VICTOR SCHOOL
125TH BIRTHDAY
CELEBRATION
News Article
On December 15, 2016, more
than 70, 3rd and
4th grade students
from Rossville Elementary School helped celebrate the 125th
birthday of the Victor 101 Schoolhouse at “Old Prairie Town”,
Ward-Meade Historical site and Botanical Garden in Topeka, Kansas.
The students, after touring the Historic Ward-Meade Site performed by
singing “Home on the Range” (the State Song), saying the Pledge
of Allegiance and reciting the Poem “Our Little Country School”.
Everyone then sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO VICTOR SCHOOL.
The program followed with
John Bell, the Director of Ward-Meade Park introducing Mr. Kevin
Cook, Shawnee County Commissioner who spoke about the importance of
knowing the educational history of the one-room schoolhouses. He
then introduced Corky Woon, the chairman of the “Friends of
Ward-Meade” Board, who spoke of the importance of having the school
preserved in Ward-Meade Historical Park.
Corky then introduced Doug
Martinek who proceeded with the program. He stated that at one time
there were over 4,000 one room schools in Kansas. Now just a few are
being preserved. He felt that there were none that has more original
material than Victor 101 School has. The school is almost like it
was when it closed in 1954. It has the same pupils’ desks,
teacher’s desk, and the library with the books, maps, musical
instruments, potbellied stove, the recitation bench, and other
mementos on display. Also, on display are the teacher ledger books,
all the pupil’s names who attended Victor 101 and all the teachers
who taught there. It is like a museum being preserved at Ward-Meade
Park.
In Doug’s opinion, he
truly believes this one-room school atmosphere was the best
environment for him to learn from. He is glad that he had the
opportunity to attend Victor, this one-room school.
Next on the program was a
video made by Sister Mary Kratina (age 92). The video describes why
she appreciated going to Victor 101 and to get her education in a
one-room school. The video was produced by J D Benning, Atchison, KS.
Shelly Braden and Edith
McClain then told a couple of stories, about their mother and
grandmother, Mrs. Halcia Cerny when she taught at Victor 101.
The Moravan Lodge 128
officers were then introduced as the Lodge and Victor were sister
establishments across the road from each other in rural Shawnee
County. The officers are Maxine Carver, Sec.; Dr. Ernest Kratina,
Treasurer, who had many relatives attend Victor; Bob Dolezilek, Vice
President, whose both Mother and Father attended Victor; and Doug
Martinek, President, who attended Victor and his Dad, Bennie who
attended and taught at Victor.
Next on the program was J
D Parr, originally from Rossville and now a retired Music Professor
from Baker University brought some lively entertainment to the
program by playing some Polkas on his accordion.
Mr. Bob Dolezilek then
read the History of Victor 101 School.
Mrs. Anita Kendall (age
90) gave the History of Victor 101 School coming to Ward-Meade Park
in 1981.
Jane Zickefoose Davis gave
the story of her Great, Great, Grandfather Mr. P.H Zickefoose, who
was elected Chairman of the Original Victor 101 School Board in 1891.
She also had a picture of him.
Virginia Stach Meyer, a
daughter of Winfred Decker Stach was shown a piece of cloth that her
mother had embroidered in 1932. It will remain on display at Victor
101.
Other former students on
the program that had a story to tell about their days at Victor 101,
were Pauline Timmons Conley, Joan Dolezilek Anderson, Leona Badura
Faulk, and Carol Tuller.
After
thanking everyone for coming, especially the Rossville Elementary
School under the direction of Mrs. Ann McCullough their principal,
former students, Mr. Kevin Cook and the Ward-Meade personnel, the
birthday cake was then cut.
A Capital Journal article on the celebration and more photos can be seen at:
http://rossvilleksalumninews.blogspot.com/2016/12/alumni-talk-about-victor-school.html
Following photos were furnished by Doug Martinek (59)
RGS 3rd & 4th grade students, teachers and special guests outside Victor School
Shawnee Co. Comm. Kevin Cook speaking to RGS students outside Victor School.
Inside Victor School
Bob Dolezilek giving the history of the school.
Virginia Stach Meyer, the daughter of Winfred Decker Stach discusses a piece of cloth
that her mother embroidered in 1932 as a student at Victor. Doug Martinek listens
Doug Martinek and Virginia Stach Meyer looking at the cloth.
J. D. Parr played some polkas with his accordian.
Jane Zickefoose Davis (RHS 1961) spoke about her great great grandfather
being elected chairman of the first Victor School Board in 1891.
Mrs Juanita Kendall (age 90) reading the history of Victor school
coming to Ward-Meade park in 1981
Sister Mary Katrina who spoke at the celebration.
Victor Students ca 1953
