Tag Archives: Magnolia High School

Tuesday, May 3, 2016 – Happy Teachers’ Day – Who Do You Think You Are?

Posted on May 3, 2016 | 4 comments

Tuesday, May 3, 2016 – Happy Teachers’ Day – Who Do You Think You Are?

“Write a 1000 word paper telling me ‘Who Do You Think You Are’” Can you name the movie in which that was the assignment? Hint: a movie from the 1980’s.

While you are thinking, here are some remembered education quotes from teachers, friends and colleagues from years past. I am only attributing one quote to one teacher – my major advisor, dissertation advisor Dr. Frances E. Clark, who went to the Big Classroom in the Sky last week. For you, Dr. C. – Here!

From the Department of Redundancy Department – Dr. Frank Clark.

You can guess at the contributors for the rest.

The children are not negotiable.

You can lead a student to water, but you can’t make him think. But you can make him awfully thirsty.

You can take a good teacher and make them great, but you cannot take a bad teacher and make them a good one.

I am from the Texas Education Agency and I do not have anything to do with assessment or PEIMS or curriculum. (1989 – Present day)

From Conroe High (Conroe ISD) from the 1970’s – “Teachers, pardon this interruption. Will the following pupils report to the Vocational Building for the FFA yearbook picture…? The pupils participating in UIL events tomorrow will meet at 8:30 in the cafeteria.”

From J. L. McCullough High School (McC) (Conroe ISD) from the 1980’s – “Teachers, pardon this second interruption for the morning announcements … please review the Do Not Admit List and do not admit these students to your class until they have an excuse from their counselor. And don’t forget to keep looking for the pony.”

From Magnolia High School (Magnolia ISD) May 2, 2016 – “Teachers, pardon this interruption, the testing period has ended. You may now return your students’ cell phones.”

I bet you can add so many other quotes. Happy Teachers’ Day to all of us! Thank or think of one of your teachers. You can read this, can’t you? Then do it. It is because of us that you can!

And the assignment question?

“Saturday, March 24, 1984 Brian Johnson [although unknown at this point] Shermer High School Shermer, Illinois 60062

“Dear Mr. Vernon:

We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong, but we think you’re crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us… In the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain… …and an athlete… …and a basket case… …a princess… …and a criminal. Does that answer your question?

Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club.

4 Comments

Posted in Education, Texas Aggies

Tagged Conroe High School, Conroe ISD, Education, J.L, K-12 education, Magnolia High School, Mc, The Breakfast Club

Thursday, January 7, 2016 – Throw Back Thursday – WE’RE FROM M-H-S …

Posted on January 7, 2016 | Leave a comment

Thursday, January 7, 2016 – Throw Back Thursday – WE’RE FROM M-H-S AND NO ONE COULD BE PROUDER AND IF YOU CANNOT HEAR US, WE’LL YELL A LITTLE LOUDER!

Great memories of yellow buses full of teenagers screaming this as the band buses rolled into an opponent’s stadium under the Friday night lights. So today is a throwback to all of the Magnolia ISD football teams and especially to this one – 1952 – I think. District 34 B District Champs!

065_65_090 (800x540)

The photographs come from two of the Rickett girls – Tracy and Suzanne (and their brothers – Ricky and Jon too). See the quarterback – your Uncle Mann? That is Big Don in the back field.

The Awards Program is from my collection. It appears most of the team received some type of recognition. Their faces are pretty easy to see since there were no face masks – even during play. Check out the opponents on the schedule.

Magnolia

30 Sugarland 0

19 Klein 12

25 * Cypress Fairbanks 13

13 Tomball 39

31 *Sealy 0

27 * Hempstead 7

12 Angleton 13

20 * Katy 7

33 * Waller 7

15 * Spring Branch 14

*District Game

If my math is correct, MHS had been playing 11 man football for only about 5 years.

Awards Program (800x450)

020_20_020 (800x540) 015_15_015 (800x540) 011_11_011 (800x540)

Still Proud. Still Loud. And Still Magnolia.

Leave a comment

Posted in College Football, Education, Native Texan

Tagged Magnolia High School, Magnolia Texas, Texas High School Football

Thursday, December 10, 2015 – Throw Back Thursday – Magnolia High School 1954

Posted on December 10, 2015 | 1 comment

Thursday, December 10, 2015 – Throw Back Thursday – Magnolia High School 1954

Let’s get in the Wayback Machine and go way back in time to 1954. In going through my father’s things, I found four rolls of negatives identified as “MHS Senior Trip, 1954.” I had them developed and share a few with you today.

