Sunday, January 19, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
LAST OF THE LIGHTS
The remaining holiday lights and a blanket of snow combined for a striking view of the Shelby County Courthouse last week. | photo by JACK BOYCE
Courier: (2006) SHS Teachers Retire
Editor’s note: As custodian of the Shelbyville High School Courier archive, it’s apparent that the strength of each edition is, of course, related to the strength of the student staff. The 2005-2006 Courier staff, featuring Sarah Newkirk, Heather Nolley and Kristen Hanson as co-editors, was particularly strong, with comprehensive, researched articles throughout the year. The following article is from their final edition, May 16, 2006.
by JESSE HUTTON
This year seems to be the time for change. Not only is SHS going under a drastic renovation, but five of SHS’s most experienced teachers will be leaving this year. Recently, SHS has been involved in mass media, including features in Time and Oprah. Most recently, a story by Miss Marilyn Jones was published on Time.com featuring the importance of the teacher-student connection. These liaisons seem to make students more interested in school. Obviously, the five teachers leaving this year have made these connections between themselves and their students.
Mrs. Gail Wildman has been teaching art at SHS for 15 years. Her love for art and for her students made all of those 15 years memorable ones. Although Mrs. Wildman will be sad to leave at the end of this year, she still looks forward to the future that she sees in store for SHS. “I see wonderful things in SHS's future...new programs, increase in academics, special niches for every student, and schedules that fit multiple needs, among other great things,” commented Mrs. Wildman.
Mr. Eugene Hopkins, also retiring at the end of this year, will be leaving behind a 35-year career at SHS. Mr. Hopkins will not only miss the fond memories that he has obtained over the years, but he will also miss “being with the kids and watching them grow to their full potential.” Mr. Hopkins also commented, “I will really miss being a teacher in general. I really enjoyed being a teacher here; I looked forward to coming to school each day.”
It seems that it is a recurring trend that teachers will ultimately miss their students, but retiring teacher of 43 years, Mr. John Heaton, will also miss being a basketball coach.
“I coached basketball here for 17 years, and I will miss this extracurricular activity a lot,” he said.
Speaking of friendships gained over the years, Mr. Gary Hamner, who has taught at SHS for 22 years, will miss “the friendships with both adults and students who have become adults. I will also miss the thrill of seeing the light go on with students having difficulty learning, and when they finally get it, the feeling is amazing.”
After his teaching career at SHS ends this year, Mr. Hamner foresees himself enjoying other things. “I am looking forward to keeping my job at the radio station and the Sports Locker Room.”
Although Mr. Hamner anticipates keeping his current job, SHS’s other retiring teacher, Mrs. Janet Godby, plans to find a new career once leaving SHS. Mrs. Godby will really miss the organization known as BPA (Business Professionals of America). “I will also greatly miss seeing the students who succeed and come back to tell me about it. For a teacher, that can be one of the most rewarding moments,” commented Mrs. Godby.
SHS is definitely undergoing alterations. Not only is the building being changed drastically, but some of SHS's greatest teachers will be leaving this year. They leave behind memories of success but look forward to what SHS has in its future.
NOTEBOOK:
HOOSIER NEWS: Cosmetology educators and students told lawmakers last week they don’t want the number of hours required to get a cosmetology license reduced. Forty-three states require at least 1,500 hours of education before taking the cosmetology licensing exam. Indiana is one of them — and Rep. Tim Wesco (R-Osceola) said that’s the wrong way to educate. “Doesn’t matter if you’ve done all the practicals; doesn’t matter if you have all the proficiency,” Wesco said. “But you’ve got to put in so many hours.” Wesco’s bill, HB 1329, would reduce the number of required hours by a third, down to one thousand. (Indiana Public Media)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
Feb. 6, 1931, Part I
Mr. Martin Schulz began teaching band at the elementary grade level, in addition to his junior high and high school duties. A meeting was held each week at each of the three buildings: Hendricks, Major and Colescott. Students were responsible for buying their own instruments.
After six years of listening to the same records in typing classes, new records were purchased. “Sidewalks of New York” had caused “so much comment in the halls,” and “Sweet Jenny Lee” was played loud enough to be heard throughout the building, The Courier reported.
The senior class raised money for yearbooks by hosting a movie at The Strand. The picture show, “Lottery Bride”, delved into the effects of picking a spouse at random.
The junior high administration selected six students to serve as traffic monitors: Paul Watters, first floor, west stairs; Ray Anderson, first floor, east steps; Martha Mull, second floor, east stairs; Jack Stafford, second floor, west; and Fred Murray, third floor.
