Serving the Lord
from 1876-2021
With Academic Excellence
in a Christian Environment
145 Years of God's Mercy and Grace
The history of Christ Lutheran Church and School in Jacob is the history of Jesus Christ at work in the lives of people, young and old, in the communities surrounding Fountain Bluff, Illinois. In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus told His disciples, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age." As a church and school, we have tried to carry out this mission and promise.
Proverbs 22: 5 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me." Over these 145 years our school has worked hard to help parents raise their children in the way of Jesus and eternal life.
History records that in 1838 a group of 707 people from Saxony, Germany set out on five ships to come to America so they could worship God in a way that was faithful to God's Holy Word and the Lutheran Confessions. Sadly one ship and 105 people were lost at sea. Instead of migrating to the East Coast as many immigrants had done before them, this group landed in New Orleans and boarded steamboats up the Mississippi River to St. Louis. Six weeks later, 482 of them traveled southward about 100 miles and settled in Perry County, Missouri. At the time, Missouri was the westernmost state in our country.
A few decades later, in 1870, a group of poor German families from Altenburg, MO moved across the river to the Fountain Bluff area in search of work and land. Emmanuel Estel of Perry County donated five acres of land to the German settlers for building a church. Christ Lutheran Cemetery still sits on these original five acres. In 1876, exactly 100 years after our nation declared its independence, these immigrants built a small log cabin church measuring 22 ft. by 32 ft. and named the church, "Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church U.A.C. of Fountain Bluff of Jackson County, Illinois. The settlers were grateful for a place to worship God.
In the beginning, many of the men worked at the smelting ovens in Grand Tower, but over time they bought land and began the difficult task of clearing wooded areas so they could farm. Like their Missouri relatives, the Illinois German settlers believed in the importance of educating their children. Back in 1838 the original code that the German immigrants established stated that for public buildings, "A church shall be the first of the public buildings constructed...and thereafter the school." In the case of the Fountain Bluff settlers, the log cabin church also served as their one room school. In 1887 a 24 ft. by 30 ft. addition was built on the back of the church and a 10 ft. by 12. ft. addition was built on the front of the church. A picture of the original church with these additions is found at the top of this article.
In 1895 more and more children from the northern edges of "the Bottoms", as it came to be called, had a long way to travel to school. The church decided to build a second school six miles to the north on land that was donated by G.H. Haehnlein. The site is currently at the intersection of Indian Ridge Road and Swan Pond Road. From 1895 to 1904, Pastor Estel taught at the Fountain Bluff school, and seminary students from the Pastoral Seminary in Springfield, Illinois typically taught at the new school. These seminarians included names like Krenzien, Hesemann, Schultz, Straugh, Reinitz, Lohmann, Dauternhahn, and Dashner. The picture below shows the Haehnlein school with some of its students.
In 1904, the five acres of land on which our church and school currently rest was purchased from Johann and Maria Oetjen, Sr. The school house on the Haehnlein farm was dismantled and moved to the new location, where it was rebuilt into a school large enough to consolidate the children from both schools. When the new school was constructed in Neunert, the town consisted of two stores, a harness shop, a blacksmith, a post office, and some homes.
In 1906, L.H. Kolb was the first non-seminary trained teacher called to our school. A large two-story house was constructed next to the school in 1907 to house his family and later on teachers that would follow after him.
Accounts from some students from the early 20th century, suggest the main subjects taught in school were religion, English, arithmetic, geography, history, and physiology. At first students were taught in both English and German. The history of Martin Luther and Luther's Small Catechism were taught in German. When World War I broke out, schools became hesitant to teach subjects in German. The students were a hardy bunch as shown in the picture above that was taken around the year 1911. The year of the picture of the inside of the school below is unknown.
The tradition of having a Children's Christmas Eve Service began in the early decades of the 1900's following the building of our current church building in 1906. The following is an excerpt written by Mabel Heins from our church's 100th Anniversary Book, "The Christmas tree, always spectacular, would reach the ceiling of the church....Candles would be put all around, top to bottom....The altar, too, was bedecked with lit candles....Always oranges were passed out to all children after the service." The traditions of the Children's Christmas Eve Service and the passing out of oranges after the service continues to this day.
