About the diary writer
- Barbara McDowell Whitt
- Kansas City, Missouri, Alexandria, Virginia, United States
- ~ About: A 1961-65 Park College Diary ~ As a high school girl and then a college coed in the first half of the 1960s, I wrote nightly entries on the pages of one-year diaries. In January 2010 I began transcribing the entries into a blog and gave each one a title. I grew up on three farms within 30 miles of Iowa City and the University of Iowa with its Iowa Writers' Workshop. As the oldest of four daughters, in my diaries I sometimes referred to my sisters as "the kids" or "the girls." We helped our parents, but we also had good, wholesome fun - a characteristic I took with me to Park. Park is 300 miles southwest of West Chester, Iowa, in Parkville, Missouri, on the Missouri River 10 miles northwest of Kansas City, Missouri, and across the river from Kansas City, Kansas. In 2000 Park College became Park University. Today Park's flagship campus is in Parkville and there are an additional 41 campus centers across the nation. Park was one of the first educational institutions in the United States to offer online learning. My last post was on May 22, 2018. I may be followed on Twitter @BarbaraMcDWhitt.
From Short Cut to Permanent - Saturday, May 28, 1960
Mom gave me a permanent today - my hair has been a plain short cut for two years. It will seem different! Don Bishop stopped to talk for awhile. We went to town this morning. I bought a pair of beige shorts and two pairs of socks - to help out at Iowa City. I had a good hour's visit with Marilyn and her yearbook.
West Chester's Last School Party - Friday, May 27, 1960
The sophomore party, West Chester High School's last school party, was tonight. Actually, it was almost boring - especially compared to the freshman party. They served pizza and root beer. I still taste mine. We finished up our beloved school paper - with the pictures of the seniors and faculty.
New Members of Honor Society - Thursday, May 26, 1960
I found out by reading the Wellman paper today that I'm now a member of the National Honor Society. Also from this school are Gerry, Beth, Sheryl, Tom Bauer and Ronnie Bombei. I was "shocked" to see in the paper that Karen Baker is getting married July 1. The kids had said she was, but I couldn't make myself believe it. She's just 16--heavens! I guess we've about got the paper under control.
Cooperative English Tests - Wednesday, May 25, 1960
I have my column in the rough draft, but I"ll have to retype it. I've been working every spare minute on the paper. We finished our Cooperative English Tests. Mrs. Kephart told Mom I ranked very high on the percentiles.
Last Commencement - Tuesday, May 24, 1960
Tonight was the last commencement for West Chester High School. I think it left everyone sort of out of spirits - or maybe it's just me! Grandpa gave out the diplomas. We took an English test that is being given to all Mid-Prairie.
A Journalism Workshop Scholarship - Monday, May 23, 1960
We're the oldest class in school - a climax of twelve years waiting. I'm being awfully sentimental about this! I'm up to my knees in school paper work. Before this time next week I'll be drowning! By the way, I got a "Kalona-paid-scholarship" to go with Shirley Slaubaugh from Wellman and Mary Ellen Miller from Kalona to a journalism workshop at SUI.
When Seniors Were in First Grade - Sunday, May 22, 1960
Tonight was baccalaureate. If next year goes as fast as this, our own baccalaureate will seem like next month. I remember when the seniors graduated from eighth grade and when they were in first grade. I'm going to be glad for a rest in vacation.
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