K.I. SAWYER - SOMEPLACE SPECIAL Page Four

Schools I Attended 1963-71

I was able to visit and take pictures of each school I attended between 1963 and 1971. When KI Sawyer AFB closed in 1995 The Gwinn Area School District experienced a sharp drop in enrollment, which was accompanied by layoffs of teachers and staff. Both elementary schools on base closed, however KI Sawyer Elementary has since reopened. McDonald Elementary is probably closed forever. When I was snapping a picture of McDonald Elementary I noticed that a ?no trespassing? sign was posted. It appears the school building is now privately owned property. Gwinn Middle School and High School haven?t changed at all. I did notice the A&W root beer stand that was across from the high school is gone. I also noticed the high school football field is named ?McCormick Field?. I attended Gwinn High School in 1970-71 (as a freshman and sophomore), and George McCormick was a football & physical education coach. I remember Coach McCormick as a fair-minded and respected individual. I wonder if the field was named after him? If someone knows the story please contact me.

PHOTO: Gwinn Middle School, July 2002

PHOTO: Gwinn High School, July 2002

I attended both elementary schools on base and the middle school and high school in Gwinn. When we lived on Dart Street I attended Leo P. McDonald Elementary School. One event that really stands out while attending McDonald's was the announcement over the school intercom notifying everyone of President Kennedy's assassination in 1963. We were dismissed early from school that day. The mental image I have of the many upset teachers and parents will forever remain with me. When we moved to Savage Street I attended KI Sawyer Elementary and when I got older -- Gwinn Middle & Gwinn High School. I don't have any particular memory that stands out during these years other than those that a typical school age kid might experience. I do recall the hour spent each day riding the school bus. I must have made that school bus trip between the base and Gwinn several hundred times. As students my sister and I hoped each snow fall would turn into a blizzard. If we got "snowed-in" we would get a day off from school. More often than not we made it to school regardless of the harsh winter conditions. Our family is from the south however one trait of a military family is the skill to adapt. [Click Here] to read the Seven Traits of a Military Family.

PHOTO: KI Sawyer Elementary School is open and enrollment is growing.

PHOTO: Former Leo P. McDonald Elementary School now closed.