Magnolia High School, Magnolia, Texas – Graduating Class of 1954 – Senior Trip

The class and their sponsors, one of whom was Mr. Duffey – aka Honeyboy, my father and another, head football Coach Swann went on the Senior Trip. My father must have been the official photographer while Coach Swann was the bus driver. I cannot recall the other two sponsors, but I am sure a few readers will be able to identify them along with members of the Magnolia Class of 1954.

78450017 (800x531)

In New Orleans. The alligator is probably still there.

They drove in a school bus with stops in New Orleans, on to

Mississippi 78450014

and then to Florida.

78410017 (800x531)

A quick show of hands – how many teachers/parents would like to take a group of “know it all” seniors on an unairconditioned school bus on an week long trip today?

Florida Frolicking – I think I see Giget and Moon Doggie.

As you look (and laugh) at the photos, look closely – they were styling for the times. They wore short shorts, cool caps, jeans rolled up over the ankles with bobby sox, cool sports coats, sunglasses that closely resemble today’s Ray-Bans, and struck some “I am pretty cool” poses. In fact, they look pretty awesome. So Happy Days to enjoy and remember.

How cool is this guy? James Dean had nothing on him.

The Ladies of the Class of 1954 showing the latest fashions of short shorts, Keds – the first leisure shoes for girls and obviously the most recent styles in ladies millinery. And sleeveless blouses! How scandalous.

The “throw out your hip” pose must have been very popular.

Coach Swann. I am not sure what he is standing in front of. At first glance it appears to a monument to a roll of paper towels, but I am not certain.

They all had to go to church on Sunday morning. Heels, hose, gloves, purses and I liked the head bands style of head gear.

Happy Days

Sweet Memories

1 Comment

Posted in Native Texan

Tagged Class of 1954, Magnolia High School

Thursday, November 5, 2015 – Throw Back Thursday and Where Are They Now?

Posted on November 5, 2015 | 1 comment

Thursday, November 5, 2015 – Throw Back Thursday and Where Are They Now?

You still have time to vote for Gayla Groves McClendon as Team Mom of the Year. We have until November 8. Remember – it is for the chillren as the Sweet Potato Queens say.

http://www2.usafootball.com/poll_management/userpoll/6

First a throwback Thursday to a promise I made and then forgot. So shout out to the Demons of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana and to Cousin Darryl, Defensive Coordinator for defeating Nicholl’s State in Thibeaux, Louisiana last Saturday. I think an appropriate statement might be “Revenge is best served cold and unexpected.” Great job Cuz!

And now – From the Where Are They Now Files

From Left to Right – Some Seniors of Magnolia High School – Class of 1967.

Howard Pool – Where in the world are you? I thought you were one of the coolest dudes in school.

Alan Clark – Where in the world are you? So good in math. Didn’t you join the Air Force? I hope you are a general or something by now.

John Paul Warren – Rest in peace, Dear Brother. So glad we had those last years as good friends. It was way better than going to the prom together. What is that you are holding in the photograph?

We know who the next person is. Interesting. He is the one holding the evidence of the paint brush.

Tommy Jacobs – Are you still up around Dallas? When I asked UP, I also mean directionally North or as my step mother used to say – “Where the prominent people live.”

Ted Dean – Where are you? Aren’t you the President of Pinehurst? Seriously, where are you?

Great memories from great guys. I do hope all of you are happy and well.

1 Comment

Posted in Education, Misc., Native Texan

Tagged Magnolia High School, Magnolia Texas

Thursday, July 23, 2015 – Throw Back Thursday – The Beach Boys and Magnolia High School 1965-1967

Posted on July 23, 2015 | 2 comments

Thursday, July 23, 2015 – Throw Back Thursday – The Beach Boys and Magnolia High School 1965-1967

Don’t tell me that even today your knees don’t go weak and your heart doesn’t skip a beat when you hear the opening chords of God Only Knows by The Beach Boys. In 1966 the top three groups according to record sales in England in order were:

The Beach Boys
The Beatles
The Rolling Stones

If you attended Magnolia High school from about 1965 to 1967 (if you can remember back that far), did you ever wonder why there were so many Beach Boys songs played during lunch? Here is why:

They were my records, albums or LP’s. Today they are called vinyl. They are big, black, flat, round, platter looking- just Google “record albums.”
Sonny Calvert (May he rest in peace) and I were in charge of playing records at lunch. The Beach Boys were our favorite group.
My mother would not buy me the album by those “long-haired foreigners.” That would be these on the wall of my study, Mother.

Like many of the groups from my era, The Beach Boys are celebrating 50 years. Dennis and Carl Wilson (RIP) are channeled into their replacements. You can hear the genius of Brian Wilson through the remastered versions of their songs. But most of all it was then and is today – the harmonies. As the remaining members of the original The Beach Boys (Brian Wilson, Mike Love, and Al Jardine) say – “You can hear the love coming through the harmony.”

