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| Echoes in the Hallways: History and Recollections of 102 Closed Iowa High Schools by James Kenyon 576 pages - ISBN: 978-1-7342477-9-4 Order today direct from Meadowlark. Shipping in early February |
Author James Kenyon collected stories from student alumni of
closed Iowa high schools, documenting102 institutions. Kenyon consulted
county historical records as well as interviewing former students and teachers,
culminating in unique school profiles that include information ranging from the
origin and growth of education in each county to sporting records, programs, and
school traditions.
Kenyon was a veterinarian for 35 years in a mixed animal practice in Iowa and a seven-time veterinarian for the Alaska Iditarod Dog Sled Race. He also served for twenty-four years on his local school board. He is the author of, A Cowfor College and Other Stories of 1950s Farm Life and Golden Rule Days: History and Recollections of 109 Closed Kansas High Schools. Both books received commendation as Martin Kansas History Book Award winners.
Praise for Echoes in the Hallways:
“This 99-county anthology of 102 high schools across Iowa is history-rich and chock-full of anecdotes that capture the competition and camaraderie of classmates and the vitality Iowa schools bring to their communities. As a product of New Hartford High School and Class Valedictorian, I enjoyed the walk down memory lane and I’m sure generations of Iowans will enjoy sharing Echos in the Hallways with their children and grandchildren for years to come.”
— Chuck Grassley,
New Hartford High School, Class of 1951
“Dr. Jim Kenyon’s Echoes
in the Hallways gives an in-depth look at early education in Iowa. By focusing on one high school that has
closed in each county, he paints a vivid picture of secondary education across
the state. Hearing the voices of those who
attended each school adds wonderful, intriguing memories that come alive in a
way that only can be told by individuals who were there.
“High schools have long made up the social fabric in communities across the state, especially in rural Iowa. By engaging with community members in the 102 schools cited in the book, Dr. Kenyon reveals the extreme pride people of Iowa have in their schools and communities. Echoes in the Hallways showcases how Iowans have built an extraordinary education system school by school. Because it is so well researched and written, once you pick it up you’ll have a hard time putting it down.”
— Dave Else, PHD, Professor Emeritus, University of Northern Iowa
“K-12
education has an extremely rich history in Iowa. As a result, nearly every community, large and
small, had a high school, and it was a source of pride and joy for its
residents. Often, the school and its
activities defined the community’s history. However, as the rural landscape
changed over the years, resulting in fewer farm families, many of the smaller
schools declined in enrollment. Much to
the dismay of these communities, the school districts either reorganized with
larger districts or closed its buildings altogether. A rather large number of communities were
left with empty school buildings.
“Author James Kenyon captures the history of 102 of these closed Iowa high schools in his most interesting book, Echoes in the Hallways. Through interviewing people within the community who were invested in the school’s history, researching noteworthy events in the town, honoring students, teachers and staff who impacted the school, and, finally, noting the school’s final closing days, the school’s history was fittingly recorded. I thoroughly enjoyed Echoes in the Hallways and appreciate the efforts to preserve some of the history of Iowa’s schools. ”
— Les Douma, Retired Chief Administrator, Northwest Area Education Agency
“Echos in the Hallways was most pleasant! James Kenyon did an excellent job of detailing the
history and people in 102 small Iowa schools.
“I have been involved with school work for 45 years at Iowa schools. My two grandfathers had three years of education at county schools, my father got a high school diploma in 1925, and I got an EDD in 1968. I believe that small schools are mighty! Iowa schools make America a great nation.”
— Dr. Leland A Thomson, Associate Professor of Education & Director of Planning, retired, University of Northern Iowa
“Bravo,
James Kenyon! Reading this treasure will
be an engaging experience for everyone. It brings early Iowa history to life, providing a way for each reader to
appreciate the passion and the effort to build a community with educational
opportunities for their children. This
author has so successfully retold the long remembered friendships and
experiences in a fun and endearing manner. This portion of each school's alumni memories and stories is a
delightful, amusing read. This book is
wonderfully written to preserve the history, the spirit, and the achievements of
thousands of people who worked together to build towns, and schools for educating their families.
— Gwen Bierstedt Good, Retired Elementary Teacher, Lakota, Iowa
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