Seventh
and eighth grades were wonderful years for Droozy. She liked all of her
teachers. Mr. McIlroy taught mathematics, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell were her English
teachers, Miss Vujenovic was in charge of the science curriculum, Frank Endry
taught history. It was all so very interesting to Droozy. She was the
teacher’s pet. Mr. McIlroy let her wipe the boards and had her do little
errands for him. He even invited her to his house in a Cleveland suburb. Miss
Vujenovic taught the young girl so much! It was a real joy to learn about the
stars; the anatomy of the human body; about nutrition and how not to eat
hamburgers from outdoor stands; how to stay healthy; how important fruit and
vegetables are in the daily diet; about the universe and many interesting facts
about the physical environment. Frank Endry taught history in a most
understandable way. He talked about all the presidents, their backgrounds and
what they achieved. He spoke of the Civil War, the end of slavery and the origin
of America and its inhabitants. The Campbells took a special interest in Droozy
and made sure that her English would always be clear and correct. When she
needed it they corrected her gently and with understanding. They never ridiculed
or made fun of her. They praised her for her accomplishments and made her feel
that she counted in this world. They often had her read her compositions to the
class and pointed out what a good command of the English language she had after
just two years in this country. Mr.
Endry signed Droozy’s autograph book with words that the eighth grader never
forgot and which she cherished. They were words that lifted her spirits when she
felt especially sad or unhappy: “You’re a grand student, keep it up!”
Whenever she reread those words she was able to reassure herself that she was
not dumb, but a smart person after all. Droozy
looked forward to school every morning. When there was a day off she did not
feel too happy. To this girl school was refreshing. It opened her mind to new
adventures, made her aware of her environment and how to live a better life in
it. She As the eighth grade graduation drew near Droozy was told that she and a boy by the name of Nelson Smith were to be the valedictorians of their grade. The two were the top students in their class and would be giving the farewell speech the night of graduation. Droozy was very happy but sad at the same time that it would be the end of her junior high school experiences; that she would have to bid her beloved teachers and classmates farewell and that she would probably not see them again as her parents and she were moving away from Weirton soon. |
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