School picnics at the end of the school year were also a beloved tradition. At first these picnics were held at different people's farms, but over time they were moved to the church grounds. Mabel Heins wrote this, "Picnics without electricity meant hurry and enjoy yourself because at nightfall things got pretty dark. As the band became more prominent, the bandstand was built and picnics were held on the church grounds. Always, the children's program was the big thing. There is probably no one who went to Christ Lutheran School who doesn't remember some funny things about the picnic program...and the big band playing all afternoon, those happy songs and marches...and the bowling alley under the big shade trees was the most interesting spot on the grounds. How many of the school age boys made extra money setting up pins. You had to get in line to get the job, at ten cents an hour, as everybody needed extra money in those years. The bowling balls would bounce against the straw bales and many little fingers were mashed as the balls were helped along the open trough on the sides, as the balls returned to the players. The big old bowling alley was a victim of the 1943 flood." In the early years, ice cream was turned by hand in a five gallon freezer, and in the later years it was brought in from Murphysboro. Lots of food and fresh lemonade was enjoyed by all. The picture to the right of the CLS Harmonica Band from the early 1940's suggests that the Adult Band was not the only band in town that entertained the crowds at the annual picnics.
School, of course, was not just about fun and games, Christmas Eve Services and picnics. A lot of study, hard work, and difficulties were also part of the students' lives. World War I broke out in 1917, the Spanish Flu outbreak in 1918 claimed many lives throughout America (including three members of our church), and a killer tornado in 1925 killed 37 people in Gorham and 695 total people on its record breaking 219 mile long path. The ten year long "Great Depression" started in 1929, and America entered a second World War in 1941.As for the floods: no history of the Bottoms is complete without talking about floods. Before the current levee system was completed in the early 1950's, many areas in the river bottoms up and down the Mississippi River endured extreme flooding in 1927, 1943, 1944, and 1947. Homes, businesses, farms, churches, and schools were flooded with mud-laden waters. The people of the Bottoms were resilient, cleaning things up time and time again. Some families grew weary of the flooding and moved away. More about the flooding later.
1924 brought many changes to our school as Pastor Haertling resigned because of health problems and two new rooms were added to the school. For the first time in our school's history, the school had two classrooms: a 1st-4th grade room and a 5th-8th grade room. There was also a small room in this addition for confirmation instruction. It would remain that way until the 1960's. Rev. William Strothman was installed as the new pastor in November of 1924. Miss Christine Strothman would become the first teacher to use the newly built addition. Below is a picture of the new addition on the left and the new addition under flood waters on the right.
1924 brought many changes to our school as Pastor Haertling resigned because of health problems and two new rooms were added to the school. For the first time in our school's history, the school had two classrooms: a 1st-4th grade room and a 5th-8th grade room. There was also a small room in this addition for confirmation instruction. It would remain that way until the 1960's. Rev. William Strothman was installed as the new pastor in November of 1924. Miss Christine Strothman would become the first teacher to use the newly built addition. Below is a picture of the new addition on the left and the new addition under flood waters on the right.
Two coal stoves heated the rooms and two outhouses were easily accessible. Indoor plumbing and running water would not be a feature of the school until a new school was built in 1958. A hot lunch program was started in 1954. The food was prepared and eaten in the church basement.
Some of the teachers during the first half of the 1900's included L.H. Kolb [installed in 1906], Christine Strothman, Vicar Albert Dundek [1940], David Harnagel, and Carl Freudenberg [installed 1949], just to name a few. Pastors during this timeframe included Rev. Phil Estel [1882-1904], Rev. H. Heartling [1904-1924], Rev. William Strothman [1924-1936], Rev. Henry Luedke {1937-1941], Rev. W. Gnuse [1941-1942], Rev. Albert Dunkek [1943-1944], Rev. Herbert Mirly [1945-1947], and Rev. Waldemar Petzoldt [1948-1973].
Following World War II, a great economic and building boom spread through-out America. In 1958 our school took advantage of the boom by building a new school. The Building Committee consisted of Harry Heins, Archie Hamilton, and Bill Guetersloth. Pictures of the groundbreaking and members digging are below.
