WELCOME TO GARY WOLFSTONE'S BLOG 28 ~ I will always look back fondly on my Sixth Grade experience in 1954 at Interlake Grade School in Seattle.
Mrs. Lyons, my teacher, was kind and compassionate. Indeed, I think that she was more interested in me and more devoted to me than any other student in my class. I had taken an interest in rock collection, and she announced to the class more than once that someday Gary Wolfstone would be a world famous geologist. That did wonders for my inexperienced ego and self-confidence.
Sometimes the adventure of coming of age is as daunting as climbing the Matterhorn!
By now Mrs. Lyons has probably passed away. Perhaps she is survived by sons and/or daughters, and I would enjoy hearing from them.
I remember the names of Burney Welch and Philip Creighton who were my classmates. Hopefully, one or the other will read this Blog and get in touch with me to say hello.
Childhood memories are a treasure. One of the boys in my class whose name was George had a beautiful soprano voice. I recall that he was called upon to sing at several school functions. As for my evolution into manhood, my first true love was an hispanic girl at Interlake whose name was Celita. She lived in my neighborhood, and I would hold her hand as we walked home together occasionally.
School discipline in 1954 was rigorous, and I was too terrified to transgress the rules. For example, the school ground surrounding the school was divided by a bold yellow line separating the boys and girls during recess. Some of the boys in my class had the temerity and self-confidence to intrude into the girls' space at a full gallop and then return laughing ~ with a false sense of accomplishment for their momentary disregard of the playground rules. Mr. Wynstra, our Principal, would occasionally walk around like a drill sergeant enforcing the code.
It is difficult to recall all of the peculiar rules of civility and decorum at this late date. Certainly, my teacher was always addressed as "Mrs. Lyons" and our Prinicpal was unfailingly addressed as "Mr. Wynstra." Today's youth could never comply with the expectations for behavior in 1954 because we have spoiled our children. Perhaps today's greater emphasis on indepdence fosters better citizenship. Today's youth will nearly always question authority.
Fortunately, my mind and body are still healthy after the passage of so many years. My sixth grade experiences seem like yesterday.
The Interlake School is still standing and has been converted into condominiums with retail shops on the first floor and basement. I had also attended Kindergarten at Interlake and can remember my first day of class. For the first time in life, my mother let go of my hand and walked away from me ~ leaving me with a crowd of strangers in the basement of the school building. I was terrified as I watched her walk away and disappear.
