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Name: Koops, Stephanie
Grad Year: 1978
Address: 15 Circle Drive
City: Downs
State: KS
Zip: 67437
Phone: 785-454-6205
E-mail: dsdraayer@nckcn.com
 

History

I attended Dordt College married Dave Draayer from Maurice, Iowa; we moved back to Cawker City when we graduated. We moved out to Oakely, Kansas for 7 years, had two children, Renzo and Alida, then moved back to Downs. Dave works at the State Bank of Downs, and I teach Special Education in Cawker and Glen Elder.
 

Memories

As I try to convince my kids to respect the teacher like I ALWAYS did, I recall throwing peanuts during music class, (Brad Schoen!) I also recall hearing that OTHERS threw a typewriter out the window, and books too! Yes, we used typewriters back then. I remember we did not have cell phones, and if we needed to call home we would get Suzanne Kiper to slide under the office window and open the door for us. Mr. Whiteside could not figure it out, and when we told him, he would not believe that Suzanne could fit under the tiny crack in the opening. We innocently showed him how she did it, and the next day the whole window was replaced. Remember Lawrence Heath repeatedly stopping us for honking too much and sitting in the car window when we were cruising? I would kill my daughter. It was great to be a Downs Dragon, and I wish I could go back for just one day to treasure it all again. I couldn't last more than a day though, I am too old!

Also remember... Mrs. Kohn tapping while we typed to the beat, Mr. Zimmerman taping notes together and posting them, Mr. Roe teaching Driver's Ed, and we locked the door, Suzanne being so thin she could fit through the round hole in the office window and open the door so we could use the phone. Remember when there was a phone outside the entrance door, a juke box in the lunchroom, Millie Watt's wonderful cinnamon rolls, Mr. Garey coaching basketball for girls for the first girls team, Johnny Bortz doing the morning announcements, the Charlie Brown musical, so many great things! Thanks for a great education!