Some of the teachers during the first half of the 1900's included L.H. Kolb [installed in 1906], Christine Strothman, Vicar Albert Dundek [1940], David Harnagel, and Carl Freudenberg [installed 1949], just to name a few. Pastors during this timeframe included Rev. Phil Estel [1882-1904], Rev. H. Heartling [1904-1924], Rev. William Strothman [1924-1936], Rev. Henry Luedke {1937-1941], Rev. W. Gnuse [1941-1942], Rev. Albert Dunkek [1943-1944], Rev. Herbert Mirly [1945-1947], and Rev. Waldemar Petzoldt [1948-1973].
Following World War II, a great economic and building boom spread through-out America. In 1958 our school took advantage of the boom by building a new school. The Building Committee consisted of Harry Heins, Archie Hamilton, and Bill Guetersloth. Pictures of the groundbreaking and members digging are below.
The school was dedicated on July 6, 1958. It was built at a cost of $54,978. Teacher Leonard Mirly would be installed as principal a month later. The school pictured below had two large classrooms, a big lunch room, a kitchen, two indoor bathrooms, an office, a storage room, indoor plumbing, and running water!
The pictures above show what the two classrooms, the Upper Grades Room and the Lower Grades room, looked like in 1966.
Somewhere in the middle 1960's a 4th-5th grade class began with Nora Darnstaedt as their teacher. What had been a one class school from 1876-1924, a two class school from 1924 to the middle 60's, became a three class school with a 1st-3rd grade, a 4th-5th grade, and a 6th-8th grade. The school would remain a three class school until 1991 when the Gorham Schools closed down and a kindergarten was added at our school.
The next addition to the school building occurred in 1968 when a gym was built. When Principal Mirly arrived in 1958, he quickly started a sports program by forming boy's basketball, baseball, and track teams. We had no gym or baseball diamond of our own, so we played away games or used one of the gyms or diamonds close by. The earliest teams may not have had official uniforms, but they were extremely competitive in their desire to win. Girl's basketball and softball teams formed in the early to middle 1970's with teachers Grote, Parker, and Skeesick. Just as many children take their sports seriously today, so also over the last 50 years our students have showed their competitive drive. Go Wildcats! The picture below shows what the school looked like with the gym in the 1990's.
Somewhere in the middle 1960's a 4th-5th grade class began with Nora Darnstaedt as their teacher. What had been a one class school from 1876-1924, a two class school from 1924 to the middle 60's, became a three class school with a 1st-3rd grade, a 4th-5th grade, and a 6th-8th grade. The school would remain a three class school until 1991 when the Gorham Schools closed down and a kindergarten was added at our school.
The next addition to the school building occurred in 1968 when a gym was built. When Principal Mirly arrived in 1958, he quickly started a sports program by forming boy's basketball, baseball, and track teams. We had no gym or baseball diamond of our own, so we played away games or used one of the gyms or diamonds close by. The earliest teams may not have had official uniforms, but they were extremely competitive in their desire to win. Girl's basketball and softball teams formed in the early to middle 1970's with teachers Grote, Parker, and Skeesick. Just as many children take their sports seriously today, so also over the last 50 years our students have showed their competitive drive. Go Wildcats! The picture below shows what the school looked like with the gym in the 1990's.
Through the years memorizing Bible verses, Luther's Small Catechism, and hymns have been important parts of our school. Over the decades, weekly chapel services in the church and daily opening devotions with the pastor have played a vital role in helping students become faithful hearers, learners, and keepers of God's Holy Word. The most important legacy of our school consists not in the number of scholars, doctors, lawyers, astronauts, or presidents we help form, but in the number of faithful believers and disciples of Jesus. As Jesus put it, "Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it." [Luke 11:28]
For over 60 years, beginning in 1949, Nora Darnstaedt faithfully accompanied the members of our church and the children of our school on the organ and piano. The school Children's Choir has enhanced our worship services not only on Christmas Eve but also on other Sundays of the church year. Over the last 20 years, the Children's Handchimes Choir, under the leadership of Alice Kettner, has added beauty and joy in worship services and in various gatherings at the school.
School plays, musicals, and talent shows have helped students showcase their hidden talents and helped them develop confidence in speaking and performing in front of others. The pictures below were taken from the 2014 school musical, "Esther Ordinary Faith", and from the 2014 Jacob Player's Hillbilly Comedy, "Here Come the Cows."