In Bible class, Pauline Dobbs was asked by Miss Swanson what was the most important thing that happened after the flood. Swanson said, “Noah got drunk.” Later, Bernard Coers suggested that the servant hurried home after finding a wife for Isaac because he “wanted to get it over with.”
This Day in Shelby County History
News around Shelbyville and the surrounding area as reported on or about this date in history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials.
2005: Pruitt Studio in Waldron celebrated 35 years in business.
1995: A bill filed in the state legislature would have required special license plates for those who had been convicted of a DUI, to help officers identify potentially drunk drivers. Former Judge George Tolen disagreed with the proposed law. Other local officials also disagreed. “It’s one thing to punish the offender, but you can’t get into the situation where you’re punishing the family,” State Rep. Jeff Linder, R-Waldron, said.
1985: Waldron senior Jeannie Evans was crowned Homecoming queen by escort Bill Goolsby. Nicolas Hartman and Alicia Rhoades, 4, were the flower children.
1975: The Shelby County Council appropriated funds to replace two iron bridges, both built in the 19th century, with modern, concrete-steel spans. One was over Sugar Creek on 700 N, just north of London, and the other was over Little Blue River on 575 E near Union Road.
1965: Charles Denney, 16-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Denney, was taken to Major Hospital after becoming ill. Sheriff Deputies Tom Rowe and Bob Buckley walked a half-mile to the home since the snow-drifted road was impassable and carried the boy to the ambulance.
1955: Jacqueline “Jackie” Ivie, 9, who lived at 319 Alice Street, won a brand-new bicycle in the county-wide SCUFFY art contest. She also received a theater ticket and a Bible story book.
1945: Waldron Airman Lt. Francis Cherry had been a member of a U.S. Air Force Bomb Group that provided Christmas candy and toys to children near a military base in England. The children had not received Christmas gifts since the war started. The story was published in the “Stars and Stripes” Army newspaper. Lt. Cherry had completed 33 missions.
1935: Local service groups hosted a Presidential Ball, organized by Nate Kaufman, to benefit infantile paralysis treatment efforts. Seventy percent of the money would stay local, Kaufman said.
1925: Local police began enforcing a city ordinance directing automobiles to not park in the same block where fireman were fighting a fire. Curious onlookers had been causing challenges for emergency responders.
1915: George Moorman purchased the Morristown Sun weekly newspaper from Ora McDaniel for $1,000. Moorman had been editor and owner of the Greenwood Era for nine years.
SHS won their eighth straight basketball game with a 24-19 win over Seymour.
Over 19,000 calls a day were being made in Shelbyville, local “Hello Girls” (operators) reported. There were 26 girls on shift at a time in the local office.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
Ronald William Burnett, 77, of Merritt Island, Fla., passed away Monday January 13, 2025.He was born May 27, 1947, in Indianapolis, Indiana., to Charles E. Burnett and Irene L. (Lutz) Burnett.
Ron graduated from Arsenal Tech High School. He then enlisted in the United States Army and honorably served his country during the Vietnam era. His time in the military, serving in the 1st Cavalry, helped form his passion for military history. Ron had a love for the outdoors: some of his favorite outdoor pastimes were boating and fishing, especially with his kids and grandkids. He enjoyed volunteering at the Florida State Parks, accumulating 5,561 volunteer hours. He was a master with his hands and was very good at carpentry work, which he learned from his father. Ron could often be found in his favorite spot sitting on his front porch and talking with everyone who walked by.
Ron is survived by his sons, Kenneth (wife, Veronica) Burnett and David (wife, Laurie) Burnett; his daughter, Deonna (husband, Jimmy) Stewart; his sons, Matthew (wife, Rebecca) Coxe and Andrew (wife, Alex) Burnett; his grandchildren, Amber Anderson, Joshua Burnett, Erika Connelly, Jackie Burnett, Tiffany Burnett, Vanessa Burnett and Jimmy Stewart; his great-grandchild, Isaias Burnett; his brothers, Sam Burnett, Charles Burnett, Jr.; his sisters, Jean Johnson and Judy Kuhn and his brother, Jerry Burnett. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Terry Burnett and his sister, Barbara Jo Ailes.
Visitation will be Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 10 a.m. to noon at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Funeral services will follow at noon at the funeral home with Pastor Jose Rivera officiating. Burial will be in Whispering Hope Memorial Gardens Hero’s of Honor and Glory section. Military rites will be conducted by our local veteran organizations. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Ron’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.