now Zephyrhills Junior High for a nostalgic period then joined again for dinner at the Omaha Cattle Company steakhouse, where they had a banquet room to themselves. Most were accompanied by spouses and many had to introduce themselves since they have changed some in appearance over the past four decades. Photo names: William A. Parsons, Orlando, Roberta Branch Richburg, Thonotosassa; Ragna Rasmussen Crail, Moncks Corner, South Carolina; Ada Mansfield Hill, Zephyrhills; Alice Sullivan Crosby, Decatur, Georgia; Margaret Karpee Chauncey, Zephyrhills: James H. Richburg, Thonotosassa; Amos “Abe” Chauncey, Immokalee; Robert E. Kersey, Class Vice President, Paducah, Kentucky; William V “Bill” Womack, Class Treasurer, Zephyrhills; Nathaniel L. “Nat” Storms, Class President, Valrico; Betty Lashley Ferguson, Lake City and Frank W. Sellars, Zephyrhills. Alumni/Friends Reunion for 1985 Planned June 30, Zephyrhills News, June 13, 1985 High School graduations are in the limelight these past few weeks. It was one of the best and happiest times of our lives so it naturally figures that high school reunions will share some of the limelight…..Nat Storms, from the class of 1944, comes from his Valrico home each year with his wife, Alice Jenkins Storm, Class of 1942, to enjoy the reunion with old and new ZHS friends. ….Nat’s father, Don Storms of Plant city, is usually the graduate present from ZHS’s earliest class, the Class of 1913.
HIGHLIGHTS OF 1943Seniors Enjoy Chicken Barbecue at the Home of Mrs. Hall, Zephyrhills News, May 21, 1943“Having a wonderful time, surely glad we’re here.” That was what the seniors were saying not ten minutes after their arrival at the home of Mrs. Melvin Hall on the Fort King Highway on Tuesday evening. The odor of barbecue chicken filled |