For over 60 years, beginning in 1949, Nora Darnstaedt faithfully accompanied the members of our church and the children of our school on the organ and piano. The school Children's Choir has enhanced our worship services not only on Christmas Eve but also on other Sundays of the church year. Over the last 20 years, the Children's Handchimes Choir, under the leadership of Alice Kettner, has added beauty and joy in worship services and in various gatherings at the school.
School plays, musicals, and talent shows have helped students showcase their hidden talents and helped them develop confidence in speaking and performing in front of others. The pictures below were taken from the 2014 school musical, "Esther Ordinary Faith", and from the 2014 Jacob Player's Hillbilly Comedy, "Here Come the Cows."
The benefits of having faithful long-term principals who devote themselves to the mission of making disciples of our students cannot be emphasized enough. Over the past four decades, our school has been blessed to have had Bill Steltenpohl (1980-1993), Stephen Rockey (1995-1999, 2001-2008) and Karen Hall (2008-2021). We have also had many dedicated, hardworking teachers who have faithfully carried out the task of teaching our students both academic subjects and a love for their Savior, Jesus Christ.
1991 brought some important changes in our school. The 125th Anniversary booklet of our church put it this way, "As a result of the closing of the Gorham Schools in 1991, Christ Lutheran School saw a dramatic increase in the enrollment of non-member students from the Gorham area, giving us more of an opportunity for mission work. We also began offering Kindergarten classes. A partial partition was built down the center of the 1st and 2nd grade room to create two classrooms, and Jan Crain was hired as the first Kindergarten teacher. It was decided to start charging tuition in order to help defray additional costs..." Up to this point in time, the vast majority of students that had attended our school were members of our congregation. In the 1990's many new families not only became a part of our school, but they also became members of our church. Thanks be to God!
The teachers quickly discovered that having two separate classrooms in the same room with a partition in the middle was not the best atmosphere for teaching and learning. In 1994 a new addition was added to the back of the school that had a large classroom, a computer room, and a couple of storage rooms. Below is a picture of this addition.
1991 brought some important changes in our school. The 125th Anniversary booklet of our church put it this way, "As a result of the closing of the Gorham Schools in 1991, Christ Lutheran School saw a dramatic increase in the enrollment of non-member students from the Gorham area, giving us more of an opportunity for mission work. We also began offering Kindergarten classes. A partial partition was built down the center of the 1st and 2nd grade room to create two classrooms, and Jan Crain was hired as the first Kindergarten teacher. It was decided to start charging tuition in order to help defray additional costs..." Up to this point in time, the vast majority of students that had attended our school were members of our congregation. In the 1990's many new families not only became a part of our school, but they also became members of our church. Thanks be to God!
The teachers quickly discovered that having two separate classrooms in the same room with a partition in the middle was not the best atmosphere for teaching and learning. In 1994 a new addition was added to the back of the school that had a large classroom, a computer room, and a couple of storage rooms. Below is a picture of this addition.
The Great Flood of 1993 proved to be a very difficult time for people up and down the Mississippi River Basin. Record rainfall totals in the Upper Midwest Regions ranged from 200% to 600% above normal. Although the rain totals here were not extremely high, the Mississippi River at Chester was above flood stage for a record setting 186 days, from April 3 to May 31 and June 8 to October 12. The river at Chester crested at 49.69 on August 7, more than 6 feet higher than the crest in 1973 and more than 22 feet over flood stage. The river was up to the very top of the levee. In July a voluntary evacuation order was issued in the area by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. Illinois National Guard members were posted at critical entrances to the Bottoms so only residents and their guests were allowed to enter the area. Many people evacuated their possessions and temporarily lived with family or friends on higher ground. The furnishings from the church and school were also moved to higher ground. Thanks be to God that our levee held firm and nothing was lost! The school furnishings were returned on August 21, just in time for the start of the new school year.
The picture above shows how dangerously close the Mississippi River got to breaching our levee. Even though the river did not break through the levee in our area, it left a lasting mark as the Federal Government officially declared our area a "flood plain." Because of this, building new homes was not allowed, flood insurance premiums sky-rocketed, and the amount of flood insurance a person could get on a home was limited. Getting a mortgage on a home in the Bottoms became very difficult for young families.
