When I entered EHHS for the first time, Fall 1960, there was one particular football player who seemed to have the whole package…Kip Miller. Even as a Junior in his first varsity season, Kip was already known as a star on the team. As a 16-year old youngster, Kip was a self-confident, handsome kid who was dating one the beauties of his class, Carol Warkentin.
Kip had something of an entourage around him in the locker room and it was probably there that I first heard the name of the legendary, Harold M. Snow. The coach would call Harold’s name during roll call and Kip would answer “here” for him and those around Kip would snicker. That went on for a few days before it slowly died out. Although it was clear that there was an inside joke going on, I never knew the story until recently.
In his 50th reunion bio, William R. Kantz, a member of the EHHS first graduating Class of 1960 confessed his part in starting the gag. It goes like this:
“I attended three schools in Arkansas, one in Commerce, TX and William James, Poly, Handley and EHHS -- Plus four years of summer school. This provided a large pool of girls to date. I also had a Rep. as a Bad Boy, a wild child and a little bit dangerous. This was a plus when dating girls from other schools. In 1957, Harold M. Snow was created as a protection while dating girls from other schools.
William R. Kantz (2010)
P.S. The M. stands for Melvin”
Gus' note: This is one of those rare stories where a prank had marvelous "legs" reaching over 50-years now. Probably unknown to these perps, their prank became something of an urban legend for at least 3-classes that followed them at EHHS. For those who never heard of Harold M. Snow, know that the sense of humor and creativity shown in his design and execution is pure 1950s--carefree, exuberant, fearless, and creative. It was a great time to be a kid.
Adios
1 comment:
What's all this cowboy stuff about Roger Kantz? He never looked or acted that way back in school. Can he ride a horse?
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