School of the Ozarks faculty get glimpse of school's past

Teachers hope to chart a new future by learning about the school's past

June 19, 2012|by Dustin Hodges, KY3 News | dhodges@ky3.com

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. -- Classes begin this fall at School of the Ozarks, a laboratory school of College of the Ozarks. The school's five new faculty members are ready to take it into the future, but first they needed to get a glimpse of its past.

"You have the opportunity to open the doors wide once again to impact the lives of young people," said Becky Roberts, granddaughter of the school's first graduate, Joseph Gideon, as she taught School of the Ozarks' new faculty about her grandfather.

"The history of the school is to provide an education for those who are found worthy but who are without sufficient means," said the school's new headmaster, Brad Dolloff.

Dolloff wanted his five new faculty members to get an appreciation for that history by learning about the school's first graduate, Joseph Gideon.

"In 1913 the first high school graduating class had only one graduate; Joe was nearly 29 years old," said Roberts as she shared her grandfather's history.

"He came from a little place on the edge of Taney County. He had no funds, no resources to get an education and he yearned for that, so he borrowed a horse, he came to Forsyth, he found the school and, at the age of almost 29 in 1913, he was the first and only graduate of the School of the Ozarks," said Roberts.

"These young men and young women really fought for an education, really stayed with the education no matter how long it took, the work ethic, the life changing experiences that school became a part of; to be able to be a part of that is so exciting," said Cindy Williams, the school's literature professor.

If School of the Ozarks' future is anything like its past. "Meager means and no way to obtain an education, and that school provided them with that opportunity and launched them on a path to success," said Dolloff.

Dolloff thinks his new teachers will be just as successful.

"It's very awe inspiring, it's very exciting. All of us together are completing this huge vision and we're all a part of it," said Williams.

The five new faculty members also visited the site of the original School of the Ozarks in Forsyth. That school burned in 1915 and moved to Point Lookout, where it is today.

There are spots available to enroll in the senior class this fall; you can apply online by clicking here.

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News release from College of the Ozarks:

With legacy in mind, School of the Ozarks (S of O) faculty members began teacher orientation June 18. They gathered, along with School and College officials, at Forsyth, Missouri, S of O’s original location from 1907-1915.

Taney County native Becky Roberts, granddaughter of Joseph R. Gideon (S of O’s first graduate), presented her family’s S of O legacy during a meeting at the Community Presbyterian Church in Forsyth. There, the group examined photos, letters written by Gideon and numerous original S of O artifacts.

After hearing the historical overview, the group traveled to what once was the site of Mitchell Hall, the primary building used at S of O in Forsyth. Atop the hill, overlooking Swan Creek, the stone building stood until it burned in 1915. At that time, the school moved to its current location at Point Lookout.

At the original site, more than 100 years later, new S of O faculty and administrators gathered to pray for God’s continued provision and guidance. S of O Headmaster Brad Dolloff then read scripture and gave the benediction, which concluded the opening of orientation.

Over the course of the orientation week, the faculty will participate in numerous activities, including The Truth Project and American Classical and Christian Schools Conference.

The first day of the new School of the Ozarks is August 16. As of now, 60 students have enrolled in the college preparatory school for grades 9-12 that will not charge tuition, but will require students clean their own classrooms and do other work chores.

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