William and Cheryl (Lee) Pickerd - MHS Teachers
Family Information: Daughter: Erica (1974), Oregon
State graduate. Pharmacist. Married. Son: Joel (1977),
Oregon State graduate. Pursuing law enforcement career. Married.
Occupation: Both of us are teachers.
Address: Springfield, Oregon
What we have been doing:
We left the Miami area in the summer
of 1975 and headed to the Northwest for further adventure. Bill accepted a
teaching position with the Springfield School District and I went to work for
the Eugene School District where 25 years passed faster than either of us
believed possible. We watched the education pendulum swing--new stuff to
HERE WE GO AGAIN. We wished we had kept track of the hundreds of students
who passed our way--many names and faces remain very vividly in our memories, especially
those "early on" students at MHS.
Life has been kind to us. We
were lucky in life, marriage, family and careers. As it happens both of us
are in a position to retire after this school year. I have definite plans
to do so. Bill can't give up the shop facilities yet--too many in-progress
projects to turn out.
Our Oregon plan began to fall into
place once we arrived. we found a small home with 2 acres an began
to learn about gardening and raising animals. Early on Bill had the
opportunity to begin commercial fishing in Alaska during the summers. That
led to more acreage and a new home built on 25 country acres--meadow, creek,
apple orchard, forest, 20 cows and a barn with more farm toys than I knew
existed. Yes, we are very much home bodies.
I still have several relatives in
Arizona so occasionally we return to the area. We often wonder when we are
having an El Rey dinner if any of the people in the restaurant recognize us--but
guess we've changed as much as they have.
Should any of you ever find yourselves
in the Northwest, please give us a call.
Memories of MHS:
My memories include the "Miss Lee
from Tennessee" chant, singing "Froggie Went a Courting" on stage
with the traveling entertainer, decorating homecoming floats, going to tons of
football and basketball games, a bus trip to Carlsbad Caverns (can't believe I
actually PAID money to do that!), being a part of the "start-up"
Cooperative Work Experience Program, the day Larry Hawkins took half the student
body on an unauthorized flight over the city, Mrs. Parsons, decent kids to teach
who really were a lot of fun to work with!
The "Mr. Pickerd's" favorite
memories are, in this order: Miss Lee from Tennessee, basketball,
especially the state tournaments, a great workshop to work with great kids, Mr.
Holsinger and Coach Vargas, Friday afternoon Poets Club meetings at the Copper
Hills, and quail and dove hunting with Mr. Bell. Those were the days my
friends but enough, I sincerely hope all of my friends and students are as
thoroughly happy and content as I and my Miss Lee. I hope to see you all
some day.
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