Higley Elementary Cornerstone Contents Revealed!

During a recent interview with our Friendly Higley Historians at Higley Elementary, Vicki Simer and Michelle Young, the contents of a cornerstone placed in 1954 were uncovered! The building that held the cornerstone was constructed in 1954 and removed nearly 50 years later when Higley Elementary underwent major reconstruction. Below illustrates the occurrences on dedication day along with a poem read aloud. A list of the parents and patrons attending and all of the students in their respective classes will be available at the San Tan Historical Society for viewing. Come take a look and see if any of your relatives or friends were there. If you have memories of this day, building, or events surrounding the time, please share! All items of Higley historical significance are greatly appreciated at Make Higley Historic!

Program

Dedication of New Building

May 7, 1954

1. Flag Salute led by Clyde Fincher
2. The American's Creed - 5th and 6th Grade Pupils led by Larry Power
3. Invocation - Reverend Alford
4. Address - Mr. Germann
5. Placing of Cornerstone - Mr. Claude Connell
6. Dedication of Building - Mr. Wilbur Power
7. Presentation of Building - Mr. Tom Harris
8. Acceptance of Building - Margaret Burrows

To The Future Inhabitants Of Higley

by Claude Connell

This is a year we won't forget, the year of fifty-four,
So many things have happened, we hardly know the score,
We've built brand new building, as all of us can see;
But probably when you read this note, it will all be debris.

We have a crew of teachers that is very hard to beat,
We don't know where we'd find some of them to fill their seat.
Their teaching methods are good, their moral standards are high.
The goals they set to reach are almost to the sky.

The children of the school are as happy as can be,
And at recess, they laugh and play and are so full of glee.
Most are well adjusted, and like to go to school,
They learn their lessons well; not one we'd call a fool.

There are five first class teachers in this little five room school,
Away out in the country where they use the horse and mule.
They try to teach the children the way they should act,
But at times they get together and form a pact.

At times it is discouraging trying to figure what to do,
When Mary comes complaining that her hair is full of glue.
If we are going by the rules, put blame where blame is due;
But how's a teacher going to prove just who poured the glue.

We have got a wonderful teacher, that can even charm a snake;
Her name is Mrs. Sue Sossaman, Oh gee, she takes the cake.
She reachers down behind the head and holds it by the neck,
Lifts it up over the fence, and sets it down, by heck.

There are so many other things that happen around here too,
We won't mention them, don't want to start a stew.
Most of us have been here for many, many years,
So we're all so very careful of what we say, my dears.

We hope that this new building will prove its weight in gold.
That it will help the teacher, the little children mold.
So they have happy memories, of the time that we all gave,
To help them on their journey, and help their road to pave.

This will all have happened, so many years ago,
I doubt if you will believe, if any of it is so.
You have torn down the building, that we so proudly gave;
But we will not worry, because we'll be in our grave.