The Treasure Chest editor, Lynda Pagnotta, wrote a fine first page editorial. She wrote, "This yearbook is dedicated to the seniors who will be venturing into a new life to represent 'Rogers in the Community.'" She also added in the conclusion that the TC was dedicated to "the idea of your place in the community--individually and collectively--now and in the future". I wasn't able to do that. I left Spokane community in September, 1960, enrolling at WSU, and I lived most months in Pullman until February 1965, when I had to leave Washington and go to Fort Gorgon, GA, for 2 years to be a lieutenant, and after completing my 2 year obligation, because of my ROTC record, I came back to the West, enrolling at Oregon College of Education to get a masters degree in Education, and the rest of my life has been living in Oregon as a teacher and retiree.
Lynda's last paragraph stated, "We sincerely hope that you, as one of the Rogers crew, find this book an adequate treasury of memories, of a pleasant and profitable voyage." It sure IS FULL OF MEMORIES for me! It's a better yearbook than all 4 WSU Chinook yearbooks I have, and this Rogers yearbook is ENORMOUSLY better than the previous 3 years, 1957-59. It's full of photos and lots of color.
Principal Jesse Purdey's photo looks better than my memory of seeing him in the hallways most mornings. Vice principal Paul MacGown looks good. He was the advisor of the Associated Student Body (ASB), who I got to spend my senior year with, every day, 2d period. I sure enjoyed him. He was one of the best faculty members, in my opinion, not a teacher, but a good advisor. Assistant James Elsensohn was a nice guy. He had been a Hillyard Booster Club assistant advisor, before our years at Rogers. The dean of girls, Lavelle Black, and of boys, John Jelinek, look good. I was always impressed by Mr. Jelinek, the way he dealt with student problems and appeared often in the front hallway. I remember a scene one morning when I was in the hallway putting things on an ASB board, and a student came in the door at the north end, smoking a cigarette! Jelinek "arrested" him immediately. I knew about most of the problems some students caused and I always thought Mr. Jelinek handled them very well and properly.
Before the reunion, it would be better to look through the Treasure Chest to enliven memories and give you some things to talk to fellow alums about. If you aren't attending the reunion, have a memory one at home, if you have a yearbook.