Over time families began to move away to higher ground, few young families moved in, older homes were being torn down, the birthrate was dropping, and younger people were moving from the country to the city. Enrollment numbers in our school remained stable for about 10 years, but in 2004 the number of students in our school began declining. Our Board of Education, with the leadership of our principal Stephen Rockey, began making difficult but financially responsible decisions. Health Insurance Premiums became burdensome, so we started making use of part-time teachers whose benefits were limited. In 2000, we had four full-time teachers for 56 students. By 2007, we had two full-time teachers and two part-time teachers for 36 students. The handwriting was on the wall.
All along the members of our church remained committed to the success of our school. Even after school families started to pay tuition, the vast majority of the school's budget was paid for by the church. In addition to the Sunday offerings, the congregation came up with creative ways to help fund the school. In 1996, a group of church members joined together to host a Hillbilly Play. They practiced very hard, and the joy and laughter they brought to audiences was truly amazing. It was so funny, and they raised so much money that it continued from 1996-2019. Under the leadership of Laura Ticer for most of the years, the Jacob Players raised the roof for 24 years.
Over time families began to move away to higher ground, few young families moved in, older homes were being torn down, the birthrate was dropping, and younger people were moving from the country to the city. Enrollment numbers in our school remained stable for about 10 years, but in 2004 the number of students in our school began declining. Our Board of Education, with the leadership of our principal Stephen Rockey, began making difficult but financially responsible decisions. Health Insurance Premiums became burdensome, so we started making use of part-time teachers whose benefits were limited. In 2000, we had four full-time teachers for 56 students. By 2007, we had two full-time teachers and two part-time teachers for 36 students. The handwriting was on the wall.
All along the members of our church remained committed to the success of our school. Even after school families started to pay tuition, the vast majority of the school's budget was paid for by the church. In addition to the Sunday offerings, the congregation came up with creative ways to help fund the school. In 1996, a group of church members joined together to host a Hillbilly Play. They practiced very hard, and the joy and laughter they brought to audiences was truly amazing. It was so funny, and they raised so much money that it continued from 1996-2019. Under the leadership of Laura Ticer for most of the years, the Jacob Players raised the roof for 24 years.
Another creative and successful way of supporting our school was the annual Wurstmart. Our church started hosting it on the third Sunday of October in 1998 and it continued until 2019. Men, women, and children from our church and community teamed up to feed up to 1,400 people over a 4-hour period. The picture to the right shows the men hard at work cooking the whole-hog sausage.
September 11, 2001, or simply "9/11" as it is typically called, is a date that dramatically changed our country and world. Early in the morning, 19 Muslim terrorists hijacked four commercial jets destroying the Twin Towers in New York City and part of the Pentagon. Our country quickly experienced a renewed patriotism and respect for the military. During this same year on October 14, 2001, our school dedicated the beautiful Good Shepherd Mural painted by Deborah Darnstaedt/Brees. As people walk in the front doors of our school, they are reminded that our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, laid down His life for us on a cross, and He leads us on the path of righteousness with His saving Word and the sacraments of Baptism and Communion.
On May 8, 2009, this mural also reminded us that our Good Shepherd guards us from physical harm and danger as well. As students and teachers in our school were huddled in the safety of our tutoring room, a straight line storm with 115 mile-per-hour winds knocked down a tree, breaking windows in our 6th-8th grade room, and destroying our entire gym. A lot of our playground equipment was destroyed. By the grace of God, none of our students or teachers were injured! Our school year ended two weeks early.
Many church members, school parents, and neighbors from surrounding communities came to help us that very afternoon and two days later, cleaning up the debris. In the weeks that followed, all that remained of our gym was the cement floor and the wall that connected to the rest of the school.
The members of our congregation acted quickly, forming a rebuilding committee as soon as possible. Under the leadership of Alan Neuhaus, we found out that with our replacement cost insurance and with many donations from other churches and individuals, we could build a steel gym that was bigger and better, with air-conditioning, rubberized floor, and a large stage. Serving as our own general contractor, we hired Gus C. Unverfehrt Farm Supply of Centralia to construct it. Even though the floor, walls, and lighting were incomplete, we held our Wurstmart in the new gym on Oct. 18, 2009. The first 8th grade basketball games took place on February 2. The official dedication took place on February 14, 2010.
