Elko County Rose Garden

Grammar #2 is one of Elko's older grammar schools. It was built in 1929, at the start of the great depression. Before that there was a Grammar #1 school. Although a bit humble in looks and attributes, it is a school that I wish more people could see. There is a caring spirit here. The principal, teachers, and parents are in it together for the students. In the three years that I have been associated with the school, I have seen a constant progression of improvements.

Most notably, for a student body of only 500, or so, there is an incredible diversity of kids. Yet they don't seem to form clicks and gangs. They are more of one, respecting each others differences, if they even notice them. There are kids whose parents are doctors, lawyers, and bosses in the mines and kids that, well, know a different sort of life and town. There are ancestries of Indian, Basque, Irish, English, Mexican, Black, Oriental, Italian ... . There are kids whose parents are ranchers, cowboys, miners, business owners, store clerks, casino personnel, teachers, federal, state, county and city government workers, hairdressers, laborers and those that don't fit in any of these categories. There are Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, Mormon, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Jewish, Seventh-Day Adventist, bible churches, other beliefs that I am not aware of and I'm sure some that don't have any spiritual beliefs. There are Republicans, Democrats, Libertarian and others. There are environmentalists and I'm sure there are some that might feel the world is ours for the taking. And, I hope there is someone out there who will e-mail me, well hopefully somebody will read this, and say I left out their culture, group, belief or job. But, with the exception of a few bullies, everybody, at least for the large part, gets along. Perhaps the United Nations could spend a week or two visiting the school - couldn't hurt. The following is a collection of poems and stories about this remarkable school, its teachers, students, parents and even some of the problems that call for solutions.

Billy & Johnny, Sarah & Phil

Juanita, Mary, Carrie & Hugh

At our cool school, Grammar #2

What are Albertson’s Community Service Cards? When you use one of these cards as you check out, Albertson’s will donate from 2 – 5% of your purchases directly to Grammar #2. This program costs us nothing and for the 1999-2000 school year they donated over $4,000. to Grammar #2. All of this money was used to improve our school, above and beyond what the District could provide. If you already have a card, please give one to another family member or friend. It can be used at any Albertson’s. Additional cards can be obtained at the Grammar #2 office. Wouldn't it be nice if all of our schools took advantage of this outstanding program.

Mrs. Wahrenbrock retired from Grammar #2 at the end of the 1999 - 2000 school year. At the same time her husband , Jon, retired early from his job at The McMullen Agency. I've seen Jon, a couple of times since his retirement. Cindy must be sleeping in late on weekdays. We love you both!

Cindy Hotchkiss was born in Berkeley, California. Her parents are Wes Jr. and Hope. She has a brother, Wes 111, who is 10 years younger and now lives in Windsor, California. Cindy attended grades 1 - 7, at Walnut Creek Christian Academy. Her favorite teachers were Mr. Smart (he was the nicest looking) and Mrs. Dawson (she was patient and kind, and had old-fashioned braided hair).

In 8th grade, Cindy moved to Grass Valley, California, with her parents, to further their love of horses and riding. She attended 8th grade at Pleasant Valley School. She then attended and graduated from Colfax High School in 1970. Cindy moved on to college at the University of Nevada Reno. She majored in Special Education and Elementary Education, with an emphasis on remedial reading. She graduated in 1974.

Miss. Hotchkiss began her teaching career in 1974 at Orvis Ring Elementary School, Reno, Nevada. The school has been lost to progress – it was near the University of Nevada at Reno (UNR) campus. Cindy taught Special Education for one year at Orvis Ring. Her career began in the ‘submarine room’, a tiny basement room filled with lots of ceiling and wall pipes. Her career advanced rapidly. By midyear her class moved to the stage in the library (not actually a room just the stage). That year the school was condemned and Cindy transferred to Libby C. Booth School. This school remains by Washoe Medical Center. She taught Special Education there for 7 years. While teaching at Libby Booth, Cindy, met Jon Wahrenbrock, who is a partner in the McMullen Insurance Agency on Court Street, in Elko. The turning point of their romance was when Jon expressed his undying love for Cindy by sending a man dressed up in a gorilla suit to her class to sing Happy Birthday to her. They married in 1981, and Jon and Cindy Wahrenbrock now have two children, Ashley and Ryan, both attending High School in Elko.

In 1981, Mrs. Wahrenbrock moved to Elko, with her husband, and taught at Grammar #2. She taught Special Needs Children. She also taught Special Needs Children at Northside school for three years. She returned to Grammar #2, to be closer to Ashley and Ryan, when they attended G#2. Mrs. Wahrenbrock taught grades 1 - 3 for the last three years. She will retire before reaching 4th grade. Mrs. Wahrenbrock is a special person. A teacher who will be remembered as 'their' favorite teacher. One who was special and kind - without the old-fashioned braided hair.

- Dan Turner 4/20/00

Mrs. Smiley retired from Grammar #2 at the end of the 1999 - 2000 school year. We sure miss you!

Many events occurred in 1965, there were 125,000 American troops in Vietnam, the space probe Mariner 4 sent back images of Mars with extraordinary detail, Nobel Peace Laureate Martin Luther King led a civil rights march in Selma, Alabama and our Jackie Smiley began her teaching career. She began teaching High School Home Economics classes in the Mineral County School District, Hawthorne, Nevada. She taught for three years at Hawthorne and loved teaching so much she returned to Reno and obtained her Masters Degree in Elementary Education, with an emphasis in Reading and Special Education.

When she first came to Elko she worked for a short time at the Nevada Youth Training Center in the library and as a teachers aide. In 1973, Jackie began teaching for the Elko County School District. The first semester she taught at both Grammar #2 and Northside schools. Second semester, Mrs. Smiley began full time at Grammar #2. For the next four years Mrs. Smiley taught remedial reading classes at Grammar #2. In 1977, the year the movie Star Wars was first released, Mrs. Smiley transferred to the Adult High School Program at Great Basin College. In 1981, she returned to Grammar #2 in the Self-Contained Special Education Program. She has taught in the Special Education Program for the past 19 years at Grammar #2. She has been a special teacher for special children. She has been the foundation builder for many children who needed just an extra bit of help and guidance in their lives. Her presence and love will be missed for years to come at Grammar #2.

[It is now 10/26/00, it is my understanding that this is near being another solved problem ... and it hasn't snowed yet in Elko ... close though ... glad the school isn't in Spring Creek!]

[It is now 11/20/00, the kids are a clicking and the monitors are a-glow - Thanks All!]