Norwegian Farmer’s Son…October 2nd

October 2nd…“DID YOUR TEACHERS, OR STAFF, AT BATTLE GROUND HIGH SCHOOL EVER TEACH YOU A SPIRIT CHEER FROM THEIR GENERATION?”

It was the spring of 1972 and we in Mrs. Magsig’s English Class jumped with a jolt as we sat inside those one-piece student desks!!!   The old-fashioned, wall-mounted fire sirens began to scream out in the hallways of Battle Ground High School.  Even though we were the ‘elder Seniors’ that year, you’d think us teenagers were kernels of popcorn on a well-oiled skillet, as far as our knee-jerk reaction that day.  Our wits now about us once again, we began to file out of Mrs. Magsig’s class for what we thought was another traditional fire alarm evacuation drill, but it wasn’t.  Administrators and staff were not wearing the ‘business as usual’ face and were directing this herd of pimple-faced youth out towards, and into, the District Stadium that graced the south side of our impressive football field there in Battle Ground, Washington.

Whispers were filtering through the crowd that some kids had seen the local police department patrol cars on campus.   Now THIS was getting interesting.   Once every person of the student body was accounted for and seated in the Stadium Grand Stand, various administrators confirmed that, yes, there HAD been a telephoned threat that a bomb had been placed somewhere on the High School campus.  IF that were the case, we youngin’s all hoped that the Stadium had been cleared of any bomb first. 😉   Thankfully, it was a gorgeous late spring afternoon and so we were instructed to be patient while police, custodians and other staff members made a thorough search of the main school building and adjacent classrooms.

To pass the time, announcements were made about upcoming events at school, we sang the school song, we even had our fine school cheerleaders lead us all in a number of school cheers.

Our much respected former High School Principal (and now Guidance Counselor) was the honorable Mr. Melvin Hope “Pat” Pettichord (September 21st 1915 – August 8th 2005).   I heard, years later, that, in 1936, a very young Mr. Pettichord was a top contender for the United States Olympic Team that eventually traveled to and competed in Berlin, Germany.   Sadly, it was told to me, that a severe sickness kept “Pat” from likely making the team.   Needless to say, young Mr. Pettichord had grown up in a generation that was not too distant from days of the horse and buggy mode of transportation.  So, it’s only natural that his parent’s generation imparted some nuances into his generation of school life in the mid 1930’s and into the 1940’s.    Having been a fervent supporter of his generation of Battle Ground School District “Tigers”, our well-liked Principal was prepared to share with we, his ‘captive audience’ that afternoon, one of the cheers that his generation enjoyed yelling at games.

With his rugged good looks and ramrod-straight walk, Mr. Pettichord approached the microphone to give us a cheer from his days at Battle Ground High.

Mr. Pettichord said, “In my days here, as a Tiger, this was one of our yells……..HORSE AND BUGGY, HORSE AND BUGGY……TEAM, TEAM TEAM!   ALL FOR BATTLE GROUND, STAND UP AND SCREAM!!!”   Between laughter and pride for our fearless leader, we all joined in and yelled right along with our educational leader!!

Eventually, some of the Assistant Principals came up and whispered in Mr. Pettichord’s ear the good news………sure ‘nough, the bomb scare threat was a hoax …….no bomb.   Awwww rats, now that meant we all had to get back to class.   That whole experience was more fun than scary for this Norwegian Farmer’s Son!!!  😉  (Author’s note:  I’m happy to share that I found a handsome photo of Melvin Hope “Pat” Pettichord from his college days at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington from the year 1941.  You can see our future High School Principal in the center of this photo with his hand on a buddy’s shoulder in front of him. )