The hardships from the past and the shrinking enrollment did not deter us from moving forward. With Karen Hall as our principal, we added a 4-year old preschool class in August of 2010. Within two years, the number of preschoolers rose to nine. Two years later, it was down to one. A year later it closed. About the same time, the Board of Education, aware of the shrinking number of yearly baptisms, came up with the idea of educating as many of our children for as long as we could. By closing the school down one grade at a time from the lower grades to the upper grades, we could keep the school open for as long as possible.
In August of 2015, we officially closed our kindergarten. A year later, the 1st grade closed, and so on. We had not given up. We were still setting high expectations on our students and praying for a dramatic change. In August of 2018, we were down to one classroom with 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. Our staff consisted of one full-time teacher, a part-time principal/teacher, a tutor and hand-chimes director, pastor, and a cook. All five of them remained committed to our students for another three years. Along the way, we continued to make improvements to our school, especially in adding books to our library for our reading program.
2020 brought a trial of a totally unexpected nature. Covid-19 was spreading at an alarming rate in our country and throughout the world. All schools in Illinois were forced to close their doors, and so for the final two months of the school year we turned to teaching our students remotely over the Internet.
When our school returned to in-person classes in August of 2020, all the adults and students wore masks. The school year went extremely well. None of our students or staff came down with the virus, and we missed only one day because of precautionary measures. Our staff continued to set high standards for our students. In many respects it was just like any other year. We had one last Fall Festival, led the congregation in the Children's Christmas Eve Service (although it was moved to the gym for more spacing), performed one more play, took one last overnight field trip to Springfield to see the Lincoln sites, and had one last track meet at our school with Immanuel. The track meet ended with a final tug-of-war. Graduation took place on May 10 and school ended the next day. Thanks be to God for the 145 years of students, teachers, and staff who have walked the halls of our school!
Over the last couple decades, Pastor and Alice Kettner devoted 20 years to our school, Julie Lalis taught the upper grades of our school for 14 years, our part-time principal/teacher, Karen Hall, dedicated 13 years to our school and Rachey Yankey has cooked for the students over the last nine years.
The hardships from the past and the shrinking enrollment did not deter us from moving forward. With Karen Hall as our principal, we added a 4-year old preschool class in August of 2010. Within two years, the number of preschoolers rose to nine. Two years later, it was down to one. A year later it closed. About the same time, the Board of Education, aware of the shrinking number of yearly baptisms, came up with the idea of educating as many of our children for as long as we could. By closing the school down one grade at a time from the lower grades to the upper grades, we could keep the school open for as long as possible.
In August of 2015, we officially closed our kindergarten. A year later, the 1st grade closed, and so on. We had not given up. We were still setting high expectations on our students and praying for a dramatic change. In August of 2018, we were down to one classroom with 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. Our staff consisted of one full-time teacher, a part-time principal/teacher, a tutor and hand-chimes director, pastor, and a cook. All five of them remained committed to our students for another three years. Along the way, we continued to make improvements to our school, especially in adding books to our library for our reading program.
2020 brought a trial of a totally unexpected nature. Covid-19 was spreading at an alarming rate in our country and throughout the world. All schools in Illinois were forced to close their doors, and so for the final two months of the school year we turned to teaching our students remotely over the Internet.
When our school returned to in-person classes in August of 2020, all the adults and students wore masks. The school year went extremely well. None of our students or staff came down with the virus, and we missed only one day because of precautionary measures. Our staff continued to set high standards for our students. In many respects it was just like any other year. We had one last Fall Festival, led the congregation in the Children's Christmas Eve Service (although it was moved to the gym for more spacing), performed one more play, took one last overnight field trip to Springfield to see the Lincoln sites, and had one last track meet at our school with Immanuel. The track meet ended with a final tug-of-war. Graduation took place on May 10 and school ended the next day. Thanks be to God for the 145 years of students, teachers, and staff who have walked the halls of our school!
Over the last couple decades, Pastor and Alice Kettner devoted 20 years to our school, Julie Lalis taught the upper grades of our school for 14 years, our part-time principal/teacher, Karen Hall, dedicated 13 years to our school and Rachey Yankey has cooked for the students over the last nine years.