Well Here We Go Again

Laura Rose wrote an excellent piece that was in the “Another Point of View” featured column, appearing in The Seminole Producer, March 22, 2017. I was fit to be tied while reading the sense of her discussion. The Awards of Excellence Banquet is hereby cancelled. That is a travesty. I will begin with the fact that I do not consider myself an accomplished academician, even though I do have two degrees. I was a “Jock”; as a friend here said to me once, “you were a God-given, natural, gifted athlete”. Furthermore, I did not have the benefit of instruction from the best Forensics school in Oklahoma and maybe the nation at SHS. That was my own doing. I got my speech and debates skills later in life.

          When I saw in Laura’s piece that Judith McMasters had won six state championships in forensics during her time here, I was elated. As stated, she built on the tradition of the SHS history, begun by Harland B. Mitchell, courtesy of his uncle and Superintendent John G. Mitchell, the gentleman who put Seminole academics on the map.

          I would hazard a guess that that number of six meets exceeds the number of state championships of all sports at SHS, during her entire duration as an instructor. THAT is impressive, worthy of note, and should be officially rewarded. That is a feat of excellence!

          As further stated by Laura, tradition is important. I agree with her that some excellent points have been made in other columns pointing out the excellent accomplishments of SHS students, of late. Those points were very well made by Messrs. Snyder and Gaches.

          Here is what Judith McMasters has compounded as a tradition of excellence at SHS, as follows. Employed at Seminole High School in 1931, as a speech, government and American History instructor, Harland B. Mitchell began a 39 year teaching career which included coaching 27 high school and junior college state champion debate teams and 9 national finalist teams, four of which won National debate championships.

          He was named as the foremost debate coach in America in 1960 by the National Forensic League which is the only time the award has been given. In 1978 the National Championship debate trophy of the league was named the H.B. Mitchell trophy and from 1964 until his retirement, he served as a national director of the league organization.

          That is unprecedented by any high school in Oklahoma and likely the United States. Think about it. Ms. McMasters just piled on that amazing record too, by obtaining an additional six state championships. Bravo! I recall fondly, as a SHS student in the 1960s, passing the forensics trophy cases—far surpassing awards and trophies of all sports at SHS. I believe academics and sports should share a complimentary role in high school but let’s just get down to it. Academics are what will get you where you are going in life unless of course, you may be headed to college or professional athletics. If SHS is to recognize sports, it would be not only remiss to exclude academics from proper recognition, it would be deplorable and a slap in the face of this obviously dedicated and professional instructor of speech and debate.

The excuses provided are absolutely ridiculous! Do not get me wrong; we have had many sports teams at SHS with state championships. Golf and tennis have produced an impressive number of state championships. Some of those tennis players have gone on to scholarships at major universities, the same with golf. Add to that some of our golfers who have gone on to play in the PGA. One of my classmates, two years ahead of me, is presently still playing in the Senior PGA Tour. However, adding all of our sports championships in all sports will not equal the 33 that I know of in forensics in total. I am sure they may have been a championship or two between Mitchell and McMasters. Maybe Laura or Ms. McMasters can provide that.

          Maybe one of our outstanding civic organizations will pick up the ball and give this amazing teacher her due and put on a program for all of us to see. She darned well deserves it! I would buy a ticket to see that in a “New York Minute”. I applaud Laura Rose for her drawing her attention to this most important matter. Laura was a dedicated and accomplished leader in her profession. Instructors like Laura and Judith, along with those hired by John G. Mitchell laid the foundation for me to aspire to whatever I accomplished and that is no cliché.