It was February 1959 and the PCHS basketball team journeyed to Scottsburg to prepare for our forthcoming Sectional game. The huge empty gym amplified the squeaks of our Chuck Taylor All-Star tennis shoes. Our practice session was uneventful, just like our early exit in the Sectional.
It is here my recollection of events is far from certain. But here is my version. On the way back to our cars we walked across the school yard to save some time. Without premeditation or purposeful forethought, we walked past a series of windows which revealed a classroom that was probably a girl's Home Economics class.
Who waved first will never be determined. But what followed was a series of waves both inside and outside the classroom. I recall several of the girls actually came to the window to checkout the Pirates basketball squad. At no time was there any intent to disrupt an on-going class. The waving may have been over in 30 seconds or so. We walked on and loaded the cars and returned to school.
When we arrived back at the Old Brick School House, Mr. Harris, the principal, met us and read us articles one-two- and three of the Riot Act. Our innocent waving had made its way up the chain of command to his office.The strong punishment was quickly announced by Mr. Harris: Suspension and PCHS withdrawing from the Sectional. Silence followed, until he said (my memory is tested here but I believe, he said something like, "IF a letter of apology is prepared expressing regret for your unseemly actions we'll start over." With one accord we were all ready to accept this "plea bargain."
I don't recall who exactly put pen to paper: but I was part of a team of three that composed its contents. The letter was given to Mr. Harris and I don't recall if he announced the verdict that afternoon or the next day. The apology was accepted and the game was on and the suspensions were called off!
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