Tour dates in Texas are Oct. 7 at UT Tyler in the Cowan Center and October 8 at the Majestic in San Antonio. Who’s up for a road trip?

http://www.thebeachboys.com/

Be True to Your School! Rah, rah, rah, Sis Boom Bah!

Good Vibrations, huh? Just let me hear some of that Rock and Roll Music so we can Dance, Dance, Dance, All Summer Long. Wouldn’t It Be Nice? Let’s get together and Do it Again and go on a Surfin Safari. We’ll have Fun, Fun, Fun. Don’t Worry, Baby.

2 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged Magnolia High School, The Beach Boys

Thursday, July 2, 2015 – A Throw-Back Thursday Question

Posted on July 2, 2015 | Leave a comment

Thursday, July 2, 2015 – A Throw-Back Thursday Question

A Freshman knows not, and knows not that he knows not.

A Sophomore knows not, and knows that he knows not.

A Junior knows, but knows not that he knows.

But a Senior knows, and knows that he knows.

Whose yearbook were those lines from? It was used to denote class distinctions. I thought it was the Magnolia High School 1966 yearbook, which would be yours, Ms. Wax, but alas no. Perhaps, the MHS Bulldog of 1965? Pat?

Maybe it was at J.L. McCullough – calling all yearbook people – Stephanie R., T. Manning. Conroe High? In The Flare?

Maybe it was not even in a yearbook and the lines are from one of those “…flashbacks they all warned us about…” (Jimmy Buffet – Meet Me in Margaritaville). Not to be confused with “we are the people our parents warned us about…” (IBID).

Nevertheless, I have used it in many speeches and presentations and I would really like to know the source. It describes so many things. I like to think of the lines now describing Life Stages.

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged J.L. McCullough High School, Jimmy Buffet, Magnolia High School, Margaritaville, yearbook

Thursday, June 4, 2014 – Throw Back Thursday From Magnolia High School – Class of 1967

Posted on June 4, 2015 | Leave a comment

Thursday, June 4, 2014 – Throw Back Thursday From the Magnolia High School – Class of 1967

Here is our very own Throw Back Thursday – from the Magnolia High School graduating class of 1967. Did your graduating class have one of these programs?

Front Cover

You can click on the pictures to enlarge them and then use the back button.

Inside cover

Choir? Who made up the choir?

When did public schools stop having such programs?

Better yet, what was the lawsuit that stopped them from being held? Maybe that can be repealed, overturned, revoked, etc.

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged 1967, Magnolia, Magnolia High School, Texas

Friday – March 13, 2015 – Fish Stick Friday

Posted on March 13, 2015 | Leave a comment

Friday – March 13, 2015 – Fish Stick Friday

Fish Sticks – the hot dog of the fish world. When one mentions fish sticks, I have one of those flashbacks they warned us about (Jimmy Buffet). I am transported back to the Magnolia High School cafeteria. On Friday you had two lunch choices – fish sticks, macaroni and cheese, green beans and one of those giant rolls or bring your lunch. Actually you only had those two choices every day – eat what was for lunch in the cafeteria or bring a lunch. I bet we all remember those giant rolls. Who remembers those little square card board boxes the milk came in? Remember Mr. L. took our “milk money?” Not to be confused with Mr. Swanks who took our lunch money.

My dear Mother made one of the best lunches ever. It was home-made pimento cheese made with Velveeta cheese, Lay’s potato chips, and her famous home-made chocolate chip cookies. It was so good it was stolen every Friday by Dianne J. and Pat C. and probably Judy B. This assumes they got to my locker before my classmates, Sonny C. or BFF Luddite or anybody else who had the opportunity to steal it got to it first. So I had to eat frozen (please insert an alliterative adjective) fish sticks on Friday. Mama even tried packing extra sandwiches and more cookies. That only meant my lunch looked like a grocery sack and fed more people who stole my lunch while I still ate fish sticks. Finally, Mother said she was not going to feed half of Magnolia High School. Please know this was not a situation of being bullied because whoever would steal my lunch would leave lunch money in my locker.

I respect those who strictly adhere to dietary customs, whether for religious reasons or not, but I wonder at the origin of such customs. I wonder if pre Martin Luther nailing the pages on the church door, the Catholic Church had an agreement with the commercial fisherman? The Vatican says, “How about this? If an animal walks, don’t eat it on Friday, and everybody buys fish and the price of fish goes up.” Think about it. And why Friday? Why not meatless Thursday? Or Tuesday? Perhaps Friday was when the boats arrived from a fishing expedition. Oh well. Time for lunch. I will be having a pimento cheese, with Velveeta cheese, Lay’s potato chips (not the baked ones, either) and a chocolate chip cookie.