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.
Venetian Way Won Kentucky Derby - Saturday, May 7, 1960
I'm about too pooped to pop! This spring weather (though cold today) gets me down. We took piano lessons this afternoon. We watched Venetian Way win the Kentucky Derby. He was Phyllis's choice. I got my geometry done, started my speech for parliamentarian candidate, mowed my share of the yard, and vacuumed my room.
A Smoky Teachers' Lounge - Friday, May 6, 1960
I took a 70-minute test today for the NCTE writing contest. I had to take it up in the teachers' lounge and some of their smoking about drove me bats! We had another nice looking seven page school paper out today. However, some of the kids sure fussed about Tom Bauer's girls' basketball letter. At least they "enjoyed" the paper.
NCTE Scholarship Contest - Thursday, May 5, 1960
Today I was 17 1/2 years old. I started the National Council of Teachers of English scholarship process by taking a 40-minute test on literature. I will take a 70-minute one tomorrow. I'll have to write an autobiography and an impromptu theme. We got the school paper finished. Margaret Trier came home with Virginia and Ann went home with Darlene Lampe.
Babysitting - Wednesday, May 4, 1960
I babysat for Fudges tonight. I fed them their supper, washed the dishes, put Craig to bed on the couch with a hot water bottle since he didn't feel good, took two phone calls, changed Jeannie's dirty pants (ugh!), etc. I gave her enough milk to feed an an army! All she said all night was a continuous "milk!" We are about to get the school paper done. I sure have a heap of homework!
Moby Dick Discussion Group - Tuesday, May 3, 1960
I worked two periods today on the school paper and 45 minutes after school - but I'm a Quill and Scroll member now! I also spent the last period on FHA credentials. In English class I was in a discussion group on the last chapter of Moby Dick.
A Quill and Scroll Award - Monday, May 2, 1960
Tonight was the awards banquet. They decided to have a potluck supper instead of a Class Day. Just Phyllis and I went up. I got one of the three Mid-Prairie awards for Quill and Scroll, the International Honorary Society for High School Journalists. (I feel honored!) I also will get awards for declam and library club. Sheryl Eckles came home with Ann.
A May Basket for a Teacher - Sunday, May 1, 1960
We had youth fellowship. We had a filmstrip, "Boy Meets Girl." Frieda and Gary had a baby boy, Mark John, today. Everyone went out to Grandma's at chore time but me. I worked on my history report. I bet I'll be the first to hand mine in. I finished Moby Dick. The Bauer twins brought Mom a May basket.
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