Wyoming Breezes

JoAnn Conwell Wind River High School Kinnear, WY approx. 1985 When I returned from teaching overseas, I got a job teaching Language Arts and Journalism at Wind River High School. The school sat adjacent to the highway between Kinnear and Morton. The staff was young, and we eventually worked together for over 20 years.  JoAnn was the high school secretary, and she kept things running smoothly. JoAnn always called the staff "kids" which looking back made sense because most of us were young. The staff lounge/workroom was adjacent to the principal's office and had a connecting door to the front office where JoAnn worked. One day, JoAnn came into the staff lounge via the principal's office with her hands in front of her, and the first words out of her mouth were, "Now kids, don't laugh." She sat on the arm of the ugly, celery green sofa and sheepishly explained that she had superglued her thumbs together. Despite her warning, we all laughed and wondered how o...

WRHS Faculty 1981 Front row: Ethel R., Sue O., Bev S., Margaret S ., Chuck G ., Bill H ., Sharon N.. Second Row: Alice N., Allen H., Jim N., Nancy J. Back row: Nancy S ., LeRoy S ., Jim N., Bert O., Kris N ., Louise O. After I returned from teaching in Japan, my next job was teaching Language Arts (English) and Journalism at Wind River High School. Even though I saw a LOT of principals come and go during that time period, the staff members were fairly consistent. In my opinion, it was the longevity and dedication of the staff that kept the school from imploding from the revolving door on the principal's office. For a period of time, we had a new principal every year or every other year and a somewhat militant school board as well. It was the staff that provided the stability the students needed during those years. This group of educators and support staff always put the students first, and I was proud to work with every one of them. Over the years, one by one, we retire...

Bill H., Nancy S., Joy G., LeRoy S., Susan K., and Nancy J. show principal, Hank T. (a Raiders' fan) that he was in Bronco territory approx. 1985 Most of the staff at Wind River High School were Denver Bronco fans, and if they weren't, they got a bit of ribbing from those who were. Hank T. was the principal, ironically from Denver, and was a Raider's fan. The staff donned Orange Crush shirts and decorated Hank's office to leave no doubt that WRHS was Bronco territory!