Top left: Greg and Jodi Nofziger, 1984 graduates of Pettisville, look at old photos in the vocational agriculture classroom at the Pettisville High School "Last Memory Walk," Sunday, April 3. Top right: Libby Cerda, a Pettisville third grade student, and her mom, Alma, a 1990 PHS grad, at left, join Kristy and Homer Longoria and their son, Jaymison, 3. Homer is a '91 PHS graduate. Bottom left: Jack Ziegler, PHS ‘45, photographs one of the graduating class composite photos. Bottom middle: Baden Skates, a Pettisville first grader, takes the biggest trophy he could find. Selected trophies were being given away. Bottom right: Roger Weber, PHS ‘68, with a favorite trophy.– photos by David Pugh As Pettisville High School alumni, from young families to senior citizens, roamed the hallways during the school’s final open house, Sunday, April 3, a lot of memories came flooding back.

Almost all reported good memories, memories of times with friends, and a few mischievous deeds.

For example: the story of the toilet and the cherry bomb.

Roger Weber, a 1968 graduate, and his wife Beth, ‘77, tell the story.

“I don’t remember it, but I was told a classmate of mine had taken a cherry bomb and lit it upstairs,” Roger starts.

“In the men’s toilet,” Beth adds.

“Then flushed it downstairs,” Roger continues.

“To the first floor men’s toilet,” Beth adds.

Where, of course, it exploded.

“Somebody was in a stall, and they got wet,” Roger said.

That is just one of many stories shared at the open house, billed as “The Last Memory Walk.”

It was so named because in the summer, about 60% of the current school buildings will be torn down. Classes will start in the new building in the fall.

Jack Ziegler, ‘45, admitted he had done “some devilish things.”

One of his favorite teachers was Mark Ray.

“Every morning when I came to school, he would be coming down the hall towards me. He carried his pencils in his (shirt) pocket.

“I’d slap him on the chest and say, ‘Good morning, Mr. Ray,’ and I’d slide those pencils out.

“Then we had him for first class. He’d talk to us for a while, then he’d go to get his pencils out– no pencils. He’d be trying to keep his composure.”

Pam Skates, ‘92, is the daughter of Charles Nafziger, PHS math teacher and former boys basketball coach.

“I wasn’t allowed to be mischievous. My dad was a teacher, and I’d get caught.”

Trophies

Her son, Baden, a sevenyear old first grader at Pettisville, was spotted walking down a PHS hallway with a trophy nearly as big as himself.

The school was giving away dozens of old trophies that were no longer displayed. They were given to people who had a connection to the event or competition for which the trophy was awarded.

Baden said he pleaded with those in charge for the biggest one. Because it was broken, he was allowed to keep it.

What was the trophy for?

“Cheerleading,” he said. “I don’t do it, but I didn’t realize it,” when he picked it out.

Dave and Barbara Avina were looking over some of the trophies that were available in the wood shop. He’s a 1961 graduate. The couple currently resides in Fremont, Ind.

His class will hold its 50th reunion this summer.

He had been thinking about past times, but didn’t object to having the old building torn down.

J.R. Grieser, ‘53, and his wife Mary were looking over some of the composite class portraits in the high school hallways.

He said he was not upset about tearing down the old school building.

“It’s progress. It’s the times. A new school is good for the community. You’ve got to look ahead.

“But it brings back memories, of course. Good memories.”

Children

Greg and Jodi Nofziger are both members of the Class of 1984– high school sweethearts, they said.

Greg said it’s “kind of hard” to see the old school torn down, but added, “it’s a sign of progress, a sign of good things to come."

Homer Longoria, ‘91, was carrying his three-yearold, Jaymison, as he toured the building with his wife, Kristy.

“I wasn’t the model student,” he admitted, adding that he and a group of friends gave LuAnn Bacon, the home economics teacher, “a hard time.”

“Looking back, if we refl ect on that, I kind of felt bad, but she understands.”

Alma Cerda was at the Memory Walk with her daughter, Libby, 9, who attends Pettisville Schools.

Alma lives in Fayette, but thinks enough of Pettisville schools to send her children there under open enrollment.

New Memories

Libby said she’s looking forward to the new school because it will have a playground, something the elementary lacks this year because of ongoing construction.

Baden Skates agrees. He’s excited about the new building.

“I heard we’ll be getting a whole lot more stuff,” he said, like computer “smart boards” to replace the old chalkboards.

When the new building opens, it will be up to them and their generation to create new memories.