About the diary writer

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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.

Kids Took My Blood Type - Friday, January 13, 1961

Anymore, I always seem to forget Friday the 13ths till I see the date in my diary. We did have 13 kids in chemistry class saying they would eat hot lunch on Friday the 13th. It's been almost a month since we went to school all week. The kids took my blood type tonight. I about thought I was murdered before it was all over! Phyl's biology class has been doing it. Ann is exactly half way through "school". I've got 25 semesters down and one to go. I'm reading Green Eyes.

Government and Chemistry - Thursday, January 12, 1961

On the first part of our government final examination I answered two questions, started the third, and went to the last, intending to come back. The bell caused me to have two uncompleted. We did an experiment in chemistry. Our table had 200% error and the next table didn't have any! Ann timed my original oratory. It took approximatey nine and a half minutes and it's supposed to be eight! Something must give!

Semester Tests - Wednesday, January 11, 1961

I should have said last night that Ann cleaned my room up, but I'll give her credit first thing tonight. I had the best French test paper in the class--thank heavens. I hope I've maintained an A for the semester. Our government test sounds wowee! After much discussion and debate, he finally decided to give us two of Friday's questions for advance preparation. I must get my declam piece learned!! Gee, I've only got two more scheduled practices before contest! Mom is at Lodge "for the last time". She's been wanting out for ages.

Satisfactory Work at College - Tuesday, January 10, 1961

I babysat for Fudges for a little over two hours while they were at the girls' games here. Today I got the results back of the PSAT test some of us took in October. It seems unusual, but my math (44) was higher than my verbal score (41). Possible scores range from 20 to 80, so-----. I think I just squeezed past the "able to do satisfactory work at any college" mark. I'm supposed to see Mr. Sawyer tomorrow for further interpretation and discussion. We have a big government test. I'm sure he'll think I never saw a government book in my life.

Iowa Tests Results - Monday, January 9, 1961

We started our French test today. It always takes more than one day. We have to "write a letter in French to Mr. Kennedy about Cuba or old men." We got the results of the Iowa Tests of Educational Development back today. My composite was 88, two lower than last year. I wish I could have stayed in the 90s. Several of the Kalona kids got 99, I guess, and I don't know who else might have. We got the book club books back. I'm trying to decide whether to resist temptation and read a chapter. With my declam and tests and babysitting tomorrow night, I know I shouldn't.

Quill and Scroll - Sunday, January 8, 1961

I guess I have my homework pretty well treated for another weekend. I just finished retyping my declam speech. It will need to be shortened some yet, I think, and needs a different title. I haven't studied for my French test yet, and then I need to measure inches of news to use as a basis for Quill and Scroll membership and awards. Mom and Daddy are working on the income tax. I wish I was Rip Van Winkle and could sleep for twenty years.

New Diary for 1961 Looks Like College - Saturday, January 7, 1961

I bought this diary in town this afternoon. I think I kind of splurged--$2.50. I feel kind of funny writing in it, kind of afraid of it or something! But I think it looks like college. Virginia took Julia Hobbs to the matinee, "Pollyanna." I got Karen Yoder some hand lotion for her birthday since she's my FHA secret sister. Phyllis is trying to type at least the bibliography of her research pape. She doesn't know much about the typewriter, that's for sure. I didn't seem to get much done today. I got dinner--Mom was at her Saturday class--did my English and that's about it.